Hiking in Harriman State Park

Is there a better way to take in the rhythms of nature,

burn off a few calories,

explore new territory,

recreate on the cheap,

and reclaim your sense of calm,

than hiking?

Hiking is therapy in old tennis shoes.

The family and I have continued investigating local parks and trails since our move to the Empire State, just traded gymnosperm for deciduous, clear mountain streams for muddy brooks, and MOUNTAINS for mountains. This past weekend we decided to explore Harriman State Park and more specifically, the Iron Mine Walk that begins at the Lake Skannatati parking area.

The Iron Mountain Walk is described as a scenic eight mile hike that takes you through an area of abandoned iron mines, some that can be safely inspected from the trail. It takes you through wooded glens with little underbrush, across seasonal mountain streams, and provides a "superb overlook across the lakes where the walk began".

I must begin by saying that the trailhead is easily accessible due to its proximity to the Palisades Parkway, something we did not take into account when choosing this hike. For this reason, the parking area was filled with approximately 40 vehicles when we arrived. The number had nearly doubled by the time we left. Of course, not everyone was exploring the trail. The surrounding small lakes provide fishing and boating opportunities. This area is also equipped with picnic tables, so there were a good number of people enjoying a picnic lunch away from the city.

The Iron Mountain Walk is a figure eight, so you have two choices of paths to take at the beginning - one that follows the lake for a short distance and one that proceeds uphill from the start. We took the trail along the lake as was recommended. The trail is fairly level at the beginning with only a few areas where you bounce from rock to rock (a good challenge for our three year old in tow). The views are not spectacular, but they are fairly unobstructed this time of year due to the lack of underbrush and foliage.

With the addition of the little one, we did not hike the entire loop. There was a time when my wife and I could simply throw her on our backs and cover eight miles without issue. But now that she's mobile, we've slowed the pace and lowered our milage expectations; which is necessary when you have to take frequent time-outs to "water the flowers", change soiled clothes, rehydrate, or simply rest. There are a more than a few rocks on the trail that present obstacles to tikes. Our little one had a few spills, shed a few tears, and came home with a few bruises, but as it is with life, "it's just part of the experience" (something I don't think she'll like hearing as she gets older).

One of the biggest surprises on the hike was the almost complete lack of bird song or animals other than small pine squirrels. I came to expect this in the alpine environment of the West, but it was a complete surprise to witness the deficient numbers of wildlife in the hardwood forests of Harriman. I was was at a loss until I heard the first group of fellow hikers approaching... from a 1/4 mile away.

I enjoy hiking because, as mention above, it allows you to reconnect with the natural world, visit new places on the cheap, and it gives you a break from the noise of civilization - a remedy that is a necessity when you live near NYC - a remedy difficult to achieve, however, when fellow NYers forget to leave their urban voices in the city. No wonder the white-tails high tail it and the white capped chickadees flee to "chic-a-dee-dee-dee" someplace new. I would fly too to escape a conversation on the "Jersey Shore" discussed at a level meant be heard over the engine of a single prop plane. I covered the wee one's ears lest her brain be polished smooth.

If I was Vonnegut and you were reading Breakfast of Champions, this would be what a NYer looks like.

FYI... Despite their ability to become the center of attention, NYers are easily startled. Just offer a "Hello." This simple acknowledgement of their existence, which is hard to ignore in the middle of a wooded pasture often leaves them stuttering, looking for the correct words in response.

- Hands off the bear mace, Ma'am. I didn't mean any harm. Just wanted to say "Hello." Thought you might like that. -

In conclusion... The Iron Mine Walk is an easy stroll for an adult in reasonably good shape and can easily be completed in an afternoon. For those like ourselves who come with little shavers, I suggest starting the hike by taking the path that leads uphill away from the lake to start, because with youngsters in tow, you never know how far you will make it. And on this hike if nothing else, one should take in the "superb overlook across the lakes." Next time, I know we will.

A Reel Tragedy

Yesterday, the shit hit the fan... or the reel, as it is.

