Earth Day Reflection.

 It seems being out there is the best way to take in the scope of human interaction with the environment. The rights of the earth are not being respected. There are the huge gouged out clear cuts on steep slopes in drainages that carry water to the thirsty cities below. And hydro-electric dams and roadways along all the major rivers, even the relatively forgotten ones like the Pit River.

 Part of it is simple faith. Faith in the power of regeneration and the unfolding principles of life constantly renewing itself. It's not even conscious.. we just expect things to keep rebirthing themselves.

 Being near Mt. Shasta is a constant reminder of the power of the elemental forces of sun and snow to bring waters into the dependent water courses below. We went into a gallery in the town of Mt. Shasta and saw photos of the lenticular clouds that form above the high reaches of the mountain. For the first days of our visit the mountain was clouded and invisible and then it appeared with complete solid boldness only to melt away into orange, pink, purple then gray each evening.

 Another wonder was to see what some humans are up to or down under. These young folks from a dive shop culture in Medford were exploring under the thick ice of Castle Lake despite the dark and cold... That is one think I love about humans...even when it doesn't seem to make much sense someone is almost always ready to do something unique.

And once down out of the mountains it was 91 degrees. We stopped at Woodson Bridge as poorly acclimatized as the divers to the icy waters. I stalked pipe vine butterflies enjoying the vetch and reflected on the kids wading in the Sacramento after we'd watched the rivulets, waterfalls and dancing roaring creeks coming out of the snow laden mountains for the last week. All of us creatures opportunistic and hungry for pleasure, comfort and survival....each in our way. each on this incredible earth.