Homestead mailing list

[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

On Jan 13, 2009, at 8:29 AM, Clansgian AT wmconnect.com wrote:

> Yes, that creek is enchanted.


>  It never been completely dry and there was
> always enough water in the basin to water the garden.  I've gotten  
> turned around back in the mountains and wound my way out by finding  
> that creek and following it back to my place.

For anyone who hikes in wild places: if you become hopelessly lost,  
just keep going downhill. This will take you to a branch that may lead  
to bigger waterways but will certainly, eventually, lead to a road.

Unless you have sufficient supplies. In that case, meander more and  
enjoy.

>  The terrain it goes through is unbelievable.  For the last two  
> miles before it gets to my place it is a tight notch between  
> mountains where the sun surely shines no more than an hour a day.   
> It makes its way
> through laural thickets, over and under skrees of boulders, and  
> under huge
> canopies of hemlock trees.  One reason it never dries up or much  
> abates is probably that it has no opportunity to evaporate.

Streams that originate in wild places are best both for dependability  
and quality. Your little stream is likely the result of a thousand or  
more acres upon which rain percolates down into many tiny collector  
rivulets that coalesce and then emerge as springs to feed the  
aboveground waterway. Such a stream is of infinite value.

I take great joy in walking up a stream, best on a hot day and wearing  
old sneakers firmly laced. On such journeys one finds many side  
springs coming into the branch, often so low they are easily missed,  
the number greater during the period immediately after heavy rains.  
The rocky footing forces slow speed, which maximizes immersion into  
the natural world.

"Enchanted" is accurate.

Gene GeRue
www.RURALIZE.com