It's a challenging and emotional day, so we may not have time for much more than some quick thoughts about what we've learned, which we'll post, with some pictures, as we go along.
Some Lessons Learned:
Plants have artistry.--Evan N.
Dehydration can hit before you realize it.--Evan S.
Plants are amazing. Dodder is "wireless" and flies over other plants like Batman flying over Gotham City rooftops.--Erin
It's better not to judge things before trying them.--Evan S.
Jimson weed is tricky because it smells like peanut butter, but could blind you if you get it in your eyes.--Alex
It's easy to make friends but hard to let them go.--Rachel
Invasive species are threats to an entire ecosystem.--Nick
It's important to use the right end of the coffee cup, especially when talking about how important it is to use the right end of the coffee cup.--Rusty
Appreciation for the natural world grows exponentially with understanding.--Boone
Wherever you go you can, and will, gather friends and even new family.--Evan N.
Saprophytes (like some of the orchids growing on the Reserve) were once thought to live only on decomposing matter (not photosynthesis), but now there's a debate about whether some are parasites living off fungi.--George
It doesn't take long to grow close to good people.--Boone
Nature will never cease to amaze me, from gorgeous plants in the desert to glow worms in the mountains.--Katie
Only plants in flower are considered good collection specimens.--David
People can come together quickly through a mutual hatred for generic-brand Wal-Mart food.--Nick
The desert isn't as barren as it looks.--Anna
Friendships blossom under the influence of shared interests, and I'm always excited to be there when it happens.--Katie
Columbine and the Fendler Meadow-rue are both in the Ranunculaceae family. Columbine is in the Aquilegia genus and the rue is in the Thalictrum genus (Thalictrum fendleri). The similar leaf-shape made me think they were related. Also, Ranunculaceae is a ridiculous-sounding word, like a spell Ron Weasley would cast to make slugs come out of somebody's nose. --Julie.
Despite coming from different backgrounds, we all had a lot in common.--Alex
All green things are not the same. All life is unique.--Erin
Always call back the obstacles on the trail for those who follow. And bring pudding.--George
"Wiper blades" is a spiritual philosophy.--Julie
Peanut M&Ms disappear with astonishing speed.--Anna
Some creeks probably shouldn't be forded.--Julie
If it doesn't have a wick, it probably isn't a candle.--Erin
Dust is no fun to breathe on the trail.--David
In diversity lies strength.--Rusty
Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn. - - John Muir
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, everyone.
James--thanks for sharing those wonderful lines from Muir; so apt! And thanks for your gracious gift of time and expertise with us on our first day. Thought you might enjoy this Gary Snyder poem--a personal favorite--that, like Muir's lines, has taken on a whole new meaning for me:
ReplyDelete"For The Children"
The rising hills, the slopes,
of statistics
lie before us.
the steep climb
of everything, going up,
up, as we all
go down.
In the next century
or the one beyond that,
they say,
are valleys, pastures,
we can meet there in peace
if we make it.
To climb these coming crests
one word to you, to
you and your children:
stay together
learn the flowers
go light
--Gary Snyder