Outside in the Environment

This semester I had took an English composition class themed around the environment. In class we looked into the issues that affect the environment and the different views that people hold towards it. Many of the essays were written in response to a variety of pieces dealing with the environment. Authors ranging from Rachel Carson and John Muir to Edward Abbey and N. Scott Momaday were discussed in depth and reflected on through the following essays.

As a result of taking this class my view towards the environment has drastically changed. This course has made me more aware of the issues that threaten the environment. Reading the essays have given me a new perspective as well as shown me how others, even from different time periods, view the environment. I have and probably always will enjoy the environment but now I have a better appreciation and awareness of the issues that threaten it.

I hope that this blog will bring awareness to people about the environment. Also , I hope it will contribute to the larger environmental conversation in a positive way. I hope that the conversation moves toward educating the people so change occurs for the better. I have learned through this semester that the environment and people are often intertwined and what is bad for the environment is probably bad for humans as well and vice versa. We need to realize that everything has a consequence and after a while the consequences build up. We can enjoy our environment today but if we continue on the path that we are currently on then in the future we may not be so lucky. I hope you enjoy this blog and think about some of the issues brought up in the essays. Nature is something to enjoy and we want it to be around so we can do so.

Video Credits:
Patagonia Video: Keith Malloy
Beyond Gravity
First Descent
Epic 300 Rock CLimbing

On Top of the World

Mountains are beautiful statutes that stand tall in nature. They provide not only a picturesque view but also a great place to enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer. One of the many mountain ranges in America is the Appalachian Mountain Range. This range stretches from the northern parts of Maine to Georgia. In New Hampshire, there is a smaller range within the AMR, called the White Mountains. The White Mountains re home to the presidential mountains as well as a few notches. The most beautiful of the notches is Carter Notch. At first glance the mountains that create Carter Notch appear small in size, however atop the mountain looking into the notch below has a whole different perspective.

Nature is all around with a plenty for an observer to see. Near the base, the trees are thick and full and numerous. Conifers and deciduous trees mix together to create a dense blanket that cloaks the mountain. There are rocks everywhere, varying in size from huge boulders to pebbles. All the rocks appear different due to the fact that they are made up of a combination of many different types of smaller rock. The boulders protrude from the face of the mountain. They are not smooth by any means, leaving perfect handholds to use for climbing. The smaller rocks are often found hidden under a brilliant green moss or Mountain moss. This soft carpet grows all over the rocks that reside in the shade. There is a river that flows from summit to base. This river is also home to many rocks. The water is very clear and crisp. A white foam forms when the crystal water tumbles over the disruptive rocks that line its bottom. The forest floor is smothered with years of pine needles and old forgotten leaves. Old brittle branches scatter on this brown and green floor. As the summit approaches, the trees change. These trees are mostly pines, but not the large pines of the base. These are smaller in every way. They are shorter, thinner, and very few and far between. Due to the higher altitude and wind factors, it is a wonder how these amazing trees survive. The summit itself appears bare and isolated, not a very welcoming site. However, looking out over the series of notches and mountains in the distance is a very different feel. These notches are like valleys but very different at the same time. From the top of a mountain it is very easy to see the difference. A valley is the space in between two mountains, where one mountain ends and the next starts in grow. A notch is a lot smaller, but still located between two mountains. A notch is a very narrow sliver of space that is a t a lower altitude that the mountains that surround it. Almost like an alleyway between two towering apartment buildings.

The feeling of being in nature is one that cannot be replicated. The trees are there, the animals are there, the rocks and sky and wind are all there but one can feel alone if they are unaware of their environment. When the trees are thick and full, it is safe and comfortable, surrounded by friendly giants protecting from the harshness of the elements. The shade provided feels cool and appears to dim the area allowing the visitor to really experience the area without relying on their optical nerves. However, the nose will pick up a slight scent, part sweet and part unrecognizable but yet definitely present. Someone uneducated in nature might sense an eerie silence, but nature is always talking. The wind starts the song with a light but strong melody complimented by the harmony of the bubbling river. The notches and valleys provide the base line for this composition. The Mountain's song is echoed back. This symphony filters into the uncivilized cities, with their obnoxious and deafening tune, to help teach the stubborn student the way. The air is crisp, clean, and sweet. With the first breath, the lungs relax and take a vacation from their round the clock filtering job. Free from man’s pollution, this air is light. It plays through the trees and along the ridgelines of the natural skyscrapers. Only when in nature’s city can one feel the hustle and bustle of the creatures, hear the song composed by the mountains, and taste of air that was not tampered with by man.

