Equinox

3 hours into it, reflecting on the past quarter.

1 of 5

Regaining rhythm several days after a predawn view of the moon through a kitchen window then the late night view through an airplane window, when I took my crayon and placed a familiar window around it so that I would land home.

Transit

On the train.

This is the love letter I get with each flight, coming and going.

NW India in NW Oakland

"Threads of Transition, Patterns of Change: Rabari Textiles of India", September 9 - December 7, 2011, is in the gallery of A Verb for Keeping Warm, curated by Kristine Vejar from her Fulbright research in 2001.

It is particularly interesting to track the development of these textiles within the context of events of the time: the January 26, 2001, M7.7 earthquake in Gujarat, India, the September 11, 2001 attacks in the US, and the flow of funding through non-profits instead of directly to communities. The acceptability or rejection of some techniques were decreed by elders as a response to behaviors associated with the sociological structure of arranged marriages. This paragraph is too dense with information. Rather than parse it out, I refer you to this article that covers the subject well.

Keeping it real

I traveled to a new destination recently. I was armed with knowledge gleaned from internet posts and searches. The route was laid out, estimated driving times planned for, road conditions anticipated. The last 20 miles would be on an "interesting" single lane mountain road. I fed my 197hp vehicle with oil, gas, water, air. I packed and repacked, paring my load to what was required by deleting what was "nice to have".

This is what we saw 10 miles before the end of the road.



This was at the end of the road.

Trees in a wash.

Benchmark.



And these were seen while on foot. In the city, my leisurely pace is 3-4 miles per hour. Out here, I planned on 2 miles per hour, depending on ruggedness of terrain, knowledge of the trail, ability to read the land, physical fitness, and mental attitude.

Ward Mountain



Meadow and Ward Mountain

It was not a city saunter. The terrain was moderately rough and unfamiliar, my body was not conditioned for the altitude and weight of the pack, and I expected to reach my destination sooner, not believing that I could be walking at such a slow pace. I had a map, food, and water. I started reading the landmarks better. I saw the movement of time in the rock whorls of Ward Mountain. And I began to observe the sights near me, registering them as visual "bread crumbs" for the return journey.

Shattered.

A system.

A stream along the path.



Draped.

 

A trail.



Entwined, evermore.

Looking back at the beginning of the trail.

When there are markers on a path that is otherwise difficult to read, we proceed with more confidence and lose less time being lost. Although there's value in wandering, it's nice to be able to choose when and where to explore.

Water & Power

Water is essential to our existence. In addition to our bodily need to drink it, we have found ways to harness its power and direct it for our benefit.

At the Portal Powerhouse site (el. estimated 7100 ft), Engineer Eastwood and Construction Director Ward are recognized for their vision, engineering, and execution of a 13 mile tunnel through a granite mountain, under Kaiser Pass (el. 9184 ft).

This is one component of the "Big Creek" project (c. 1920s) that gathers water from a rugged sierra 1200 square mile watershed that drains into the San Joaquin River and its tributaries.

The words on the plaques eloquently describe the accomplishments achieved given the technology of the time. It's really a testimonial to great thinking. [Click on the image and zoom in.]

The tunnel diversion provides flood control as the water is directed into lakes until it is released again in a controlled manner for irrigation. In the 1950s, a hydroelectric powerhouse was constructed at this outlet.

Upstream, to the east, a concrete dam with horizontal arches contains one lake in the system. Remnants of construction with work and power embedded in them are here.

Sunglasses provide scale.



On the other side, Florence Lake. Spillway 7328 ft.

Reigns, territories, and civilizations flourish or fall based on their ability to control this essential fluid. What follows after the fundamental ability to harness water for our benefit is the luxury to embellish and pay homage to it.


Lodging

On a recent journey I decided to take two days to get to a destination.

The first day, I drove through urban, rural, and logging roads to get to a campsite.

Table Mountain Casino. Hmm.

High Sierra Station

As I set up shelter and prepped to eat and drink, I realized that I am a walking commercial for REI Co-op. Add that shop to others that I spend time in - places that contain artifacts, fiber, books, art supplies, hardware.

A smoky fire keeps bugs away.

This probably also explains why, especially whenever I travel, I usually look like I came off a mountain. Others' appearances are more chic and acceptable to city folk; mine is typically met with a questioning look or comment. Whatever.

The second day, after a short boat ride and a hike filled with wonderous views, evidence of the power of natural forces, some anxiety and weariness, I arrived at the destination.

Waiting for the ferry.

A compass would've been helpful.

Destination benchmark.

Plays well with others.

There were friendly creatures, beds, pillows, home-cooked meals with fresh, varied and healthy ingredients, a river, some hot springs, and horses. This is a working place.

One of twenty-five.

Where it gets done.

Tackle.

A working place.

Another kind of horse.

I slept soundly the first night as my body recovered from internal chills and sore spots (mercifully no blisters!) from the hike and altitude. The next afternoon was spent napping. I brought some fiber to keep me company.

Can I have a witness?

My pre-occupation with it in the late afternoon was costly because mosquitoes and black flies (I didn't know they would bite!) gorged on me when I couldn't move around enough to shoo them away. Experiences are embedded in this fiber.