My Happy Place In the Garden--Not Where You Think

As much as I talk about gardening and my garden you'd think my happy place would be in my garden wouldn't you? You would be wrong. My happy place is next to the running trout stream at Fort Campbell's Clarksville Base. This most likely is because by the time I reach this stream I've already walked a few miles and I am sore, and tired, and just want to relax. I cannot think of a better place to relax and get happy than here by the stream on Fort Campbell. I sit down under the bridge and get lost in the serene views all around me.

The bubbling of the stream lulls me.


The water full of fish cheers me. It cheers me so much I sometimes wish to go for a swim in this clear stream.

But alas, reality sets in and I must be on my way as I still have a few miles in front of me to get back to my car and to my home. The memory of the trout stream helps to keep my feet moving, one in front of the other. 

A little about Fort Campbell's waterways: There is a cooperative effort between many agencies to stock not only the running stream but the ponds in the Clarksville Base area. This area behind the above sign is more of a marshy area with ponds that is frequented by geese, turtles, otters, and fish of course. It is not the running trout stream I showed in the pictures above. In fact, I don't think the two join one another but this waterland would drain into the stream at some point I am sure. I stay on the trail so I have no idea how the water all flows together but common sense tells us it does. 

Trout are stocked here and in the stream. As I read this sign I often think I should bring a fishing pole one day. It would be lovely to catch a fresh trout. Mr. Fix-it's happy place is anywhere he is fishing so I think he'd like my happy place too, but he rarely walks with me. That should change one day when he retires. Perhaps we'll both go fishing for trout. It will only be me that will eat it though because as much as Mr. Fix-it loves to fish, he does not like to eat fish.

The next picture of the gnarled tree overhanging the stream says so very much about this stream. Sometimes the stream runs so fiercely it seems as though it will sweep everything away, yet the trees hang on only to show evidence of the current that can pass through this stream in the form of exposed and gnarled roots.








Wildflowers abound all over Clarksville Base. I believe the above wildflower is Rudbeckia triloba. The wildflowers along the way to my happy place make the journey so much more interesting and bearable. The old bones and muscles don't work quite as well as they used to. I've been walking this trail for over ten years now. While in the Army we had to walk it twice and then some in order to make our 12 mile hike. I'm glad those days are behind me. Now I can stroll at a leisurely pace and enjoy the views and the flowing water.



After the long walk and a sit down in my happy place at Fort Campbell I come home to my own garden. And yes, I do have a happy place here. It is not quite so spectacular as the stream in the wild backwoods, but it does have water and fish....

in the garden....

Where is your happy place and why?

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Part II of Our Nature Walk on Fort Campbell's Clarksville Base Trail

Part II of our walk along the Clarksville Base Walking Trail see us at a roadside stream. We just saw some Canadian geese and a snapping turtle. I now turn my attention the green mat forming plant that grows on the surface of some of the waterways on our trail. I believe this invasive weed to be mosquito fern (Azolla). I am not sure but in my limited research it looks like some of the pictures I've seen on the web. There are whole mats of this plant. The mats are so dense it looks as though you could walk across the water without sinking. The weed is a pretty color green but I am not so sure it is a good thing for the waterways.

Further down the road we see where the previous waterway empties. This area is often frequented by a flock of Canadian geese. I was surprised there weren't a few present on this day's walk. As you can see the area is really large making the area a wonderful habitat for migrating birds.

There is a slight division between the wetlands pictured above and this small picture just prior to this sentence. This area was at one time, many years ago, a nice little pond. Over the years this pond has slowly begun drying up and has become infested with the mosquito weed. One day while riding my bicycle around this trail I stopped to look at this pond and to my delight there were two otters swimming about in it! Can you see the little cave along the water surface across the pond? I think the otters made their den in that vicinity. I have not seen them since that day two years ago but hope they are still around. The yellowing of the water weed to the green bordering the blue of the water made for a beautiful sight.