The weeds in the yard are getting a bit long, long enough that we could no longer ignore them. So the other day, I came to the conclusion (with a lot of persuasion from the wife) that after putting it off as long as I could that it was time to buy a mower. (Sighhhhh...)

Now, mowing our lawn isn't a big deal. We don't have a sizable yard to maintain. We (I) have enough free time to complete the task. And there are eco-conscious, low impact, old-school mowers available that will do a fine job. Up until now, the problem was just coming to accept that we needed to shell out a few bucks to buy a mower. Simple and I've come to terms. I'm there. Little did I know, however, that the decision to buy was the easy part.

Q: So, why a reel mower?

A: Reel push mowers are inexpensive, eco-conscious lawn tools to take care of moderately sized yards. It is a one time purchase that requires no fuel, emits no exhaust, and requires only occasional blade sharpening - just like any mower. It also makes a minimum amount of noise. One of my biggest complaints about living East of the Mississippi is that homeowners are obsessed with having green, over fertilized, well groomed lawns, and they feel compelled to wind up the engine at 7:30 a.m. every Saturday morning. Now I can think of a few things I would rather do early in the morning and mowing is about the last thing I want to do or hear.

Reel mowers used to be fairly common before low cost gasoline powered mowers became the standard lawn appliance in the 1960s. Americans have been becoming fatter and lazier ever since.

Q: Okay, so a reel mower makes sense for my needs (weeds). Where do I go to purchase one?

A: Good question, and... not around here.

I no longer live in a rural area. In fact, now I live in a suburb of the original metropolis (the day I came to terms with the fact that I was a suburbanite, I died a little). One would like to think that the fact he or she lives in a more densely populated area should make available more product options within a short distance at a lower cost to the consumer than in a rural area (you know, free-market ideology shit). This is one of the things people love about cities, correct? So the fact that I visited three large box stores - Lowe's, Home Depot, Sears - and waded through the mass of humanity that congregates at these suburban bastions of commerce only to discover that, in fact, they did not have a selection of reel mowers to peruse was, to say the least, disappointing. Oh, there were plenty of mowers available - big ones, small ones, riders, push mowers . But there were only three in three monstrous warehouses that did not require a gasoline engine and a pull string to start. Nope. I just wanted a simple, inexpensive 4-7 blade reel mower... and the box stores couldn't handle it.

Damn it!

I was ashamed. Time, fuel, and a little self-respect were lost in an attempt to find a mower that's been capable of doing the job since the 1830's. And the worst thing, in the back of my mind, I was expecting it. I hate suburbia.

The urban elk are frothing at the mouth after seeing this photo.

More to come...

A Response to a "Valley Viewpoint" by Tony Jones, President of Ravalli County Fish and Wildlife Association

Ravalli Republic -- Hunters Need to Get Involved to Save Wildlife

Tony Jones, President of Ravalli County Fish and Wildlife Association, writes a call to action in today's Ravalli Republic, to motivate hunters and fisherman* to get organized to save the valley's big game animals... so that hunters can kill them later.

As Mr. Jones states, hunting is a boon to the economy of Ravalli County. It brings in approximately $11.2 million annually. Unfortunately, this much needed revenue could shrink with the decreasing elk numbers brought on in part by an increasing number of wolves in the valley over the last few years. The fear by hunting groups and local businesses is that fewer hunters will fill their tags, and with a lower success rate, that fewer future hunters will head into the field.

Mr. Jones writes a fairly even handed letter. He informs people how they can get involved to support wildlife habitat improvements, organize to influence legislation, and highlights the positive work done by wildlife biologist Craig Jourdonnais in managing big game in the valley. He even accepts that changes (meaning "wolves") are here to stay even if "we won't like most of them." I applaud his efforts, because from his motivation, as head of a community hunting and fishing organization, he wrote a decent, non-inflammatory letter (and for the Bitterroot, that is saying a lot).

I do take exception to a few statements.

