Course Reflection

It is so cold here and gets dark so early this time of year that I haven't been to get outside after work. I am going to try to get one quick hike in at lunch tomorrow if it is possible because I am missing my time outdoors quite a bit.  This course has made me reflect on my time outside a lot more, and I realized how much I treasure it. I am in great appreciation to the school and my professor for making the class so meaningful, especially for an online class.

Mining Companies

When I was reviewing the video on mountain top removal, I became very upset. This is always a hot-button issue for me, but it is even more hot for me these days. Not only are the mining companies ruining the mountains, but they have destroyed (sunk) two wells on the property my sister and I own in Virginia.  My uncle recently discovered this when he noticed a porcelain garden knome that was sitting atop his well cover had fallen to the ground. He looked inside and found the well was dry. He then checked our wells and both were dry.  After checking around he learned that other people's wells had gone dry also from coal removal deep beneath the Earth.

Unfortunately, our great-grandfather sold the mineral rights to all of the lands he owned, which was a couple of hundred acres.  We inherited around 30 acres where we grew up.  Later, our house burned down, and after a mistake allowing some relatives to do some minimal logging on the land, my sister and I let the forest take back over.  The mining company sunk our wells by removing coal beneath our land. I didn't even know they were doing this, and I had no right to know or even do anything about it.  In my reflection about nature, this is a complete injustice to me.  Our ancestors who had no knowledge of the effects of mining on the land have effectively given away our rights to decide forever. It isn't that I condemn all mining either, but I think we should have the right to control all of our land in fee simple without intrusion.

Sure, my sister and I might decide to sell some of the coal; however, we would ensure the practices were sound and did as little impact to the land as possible.  I think the biggest lesson I have learned from this is that we must always think to the future when making decisions. We cannot ignore the impact that our actions today will have on tomorrow.

Snow

I was so excited we got some snow this week. I didn't get a chance to take photos until today, and now it is almost gone, but I still love it.  We were going to do some late fall camping, so we pitched our tent to air it out, and it caught some snow.

Snow in my courtyard

Taos Mountain is snow capped again.

I love it when the tops of the mountains hold snow. It is so beautiful.  I can't wait to see even more snow.  My husband doesn't enjoy being outdoors in the cold, but I love it and can't wait to do some skiing and snowshoeing if my budget permits. I really appreciate this aspect of nature.

Windy Out Today

I wanted to take a few minutes to get outside today between working on assignments and household chores, but it was far too windy. I looked at the mountains though, and I must say that I still appreciate them for everything that they are.  The feeling of calm they provide, the sense of adventure, and the possibilities are still endless in my view even after months here in Taos. I will be leaving soon to return to Florida, and I have to admit that I will truly miss these mountains.

Weekend Hike in the Pecos Wilderness

We had to go to Santa Fe today for some car repairs, and we decided to take a hike when we were done.  We decided to go to the Pecos Wilderness.  It is about 30 miles north of Santa Fe, and it is really cool.  Before you get to the National Forest, there are nice cabins along the creek all the way up.  As you start to ascend the high mountain road, snow appears.  We parked and hopped out to take a look, and a great sense of solitude surrounded us. It was so serene; we didn't hear a noise from any direction.  As we drove further, we saw the beautiful Pecos baldy up ahead, towering over the other peaks.  We drove to the top of the mountain into the Pecos Wilderness area, and we were going to hike there, but it was far too windy, and cold. Instead, we came back down a ways, and we drove up Holy Ghost Creek to the campground.  We got out and took a nice walk there.  The photos below are from that stroll.

The snow crusted edges of Holyghost Creek.

Huge boulders line the creek.  It is quite impressive.

The woodsy road on the way back down from Pecos.

Although it was quite cold, we still enjoyed this day out in nature.  It was a nice break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Williams Lake Hike

Last weekend we decided to do one of my goal hikes in the area before there was too much snow.  My list of goal hikes for the season included Williams lake. It is only four miles up to the alpine lake that lies between some of the highest peaks in northern New Mexico, but it is a very tough hike.  You start at 8,500 feet and hike to 11,100; this is a lot of elevation gain in four miles, but it is so worth it.  The trail and the lake are beautiful.  While there was some snow, the trail was clear, and the day was crisp, yet sunny. 