Note the green frilly grass like plant behind and to the right of the pond in the above picture. Can anyone guess what it is? I will give you some hints, it is evergreen, grows from canes, likes water, and spreads rampantly. Psssst, it starts with a B!

Leaving the pond behind we finally reach our halfway point. It is at this point the road takes a 90 degree turn and we enter a very sunny area leading us to a fast moving stream. Do you remember in my part one post I told you that you'd see another fallen tree? One that took half the hillside with it when it fell? This is it! The tree has been chopped off but the roots and half of the trunk remain. All of the red soil in the picture is due to the hillside opening up and releasing tree roots when this large tree fell. I suspect nature will take her course and eventually new trees and shrubs will grow along the gash and in another twenty years walkers along this path will never know a tree fell here and took half of the hillside.

The bunkers that are built into the hillside at one time housed various nuclear things. I don't know exactly what but Clarksville Base was at one time a nuclear storage area that was known as the Birdcage. It was a secretive site in the 50s and 60s. Due to the Freedom of Information Act much of that secrecy has dissipated. Sometimes the bunkers are closed and locked, sometimes they are open as in the case of this one. Inside we can just make out some pallets and Constantine (razor) wire. Having dealt with rolls of that razor wire while in the Army I just moseyed on quickly.

Rounding the bend we reach a very sunny area. This area is unlike most of the trail in that it is wide open. The sun shines strongly in this area and the plants are different than what we see in other areas of the trail. We are now approaching a fast moving stream directly ahead. This stream is one of my favorite stopping points. Once the Jimster and I came here for a walk when we stopped here and he rolled up his pants and took off his shoes and went wading. While we were there a little helicopter swooped down nearly touching the water. It was a magical sight!

I won't take you under the bridge today. If you'd like to see photos from previous visits under the bridge please type in Clarksville Base Trail on the search feature of this blog or click on the label. A few weeks ago while walking here I heard a huge machine nearby. I looked toward the other bridges in this very same direction and saw two huge machines that had a giant clamping mouth on the end of a long arm. The machines were removing all of the debris that had built up on the pillars of the bridges. The debris was so bad you could barely see past this first bridge to the arches. The debris consisted of tree logs and the jam of them was so much that the water course was actually changed when coming through this area. 


Can you notice the tire marks on the surface of the stream? Apparently this is a good spot to spin your cars and trucks. Once while walking I saw several Army soldiers training on all terrain vehicles (ATVs). They were quickly navigating the steep sides of the embankment and clambering up the opposite side. It looked like fun.

Leaving all of the waterways behind we are now entering the home stretch. Only two more miles to go! One common sight along the walk are the beech trees in the forest. The beech trees keep their leaves and those gold leaves shine in the forest.

Walking along on this road I nearly have the whole trail to myself. Occasionally a jogger will run by though. Do you see him in the distance? This trail is a popular trail for runners, bikers, and families just enjoying the day. The left turn off in the above picture will take you to the area where I used to work. It actually comes out right behind our buildings. Air traffic controllers are no longer housed in this area but I still have fond memories of the buildings. Our main building was at one time the fire station that serviced Clarksville Base. It is designated as historical by Fort Campbell and cannot be modified. While this is not a bad thing modifications also include upgrades. These buildings were built in the 40s or 50s and needless to say, energy efficiency was not high on the priority list at that time. Getting any kind of weatherization for the buildings was impossible.

We are nearly finished with our walk. The marks we soldiers used to gauge our progress on the two mile run are still visible. I use them to pace myself on this last and longest mile. 


When Clarksville Base was secret there were Marines guarding it. Some of the guardposts are pictured in the above and below pictures. Can you imaging sitting for several hours in one of these small underground cement boxes with only a slit to keep watch? Being a military person can be difficult and guard duty, while a fundamental tenet of being a serviceman or woman, is oftentimes long, cold, tiring, and trying. I think of all the Marines who served here each time I pass by. By foxhole standards these guardboxes are Taj Mahal though. 






