We have had three mules come and go feeding up and down the river for many years now. One of them recently passed on. They were deemed "feral" and so everyone just assumed they were wild and let them be. In recent months however, they had seemed like the elements have worn away at their wellbeing.
We called him Peanut. Peanut was a buckskin mule with only one eye. The other two, whom we call Daisy and Cecil, had headed back down the river toward PG & E flat. Rest in Peace Peanut. Unbeknownst to us, Daisy, the large female mule would lose her companion Cecil as well, so she headed back up and decided to move in to our pasture!
I have noticed changes in the river too. This year, there is a low number of freshwater snails, and less trout. There is also more algae. Last year and the year before, there were more fish, snails, and less algae. Of course, this year, less rainfall, hotter, and I believe more dope growers up in the hills. Their run off of nitrogen and poisons might be effecting our little piece of Heaven indeed.
That being said, there has not been a ground squirrel anywhere near our place for three years now. There used to be hundreds out in our pasture; running amuck in their systematic, complicated family structures. Although they made for great targets (we hated them thieving our fruit and nuts), I do miss their little warning barks and I am worried that the reason they are gone is because of Growers using rodenticide. It doesn't just get rid of mice and rats...the growers put it everywhere near their grows. So, martins, fishers, and poor owls ingest the poison and suffer death. These are changes I really think are evil. However, we might learn something from these negative happenings. Maybe.
I need to give a shout out to our hard working Forest Service people. Especially Carla, Patrol 32, who makes her runs and really takes her job seriously. The public access beach at the end of our road has it's signs changed to wanr campers not to have fires during the high risk season. She and the other Forest Service people really care for our forests. I appreciate that.
There is also more traffic. At first, I did not like this at all. It is a one lane country road and some people donot know how to take it easy and be careful on this road. I actually appreciate the visitors now though. I realize they are coming out here to view and experience nature and all of her glory. So, I make pretty signs for them, and put up John Muir quotes so they are reminded about how we need to be consistent in being connected with nature, and how we need to be in balance with her.
Perhaps the visitors coming down with their cars notice the huge crevice in the road just before you get to our place. The Forest Service has no intention on patching it, nor do I. Yes, at first glance the crevice looks scary and unmanageable. But with precise navigation and meticulous skill, one can easily conquer the gap with ease and exhale. Watch out if you don't though, your oil pan will suffer. That is change you do not want either.
So when coming down to bask in the goodness of the river and mountains, slow down, take time; be present in the Now...it helps you deal with change.
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