Mr. Jones states that "predators in the valley are at [an] all time high." I respond that in the case of wolves (which he IS referring to), yes, predators are at an all time high... because of the fact that wolves are coming from a population of zero. We nearly eliminated them from every corner of the lower 48 states nearly a century ago. So it would make sense that "predators in the valley are at [an] all time high."

Mr. Jones calls for "aggressive predator management" and the "need to increase lion and bear harvest" in order insure viable numbers of big game for hunters. While I agree that it is necessary to have predator quotas (wolf, bear, lion) included in the hunt, I disagree that an increase over the bar in which the Montana FWP sets is called for. In the absence of wolves, the valley's balance of predator and prey has been off kilter for some time. It's necessary to rediscover what that balance is and I have more faith in quotas set by the MT FWP based on game counts than those called for by hunters based on emotion.

I understand that big game hunting means big money and that hunters like to supplement their grocery list with wild game in the freezer. But hunters need to understand how easy we had it in the absence of wolves. We need to accept that we are to blame for the near extermination of the wolf from the lower 48, for no reason other than wolves affecting our livelihoods and competed for a food source. This was wrong. We need to accept that wolves are as worthy of conservation efforts as are elk, moose, deer, sheep, and, uh, yes... even fish. I also call any hunter that considers himself a sportsman to reexamine the definition of sport, because as is the case with all sports, competition is one of the goals and success is not always guaranteed.

For more information on wolves in the West and comments by Craig Jourdonnais, check out "Wolf Wars" in the March issue of National Geographic.

* - Anyone who has attended meetings of the Ravalli County Fish and Wildlife Association or attended its annual banquette knows that fish and fisherman are a minor part of their focus

A Train Trip with 'Lil G

G: Dad, where are we going?

Dad: We're taking a ride on a train.

G: Is it a big train?

Dad: Yes.

G: Why are we riding the train?

Dad: We have some errands to run in the town South of us.

G: Why?

Dad: Because some things need to get done today. Hold my hand.

G: Daddy, why do I have to hold your hand?

Dad: Because we're crossing the street and I want you to be safe. O.K., now look both ways.

G: Why do I have to look both ways?

Dad: In order to make sure that there are no cars coming.

G: Oh. Daddy, why do you have a shadow?

Dad: Because...

G: Daddy, I'm stepping on your shadow!

Dad: Watch your step. Stay next to me while I purchase a ticket.

G: Why are you buying a ticket?

Dad: Because that is how we get on the train.

G: Daddy, I'm scared.

Dad: Don't you want to get on the train?

G: No... Yes!

Dad: O.K., come here. I need to pick you up.

G: Daddy, why are you picking me up?

Dad: So that we can get on the train.

G: Yeah! I'm tall.

Dad: Alright, now you can sit next to me or get on your knees and look out the window.

G: Daddy, we're moving! Look! It's the con-duc-tor.

Dad: Uh-huh.

G: The con-duc-tor takes the ticket.

Dad: Yep.

G: Daddy?

Dad: Yes, G.

G: Why is that lady's hair like that?

Dad: Uh...

G: Daddy, why are you being funny?

Dad: Turn around and look out the window, G.

G: Why?

Dad: It's not polite to stare.

G: Oh. Daddy, where are we going?

Dad: G, stop asking questions.

I Always Did Like Oregon

USA Today -- Oregon Voters OK Tax Hikes on Wealthy, Businesses

In order to help close a budget gap, the Oregon voters increased income tax from 9% to 10.8% on single filers making over $125,000 and married filers making over $250,000. The annual minimum business tax will rise from $10 to $150, a tax unchanged since the 1930s. Oregon has no state sales tax.

Best, least original comment to this story:

"My comment was confined to the short-minded thinking of people that want to place the highest and an increasing tax burden upon those that are the most productive."

So, Americans that make the most money are the most productive? Laughable.

Supreme Opportunity

Where money equals political influence, the Supreme Court's ruling on corporate contributions to political campaigns has further reduced the importance or influence of "We the People..." over our elected representatives, something not lost on all the justices of the high court.