Ah, here we are! The end is in sight and I tell you it was a mighty long walk for me on this day. I am always heartened to see my black Buick waiting for me at the end of the walk. By this time my back and legs are crying out in agony but I have a satisfied, happy, and content feeling that I completed my walk at Clarksville Base at least one more time....


in the garden....
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Let's Take a LONG Walk Around Fort Campbell's Clarksville Base Trail: Nature's Paradise

I was first introduced to Fort Campbell's Clarksville Base upon being stationed here in August 2001. My unit was located in a historical building above the trail I call Clarksville Base Walking Trail. The trail is not really named that but it is what I choose to call it. My introduction to this trail was by way of running in my semi annual physical fitness tests. We had a measured one mile course on the trail. We ran up one mile then back one mile. After I retired from the Army I swore I would never run again! Now I walk the trail or sometimes jog it a bit. I also became intimately familiar with all of the nooks and crannies of the trail when I had to complete the annual twelve mile road march. The twelve mile road march took us around the 4.5 mile trail twice and along another part of the intersecting trails as well. While the road march was memorable for the pain and torture of the walk; it also endeared me to the Clarksville Base Walking Trail so much that even today, more than ten years later, I still walk this trail as frequently as I can. But I promise you it is not in boots with a weapon and rucksack on my back!


Les at A Tidewater Gardener has challenged bloggers to take a walk and to post about it. I am somewhat breaking the rules (okay, I'm breaking the rules) because Les says to leave your house and walk around and share what you see within walking distance of your home but without showing anything from your garden. While I can walk near my house it would mean walking on a busy highway. I would be taking a risk with my life walking on this highway and in all the years I have lived in this house I can honestly say I have never taken a walk near my home. My go to walking trail is the Clarksville Base walking trail. Not only is the trail safe from traffic (it is open to cars but only a small portion of the trail is a road that is traveled regularly) but it is a known distance and is so familiar and loved by me that I can't imagine ever walking anywhere else. I hope he forgives me for breaking that rule. 


I will be posting my walk off in two different posts. I am sure I took over 100 photographs of my walk last Tuesday so they will not all fit in one post. The trail is 4.5 miles long and I can normally complete the walk in about one hour and thirty five minutes. On this date it took me two hours and thirty five minutes. That meant I was sight seeing for an hour! I normally don't do this but there was a lot to see on my walk off. I try to walk the trail weekly. Sometimes life gets in the way and I can't make it much to my chagrin. I feel like Clarksville Base is my 'lifeline'. Without walking and the peace I get from walking I feel my muscles will just atrophy and hurt and I will no longer be able to walk. No matter how much heavy gardening I do it never has the same effect on my body as walking does. I rue the day when I can no longer walk my weekly 4.5 mile trail. Ten years ago I could do the trail in less than an hour. Getting old is .....well, you know. I will take you on a walk with my pictures in the exact chronological order they were taken. I will try to talk you through the trail. Clarksville Base has always garnered a great deal of interest on this blog so even though many of you might not like the discourse, many more of you will savor each word as we walk along. Enjoy.

The one portion of the trail that has regular traffic is from the starting point to about the one mile mark. The trail starts at the water treatment plant, crosses a stream, turns a bend then forks to the left or you can go straight ahead. I always take that path less traveled-the road that goes straight. If I stayed left I would wind up at the Ammunition Supply Point (ASP). Almost all traffic on this section of the trail is going to the ASP. Taking the straight ahead road usually means anyone who is traveling on this road is either sightseeing, training with military vehicles, or just cruising around. The pace is less sedate and generally safe from heavy traffic. 

I start our walk not at the starting point (though you will see it Friday on Part II of our walk) but on the bridge a short distance from the starting point. The bridge crosses the above stream and is a beautiful sight. On the day I walked the trail workers were busy replacing the guardrail along this bridge. It was quite a large and messy job.



