Robben Island is more than an island. South Africa imprisoned Nelson Mandela here but they could not contain his spirit as people around the world joined to call for his freedom and an end to apartheid. It is a place that defines the cost of justice and serves as a beacon for hope.
When visiting Mayan ruins, we entered the world of Chaac, the God of Rain who brings the Sound of Thunder, even as acid rain threatens what remains. In an area where entire cities and kingdoms depended on rainfall, his importance was clear. He could require sacrifice. In today’s he calls on us to care for the air and water. His voice calls as a warning.
The Machado Postpiles were once a secret in the western Sierra. Even after the postpiles were revealed, they remained hidden for a long time. Today, the route is known, but the Sierra does not give up its secrets easily, requiring acts of faith on a trail loosely defined by cairns. The reward is to walk past the granite expanse, to stand on postpiles that are 13 million years old. It is to experience wonder.
From Alaska – Part of my soul will always be there. These logs include stories of the Sleeping Lady, the ethics of the Iditarod, and Denali.
Writing-on-Stone is a place where rock art and hoodoos come together. It is the center of the Blackfoot nation and reaches into the heart of the earth. The beautiful rock formations hold a deep wisdom.