But as The Button Valley Bugle points out, perhaps this decision comes at an opportune time, when Americans are struggling financially, are already upset with government and their (ex-)employers, and the most important thing,... have plenty of time on their hands. This is an opportunity to redirect the tension from Red vs. Blue to "We the People..." vs. corporate influence over our government and our freedoms. There is a chance that this Supreme Court decision could be a turning point for our country, a motivator for change. Time will be the judge.

Three Quotes for Today

I am not a quote fanatic, but being a student of history, I often find that what was said in the past is applicable to the present and can guide us in the future... provided we listen. Three quotes to digest:

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." - Franklin Delano Roosevelt

The often quoted line was uttered by FDR during his inaugural address on March 4, 1933. It was meant to calm and reassure a nation that was in the depths of the Great Depression and with unemployment hovering at 25%. It is a poignant line to contemplate regarding current events and today's political culture where campaigns are won and entire presidential administrations are run utilizing the power of fear.

Why do we wage war on a non-gov't sponsored band of Muslim zealots? Fear of another attack on U.S. soil (which will happen, they only have forever to make it happen)

Why did we wage war on Iraq and Saddam Hussein? Fear of what might happen (not to mention a Bush led campaign of misdirection reinforced by bad intel)

Why do we not have single-payer health care? Fear that gov't sponsored health care will be worse then current for-profit health care (plus change is always hard and comes agonizingly slow)

Why does the U.S. not recognize the marriage of same sex couples? Fear by the religious that doing so would somehow undermine the "Institution of Marriage" (something that heterosexual couples have been striving at for years)

Why do Democrats not unite like Republicans in opposing opposition led initiatives? Fear that they too would be selling their souls to the devil (Plus, Dems are too principled and not good at playing dirty)

"Reason is not automatic. Those who deny it cannot be conquered by it. Do not count on them. Leave them alone." - Ayn Rand

From the woman that penned "The Fountainhead" and "Atlas Shrugged," two of the original textbooks of Conservatism, Rand provides a line of warning to those that attempt to take on the Religious Wrong and Teabaggers (i.e. do not waste your breath on those that cannot think beyond their own confines). It also provides food-for-thought for the collection of groups with seemingly contradictory philosophies housed under Newt's Big Tent.

"To oppose something is to maintain it... You must go somewhere else; you must have another goal; then you walk a different road." - Ursula K. Le Guin

A bit of advice for today's politicians, especially the GOP... Instead of being the Party of "No!", come up with ideas to contribute in order to move the country forward instead of merely attempting to sabotage the other party and playing the game of politics.

What Happens When the Cameras Leave Haiti?

We are a generous nation. Our response and commitment to the quake victims in Haiti was both swift and substantial and it can be measured in dollars, food aide, volunteers... and by the number of American reporters that showed up in the first hours after the quake in Port-au-Prince. Unfortunately, Americans have a tendency towards the tabloid (ex. Tiger) and sensational (ex. Jersey Shore) and exhibit the attention span of gnats. Add in the distractions abroad (Iraq, Afghanistan) and the problems at home (health care, economy) and it is easy to ask the question: When the last news anchor has left the Haitian shores, will we still remember?

We need not look far into the past (2004 SE Asia tsunami) to also appreciate that what happened in the first couple weeks of the disaster in Haiti, rescuing people from pancaked buildings, providing temporary shelter, and providing medical attention to the injured, was the easy part. The decade it will take to rebuild the Haitian capital and the nation's infrastructure is the hard part. Will Americans still show concern and lend a charitable hand 10 years from now? I would think that if we can stomach and rationalize waging a decade of war against people halfway across the globe, we should have no problem committing resources and lifting a neighbor at our doorstep out of the ashes of a natural disaster. Plus, we should all ask ourselves the question: What are the rational and moral implications of rescuing someone from death only to let him starve and wallow in misery for the rest of his existence?