Under the bridge near the starting point there are pipes. I know not what the pipes carry but a few years ago workers installed the pipes. It was a huge job and traffic was actually diverted from the bridge. Cars, trucks, and military vehicles had to navigate the back walking area. Traffic was so bad that the Military Police once stopped me on my walk and informed me the trail was closed to walking traffic. I was distressed but adapted. Soon the job was complete and I was right back on my trail. It doesn't matter to me if the temperature is below freezing, the wind is howling, or that tornadoes are anticipated. Still, I walk my trail. I do not, however, normally walk in the rain. 


Back to the bridge. Below this bridge are thousands of wildflowers. The largest patch of Virginia Bluebells I have ever seen grows in this area near the stream. Can you see the fallen tree in the above picture? We have had a lot of storms in our area and this tree somehow fell victim to the winds. Many trees fall in the natural area surrounding the trail. In part two of this walk you will see a tree that fell and took half of the hillside with it.

The walking trail surrounds a basin. I walk the trail clockwise. Looking at the above picture you can see the terrain on my left slopes up to heavily wooded areas. The right side of the road is the basin. Within this basin are numerous wetlands. Once, in 2001, I saw nearly this whole area flooded. I have never seen it with so much water since. There are many streams, bogs, and ponds within this area. We shall soon see some of the inhabitants of this natural area as well.

I was stunned on my walk by all the spicebushes (Lindera benzoin) that were blooming here. I have never ever noticed them before. I do have a spicebush growing in my garden so I immediately knew what it was. I always enjoy seeing natives growing in their natural habitat and try to duplicate that habitat in my own garden. The spicebush here were prevalent along the road and on the hills.

The blooms were stunning. I wish I could tell the difference between a female and male spicebush. The nursery where I purchased mine did not sex the bushes and I have no idea what kind I have. You need to have both a female and male if you wish to get the bright red berries on the female in the fall. A goal of mine is to figure out which one I need in order to get those berries.

I believe this is a cutleaf toothwort (Cardamine concatenata). It was growing very near to the road and just below several spicebushes. I had to be careful where I stepped. Wildflowers are often so diminutive that they don't show up easily.

I am pretty sure this is Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica). It grew all along the flat ground near a hill that contained millions of trout lilies. I think the trout lilies were of the yellow variety (Erythronium americanum) but they were not in bloom at the time of my walk so I cannot be sure.

This is but a small number of the trout lilies located on a steep 15 foot hill near a bunker. The Spring Beauties grew at the base of the hill. Another tip to me of how to grow both of these beautiful native wildflowers.

A little further down the road from the wildflowers and bunkers is part of the stream system. I am not sure how all of the waters connect but I do know they do. I had to take a detour down to this stream on an overgrown drive. I did not expect to see what I saw but was astonished. As I approached the waterway several wood ducks flew away. Once I regained my composure I realized there were a couple dozen turtles softly plunking into the water upon my approach. Once I finally made it down to the stream I quietly peeked through the trees to see if any of the wildlife was still around. And yes there was! Two Canadian geese and a turtle seemed to be okay with my presence. I spent quite a few minutes snapping photographs of these grand champions of waterways.

Perhaps this is the male Canadian goose? He seemed to stand tall and proud, ever wary.

This one sat sedately on a submerged log. It was only when I was preparing to leave that both geese decided to swim away. I thought they were the most beautiful creatures ever.

This turtle; which is probably a snapping turtle though I don't know, never budged from its perch on an old snag. It was taking in the sun on what would turn out to be a beautiful day. 