The trail goes right through the Taos Ski Valley ski area, so it is closed after Thanksgiving. 

Robber Jays molested us all along the trail, but we thoroughly enjoyed it.  here is one eating a granola bar out of my husband's hand. This was so fun.  It was truly a connection with nature.

Ben feeding a Robber Jay.

 I was getting really tired at this point, but I was really enjoying it, so we pushed on.  I love hiking in the high altitudes; it is so invigorating. 

Wheeler Peak - highest peak in Taos Mountains at 13,161 feet

The finale - Williams Lake

Williams Lake is too shallow to hold fish, but it is beautiful nonetheless.  It is in a cirque between many of the highest peaks in the Taos/Sangre de Cristo Range of the Rockies.

The trail on the way back down.

 This was a lovely day out. I cherished the day and will remember it always.

Saturday Morning Hike

From Vista View Trail

My husband and I got up early and drove over to Abiqui, the home of artist Georgia O'Keefe. It was a fun morning.  We hiked the Vista View Trail first and captured the first few photos in this post.  The colors are inspirational there.  It is similar to canyon country in Utah.

Me coming back down on the Vista View Trail.  It was going to rain, so we rushed back down.  My husband is tall, so he is faster than me.

Another view from Vista View Trail

We stopped by Ghost Ranch on the way back to Taos.  It is way cool.

This cool cabin sits at the edge of ghost ranch.  I went in, it is really interesting.

Echo Canyon

We took a second short hike on the way home up Echo Canyon. It is the second or third echo canyon I have been to in the west, but this one definitely had the loudest echo.  The paved path took something away from the experience, but it is accessible to everyone, so that is nice.  It was a great morning before returning home to work on school stuff. I am really glad we saw another side of New Mexico. It truly is the land of Enchantment.

Urban Field Trip Santa Fe

This is a typical Santa Fe neighborhood.  This is near St. John's College.

Santa Fe, also known as the city different is in a high desert region.  It sits at over 7,000 feet at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo range of the Rockies.  Snow stays on the peaks most of the year.  With a population of only 71,831, in many states, Santa Fe might not be considered a city at all, but it is the fourth largest in New Mexico.  In  addition, it is the third largest art market in the United States.  Opportunities for outdoor recreation are endless. There's skiing, hiking, rock climbing, fishing, hunting, kayaking, and more. 

The Loretto Resort and Spa is a luxury hotel in downtown Santa Fe that has gone green.  It is a great place to relax. 

Nearly everything is based on the adobe theme in Santa Fe.  Even this parking attendant shed is creative and made of adobe..  The plants are also holding up surprisingly well even with the low temperatures of late.

This is one of the tallest buildings in the city different. Also, notice how small the sidewalks are. Santa Fe is built around what has existed for hundreds of years, not to be a city of modern convenience.

Most people photograph the two chapels in downtown Santa Fe, but there are many other quaint chapels all over town, such as the one pictured here.

This private home is a good example of the use of native plants in Santa Fe.

Bricks other than adobe are a rare thing in Santa Fe, but is an example of a pre-zoning restriction wall.  As you can see, it doesn't really fit in.  Hence, the newer restrictions.

Santa Fe is a beautiful and exciting city. I recommend a visit or even relocation to anyone looking for a great urban lifestyle with unlimited potential for outdoor experiences.

Guided Reflection 7

GUIDED REFLECTION #7

Focus Chapter, State of the World, 2010

PREPARING FOR GROUP PRESENTATION

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES

TRANSFORMING CULTURES TOWARD SUSTAINABILITY

NAME: Michelle Hess

1.    What is the name of your focus chapter?  Media: Broadcasting Sustainability

2.    Who are the authors?  Jonah Sachs and Susan Finkelpearl, Robin Andersen and Pamela Miller, and Amy Han.

3.    Identify the chapter’s main point. 

The main point is to use media to promote sustainability by encouraging efforts to limit messages of consumption and consumerism, and instead focusing advertising, arts, and other media on encouraging more socially positive behaviors.

