O'fieldstream Meets Dave Richey

The past week I ventured north of my normal parallel, to the lands of the tip of the mitten in lower Michigan; not to be confused with the UP - that would be the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I stopped just south of that fair land to venture near the near southern shores of Gichigoomi ... near the beautiful little town on north shores of Lake Michigan, called Traverse City.

My mission was to meet up with, spend a few days with and lend a hand to a legendary wordsmith of outdoor writing, literature and sage advice on all things natural and otherwise outdoors. This legend also happens to be a very good friend and collegue in the Outdoor Writers Association of America. This sage outdoor writer is none other than one of outdoor writings humble and gracious giants: Dave Richey.

Here is a short interview, on some random topics, with the venerate Wordsmith of Michigan.

O'fieldstream: So, Dave, if we were to go afield today for - say, Pike - where would we go and what would be your choice of bait?

Dave Richey: If we would be fishing, it would be in nearby Green Lake. My choice of fishing lures is the old-time red-and-white Dardevle, a proven pike lure. We would surely get into some very nice fish just before sundown. Demonstrating once again the trusty Dardevle's beastly prowess would prove to save the day.

O'fieldstream: But, alas this was a business trip and we are indoors for the duration. The next time I come up we will have to get outdoors. So, with fall hunting season barreling down upon us, what do you have planned for this years fall deer hunt?

Dave Richey: We had a neighbor boy dig us a shooting pit not 100 yards from the back door. It's deep and large enough to accommodate complete concealment and freedom of shooting. The target distance is within an easy 20 yards. We had to cut trees out for our satellite hook-up, so I decided to convert the open area to deer forage. We planted clover and wild beets. It's amazing how much they've grown in the short time. We expect to see deer moving through any day now.

O'fieldstream: I walked that 'plot' with you today and it looks really good. So, what are your chances for a deer in there?
Dave Richey: Well, if the deer comes through, I or Kay will get the deer. In thirty-one years of hunting I've only needed one shot to kill, with a bow or gun, every deer I've hit. But, we'll have to see if the deer choose to walk the 'path' first.

O'fieldstream: You all have had some nice rains up here in the upper Michigan Thumb over the past couple of weeks. Have the salmon begun to move? And how do you fish for them?

Dave Richey: Yes we have; much needed, too. It's been a very dry here in this section of Michigan - as it has been in many places around the country. As to the salmon, yes, they have begun to move. As you know, if you were not leaving on Wednesday we could take advantage of a slot on the Bessie River. I will be fishing there on Thursday. We will use the regular compliment. Near the mouth we use the spawn-sack bait. It's highly effective and is not intended to offer anything but harvest as a result of catching the fish. But this year I want to test out and develop a method for taking salmon, further up the river, on a dry fly. It will be difficult but I believe it will also be a great addition to the fun of the season.

O'fieldstream: Wow! Trib driven salmon on the dry. Now, that would be a noted accomplishment. Not only do I want to see it - I want to do that, too!

More on this interview later.

[Update: Sixteen salmon succumb to Dave's and companions presentations on their day on the Bessie. A joyful start to what will be a fine season of fishing.]

There is one cloud though, still hanging over Dave's fishing season this year - and every season for years to come.
Four years ago, on 10 September 2003, Dave's twin brother, George Richey, a noted fisherman, entrepreneur and outdoor writer in his own right, succumb to cancer. Dave lost his best friend and closest outdoor companion. He still misses George dearly, but he continues to hunt and fish with the memory of George by his side; in each and every season.

So, if you're dealing with such a loss, take a lead from Dave, there is no better commemorative that you can bequeath to your loved one's memory, than to keep the Heritage alive. Go fishing, hunting or whatever outdoor activity you do and be sure to Pass It On to a younger member of your neighborhood, family or friends. Passing on the love for our Outdoor Heritage is, to be sure, one of the finest gifts you can give in the memory of your lost companion.

Happy days afield or stream ... enjoy each day- no more will be added than those you spend afield or stream.

O'fieldstream

What Happened to the, "Peaceful Walk in the Woods" ?

I read this morning, on the FlyFish@ (FF@) newsgroup list, a comment about, Women and their safety in the out of doors.

The author of the comments, Kim McDonald, an FF@ list member, pointed to the murders of a friend and her daughter in the area of Pinnacle Lake Trail near Mount Pilchuck in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, about 20 miles east of Granite Falls, Washington.

This senseless double homicide took place over a year ago and still no answers have surfaced as to the identity of the killer(s) or any indication as to motive - other than random mayhem. This is the most fearful part of this incident: Who did it and Why? Because whomever is responsible is still out there.

Anyone who maintains a regular, active schedule in the woods and on the trails around the country - or at least keeps tabs on those who do - is painfully aware that a '...peaceful walk in the woods' is becoming a very rare item.

• It's not only Bambi who needs to fear 'man in the woods', but we ourselves.

It's not bedlam out there, at least not yet; at least not everywhere.

I can name a couple of dozen national and state forests, within close proximity to large urban areas; including most urban parks; that I would be _extremely_ hesitant about walking alone in without 'protection' of some kind. And, contrary to some thinking, the _last_ thing we need is an 'armed populace' walking the woods, forests, trails and parks !!!

Anyone who hunts east of the Big Muddy knows what it's like, even in a legally supported time frame, to be in the 'woods' with the average less-than-prepared possessor of a license and weapon during hunting season! There are entire areas of states - in the mid-west - where I REFUSE to hunt because of the density of imbecilic purchasers of hunting licenses and weaponry.

• Note, I DID NOT refer to these persons as, Hunters... they're NOT!!!

This group of 'Yayhoos' - the group I've referred to as "K-Mart Killers" for a number of years - don't hunt .. they only want to '...kill something!'.

These are the folks who go to K-Mart (or insert your own favorite Department store or Sporting Goods Store) and buy a gun, the week before the 'kill' (in some places the night before a 'kill' - yes, amazingly, there are still places you can do this!), and a box (or 10!) of shells to go 'kill' what they have no knowledge of except they want to, "...kill something!". And that 'something' may or may not be on the license they purchased.

Thus in both cases: whether, the Urban Danger Zone and the Mid-West Killing Fields, I choose not to enter. I chose to stay away for two reasons:

1. I don't really have a 'death wish'
2. I don't want to go to prison!

However, there is a huge flaw in my choice of action (no-action); and I know this. Therefore, I am as guilty as anyone else of fanning the underground-infero that continues to burn our eyes with its regular release of putrid, acrid smoke of the social fires they ignite and let smolder.

That 'flaw' is this...

• The more the 'healthy' elements of a populace withdraw, the more the 'unhealthy' elements will expand.

This action, understandably done in an act of 'self-preservation', is actually APPROVAL by ABDICATION.

When a populace refrains from, refuses or is afraid-to speak out _against_ something that runs contrary to healthy citizenship and society, then that action is, by default, given carte blanche approval to those committing the unhealthy actions, to continue on, unabated.

• Silence is golden; in a number of ways. It is also a double-edged sword.