This concludes part one of my Walk Off post. We are nearly half way through out walk. I will post the rest of the walk on Friday so be sure to come back and finish up our four and one half mile hike on Fort Campbell's best nature walk....


in the garden....
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Wildflower Walk at Fort Campbell & Green Thumb

From In the Garden

As a companion post to my Wildflower Wednesday post I thought I'd share some wildflowers growing at my favorite spot to walk on Fort Campbell. Prior to beginning blogging a few years ago I had always enjoyed this walk and all the flowers along the way, but never knew what they were. I now try to identify each of the flowers and have a greater appreciation for the diversity on Fort Campbell simply because I know a little bit about the flowers. Does that make sense? Anyhow, let's take a walk today. I warn you there are two teenagers and Mr. Fix-it along for the walk. I probably should've warned them that I'd be snapping wildflower pictures. They were good sports though and didn't mind mom lagging behind a bit.

The above picture is taken from a bridge along a creek where many folks stop to fish, picnic or just to hang out. We always like to pause in this area, kick off our shoes and wade in the water.

Under the very same bridge where I took the picture there is a colony of what I believe to be cliff swallows. I so enjoy these guys swooping and diving after all the bugs in this area. Their nests are pretty cool too. When I worked up top at Clarksville Base we had a family of these swallows build their nest just above the front door to our building; which was not a smart thing to do. It's much safer under the bridge for nests and nestlings.

There are a few bridges crossing this stream. The view to the other bridges is quite scenic and tranquil.

Under the second bridge is a series of columns that seems to go on forever in both directions. It's quite a cool spot to look at the underpinnings of a bridge.
Look closely at this picture. I include it for Jimmy. He is into free running and enjoyed jumping, running, and climbing on this walk. See him on the left? I was fortunate to capture him off the ground. There is nothing I love better than teenagers when they are out exercising. Think happy endorphins that stay with said teenagers for several hours; which makes for pleasant relations between teens and parents. I tried to walk my kids a lot when the older ones were teens. 'Nuff said.
Okay, back to wildflowers. The woodland phlox was in full bloom. It's probably hard to see in this picture but it is the light purple on top of these rocks. The phlox grows everywhere in these woods and smells so good.
I believe this is a bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus parviflora) but I could be wrong. Please let me know the correct identification if you know it. It grows wild all along the road. I also have it in my garden but it is too small to bloom. I know it is a buckeye but not sure of the cultivar or type.
Now here is an interesting combination. I know these umbrella plants are mayapples (Podaphyllum peltatum). I also have these in my garden and they are in bloom right now. The round leaved plant next to them is perhaps ginger? I'm not sure. There is also a cut leaf plant to the top of the picture which I have no idea what it can be.
I think this is some kind of toothwort and trout lilies (Erythronium americanum). There was a whole hill of these lilies and it was simply splendid! I chose to post the close up but do have a picture of the hill. Unfortunately, on our walk the trout lilies had already bloomed out. The seed capsules were very visible just waiting to spread themselves around.
And of course I think everyone knows these pretties, Virginia bluebells. There are whole glades full of shining blue flowers. Simply stunning is the only way to describe the beauty.

There are more wildflowers on Clarksville Base as well as native trees. This area is fairly untouched by invasives but I did notice some multiflora, Japanese honeysuckle, and perilla. I'll post on the trees perhaps another day. If only they could talk I can imagine the stories they would tell us.


Finally, here are the two teenagers who honored Mr. Fix-it and I with their presence. Both boys had a great time walking the long trail on Clarksville Base. These two boys are trying to start a band and are very into guitars and singing. I'm always in awe of musically inclined people since I could never carry a tune to save my life, can't read music, and could never get the rhythm right with breathing or anything else, let's not even talk dancing. And believe me, I tried when I was a teen as my mother will attest. Music is not in my genes but Jimmy (left) and Clint (right) enjoy it enough for all of us. They were good sports to come along on our wildflower walk....

in the garden....

