During my youth in Cincinnati, we lived near a large creek that led westward and downward through forest and then across open farmlands. Though we often followed it for miles, I remember wondering where it eventually led.
When I grew older and became a bit more sophisticated regarding our local geography, I realized that the creek was one of many that flow into the Mill Creek Valley from the ridges that border it. But that early curiosity fed a life-long interest in topography and how our modern landscapes came to be. Indeed, over time, I became increasingly interested in geology and hydrology and cannot travel anywhere without paying attention to the streams and rivers that I cross.
Understanding the local geography also fuels attention to the varied ecosystems that characterize one's city or town and, of course, to the myriad of wild creatures that inhabit them.
See also: Wonderland