If our society wants something to fear, then we should be 'very afraid' to not become imbalanced in our observance of _silence_ --- for whatever reason. Feel free to insert one or several of the other, often overused and little understood, words flaunted so easily on social conversations today, such as: tolerance, acceptance, open-mindedness, indulgence, lenience ... to name a few.. No, I don't prescribe we return to society run by bigotry, hatred and ignorance. That would be going backwards into the 'other ditch'! But, at the same time we don't need to jump clear across the 'line of social balance' and into the opposite ditch, either. There is a healthy social balance. Be we seem - dare I say - Doomed! - to repeat the mistakes of preceeding history. We just do not seem to grasp the concept that, behavior modification is not the same thing as behavior legislation.

Above all - the reason to keep silent, MUST NEVER BE OUT OF FEAR. For when fear becomes society's driving force, that which is needed to reverse such a trend, is often far more frightening and destructive than the original cause of the fear itself.

A 'fear', which in many - if not most - cases is only a 'perceived thing' that is feared. Not a real entity to fear, but only an imagined entity.

Kim McDonalds's comments were made in response to a thread of discussions, stemming from an earlier post on the FF@ list. Long-time list member Dave Lewis posted a story of a recent, 'less-than-pleasant', encounter he had with two large dogs, near his home in West Yellowstone, MT. Dave also said the 'encounter' with the dogs' owners didn't offer much in the way of 'comfort', either.

Most of the ensuing comments were related to encounters with 'wild animals', but Kim addresses a very important and serious topic of having dogs on trails in the outdoors.

I can understand how Kim and other women - and quite frankly many men - would feel more 'comfortable' venturing into the outdoors with their canine companions. But, ONLY IF those canines are well-trained, under competent voice and hand command, and either on-leash or within range and able to respond to command, allowing them to be 'put on leash' - if, and when, a human-encounter occurs.

This brings up the question, "What constitutes being 'armed' in the outdoors?" Is it only relegated to those who carry weapons that shoot bullets or buckshot? Or maybe to include the newer technolgies of pepper-spray cannisters or Taser-type stun-guns? Is it unrealistic to look at canine companions as 'armament' when walking the trails? I don't think so. Because, most people - and I would think the female population would be the highest percentage here - would have their canine companion, on a trail, as much for 'protection' as 'companionship'.

I submit that being 'armed on the trail' can be defined as possessing anything - on your 'person' or within quick access as needed - that could serve as an item of protection (aka, weapon) in the event you find yourself being physically threatened. Am I against this? My answer is a qualified, "No, not necessarily. But I believe we should be very careful in our mental attitude toward 'protection' as much. We need to limit the 'types of protection' we are willing to employ."

I have no objection whatsoever to a person taking whatever means necessary to defend themselves against physical harm. Be it a pop-cicle stick or a .44Magnum. BUT ... and this is a BIG BUT!!! ... every person who ventures into areas of questionable safety - or areas with such potential: and frankly folks, because of the variables in life, that's about anyplace on this orbiting blue ball!: should be well versed in how to protect themselves by doing the LEAST AMOUNT OF DAMAGE NECESSARY. Deadly action is NOT LEAST AMOUNT! A .44Mag is NOT LEAST AMOUNT!

But in the case of the two women tragically murdered - a canine companion - may or may not have prevented their deaths.. or even limited their injury. Dogs are susceptible to high-speed lead projectiles, too. Both women were shot. A dog could well have been shot as well.

It is terribly unfortunate, that our society has become such a 'clouded quagmire' of unknowns. The resultant dilemma, is a populace left wondering what they can do and at the same time falling under the paralyzing grip of fear; immobilizing most of us into doing nothing.

Discussions like this run the familiar path as Kim says in this part of her comment,

• "Sorry, it [this] is one of those disputes on this list, like many others, where there are different opinions. There are certainly isolated cases of bad behavior of dogs and dog owners, just as there are isolated cases of bad behavior of just about everyone."

The most unfortunate thing is that humanity has left the trail of self-control. Getting back on the trail requires a serious change of mind. And Change is the most feared element on the human stage of life. Yet, it's only through Change that humans will ever realize the benefits of self-control, and all that we seek. Thus, we are living in the grip of a raging Catch-22.

So... what will be the generator of our necessary, 'Escape Velocity' ? Doubtless it will be a '...peaceful walk in the woods' .

O'fieldstream

Powered by ScribeFire.

Indiana Rivers Rally: Day One

Indiana Rivers and Water Quality , Jane Frankenburger

Comments on Water Quality: (get date)
Water Quality: 1) not good enough 2) not well enough understood 3) conference should bring people together to work on answers.

Fish and Mussels in Indiana Rivers, Brant Fisher, IDNR

211 species of fishes in IN rivers; many are invasive species compared to those located in the native rivers and streams before European colonization.

Four major drainages in IN: Kanakee, Ohio, L Michigan L. Erie

Indiana streams and rivers have a very diverse and abundant list of fish. The minnow family is quite abundant, with many of the darters, sunfish, the lake sturgeon are on the endangered species list.

Typical cross-section of fishes are the darters, minnows, sunfish, sucker and catfish. A few others species are found in various waters.

Mussels 19 expterpated, 6 endangered, 9 special concern. With the Ohio taking the hardest hit with exterpation. Clubshell mussel is a good example of a once wide ranging specie that is now relegated to only two streams: Fish Creek and Tippecanoe River.

The challenges and opportunities for Indiana rivers and streams is the same as we've had for years. It's just now that we need to get more people educated and in-line with the programs of interest.

Recreation and Indiana Rivers, Steve Morris IDNR Outdoor Recreation

96% of the land in Indiana is privately owned. This has a large impact on the recreation opportunities for Hoosiers.

Roughly 400K Hoosiers canoe and/or kayak. Doing the math from 6.3M Hoosiers, there are 19% of them who canoe or kayak.

Water Trail information is found in the IDNR's Hoosiers On The Move program.

Hoosiers show an interesting statistic in Indiana. Roughly 3M Hoosiers are also fisherman. The second most used reason for boating in IN is for fishing.

Ted Lebberman, contact to provide ideas and comments.

Indiana Rivers and Our Culture and History, Donn Werling, Allen County Historical Society

Donn's main comment, "... we have the opportunity to make history, not just be a part of it." We must know how to read the natural landscape: under the water and on the banks. The history and heritage that exists in IN must be understood to appreciate it. If we do not understand it - let alone know about it - we will not have a motivation to rebuild, restore and live in harmony with the land.

If we learn to read the land we will then begin to build the understanding for why we need to protect the waters and the land that surrounds it.

Donn mentioned the resource called the The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, compiled and edited by Reuben Gold Thwaites in the 19th C. This resource is valuable for pealing back the layers of history.

Donn closed by singing a song he wrote about rivers, "The Rivers we

IN: Economic Development/Tourism, Stan Lambert

The role of rivers in the IN economic history. Stanton provided a presentation on the current status of the economic developments along IN rivers.

Overview of various urban areas that are working on river area developments.

The state of Indiana has in its sights to become the leader in bio-life science and hi-tech industry. To do this, all members of the state must develop a new outlook on the economic approaches accomplished by Hoosiers.

The 'quality of life' factor - used by most companies in their choice of locations, is higher today than ever before.

Q&A

City wastewater treatment plants - bacteria only - or do they have to remove heavy metals and other waste problems? JF... response was totally political. Talk of TMBL's.

