Silver Linings

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We can trace the silver linings of a cloud all the way back to the 17th century writings of John Milton, who penned “Comus” in 1634:

“Was I deceiv’d, or did a sable cloud

Turn forth her silver lining on the night?”

The phrase we use today refers to the notion that even in hard times or in a bad situation all is not lost; there is some good to be found. Today, Americans have had their world turned topsy-turvy by the current economic meltdown; jobs, already in short supply, are disappearing fast, and even though the new administration was voted in under prophetic auspices of “hope and change”, fear underscores the present mood of the nation. The humor of the country is strikingly similar to that which faced Franklin D. Roosevelt when he first took office

Briefly, among the manifold approaches to ending the Great Depression, Roosevelt’s New Deal included numerous public works projects. Even now, decades since those arduous times, and in the midst of our own challenging circumstances, we still enjoy the fruits of those labors that were born of necessity and desperation.

Doubleday Field, in Cooperstown, New York, home of baseball’s Hall of Fame, was a WPA (Works Progress Administration) project, as was the Outer Bridge Drive, which spans the Chicago River. Another great work with New Deal origins is the famed Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs almost 470 miles, from Rockfish Gap, in Virginia, to the Cherokee Reservation, in North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains.

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Begun in 1935, and not completed for 52 years, the construction was carried out by many groups, including the WPA, the ERA (Emergency Relief Administration), and the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps). During World War II, the CCC workers were replaced by conscientious objectors, laboring for the CPS (Civilian Public Service).

In addition to providing much needed employment, the Parkway served as a means for Americans to freely (there is no fee to drive on the Parkway) enjoy all that nature has to offer. Fall and Spring have shows of color that are unsurpassed, and numerous turnouts, picnic sites, and hiking trails are available for those who wish to take more time to experience the countryside.

From the highest point on the drive (Richland Balsams, in North Carolina, elev. 6047ft) to the lowest (Otter Creek, in Virginia, elev. 649ft), every twist and turn of the road unveils something new. You might have to stop while a box turtle speeds across the pavement, or to allow a white-striped polecat to go wherever it feels like. Foxes, squirrels, chipmunks, white-tailed deer, and black bears are just a few of the local denizens you may encounter, and dozens upon dozens of different bird species are present to serenade travellers, and to provide vivid photo opportunities.

Lodging, food, and historical landmarks are located along the length of the route and it all adds up to a fantastic way to enjoy the silver lining of a by-gone cloud, as well as to acknowledge a sign of encouragement for today’s beleaguered society.