I need to let my local readers know about the Green Thumb Festival scheduled from 8 am-4 pm tomorrow, May 1st at the Habitat Re-Store on Madison Street in Clarksville. This festival is for all things gardening. Guess you know I'll be there-all day. This is the first annual Green Thumb Festival. Its purpose is to bring awareness to the Habitat Re-Store and to celebrate gardening season with local vendors and gardening enthusiasts. There will be lots of classes on diverse subjects such as landscaping and rain barrels, vendors and plenty of plants-just in time for gardening season. Come on out and enjoy the company of fellow gardeners!

Calling All Clarksville Base Marines and Sailors for a Walk Down Memory Lane!

From In the Garden

Hello and welcome! Today's post is going to take you down memory lane if you were one of the elite few who were stationed at the TOP SECRET Clarksville Base in the 1950s-1960s. Now sit back and reminisce...

From In the Garden

"From 1952 to 1969 hundreds of young men stood in "pillboxes"--concrete style bunkers with nothing but a slit opening to peer through or to fire a weapon--to keep strangers out of the classified area in the woods of Fort Campbell." [Source: AP-Military Forum]

This year marks a big milestone in the history of Clarksville Base. There will be two-count them-two reunions here in Tennessee that involve Clarksville Base. The first reunion is scheduled for April 22-24, 2010 right here in Clarksville. The Birdcage Marine planners have all sorts of fun things in store for participants. Check out their link for more information.

The Marines provided the protective force for Clarksville Base during its heyday-days when nuclear weapons were stored there.

From In the Garden

The second reunion is scheduled for Sunday October 10th through Friday October 15th 2010 in Nashville. This reunion is sponsored by the Navy Nuclear Weapons Association and involves all members of that esteemed association, not just Clarksville Base alumni. Check out their link for more information.

The Navy nuclear specialists handled the actual nuclear weapons.

How do I know this information and why am I publishing it here? The main reason is that of late there has been tons of interest in my post titled "Clarksville Base Trail". Many folks come to this post when they Google this wonderful natural area. It is an area near and dear to my heart since I used to work at Clarksville Base. Even though I no longer serve there, I walk the 4.5 mile trail weekly-this is truly what is near and dear to my heart. The nature trail (as I see it) holds special memories for me mainly due to its peace and close ties with the native flora and fauna. Wild turkeys, deer, many birds, squirrels, river otters, beavers, and ground hogs make their home in this wooded area. In addition to the native fauna, there are tons of wildflowers growing all along the road and through the woods. This area is truly a gem for us here at Fort Campbell.

From In the Garden

"At our 2005 Clarksville Base Reunion, the Fort Campbell Museum Curator told us that newly available Russian documents indicate Clarksville Base was actually #3 on the USSR ICBM target list." [Source: Droppings, Issue Fall 2009]

This base is eligible to be designated a historic site on the National Register. Its intensely secretive reputation during the Cold War and even after have led to many stories, legends and lore surrounding it. It is called The Bird Cage because of the two sets of very high chain link fencing that surround the area. The interior set was electrified during the base's use as a nuclear weapon storage facility.

Between 1967 and 1969 at least one Clarksville Base trainee electrocuted himself at the high-voltage while going AWOL. [Source: Atomic Traveler] Check this link for more interesting and little known information about Clarksville Base.

The area also holds special memories for the alumni. One member contacted me recently to share his special memories from the early 1960s. I'm looking forward to meeting him when he comes down for the reunion and I just might take him for a hike along the trail. A battle of Army versus Sailors? We shall see!:) His name is Doug Rogers and some of you out there may know him. If so and you'd like to contact him, either email me or leave a comment here for him. So without further ado, here is a story from Doug in his own words about a not so happy thing that happened at Clarksville Base:

This incident took place perhaps in the spring or fall of 1960 or the spring of 1961, most likely 1960. The weather was cool, damp, and overcast. Place of incident was Marine Corps guard house near the main gate and the fire station.

I had departed the Administrative Building, #106 in the US Mail truck, sometime around 0800 hours (it was at the time for the change of the guard, whatever time that may have been) and was on my way to Fort Campbell Post Office and The Post Locator. I was, at that time, the Navy base postal clerk (PCSN, E-3).