Benthic community: restoration post destruction? BF... yes, it can but the data and experience is very limited. Restocking is very difficult due to the variables and large areas
How long do mussels live? BF... growth rings in shell -rough idea: up to 50yrs+

Legal Issues around 'log jams' when using waterways? SM ... trespassing is common, due to using officially non-navigable streams; navigable streams allow it below high-water mark. Other issue: who is responsible for clean-up.

Biggest priority in topic area and what can public do to help?
DW .. Thoreau .. "heaven is under your feet as well as over your head"
JF... get involved in watershed projects.
BF ... anything we can do to improve water quality
SL ... we must have one camp that works together; Stanton used the word 'sustainability' - the idea is good, but we must remove this word from our vocabulary. We do NOT need sustainability, we need IMPROVEMENT.
SM ... bring those who are not in the 'non motorized' community on board.

Rivers Rock Around the World, Dennis Wichelns

No longer with the Rivers Institute but continues to collaborate.

The density of the human footprint, worldwide, is closely tied to the occurrences of water on the earth. Water is essential to life for all of the earth. Water is also closely tied to the development of a country. Many of the nations in Africa have been adversely affected by the lack of navigable waterways. Much of Africa is unpopulated, due to lack of water or too much water and the density of life threatening water borne diseases.

Wichelns explains the problems with water access and hydro-politics around the world, by focusing on the major hot spots around the world. Those hot spots are in the areas of the most densely populated areas on earth. Water and its use form the basis of major challenges in the hot hydro-political spots in the world will have future consequences for the rest of the world.

He also pointed out the problem growing in 3rd World countries making strides to gain position in the global economy while still having population growth well above the ability to handle such variance between industrial growth and human quality of life.

Wicheln pointed out the problem with technological advances being introduced into dense population areas of the world. The idea of tube wells made clean, healthy ground water available to the people in Pakistan. Before the wells, people were dying for lack of safe drinking water and lack of irrigation. Now, because the technology was so successful there is a huge problem with depletion of the ground water. The people will not give up their tube wells and the rivers will not have water forever.

Q&A

What about the melting of glaciers in the Asian water system .. are they reducing due to warming and what are the problems? DW... Yes, they are melting. When the planet warms there will be a huge increase in the water levels coming off the mountains and it will be a years long problem in excess. But when that is done there will be a huge drought as a result: no snowmelt.
What about invasive species in international waterways? DW ...Yes, must be but no his specialty.
International Organizations working to find solutions? DW ... Yes, the UN and CGIAR.ORG World Economic Forum: Water Initiative

Overall a very interesting day. A very good day for the first state-wide conference on rivers, ever held in the state of Indiana. We just hope this will not be the last. We also hope this will become and annual event... at least someplace in the state.

O'fieldstream

Indiana Rivers Rally: Opening Remarks

Opening remarks by: Brent Ladd

The Indiana Rivers Rally is for the people in this room. Indiana has the longest unimpeded waterway east of the Mississippi... the mighty Wabash River. Indiana has more miles of waterways than INDOT has in roadways. This should tell us something.

At the IRR there are between 180 and 200 people in attendance. This is a unique event in the history of Indiana waterways and a long time in coming. This should be a great opportunity for the members of the community who volunteer as well as work in the efforts toward waterways and resource utilization, conservation and preservation.

Comments by Molly Dodge: Hanover College Rivers Institute Co-Chair of the IRR.

Keynote Speaker: Tim Palmer "Rivers of America"

Originally from Pennsylvania, Tim has traveled the country in all directions in search of the rivers of America. Knew nothing about Indiana Rivers until Bill and Marty Mayer showed up at a PA "Dam Rally" .. with concerns for the streams in Indiana that were in danger of being damed and destroyed.

Side show on his journey to become an advocate for rivers and waterways in America.

Rivers are at the root of all people, no matter where they live on planet earth. Whether a river exists in the heartland of flat food producing country or in the idyllic lands of the mountains of the wild west or the slow, lazy flowing waterways of the deep south, to the now acidic waters of the northeast, waterways tug at our very soul. If they are lost, then we become as the father of the land ethic that is enjoying a resurgence, Aldo Leopold said about not wanting to live in a land with wildness.

Thus, for the sake of soul saving events that go far past the esoteric views of a purist, keeping waters flowing free and clean are essential to our very existence.

Tim, during his presentation talks about the efforts he has undertaken on his own personal photo-journey that culminated in his coffee table photo essay book. He is now working on another photo book about the restoration of riparian zones around the watersheds throughout the U.S.

The range of Tim's presentation is enormous and it takes in the full range of waterways .. rivers of life in the U.S., from the deep south to the west; from the northeast to the desert rivers. Then off to the northwest and the wilderness lands of Alaska.


Q&A

What did Tim call "Lake Powell"? Powell Mudhole

Photos taken, how? Mostly from land for best quality. Some from boats; from ladders; skis in the winter .. any way he can get the shot?

How many cameras lost over the years? Only dropped one camera into water. Dropped camera off cliff - but was not damaged. Tim still shoots film; using camera (Canon A-1) from 1984.

How many oars lost? One .. his 'stone-age' oar .. using stones attached the oars to provide 'free' balanced oars.

How did you get around and to all those places? He lived out of his van for 24 years. He and his wife lived out of their car in order to 'be on location'. He and his wife now live in a house in Oregon.

Does he confer with Native Americans? Yes.. wherever and whenever possible.

What are you currently working on now? Photographic book on Trees due out in '08; Sierra Nevada book due out in a few months; published by Heyday Publishing.

O'fieldstream

Indiana Rivers Rally

West Lafayette, IN 7 June 2007

Today is the first day of the 3 day conference which many in the water and resource community has been awaiting for years. The Indiana Rivers Rally conference being held at Purdue University today - 7 June - through Saturday 9 June, is a gathering of the most interested and motivated of people working for the conservation, preservation, restoration and facilitation of Indiana's Hoosier Waterways.

Scientists, municipalities, non-profits and commercial enterprises all, will meet to discuss, debate and plan for the better use of the water and resources supportive to water in Indiana, for now and into the future. Many in the water community have great hope for the promises this meeting should bring about.

We at O'fieldstream are actively involved in the conference and will be reporting on the daily activities. If possible, we will blog directly from the conference. If not we will bring you daily updates. We are, unfortunately, only able to attend the first two (2) days of the conference, but we will obtain a 'stringer' to record the main events of Saturday 9 June in our absense.

Read about the objectives, mission and participants of the Indiana Rivers Rally on their official website. Also, you can read about the various organizations that are pushing this years meeting on the TippeFlyFisher; one of our satellite blogs.

Please... take the time to read about the conference. This will be your only way to find out what is happening at this conference as it is not open to the public. Again, remember this is the first year for the conference. We are sure there will be changes - very good ones at that - coming for the use and conservation of Hoosier waterways. As well, we hope to see next years' conference open up to a broader audience. At least that will be the O'fieldstream input.

Stay tuned ....

O'fieldstream

McCritter - Red Salamander (Endangered) 02: Not!!

