NOT REALLY QUARANTINED DAY ____.
Happy Earth Day!!!!
I never thought much of Earth Day, it was just sort of there. All I knew is that it was one of those days that right-wing republican types thought was a communist plot to bring down capitalism (I wish it was), and religious nut jobs thought was a day of celebrating witchcraft and worshiping pagan gods while smoking weed (Again, I wish it was). And since I spend my life trying to forget that I’m actually related to people who think that way, I just filed it away under things I support but wasn’t permitted to talk about at the family dinner table. Because that is where I would hear such ridiculous claims as “There is no global warming, or “climate change” as they call it now. The earth wobbles and tilts.” Umm… OK… What does that even mean, and what’s your point? It wobbles, tilts, AND the icecaps are melting, the sea is rising, animals are dying, the earth is burning, and man is killing it in the name of the almighty dollar. Sigh.
As I got older, starting gravitating towards outdoor activities, and in due time moved 6 blissful goddamn hours away from the folks in my life that thought that way, it became clear to me that without the earth, without the woods, the mountains, the streams, the lakes, and the animals that inhabit them, my forays outside would be nothing. NOTHING! I don’t want them fucked with.
***
I’ve lived in a small town; I’ve lived in the city, and I’m living in a small-ish rural town again. I’ve spent a good portion of my last 30 years riding, hiking, walking, falling, crashing, crawling, photographing, and fornicating in nature. OK, the latter only happened once, I’ll just say there is a big ass tree root along a trail in Colorado’s Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests that saw more of Wifey and I than it wanted to (Nature’s handlebars, am I right?). Nudge-nudge, wink-wink, know what-I-mean? Sorry… sigh.
***
Don’t get me wrong, I’m no Greta Thunberg, Ed Begley Jr. or Al Gore, but I do what I can to support those that promote and protect our wilderness areas, trail systems, lakes, and oceans. I’m sure my carbon footprint weighs a ton; however, I’m not a dick about Earth Day. I believe in facts, science, and despite my lackluster performance history with it, I believe in education. I wish our current leaders thought the same. Sigh.
***
With ALLLLL of that shit said, it’s been amazing to see so many folks out social distancing, yet enjoying nature during Pandemic-A-Go-Go 2020. I have no doubt in this increasingly politically divided state, many of those folks are climate change denying, Trump-voting mother fuckers (sorry, but if the shoe fits, put that mother fucker on your inbred, fucked up clubfoot!).
***
My Earth Day wish is that their lockdown forays into our woods and trails have given them a moment to reflect on what a gift we have in our land. It’s here to be enjoyed and cherished, not pillaged. I’m not asking anyone to start walking their hour by car commute to work, but I think it would be a great start if more folks just weren’t dicks.
***
***
***
This has contained some of my favorite photos from hikes, rides, and vacation time in the year 2019. Without the joy and solitude I experienced while capturing these photos and experiencing what Ma Nature has given forth from her generous and ample teats, it’s quite possible I would not be here now. I suppose the worth in that is debatable. Sigh.
Later.