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| Frank Church Wilderness Of No Return, Idaho |
One of my go to companies for river gear is sponsoring a photo contest. They say there is no limit to how many photos one person can enter. I hope that their email is filled every day to overflowing of people of all ages enjoying the rivers and waterways of this world. I hope they collect these pictures, all of them, and send them to the people in congress who think giving the control of public lands to the state to sell off and limit public access is a good idea.. Let's show the few in congress a sampling of how many of us use these public lands. How important these lands are to help keep us sane by allowing nature to refill our internal gas tanks with, sun, wind, water and quiet.
I have this idea that we as a population have become very unattached to the real life. Internet, facebook, virtual games,. they have replaced our need to get out and experience with our own eyes the wonders of this great world. I can see pictures of the garbage floating in the ocean, or take a u-tube adventure down the Grand Canyon, or watch a wolf pack in Yellowstone, all from the screens of our computers.
Don't get me wrong these virtual experiences are important.They should inspire us to get out and make our own experiences. We should desire the complete package. The feel of the sun, the cold wind, the adrenaline of rowing thru a rapid, the peace of the evening shared with good friends. It should not be enough to experience this from the living room. If we do not protect our public lands this might be what we have left.
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Main Salmon River, Idaho
Future River Guides |
I believe that the Outdoor Recreation industry has a very important job. Not only do they provide opportunities for people to have great adventures, they provide opportunities for people to make solid emotional connections with nature. We need these connections if people are going to stand up for our National Parks, our Wilderness Areas, our Wild and Scenic Rivers, our National Forests and Grass Lands. (There are more, please excuse me if I did not mention your favorite public land area.)
When I run into scouts or city recreation or Church groups on the river, backpacking or just hanging out on the beach, I want to hug the leaders! They are giving this next generation opportunities now. They are unknowingly teaching these young people what it is to be a part of nature. A part of something bigger than themselves.
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Hiking in the Snowy Range Mountains
Medicine Bow/Routte National Forest |
I know for myself, I have been out since before I can remember. My family has a great multi generation tradition of exploring the Beartooth Mountains in Montana. I lived my early years in the Red Dessert of Wyoming. It has been a natural transition to bring my children into these places, to let them explore. They are now almost all grown up. One is a River Guide, one lives in a big city and is now understanding the need for quiet weekends camping. The youngest, you can predict will pick up trash from the road or trail anywhere and put it in the garbage can. Though she has Down Syndrome she can read a river, paddle a SUP, or hike with the best of us. Out doors is where she is her best.
We need to make efforts to unplug. We need to take our families to the wild. We need to make memories with them there. These are the times we will cherish most later in life. This is why we need our public lands.