----- UPDATE ----- Well, I had to come back to this post and make the corrections that I made on the original photographs. I had erroneously identified this little critter last year when I first posted it - as the rare and endangered Red Salamander (Pseudotriton ruber). However, I recently received an email from Dean Alessandrini, VP of The Greater Cincinnati Herpetological Society, correcting me on the identification. Therefore, I now have the salamander properly labled, as the Cave Salamander, (Eurycea lucifuga). It is found in the limestone cave regions of the midwest and south (shown in map above). A beautiful little amphibian. As Dean stated, its identifying features of wide head, slender body, and large, bulging eyes are obvious. At least part of my comment below was correct. This salamander and all amphibians are truly the 'canaries in the birdcage' detectors of a clean, healthy environment. We are loosing them in ever increasing - and alarming - rates each year. This is something we should all be very concerned about. They may be first .... but we're not that far behind them. O'fieldstream --- original erroneous entry --- This little a rare item in the Hoosierland and well worth preserving. Besides being cute - they are environmental indicators. Even more than humans the skin of amphibians allow the outside environment to pass through their respiratory as well as their skin-air-interface. McCritter - Red Salamander (Endangered) 02 They are our "canary-in-the-birdcage". Let's not kill the our protective alarms.

Muskoka Outdoors Photo Gallery - Your Catch/Big Laker

Muskoka Outdoors Photo Gallery - Your Catch/Big Laker
Bill Anderson, over at Muskoka Outdoors has a new web site you out to take a look at. While there also, take a look at his new Photo Gallery. It's a free gallery - only costs you your email and he will NOT give it out. I was rumaging through it see what was there yet, and found photo at the link above. Whoopee! I want to know the details when Bill gets them. Take a look to see what the buzzz is about.

O'fieldstream

Solar Eclipse: Fade to Black and Back

TODAY IS THE DAY.

Today a total solar eclipse may be observed from 08:36 GMT (09:36 BST) to 11:48 GMT (12:48 BST) in Eastern Brazil, West and North Africa, Turkey, Central Asia and Mongolia.

The Total Solar Eclipse of 2006 is underway. The area with the best view will be across Africa, Europe, Middle East and Asia. North, Central and South America will miss out this year; as will Austrailia and the archipeligos of the Pacific. This site is devoted specifically to the March 29, 2006 Solar Eclipse.

For those who would want to venture out to WATCH the eclipse or even PHOTOGRAPH it, follow those links. Be very careful about, 'watching' an eclipse. The full force of the sun can permanently destroy your sight! There are safe ways to accomplish being a witness to this great natural event; they are in the link above on WATCHing the eclipse.

Head to the Weather Underground Photo Gallery to see the picture NOW flowing in showing the eclipse from those areas in which it is visible. WOW! Some super shots already!!!

Weather Underground Photo Gallery also has a Photo Contest going .. check out the 'rules of engagement' HERE.

The Total Eclipse in history have been seen as being a time of great dread and terror. [1].

The term, "Total Eclipse" has come to mean many things, as well. We are a specie that loves to play with our languages, aren't we!

However, a total solar eclipse is a marvel of a nature. NASA's Solar Eclipse Page offers some very interesting data, insight and info. Here's a neat explanation of HOW a solar eclipse occurs.

Wikipedia Info on the Solar Eclipse is really cool! They have the animated graphic for tracking the path of the total solar eclipse.

If you've been fortunatre enough to have the opportunity to observer - first hand - this stellar event of nature, then post your comments. Include links to photos that you've made or you've found that others have made. I look forward to the next time we in North America have the opportunity to observe and record this great natural event.

O'fieldstream

Iditarod 34 - Off and Running!

Saturday 04 March 2006 was a boiling mass of fans, dogs, mushers and supplies lining the streets of downtown Anchorage, Alaska. All in anticipation of the 34th Running of the Last Great Race .. the Iditarod Dogsled Race. 1,112 miles from Anchorage to Nome. A grueling, tough, dangerous and unpredictable run for the finish line.

This year the snow conditions in Alaska have been so abysmal that 4-6 inches of snow had to hauled into Anchorage from the surrounding mountains to fill the streets so the ceremonial start could take place in Anchorage. I don't know how far this 'snow route' had to be man-made - but the trip went 17 miles from downtown Anchorage - D and 5th Streets. The Sunday start was moved to Willow in order to have the snow cover needed.

On Sunday afternoon at 2 PM Alaska Time (GMT -9) - "The Last Great Race" began for the 34th time since it's first race in 1973. The weather was not cold but sunny and clear. The snow was good for a start and the race began with the usual gusto of new mushers, veterans and new gadgets. Among the most interesting things showing up at Iditarod was the dog mushing styles this year. The Swede win last year by Robert Sorlie, brought back a slower trained dog with longer running times and quicker recovery. Jeff King let it be known that was the regimine his dogs were doing this year. So .. will it work? That is yet to be seen.

The trail has posed a number of surprises. Sections that were normally worry some - and last year were downright destructive - were pretty good this year. The sections that were troubling in 2005 were not so this year - and what was easy in '05, have been true thorns this year.

What awaits them as the mushers and teams dash down the trails across the Alaskan wilderness, is anyone's guess now. But we can all be sure it'll not be alligators, snakes and hot weather!

O'fieldstream

White-water Kayakers .. Head Smarts Means LIFE

The high-volume rush of water, tumbling over rocks at steep incline, in a constrained space, builds the playground for one of the most exhilerating, fastest growing and dangerous sports in the world This outdoor activity is known as white-water (W-W) kayaking. Thousands of people have rushed to enjoy the sport of W-W and each year there are deaths. Most of these deaths are attributed to drowning, but a good number also show the drowning occured following a blow-to-the-head. Many kayakers - if not most - wear helmets. So - why are there so many deaths when the participant is wearing protective gear? Maybe the gear is not as up-to-the-task of protecting as we think.

In 1998, Lucas Turner was killed on the North Fork of the Payette river when his boat fliped, he was ejected and his head hit a rock with the fatal blow. But how could this happen? This was a common occurance. What happened? Well for one thing the helmet Lucas was wearing was pushed back on his head - exposing his forehead to the full impact on the rock. This was clearly a design issue.

Lucas's father, Gil Turner of Park City, UT sought answers and a solution. His quest took him to Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore, Maryland. Two graduate engineering students took on the task of designing a new, safer W-W Kayaking helmet.

I've been kayaking - both white-water (W-W), river and sea, since 1974. It's a great activity; from very challenging to just plain enjoyable. The thrills, spills and chills are real attractant to those int the X-treme sports. With W-W kayaking being one of the fastest growing outdoor sports worldwide, so too comes with it the dangers of big water, fast current, hydraulics, hypothermia and big rocks. A clean run can mean nothing more than an adrenaline pumping experience that will thrash you for days. But a bad run can leave you either dazed or dead.

I've kayaked the Main Fork of the Payette, it's no where near the technical or dangerous water found in the North Fork of the Payette, but it is still a river that should NOT be taken lightly. My son and I were there in 1995 while on a pre-trip planning session on the Missouri River (a long, sad story for another time). The day we ran the North Fork was beautiful; bright sun, blue skies and the water running at about 2800 cfm. My son had never been in white-water in a kayak before and I was more than a little concerned for his safety. He was very athetic and used to water, being an avid wind surfer - but the hydralics of white-water are much different than what a wind surfer is used to. So we chose to put in on a relatively calm section, do a modest 5 mile shoot and hitch a ride back to the truck.

