Kentucky writer Wendell Berry says if you don't know where you are, you don't know who you are.  The great Western American writer Wallace Stegner takes this observation one step further.  He suggests that what Berry means by "knowing" is that kind of "knowing that poets specialize in.  No place is a place," concludes Stegner "unless it has a poet." For the first time in the history of Colorado Springs, a beautiful piece of open space has claimed as a part of its higher consciousness not only a poet, but also a botanist, biologist, landscape painter, water color artist and photographer.

A Sense of Place includes:

A comprehensive essay detailing the history of the land and the step-by-step process by which a group of committed volunteers worked successfully to save it - providing a useful template for communities engaged in similar struggles elsewhere

Place-specific poetry with universal themes - including several intended for the young (How to Greet a Bear, Miz Skunk, Spider, I like the Bad Guys), with a high level of educational content.

Original watercolor illustrations by nationally known Santa Clara Pueblo artist Rosemary Apple Blossom Lonewolf and a landscape painting of the view west into Cheyenne Canyon from the Stratton open space by Santa Fe artist Kate Palmer.

Stunning photos of people, places, flora and fauna by activist, photographer Scott Flora.

Nature notes and descriptive species lists of Colorado birds, mammals, reptiles and wildflowers commonly found on the Stratton Land by Ecologist Richard Beidleman and Botanist George Cameron.

A new, fold-out map with updated trails and trail names

A Recommended Reading List

The book, published by Blue River Publishing Inc., is 86 pages with color and sells for $12.95 (plus postage and handling of $2.05).  Send orders with checks only to Ruth Obee at 1527 Winfield Ave., Colorado Springs 80906 or order by email at ruthobee@aol.com or by telephone (719) 634-2856.  For information on discounts for bulk orders, call Ruth Obee.