As I began the approach to the main gate, some seventy five yards or so, I noticed a line of Marines being inspected for the morning change of guard. They were lined up along the guard house, which is directly across from the fires station, an officer was inspecting each Marine. Some had service 45 cal. handguns, others with M1s. As the inspecting officer stood in front of each Marine, made visual uniform inspection, then received the weapon, inspected it and returned the piece to the Marine, and then stepped up to the next Marine. I was finding it interesting to watch this very smart inspection as we Navy (at Clarksville Base) were operating much like a Club Med business. Life at The Bird Cage for the Marines was, to say the least, an unhappy military experience.

As the inspecting officer moved to the next Marine, inspected his uniform, then asked the Marine to present the weapon for inspection, which he did. The officer very smartly pulled the slide back, inspected the weapon and returned the weapon. I should mention that at the time, I was driving slowly, had the windows rolled up and the heater on, so all I saw was actions. As the inspecting officer stepped to the next Marine, the inspected Marine (had received the 45 back from the officer) placed a loaded clip into the weapon, released the slide, pointed the weapon forward and pulled the trigger. Of course, this is not the correct or safe way to handle a weapon!

Of course the young Marine knew the correct way to handle a weapon. I think he was under extreme pressure by the inspection so he reversed the handling procedure. The correct way of course is to release the slide, insert the clip, aim safely and pull the trigger and move the safety to lock. I saw the explosion of the round going off and knew immediately what had taken place. I was, at the time of the incident only feet in front of the discharge.

What then happened? Well, as I very clearly recall this memory some fifty years later, as the weapon discharged the bullet traveled across the road, through a window in the firehouse office (the windows were high on the north side), over the head of the Chief who was sitting at his desk, hit the opposite (south) wall and knocked a bulletin board off the wall. No personal injuries.

Immediately after the weapon discharged the inspecting officer very quickly reached back, grabbed the weapon out of the hand of the young Marine, and knocked him to the ground. All other Marines held formation. I continued speed and checked through the Main Gate and on to Forth Campbell. One wonders the fate of that young Marine. Perhaps someone who attends the Marine Barracks Reunions will remember the incident, perhaps some of the Civil Service firefighters will too.

Doug Rogers, 23 February 2010

I worked in these very buildings when I was in the Army (2001-2003). The buildings are still there and probably look the same as they did back in the 1950s. I once tried to get the windows upgraded to more energy efficient windows and was flatly told no by the engineers. It seems the buildings are historical and cannot be changed, though I have been unable to find a source for this mandate. I hope everyone who comes and visits Clarksville Base can see it for what it is today, a peaceful quiet wooded area full of native flora and fauna. It is an area that needs protection not only for its rich history but for the habitat it provides to the local base.

Don't forget about the reunions. If you are an alumni and are curious as to how to comment, it is really easy. Simply sign in using an existing email account (GMAIL works well) or sign in Anonymously. It is not difficult as Doug found out. Do look at the other Clarksville Base post as well.

"History never looks like history when you are living through it." John W. Gardner

in the garden.....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden

Fort Campbell's Clarksville Base Trail

I have spoken of my walking trail before, and will again as it is the best kept little 'secret' on Fort Campbell. Those of us who live close by have a real gem in this roadmarch/ruck march/walking route at Clarksville Base on Fort Campbell. This is a most treasured spot for me to commune with nature and today I'll take you along.
I was first introduced to this route when having to complete the 12 mile roadmarch as part of the 18th Airborne Corps requirements. Little did I know that despite: the blisters, the pain, and the blur of simply trudging along praying I would make the time and not collapse due to the physical toll this roadmarch took on my body; that this route would become such a favored part of my life. Even the rocks smile when I walk by. Can you see the face in this rock formation? It is clear as mud, look closely and let me know if you can't see it.