First note ... I'd personally not been in white-water for at least 6 years and never in the new Dagger Responses we were using for the first time. I'd also never kayaked white-water west of the Mississippi River. So, I was taking a risk on 3-major areas: 1) out of shape 2) unfamiliar equipment and area 3) unskilled companion. But we went anyway.

We put in just above a nice chute that looked to be nothing more than a gentle Class III. However, when we got into it - it was anything but 'gentle' ! My son - being younger and more agile - wisely took a route around the main chute and passed through it a 'glancing blow', without any trouble. I, on the other-hand, was heavier in the boat than I should have been, was paying most of my attention on seeing how 'my son was doing' than on the river and ended up going right through the midst of the chute. I was a fun ride - until - I had a unexpected encounter a rock that rolled over in an instant.

My 'kayak-roll' was never great, but it was generally adequate for the lesser-hydraulics of most eastern waters. It wasn't for this river! I soon began to stuggle. This compounded the situation. I was eventually able to do a 'deep-water-ditch' and made it, drawn-and-exhausted to the shore. We had neglected to procure bladders for the boats to aid in floatation and I learned just how valuable that would have been! I was able to get my boat and self to the shore. But I was totally exhausted. And - at that time - I had no idea where my son was. I was frankly very frightened. But I could do nothing at the moment but set in the sun, get warm, catch my breath and get enough energy to walk down-stream, put back in the calmer water and find him: hopefully, well.

I did find him. He was absolutely ecstatic! He'd had a maverlous run and was pumped to run the water for the next 4.5 miles of the trip - and probably do it 2 or 3 times again. I on the other-hand, was wiped out: physically and emotionally. I'd NEVER felt like that before on white-water. And I have had my share of 'close-calls'. But this one showed me I really had no business being on this water - in as poor a physical condition as I was. I made a tough call: we were through. My son was NOT happy and did NOT understand. I stood my ground and explained to him that though he was probably fine with the experience, I was neither about to let him paddle on his own - or attempt to make the same mistake again for myself. He acquiesced - but still was pretty hot about me 'spoiling' his fun day; he still is, 11 years later. But he's still alive, too. He had no idea how much I hated to do that to him - but I just could not go back myself. Sobered and shaken we made it back to the truck and into McCall, ID for the night.

I learned a big lesson that day on the Payette River and I am most grateful that neither I, nor my son, had to pay the expense of that lesson with either our lives or serious injury.

Using one's head pays off in lifelong ... even long life ... dividends.

O'fieldstream

Open Letter to Dave Winer & the Community Blogosphere

Dave ..

If you're reading this email ... PLEASE READ THIS!

We thought 9/11 was an event where blogging and podcasting could and did serve a great need, well, Katrina is the REAL PROVING GROUND. There are needs .. HUGE needs .. and they are NOT ALL centered in New Orleans !!!

As you well know - the Media is a one-sided, cycloptic monster. It only sees - all at once we must admit !! - in one direction. There are many stories of pain and suffering - atrocities we thought we'd never see in this country. But one of the most troubling, new development - is that the US Government Military is STOPPING and not allowing help to enter the areas, coming from family members and other citizens of the US. These are caravans of supplies needed - by those in the affected areas - to sustain life and rebuild their communities so life can struggle to its feet and make a lunge for some semblance of normalcy. People in these hardly accessible areas - such as Gulfport, MS - are DEPENDING on these supply lines getting through. It has become obvious that the lack of leadership from the highest levels of the US government to the local level are NOT going to do all that is needed to be done.

The WORD must go out to LET THE AMERICAN people help. And those who DO HAVE the connections - so well developed through their business contacts and many years of experience - DO NOT HINDER their actions to move forward in their - and their neighbors - struggle to recover.

I am in contact with a young lady - now in Atlanta - whose parents are still in Gulfport. They were very fortunate to have ridden out the hurricane and survived with their house to remain standing; scathed, but standing. If this were not bad enough, they now must take up 24-hr vigils to keep the thieves and vandals out of their home (read her entries 1 2 3). Understand, this is NOT about food and water - it is about property abduction .. shear theft: nothing else. This is NOT an isolated incident and it is NOT happening ONLY in New Orleans - it is happening all over Ocean Springs, Biloxi, Gulfport, Long Beach, Pass Christian, Bay St. Louis. Hell look at it, it's all the way from Mobile, Alabama to New Orleans (just do a Google on Gulfport - go to the Google Map and back OUT 3-cliks and you'll see the area of devastation - not just destruction - but DEVASTATION!) - this WHOLE area has been devastated and is becoming a wasteland overrun by thieves and thugs preying upon the survivors of Katrina's wake of destruction !

You're the KING of the Blogosphere .. like it or not. When 'Dave speaks' the blogging community and the blogosphere LISTENS! Speak out! Speak out now! Get the blogosphere humming with the news of this GROWING disaster. Katrina is gone from the map .. but SHE IS NOT GONE! Her wake is still reeling from the pummeling she gave this entire region.

If the WORD is not gotten out .. and I do mean the TRUE WORD .. the HONEST comments and stories of WHAT IS happening on the ground and in the backgrounds of humanity in these areas --- the fallout will reach from sea-to-not-so-shining-sea, from border-to-tenuous-border !!! This is an IMMENSE NATIONAL DISASTER that is STILL IN THE MAKING. But we CAN yet STOP the 2nd Wave of Katrina's Disaster .. the Human Reaction to the obvious, Inactive Leadership Vacuum, found at every level of government in this country.

I am sad to say it... but this is NOT a UNITED States of America ... it IS a very troubled and perilously close to dis-United States of America! A continuous line of communication MUST BE opened and the MEDIA must - ONCE AGAIN be moved off their hype position and MOVE the government to do what they are in-place to do .. SERVE THE PEOPLE OF the USA!! ALL THE PEOPLE!

Yes .. I am blogging this on two blogs:

The O'fieldstream Blog
http://ofieldstream.blogspot.com
http://www.ofieldstream.com/ofsblog

and

Weather & Outdoor Heritage .. It's Life
http://www.wunderground.com/blog/ofieldstream/show.htm

I'm working with Doug Kaye as 'mentored junior editor' on his IT Conversations and I'm sending him this email as well. I'm also sending it to all the major bloggers I know and know of. I am hoping - PRAYING - that the blogging and podcasting communities join together to Become the FORCE for ACTION - not revolt - ACTION to get the wheels of bureaucracy freed up and turning for the good of the American people who PAY to have it work for them.

I'm listening right now to Geraldo Rivera claiming the wonders of the chopper FINALLY arriving to take the 25,000! people - they are NOT REFUGEES! - they are SURVIVORS - Human Beings - Citizens of the USA - out of that fetid hell-hole to a place that is cleaner, safer and a chance to make a new start. The logistics of this entire Event .. is a nightmare. But we are NOT going to be able to wakeup from it ... it IS REAL! And IT IS NOW!

Thanks for your help. Let's hope, pray and work our asses off to get this moving. If we don't WE ALL WILL LOOSE .. and LOOSE B I G !!

les booth
aka, O'fieldstream

In for the LONG HAUL

Here we are - Thursday Sept 1, 2005 .. just now 4 days into the aftermath of hurricane Katrina ... and we are seeing the signs of our fragile social fabric - tearing under the stress. These were the same words used last night on the CBS Evening News - when veteran reporter, Harry Smith - stationed in Gulfport, MS - gave the wrap-up on his report for the day.

