The next time you are driving eastward from Saluda towards Columbus on I-26, glance over to your right and give thanks to the Douglas family for the beautiful view. You’ll be looking at a mature mixed hardwood forest with no bare spots, and no invasives. Go a little ways more and you’ll be looking at the west side of Round Mountain that was clear-cut 15 +/- years ago, and you’ll remember just how ugly that clear-cut was, for so long.

But you’ll have the pleasure of looking at the Douglas land, covered with beautiful healthy trees, just like it is now for as long as you live and are driving that way. The Douglas family generously gave their 25-acre forest to Saluda Community Land Trust this September. SCLT will honor that gift by leaving it just like it is: healthy and whole. This indeed is one of those gifts that keeps on giving, and we all give thanks.

Some of you may remember one or two of the Douglas children who grew up in Tryon: Mollie, Ben, Ellen, Marianne and Strat. How about saying “Thank You” in person if you see them. They’d like that!

– Submitted by Betsy Burdett