Network Set

On our first academic walk, we have covered the basics of what will become a progression towards understanding what is at stake in the destruction of Strawberry Canyon as we know it.

Five hundred million dollars are posted as reward to our administrators for aiding in the deed.

Where I say 'destruction', others would say 'development'. Strange, how language mutates as we continue to close-in on the Frontier.

Still, yesterday a very bold and exceedingly intelligent group of people gave me the privilege of their time. Forty minutes of readings and lecturing, followed by brisk (some were saying "strenuous") climb up the North slope of the Canyon to Tightwad Hill and on to "The C".

Scales were in our minds, as we argumented with our feet and pounding hearts up the steep hill. [PLEASE, please, bring as good protection of your feet as you can next week - some of us were worried we could lose some of us, precious few, to a broken ankle, although Mr Taylor showed that this cannot be counted as an excuse anymore, as he climbed all the way in his techno-cast, and still had energy to do recording and interviewing for his thesis project].

Scales. Time-scales, Space-scales, Legal-scales, Scales of human interaction. We established the first line of argumentation, which was firmly anchored by a surprisingly large number of us touching the fence at the National Lab. The argument being, self-evident as it is, that the oaks at Memorial Grove are connected to, and connectors of, a wider wildscape around the Canyon and beyond. In Time, in Space, in Legal, in human-relation terms.

This first line of walked argument could not have been better choreographed. As we climbed, our feet touched (trampled, really) very soft grass - you could almost hear it pushing out from its dry-season rest thanks to the rains that were stopped just for our walk. Sunset light, view of the Bay, then a bagpiper blowing farewell songs as we crossed into the domain of wildlife where deer, fox, racoon (and some said pig!) were shaking off their daytime sleep.

Next week - History and Gray Brechin. I have to apologize to those of you who are asking to know in advance where we will be next Wednesday. We don't know, as it will be determined by the needs of the day's argument, including weather.

Please see logistics box on the right of this blog for a couple of comments on dress and gear.