FOUR DAYS!! Only 4 days. Let's picture this. Yes, it's a very short time in considering the rebuild scale that will be needed. But on the human level .. that means - for those who do NOT have food - even if healthy - it's 1/5 of the way to starvation. For those without water .. it's already half-way to dying of thirst! So .. it's a far more dangerous number than we first imagine. And that is the ONLY perspective that it should be viewed from. People are dying in the streets of New Orleans and the devasted regions not yet even seen by anyone but those who are suffering in seemingly their own lone positions. This is a human tragedy... not an economc one. That will come later.

Remember NONE of this takes into consideration the likelyhood of disease from the decaying corspes littering the area; the fetid waters filled with chemicals, fecal matter, and decay. The animals that will either be dying - are dead - or who will begin feeding on both the dead, dying and living. This is a very grim condition. And we do NOT have time to play 'government games'. If people are to be rescued and given a chance at survival there is no place for buracracy. But we all know it will happen - it is happening - and it will continue to happen.

So the big question we need to address is " IF we are seeing this kind of meltdown now .. What are we going to be seeing/doing at 4-Weeks .. 4-Months ... 4-YEARS !! ???

Yes - there are hundreds of acts of heroism, selfless service to those in dire need, and the most needed 'acts of kindness' - that go unreported. But all of us have -at one time or another- been in need. We've been on the receiving end of the kindness of friends, relatives and neighbors. And we've also seen 'them disappear' as the days - weeks and yes, years - drug on.

A care-giver - no matter at what level - or at what task, must be IN IT for the LONG HAUL. Once a person is in the need of 'care' - true, honest, life-sustaining care ... they need help and a helping hand then - and will need it for some time to come. Also, many will need that help a lot longer than others. Then there are those who will take advantage of the kindess - and 'bleed' the care-giver to death - if left unchecked.

Unfortunately we have and we will continue to see this dispicable behavior: it's all part of the human canvas we call life. It's not pretty - but it's still there. And unless we are ALL in the effort for the LONG HAUL - we will only look at the ingreats, the despicable and the seemingly 'down the rathole' efforts poured forth. And NOT ONE of us can afford to walk that path. Because IF we do - we will ALL LOOSE.

So ... from the 'get go' .. let's all realize this is a NATIONAL DISASTER - of scale that only Hollywood could show us. It is not apocolyptic ... but it is of the size and scope that will leave this country changed forever. It is NOT just a local problem. I do not live on the Gulf Coast - for a very specific reason - I personally know the damage nature's fury can inflict and I do NOT want to be the recipient of that onslaught. Therefore I chose not to live there.

HOWEVER ... the misery and the pain being felt there at this very moment IS MY PROBLEM, TOO. And I'm not talking about the price increase at the gas pump. I'm talking about the suffering of the people who have survived this natural disaster is MY SUFFERING, too.

Those affected,are PEOPLE I personally know. They are parents, grandparents, wives, husbands, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters .. all elements of the human family. They are citizens of the United States - but more importantly - they are ALL citizens of the Human Race! They are all my fellow human beings. I cannot - therefore - with a clear conscience .. because I do have one .. just toss my $5 or $500 into the Red Cross cauffers and say, "There, I've done my part." and let it be at that.

NO!!

The problems - and make no mistake about it - these are EXTREMELY serious PROBLEMS! - are not going to be fixed in a month - or even in a year. It will take years ... even our President had to come that conclusion - and probably to the horror of his policy advisors - said so on national TV yesterday at a press conference. It will be Y E A R S before the stretch of the Gulf Coast blasted, by Katrina, will be viable. And, too, we have to remember that there are hundereds - if not thousands - of square miles of devastation that has not yet been shown.

So - as individuals - and as a collective nation - when we reach our hands out to those in need - had better be ready to maintain that position for many months to come.

If you don't understand WHY we need to do this .. then I am truly sorry for you. Your upbringing was sorely shortchanged! In case you still don't know WHY .. well, it's nothing complicated .. it's just the right thing to do. Nothing more gand than that ... and yet knowing that and acting upon it is the most powerful force in humanity. Let's hope and pray we never loose sight of it.

And yes .. this IS what the Outdoor Heritage is all about. It's about knowing our roll in the scheme of life. One of those rolls is that we cannot take the position of 'Sole Survivor' .. for if we do, we may well find ourselves the 'Sole Survivor' and that would - in true REALITY - not be a place to aspire to.

Just to give both sides of the coin a good look ... there's a 'selfish' reason one could take for helping out: One never knows when he or she will be on the needy-side looking up for help. There is an old, old saying that is every bit as viable today as it was the first time it was uttered - whenever that was : "What goes around, comes around." Let's not ever forget this either.

These are hard words. Hard questions. And these are much harder times. As much money as is poured into the preparations for disasters - why was there not put into place - ready to move in a moments notice - from a major military base well out of the reach of the hurricane's path - that could be brought to bare on the immediate needs within hours of assessment. We may not have seen the pictures of the devastation on TV for hours or until the next day -but there were helicopters and airplanes who DID see it and could have started the immediate responders in-motion THEN: not 4-days later.

What are we going to do WHEN - we get hit with another big one like this - say into Miami - and then hours or days later an earthquake hits LA or SanFran or Seattle? No, we sure don't want to think about that do we? Well - the REALITY is this - nature doesn't care whether we want to think about - it's just doing it's thing: day-in-and-day-out. And IF the earth mantle makes a sudden movement that results in an 8.0 in the LA basin, just hours after a hurricane Cat 4 takes on Miami and all surrounding counties - hey, that's tough. You all know the saying, "Shit happens." The only question that is viable is - 'How well can you dance to the music?" In other words - are we - as individuals - prepared to fend for ourselves AND our neighbors?

If nothing else has been shown by this calamity is has been this: "We are not a cohesive unit of people - at the ground level - when we need to be." There are pockets of those who DO function well - with anyone around them - as best they can - but this quality of character is becoming a rare commodity in our soceity. IF we do not recognize this and take immediate steps to correct it - then we are digging a hole and setting in it - waiting for when the 'dikes' will break and swamp us. Then it will be too, late.

I am not being negative. Never confuse the courage to face the facts of reality for negativism. My comments here are made in the hope that we see where we need to make changes. Changes that will prevent the exacerbation of pain, misery and death in the face of huge natural calamities that we as humans have absolutely no control over. But we do have control over US - and how we deal, individualy and collectively with the 'morning after'.

There are answers - we, as a the human-community- just need to grasp hold of those answers and put them back into force in our society ... and we must do it NOW.

God speed to all who are providing the services needed and let's all be sure we are NOT doing anything to jeapordize or hinder that one bit.

ofieldstream

Weather Underground Photos of New Orleans

If y'all haven't looked at the Wunder Photos Very Important Photos, then you need to. SmithFarm Photos, a Fish & Wildlife employee, has uploaded an extensive gallery of photos of the condtions - on-th-ground - in New Orleans. SFP did not label each photo extensively - the Captions are a repeat - but the photos are very descriptive. As well - I find the Caption itself very telling.