4.    Select five quotes from this chapter that are significant to you. Write them down.

..people working to foster sustainable behavior must use storytelling to reach audiences on a human, personal scale. 

The marketing revolution that helped reverse cultural norms so swiftly can be seen as a small miracle – a miracle to learn from and perhaps repeat.

Learning how to critically engage with television, magazines, film, and the Internet is essential in a sprawling media landscape where users are exposed to more and more media every year.

Clever ad campaigns may cause consumers to feel clever by association, but they often encourage them to think uncritically about whether the company behind the campaign follows sustainable business practices.

Music continues to be used as a way to connect with people’s values, heritage, and cultural preferences in order to encourage behavioral change.

5.    Reflect on these five ideas and synthesize them into one idea, one personal thesis. Write this down. (Your thesis must map directly back to the concepts you selected, but do not have to agree with the ideas in the chapter.)

To use media effectively and to gain the maximum advantage in pushing sustainability and environmental causes, we must learn from the past and use advertising methods from the 50’s, storytelling, and even music to encourage people to change their behaviors.

6.    Reflect on and briefly explain why your thesis is of significance.

My thesis is significant because in this age of consumerism, we must use tried and true methods to reach people.  We must connect with them on a meaningful level to have any true impact on them and their practices.

7.    Consider your audience and their point of view. Further explain what you mean by stipulating with examples what your mean or what you do not mean, or by giving an example or two of how your thesis may be applied or misapplied in today’s culture.

My thesis could be applied by taking a popular tv ad and spinning it towards our goals. Another way to use it would be through music. Parodies are often popular, but these rarely have any meaning message.  Generally, parodies are just funny.  If we could turn humor into something meaningful, people might appreciate and catch on to the message. A parody about population control would be a great way to start.

8.    Should your idea(s) be broadly applied in today’s culture, what are the

implications? In other words, what may or may not occur?

            If we effectively applied media strategies as these have been used to boost

consumerism, we might, if we are lucky have a total reversal of consumerism.  If that isn’t possible, I am sure there would be at least a strong reduction in consumerism.  We might even be able to reduce the population.  Wouldn’t that be something.

9.    Reflect on and respectfully address opposition. You may have to do some research or discussion to complete this point.

Some believe consumerism is the American way, and that trying to reduce consumption is a violation of their rights and a breach of the fundamentals of capitalism.  I can see their point; on the other hand, if we use all of our resources, we will be left with nothing. I propose reducing population is the key to any compromise. If we reduce the population, we could all live better.

10. Bring it back to your main point by briefly discussing the consequences, intended

or unintended, or either broadly accepting or ignoring this idea?

            If we ignore the potential of the media in pushing our message, we are missing

out on a grand opportunity.  In addition, if we allow the current media messages of consumerism to continue, things are just going to get worse.  Currently, there is a movement toward simplicity due to the current state of the economy, so this is the perfect time to strike, while the iron is hot.

Trip to Colorado

I had to travel to Raton, New Mexico for work on Friday, so my husband and I took advantage of the trip and did some hiking in Colorado afterward.  We hiked near the top of West Spanish Peak. It was beautiful. It was a great day, and I was happy to be there, but it was cold, so I am a bit sick now. It was still worth it though.

I am

West Spanish Peak - This is in Southern Colorado.  It is 13,625 feet high.  We were at 11, 126 when the photo was taken.

This view is near West Spanish Peak.

This is Monument Lake.  You can see West Spanish Peak to the right in the back.

Dakota Wall on the Highway of Legends in Colorado.  These are unique geological features throughout the area.

This is the trail back down from the Spanish Peak area. If you look closely, you can see a ranger's station high on the hill in the back. This is an official wilderness area, but help isn't far away, nor is weather alerting.  The equipment near the station is a weather station.

