An Awe Walk Award Winner

Summary

The website content describes the author's encounter with a crown vetch during an awe walk, reflecting on its beauty, significance as a state symbol in Pennsylvania, and its ecological impact.

Abstract

The author shares a personal experience of discovering a crown vetch on a familiar trail, which led to a moment of awe and appreciation for nature's design. This chance encounter is likened to winning an "awe walk award," emphasizing the transformative power of nature. Despite the crown vetch being labeled as an invasive species, the author delves into its positive attributes, including its role in soil conservation and its designation as Pennsylvania's state plant for beautification and conservation. The narrative concludes with the author reconciling the plant's invasive nature with its aesthetic and functional benefits, celebrating it as a symbol of their home state.

Opinions

The author views the crown vetch as a symbol of natural beauty and grandeur, akin to a chandelier in the woods.
There is an acknowledgment of the crown vetch's invasive status, but the author chooses to focus on its positive aspects, such as its use in erosion control and as livestock food.
The author expresses a desire to share the experience of witnessing the crown vetch with others, highlighting the communal aspect of appreciating nature's wonders.
The author values the practice of awe walks, suggesting it as a resource for others to experience similar moments of awe and connection with the environment.
The author seems to have a deep appreciation for the awe walk practice, as it allows for continuous discovery and a sense of smallness within the larger universe, which they find grounding and inspiring.

Awe Walk Discovery

This is a familiar trail, but each day I am drawn to new discoveries. Today, there was a slight floral scent in the air. Sunlight filtered through the trees’ new spring leaves. Then, as if I had been crowned “awe walker of the week”, the light purple color caught my eye. Upon closer inspection, the dainty design took my breath away. How does nature design such awesomeness?

I discovered this beauty along my path as I took my daily awe walk. The first thing I likened it to was a fancy chandelier, with its many perfectly formed translucent globes. Right here in the middle of the woods, nature crafted a delicate flower, so faintly tainted pink and purple, just waiting to be shared with me. This beauty is known as, crown vetch.

A gem like this, hidden in the woods, how could I be so lucky to have such an encounter? Who else passed by? Who stopped? I felt like rolling out the red carpet and shouting…Step right up, see the crown vetch! I wanted to share that moment of awe with everyone.

My eyes seeking high and low like a hawk, feeling the power of an awe walk. All worries lifted, stride only interrupted by beauty, so breathtaking, brilliant photos in the making.

The crown vetch hangs beside the path, like a chandelier. The power of an awe walk becomes even more evidently clear. I’m stopped in my tracks, small and connected, in a universe of grandeur.

Crown Vetch

When I returned from my walk, I was so struck with awe, I sought additional details. At first, several sources labeled the crown vetch an invasive species. I kept searching. I couldn’t let this be the only answer. There must be more behind the beauty I observed. I found this:

Pennsylvania is the only state that has designated a “beautification and conservation plant” as a state symbol (made official in 1982).

First discovered in 1935 on Mr. Gift’s farm in Pennsylvania, Penngift Crownvetch (Coronilla Varia L. Penngift) is valuable as food for livestock, erosion control , and nitrogen feeding of the soil. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has planted it along roads throughout the state. It is especially valuable for holding banks along highways. The stand improves with age and gradually chokes out other weeds. It is also used for its ornamental value on steep banks and hillsides.

Penngift Crownvetch produces attractive rose, white, or pinkish-white flowers from June to September. Crownvetch is a spreading, long-lived, winter-hardy, drought-tolerant, herbaceous legume with angular stems that grow to a height of 2 to 3 feet during the blooming period. —State Symbols USA

An Awe Walk Award Winner

Nature’s Chandelier

Awe Walk Discovery

Crown Vetch

Final Thoughts

Awe Walk (Greater Good in Action)

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