Take a look ... this is what 'one of our own' ... IS doing on-the-ground in the ravaged New Orleans area.

These are but a few of the many ...

O'fieldstream

Hurricane Katrina Search and Rescue

Hurricane Katrina Search and Rescue

Hurricane Katrina Search and Rescue

Links in Previous Post ...

I apologize that the links in the previous post did not come through ... here are the URLs:

CNN interview w/Dr. Ivor van Heerden
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/08/28/katrina.doomsday/ (posted on 29 Aug 2005)

CNN video interview w/ Mr. Walter Maestri [click link after 1st paragraph in at the link above] (this is from a 2004 interview! ) -- this IS a chilling commentary. We ARE NOW seeing it - it has happened!

Sorry for the technical clitch ...

ofieldstream

They Knew, Did Nothing: Tip of Many such 'icebergs'

I know - professionally- the director of Louisiana State University's Hurricane Center, Dr. Ivor van Heerden; he's also the director fo the Center for the Study of Public Health Impacts of Hurricanes, located in Baton Rouge. He gave .. and has been GIVING a report on the impending disaster - for the past 20 years - we're are now deep into with New Orleans.

I will make a comment on his studies - that of several others - and what I've been involved in myself, later.

But for now ... I want to pass along this CNN interview report with Dr. van Heerden and a video interview with Mr. Walter Maestri, Director of Emergency Management for Jefferson Parish; nearly a 500,000 populace-part of New Orleans.

To say, "I told you so."- may be too painful for people to hear, but once you view this video and read the article - you will come to no other conclusion that just that.

CNN interview w/Dr. Ivor van Heerden (posted on 29 Aug 2005)
CNN video interview w/ Mr. Walter Maestri [click link after 1st paragraph] (this is from a 2004 interview! ) -- this IS a chilling commentary. We ARE NOW seeing it - it has happened!

[NOTE: I don't know when the interview with Dr. van Heerden was 'actually' conducted, but I DO know this information has been around for over 30 years ..and, at this level of seriousness! Hurricane Betsy in 1965 - killed 61 people and forced the levee system constructed - and ever since then EVERYONE knew they were were NOT enough. The computer models showed a Cat 4 direct hit would kill no fewer than 44,000 people in New Orleans - ALONE! ]

This is incredibly sad. And we are in no way seeing the 'only' such case of this level of 'osteriching'. This is one .. of many 'icebergs' floating around in the ocean of our society. We are in danger.. from so many fronts. And we've played osterich for so long. We are 'over due'.

I think we can say ... 'stike two'. We all know the next call ...

ofieldstream

Bureaucracy Kills ...

I've been listening - like may of you - to all the news channels - CNN,FOX, MSNBC and all of them have reporters saying the same thing: We hear that help in on the way - but no one has seen it!

Grains of sand can totally immobalize a 60 ton tank. And just like those grains of sand, the grains of bureacracy are immobalizing an entire country: OURS If we don't stem this flow of confidence degradation in our own government - then we are in for a whole lot more trouble than Katrina could ever bring!

If you don't think this would happen to you .. then you're just as vulnerable as those poor souls sweltering in the fetid humidity of the former urban center known as New Orleans.

The majority of the folks stranded in that hell-hole are regular - law abiding, tax-paying, everyday citizens .. just like you, me and our neighbors. So, WHY are they being ignored?

We were all hearing the 'flooding of the streets of NO' were the problem, 2-days ago. Then we heard the Army Corp were not able to make the repairs ??? So, what happened to the great ability of our armed forces? We are still hearing the 'level' explantion today .. 48 hours later. Why?

OK .. they are struggling with a huge problem, so WHY is this stopping helicopters from air-lifting aid to those on roof tops when they pass over them to help others .. and to those who are stranded at the Superdome??

The fact that the real problem is that the location of New Orleans should NEVER have been allowed to grow to the size it is. When you can stand anywhere and look UP to see a huge 200' barge going by at 40' ABOVE you .. it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that is NOT a place to be in for an extended period of time.

But regardless of this .. what does this have to do with air-lifting drinking water and food to people who are in dire need of it - in a central location designated by the authorities?

WHY?

I have yet to hear any kind of reasonable answer.

In one report - a very lucid reporter for NBC news (sorry did not get his name - but he was reporting during Mike Regans show on Fox TV) stated that when he left last night - he came upon no fewer than 60 buses just setting there - on the highway a few miles away from the Superdome. He stopped; they did not want to be on camera - so he asked them WHY they were not heading to the Superdome? The answer he got was, 'it was unsafe and the drivers would not drive into the area'. The reporter told them he just came from there and it was not pleasant -but it was not unsafe, either!! They did NOT move: and still have not! It's Thursday afternoon for goodness sakes!

Mike Brown, Dir of FEMA says help is on the way - in huge amounts. But that help is being held up by individuals who have no real authority to do so. Communiations breakdown. Hmm, signs of bureaucratic BS rearing its ugly head all over the place.

I can tell you that if I were that reporter I would have given those bus drivers two choices .. 1. get in their buses and believe it to be unsafe or 2. remain where they were and know for certain they were unsafe in doing that.

As usual ... it is a breakdown in communications at the lowest level that messes up the whole works. Bureaucracy working at it's very best pace: DEAD STILL!

Just like those grains of sand .. it only takes a few in the wrong place - at the right time - and even a giant will come to a grinding halt.

Oh ... if there isn't a massive 'calvalry ride over the hill' .. and REAL SOON .. then the spill-over of this injustice ... real or otherwise ... is going to be felt from sea-to-not-so-shining-sea, border to border and it will not be good. It WILL cripple our nation. Talk about a national security problem. We won't need to worry about terrorists .. we're in the beginning throws of doing to ourselves !

This is quickly turning into a real PR-nightmare. And I do believe a number of before 'hidden problems' .. or not-so-hidden depending ones level of naivite .. within our governments leaders is really beginning to show itself. The first sign - as my mother used to tell me when I began screaming, '...it's not my fault!', that the sign of a guilty person is the speed of which the assure you they are perfectly right in what they did. There have been a whole lot of quick-draw artists plying their spin-craft all day today in that other fetid wasteland, known as Washington, DC.

Let's not loose hope or breakdown to anarchy- that will do NO ONE any good. But when the polls open up again in November - let's not forget we need some serious changes. Let's remember the role bureauracracy played in this unecessary -totally preventable- disaster-of-its-own-making ... and say with voice, pen and lever ... ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Let's bring people into office who are REAL and know how to be REAL. Real people can admit error - take responsibility for their actions.. good or bad. They admit it and get on with doing the right thing at the right time.

Do we still have anyone like that who WILL serve the American public? Will our country even accept them IF they show up? I don't know the answers to this .. but I sure know what I would like. How about you?

Frustrated - but hopeful - in brokenheart Hoosierland,

O'fieldstream

FEMA in action ??

I have just been listening to FEMA director Mike Brown giving a press conference on just WHAT FEMA is doing in the face of this disaster.

I would NOT want his job. But I can tell you that he is the first public official I've listened to today that speaks straight forward -without policy-speak. He is doing all he can do at this time.