In the seven years I have lived here I have endeavored to walk this 4.5 mile route weekly. It has not always worked out this way, but it is an admirable goal is it not? One of my favorite times of year to walk the route is in the winter. I have traversed the paved road when it has been under snow and ice, and when it has been covered with puddles full of beautiful butterflies. I enjoy the artwork at my favorite 'wade in the stream spot', and I enjoy the towering sycamores which help provide food for the numerous deer, turkey and other assorted wildlife that make this sanctuary its home.

Clarksville Base is a historic area of Fort Campbell. Many may know it as the 'Bird Cage'. Its exact original purpose is not known to me, but I have read that nuclear weapons were stored here during the last world war. The walking trail is bordered by cool underground bunkers that are used for storage, not of the nuclear kind.
The building where I worked when I was in the Army used to be the fire station for Clarksville Base. I once tried to upgrade the drafty, leaky windows in our building and was told by the engineers that it was not allowed due to the building being historic. Historic must mean non-energy efficient because the wind sure blew through on cold days.

A favored and truly treasured spot is this stream area. There is a system of several bridges, one of which walkers and roadmarchers will pass over when navigating the trail. I almost always walk down the concrete bank and sit and listen to the water. Many folks do the same. On a sunny day there will be whole families walking the trail and some will even cast a fishing line or two. Look closely in the picture below and you can see tire tracks of some brave soul who decided to spin his car around in the stream. This would have been possible only when the stream was low. Wonder if it was fun to the silly drivers? Beavers, swallows, turtles, deer, wild turkeys, geese, and blue herons are all in abundance in this area. I have seen them all and so enjoy the tranquility of their lives. They coexist peacefully with walkers like me. Whenever the Jimster is with me it is a given he will take off his shoes and socks, roll up his pants and go wading. On a recent trek to the stream around dusk, the Jimster, his friend Christian, and I were enthralled when a 'little bird' helicopter showed up. It was doing night flying above the tree tops. As an air traffic controller we called this type of flying NOE, or nap of the earth flying. This helicopter gave us a show by landing on the bridge above. We were sitting right where I am taking the picture, quite close to the helicopter. Water spray and dust flew everywhere. I still get a tingle being around this type of activity or whenever I hear a helicopter fly overhead or a 'freedom bird' does a low take off just west of my home. It is the air traffic controller part of me coming out. Some of my aviation friends who spent their lives working on helicopters around here HATE the sound of helicopters now. They purposely buy homes far away from flight routes and avoid Fort Campbell altogether. But not me, I love the helicopters and all their noise. Now, the blasting from Fort Campbell I can do without:)

I thank the Army everyday for the wonderful experiences I was able to live during my twenty years of service. To travel to the Middle East, or fly over the Alps in a Huey, to fire a rifle and throw a grenade, to work in a bubble in the sky with air conditioning, to help a pilot land his aircraft in the thickest of fog, to get an education and to meet some really neat folks, to live in Italy and ride a gondola on the canals of Venice, to see King Ludwig's Fairytale Castle Neuschwanstein is something that most people never get to experience in a lifetime. And I was able to do it all and more during my twenty year tour of duty.

This post is really not about the Army, but about a wonderful walking trail on an Army base. This walking trail and walking in general always makes me appreciate the little things in life: like walking on a clear and sunny day and giving myself time to just be me with no pressures, no blogging, no stressors, just life. Walking does this for me. I am going to finish this post with a short video of the stream. You can hear the water running which is such a soothing sound for me. There will be more posts on this super great walking trail. It is filled with wildflowers and noises and vernal ponds full of bullfrogs and fish and geese and life. For now....

I'm in the garden....walking with Bella on the Clarksville Base Trail.

Hi all. I've been contacted by a few folks who are interested in Clarksville Base and from what I understand it was a most special place to be stationed during the Cold War. I am currently working on a post concerning some stories and some information about a few reunions that involve Clarksville Base. The page links are no longer valid for these reunions. Sorry.