April 1, 2015

Grand Canyon; Vault of Heaven, Susan Lamb

“…I came to the Canyon as a naturalist in 1983, to learn and tell the story of the people who lived here centuries ago. Yet in asking ‘how did they live?’ I grew to appreciate more about the plants and animals from the rim to the river, and how the sun, the wind and the rain determined so much about life here then as now. I learned how the very walls of Grand Canyon are part of the answer, and why people might make their homes in such a demanding place.

“Descendants of the Pueblo people who lived here long ago consider Grand Canyon to be where they emerged from a dark and self-centered past into the glorious present. They regard the time they lived here with great reverence. It can be that way for us too. Grand Canyon can draw us out of ourselves and into an awareness of how remarkable our world truly is. Although it is challenging and can be dangerous, the Canyon is inspiring as well. There is something nameless that we all seek, beyond mere survival. The Pueblo people found it at Grand Canyon long ago, as we can today….”

The above passage inspired me to write today.

February 19,2014
the warm before the Storm-- birds are chirping-- geese flying-- sun warming-- all around a morning to be grateful for...

February 4, 2015
Photosynthesis begins in the larger organisms HERE next week!

December 29, 2014

Nice five mile walk w/ Ellie— ice- fog.

Temperature dropping — hard snow; lighter snow; crunch under foot and as the temperature drops all I think about is winter camping!    14°F. —  at Elev 5440 ft 39.73 °N, 105.08 °W —

October 27, 2014

Reading List:

• Acid Test: LSD, Ecstasy and the Power to Heal— Tom Shroder
• Summer of Fire— Jim Carrier
• Requiem for the West— Roger C. Brown

The so-called warm before the storm is past and the temp. is dipping southward. Trees still appear about 50% gone [turned]. Chill in the air however as is the usual here in the Denver Basin warmer days are ahead!

Can use a good dose of camping about now!

September 22, 2014

The autumnal equinox brings the fall season to the Northern Hemisphere on: September 22 at 10:29 P.M. EDT.

Went over to East Portal yesterday and walked in the storm—rainy bands and breathed-in the fresh air with the leaves and tress on the air.

Was good at elev. [9100’].

I enjoyed as I think Ellie- Mae did as well. 

    

September 1, 2014

Labor Day —[US holiday]—

Ever notice that when out and about here in America’s “quiet places”— National forest campgrounds, the National Parks/ state parks etc.—that the object is to eat all the food, come back lighter— hopefully “refreshed” and save the memories on camera?

Ever notice the Inuit in northern latitudes when stopping in the quiet places— they look to set traps, fish for graylings and look for meat to carry them through? They seem to come back heavier after the work out. They call it ‘shopping.”

“We call going to the mall shopping.”

Question to you my friends— why are Americans so preoccupied and stressed- out with relaxing and lightening the load?

From— CHARLES RUSSELL:

Shortly before his death in 1926, the great western artist, Charles Russell, was asked to speak at a Montana Booster Club meeting. When Russell heard himself introduced as a “pioneer," he stepped to the rostrum and addressed the boosters...

“In my book, a pioneer is a man who comes to a virgin country, traps off all the fur, kills off all the wild meat, cuts down all the trees, grazes off all the grass, plows the roots up and strings ten million miles of barbed wire. A pioneer destroys things and calls it civilization. I wish to God that this country was just like it was when I first saw it, and that none of you folks were here at all!”