If we want to really help .. then, regardless of your religious affiliation or belief - PRAY that the current operations under way do NOT encounter insumountable barriers. Also pray that the people who are in the midst of the suffering KEEP AS CALM AS POSSIBLE and not allow the hot-heads and intolerant spread their poison.

As I stated in most previous post .. this is ONLY DAY 4. We cannot afford to loose temper, hope or purpose so early on. We are either going to Part of the Solution or we'll be The Problem. Let's not make this any worse than it is .. 'cause it's all the 'worse' it needs to be.

O'fieldstream

Downtown New Orleans .. from DirectNIC.com

In all the chaos of Katrina I completely failed to remember that my Domain Hosting company, DirectNIC.com is located in New Orleans .. I didn't know 'where' exactly until a few minutes ago when I went to their site to check on a Domain. BOOM! Right there in front of me was the announcement of how they were dealing with Katrina's aftermath.



DirectNIC is on the 11th floor of an office building right in the downtown district. They are running on diesel double-drop power backup - so they have gone - so far - without a drop in service. And they have NO intension of evacuating NO.

They have an active webcam - looking down on 'whatever street' is below them - I have no idea where it is as I am totally unfamiliar with NO. This webcam feed is to MS Media Player.

They are also running a blog on LiveJournal. It's an interesting read - to be sure. They also have a series of stills - presumably from the webcam and some obviously from still digital shots, too.

They also sustained damage to their offices.



There is NO WATER in this portion of the downtown. I'm looking at a 'real-time' video (webcam) of the street below - and it is totally dry. But the activity below is quite interesting. They report on the blog all kinds of looting going on and wholesale 'street vending' of the stolen goods !!

I've been so intent on getting info from my online source - but failed to realize that dependance was so tied to the dedicated staff of DirectNIC keeping the servers running.

My sites are all hosted here in the midwest - but if the DirectNIC hosting services go down - my websites are off-line and I'm out of business. So my thanks are to those employees and owners who are protecting their investment and mine!

ofieldstream

Helping Hands are Most Welcome

As I mentioned yesterday, good friend and collegue, Dan Small and his wife Shivani were in a near fatal crash of their SUV and trailer on Tuesday of this week, on I-94 in northern Ohio.

They survived miraculously with no more than minor scrapes and bruises. But they have lost their 15-year old cat, Bobby. In the aftermath of first determining they were OK, then picking up the remains of their belongings, they began both the sorting out and the looking for Bobby, The Cat. But they have not been alone.

The small town of Kingsville, OH - a literal 'spot-in-the-road'- population of around 2500 folks. And from the reports Dan gives - I'd say they are pretty much all friendly folks, too. From the moment the EMT's arrived on the crash scene 'til today - the folks of Kingsville have been extremely kind and helpful to the two crash-refugees in their time of need. Again - I'll leave you to read Dan's continuing story on his blog, On The Road.

From Dan's reports, the folks of Kingsville, OH get high marks in being just plain - 'nice folks'. Kudos the community of Kingsville, OH. That is to your credit. It really nice to know that if a person finds themselves in dire-straights, there are folks like you all around. Please, by all means... keep it up!

O'fieldstream

Seat-belt usage .. Still having doubt?

OK .. fellow travelers of the highway system .. how many times a week do you head out of your driveway with the safety of your seat-belt hanging from the door-jam of your vehicle? Well, for your sake and the sake of those along for the ride .. I hope NEVER!

I received word late the other night - in an email - from Dan Small; TV-personality for Wisconsin Public TV's Outdoor Wisconsin, publisher of the Dan Small Outdoors website and his Blog the Road weblog - that sent chills up and down my seat-belt spine. Dan and his wife Shivani, came as close to death-on-the-highway as anyone would ever want to see. I'll let Dan give you the details in his Blog the Road entries on the accident - he has photos, too.

Dan is a very good friend and special colleague. I am very thankful that he and Shivani were BOTH wearing their seat-belts: Dan in the front DRIVING and Shivani in the BACKseat as passenger of their Ford Explorer. Dan's first blog entry say's a lot: "Seat Belts' Save Lives". He and Shivani are living proof!


VELOCITY and the HUMAN BODY

I grew up on a farm in central Indiana. I was driving vehicles from the time I was able to reach the peddles with the help of a 'peddle-cruch' (aka, a 2-pieces of 2x4 strapped to the peddle - my 'cheaters'). We didn't use seat-belts because they did not exist: our loss.

So, what caused me to begin wearing seat-belts?

It was a front-row seat in the arena of 'Speed vs. Body Trauma', experience. A seriously stupid motorcyle accident (oh, no they don't have seat-belts on motorcyles - but they do have a 'helmet law'!! ), in the spring of 1970 provided me a combo, 'wake-up call and 2nd Chance', and I've been an ardent user and evangelist of seat-belts ever since.

OK. But you ask, "Seat-belts and motorcyles.. what's the connection?" Good question and glad you asked.

I was wearing a helmet. It was a full-size w/face-shield, buckled-to-fit and of proper size. I took a 90 degree corner at 45 mph - 35 mph TOO FAST! .. due to unfamiliarity with the bike's shifter (RULE #1: Don't ride when you're not educated to the bike). I shifted UP and NOT Down .. using my normal 'gun-the-throttle-double-clutch' (RULE#2: Don't 'play with the rules' ). I 'punched' the bike into the corner .. lost control .. and slammed into an embankment in a ' 30 mph T-Bone'. I was thrown over the handlebars, breaking 6 ribs, both collarbones, dislocating the right-shoulder, right-knee and - upon impact just above my forehead - my entire upper-neck was compressed over 5cm!! I was not killed and was NOT paralyzed - but my helmet was SPLIT IN HALF!! Safety device worked even if my brain was somewhere dancing on Pluto!!

A friend took a photo of the area a few days after the wreck to show me just how close I came to being killed. I've long since misplaced that photo, but the image of the 60 lb.- ROCK that lay embedded just inches from where I HIT the 12 feet high, 70 degree, embankment, is unforgettably etched on my mind.

Had I NOT been wearing the helmet, I would have been killed - for sure! Had I hit that rock - helmet or not - I'd have been just as dead. The thing is - I DID NOT hit the rock - the helmet DID save my life despite being destroyed in the process. It DID its job and I am alive and walking to prove it.

Again, what's this to do with seat-belts? Simply this:

Devices made to offer protection are only as effective as the USE they are given.

Had I NOT been wearing the helmet, I would have been killed. 80% of all vehicle fatalities - in which the driver or passenger were NOT wearing seat-belts would have had a 98% or better chance of surving the crash. IF ... I had hit the rock, it would have only been by the Grace of God I would have survived and NOT been condemed to a vegetative state of existance. In the same vein - a head-on crash at road-speed - and we all know that 'road-speed' keeps going up year-after-year, despite the posted speed limits - with a semi-tractor trailer, SUV, farm truck or even a Geo Metro, will likely result in death - seat-belts or not ... without a heavy dose of Saving Grace Application.

So, if living to see the dawn of each new day is a desirable life-long goal, for you - put on that seat-belt. Buckle it with gratitude to the thousands of hours of design and engineering that went into its develoopment so You and I can be safe when our 'luck runs low'.

Don't forget it. Or, it just may be the last bad decision you ever get to make... as your luck runs OUT !!

Ofieldstream