Capulin Volcano Field Trip - New Mexico's Alternative to Marine Environment

I went to Capulin Volcano National Monument this weekend.  It was amazing.  It is a perfect cinder cone volcano.  That is rare, but what is really rare is that is has plant life all over it.  The park forms a unique ecotone which provides habitat for 73 species of birds and  numerous other animals. This is due to the volcano, Rocky Mountain forests, and grasslands of the surrounding high plains.  Mule deer abound even on the slopes of the volcano, and elk, black bears, coyotes, and mountain lions appear from time to time.

This is a postcard because I couldn't get a good shot from a distance as it was hazy during my visit.

The road travels to the indentation, and then a steep hike ascends to the top of the volcano and all the way around and back down.  Even for a hiker, like myself, it was tough. I was on my tip toes half of the way.

Unfortunately, the road that allows so many to see Capulin causes serious erosion. 

A porcupine damaged this tree near the top of Capulin.

Lichen grow all over the rocks.

We caught these female pronghorns in a field near the volcano. The male ran off too fast to catch with the camera.

This is the center of the volcano

There are over 100 volcanoes in the field that covers northeastern New Mexico and Southeastern Colorado.

Agricultural Field Trip

With Fall in full swing in Northern New Mexico, my choices were quite limited regarding an agricultural field trip.  However, I lucked up and found the Romero Orchard.  This family run Orchard has been operating for three generations, and during my visit, I was blessed to meet both the second and third generations.  The orchard grows several types of fruit. The apples they grow include: Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty, Winesap, Johnny Red, Stamen Winesap, MacIntosh, Red Rome, Jonanthan, and old summer apples, such as, Crab Apple. In addition to apples, they grow Lincoln and Bartlett pears; Hale, Alberta, Haleberta, and Early Giant peaches; and several varieties of apricots. Unfortunately, due to the lateness of the season and specific year, I was only able to view and pick several varieties of apples and Bartless pears.   However, the experience was exciting and quite humbling.  Growing up in Virginia, I have picked from orchards and individual trees throughout my life, but the challenges faced by the Romero family are far beyond anything Virginian's face. As you can see from the photo below, this is a dry, high desert climate, over 6,000 feet in elevation with volcanic soil. 

Irrigation is needed heavily in this environment and is accomplished through the old way, acequias or ditches.  These systems have been and continue to be used throughout New Mexico, beginning in the days of the Spanish Conquest of New Mexico.  The ditch system runs from the nearby Embudo river to the fields, which are flooded every 15 days. 

 

The Rio Embudo is less than 1/4 mile from the Orchard

Clovis Romero, the elder of the family, pointed out the ditch line and explained the system to me.

 

The ten acre farm is full and flourishing now.  After the first planting in the early 1900s by Octaviano Romero, a bad frost came through in 1950s, and the orchard had to be replanted.  In 1964, Clovis Romero took over the orchards, and his son, Masias, returned to assist him in 1992. The hope is that Masias will take over one day and be able to maintain the orchards. Still, all of the second and third generation Romeros have held or hold full time jobs outside the Orchard.

 

When I asked about the equipment and labor used Clovis Romero said that except for the types of vehicles used to get around the farm and to market, etc. nothing has changed.  They continue to use ladders and people to pick the fruit.  However, they have built a refrigerated room recently to save apples that don't sell right away.  Since the closure of the market where the fruit use to be sold, all fruit is picked by individuals for their own use or transported to Albuquerque, over two and a half hours away.

Although I believe this farm is sustainable because it has served survived destruction, served prior generations, and is poised to serve future ones, the farm is not an organic farm.  Mr. Clovis Romero says there are two organic orchards, one on either side of his property, but they cannot successfully grow fruit without pesticides. He said they have the healthiest worms anyone ever saw.  I think in this case the family has no choice but to spray.  Still, they assure me they do it as little as possible.  All in all, it was an exciting and educational experience.  It was relaxing as well. Plus, we picked plenty of apples for pies and trail bars.