Being surrounded with nature is a great feeling. The eyes take in sights familiar only from photographs. The ears hear sounds that most miss when their ears are blown out with the loud noise of the cities. Everything is natural and free. Being atop a mountain big or small with bring a sense of understanding to anyone. The view, the sounds, the feelings in general will rush over and envelope for those moments when one is standing, on top of the world.

Environmental Letter to the President Elect

Dear President-Elect-Obama-

I am writing to inform you about an environmental issue that is threatening our nation. The United States of America is a great nation. Its people are intelligent and hardworking, however, they are also extremely wasteful. This nation produces about 1,609 pounds of garbage a year per person making the US the top garbage producing country in the world. To put that another way, 5 percent of the world’s population produces 40 percent of the world’s garbage (Solarflair). That is an outrageous percentage that has to be changed. I think with the change in leadership of this country can come a change in disregard for the environment. There are many reasons the people of America do not recycle. Some are unaware of the problem while some are aware but recycling places are inaccessible. These problems have very real solutions. As president, it would be unfortunate if you chose to ignore this issue.

Many people are just purely uneducated and unaware when it comes to waste verse recycling. As president, you have the power to bring the spotlight on this issue. Running public service announcement and starting a nation wide recycling movement would defiantly bring it to the forefront. Bring the statistics to the average American would influence the amount of recycling that takes place. Letting people know that if each person recycled one tenth of their newspapers then America would save on average 25 million trees (Solarflair). It would be even better if people were able to access the news through other outlets than even more trees would be saved. Newspapers are just one example of how something so small can affect the environment so much. If we applied this to paper, plastic, metals, and other recyclable materials, our environment would not be deteriorating at such a fast pace. Educating and making people aware of the situation would greatly improve at least the probability of recycling, if not actually recycling.

Many people understand the effects of not recycling however, places to recycle are not very accessible. Helping states to get better recycling programs is a very real solution to this problem. Having a reward system to states that implement these recycling programs up to a certain set standard may make recycling a higher priority. When the government makes recycling a higher priority would help to encourage more people to think the next time they drink a bottle of water. When a recycling bin is right next to the garbage can, it is just as easy to throw the bottle in the recycling bin, as it is to throw it in the regular garbage. The decision is much easier to make when no extra effort is involved. Also in this time of economic recession many more people would recycle if they knew that it would save them some money. To have garbage incinerated or taken away to landfills cost on average more than to recycle it. If recycling were made easier, more people would participate.

President-elect-Obama, I know that you have very strong environmental policies that you plan to put into action once you are sworn into office. I am asking you to look into recycling. This issue could help to solve some of the bigger issues that are affecting our environment. Educating people and making recycling more accessible are just some suggestions that might help to get recycling into the mainstream public of America. I look forward to what you are going to be able to accomplish when you are president. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Liann Correia



Works Cited
"Environment." Barack Obama: US Senator for Illinois. 17 Nov. 2008 .
"Recycling Facts." A Recycling Revolution-Solarflair. 17 Nov. 2008 .

Humans Exploiting Animals Due to the Difference Between Instincts and Intelligence

People and animals interact on many different levels on a daily basis. People respond to these animal interactions in different ways. Some people think that the way animals react are based on one of two things, either instincts or intelligence. Animals have both instincts and intelligence with each species determining the ratio. Instincts are based on natural tendencies to react a certain way in a specific situation, while intelligence is based on knowledge learned. Instincts also represent the very primal being, the caveman, where the goal is to survive. Intelligence often represents the ability to understand, use logic, or even feel emotions. Humans put these ideas on animals to justify certain actions. Humans are more likely to exploit animals that depend on instincts than animals that depend on intelligence.

When animals react to their environments in a way that was not learned, they reacted out of instinct. Instinct comes from a scientific background. These instinctual behaviors are often linked to genes that are hereditary or passed down from the parents to the child. The genes that control instincts change to allow the animal to survive in its environment and compete with other species. Instincts are not about thinking, but rather about a programmed response to protect the animals’ survival. Rachel Carson wrote about instincts in her essay “Tides." In one section, Carson writes about the Grunion and how it adapted to the tidal rhythm. “It has so adapted its spawning habits to the tidal cycle that the very existence of the race depends on the precision of this adjustment. “ (Carson, 344) The Grunion uses its instincts to lay its eggs on the beach and continue its race. Another species that relies heavily on instincts for spawning is Salmon. Salmon are hatched from eggs in rivers. They travel downstream to the sea and wait until they are sexually mature to travel upstream where they were hatched to lay and fertilize eggs. This is a very instinctual behavior. The reproductive cycle depends on the salmon making the trip upstream to lay its eggs using their sort of homing device to lead them back to their birthplace. This is their reaction to their environment that is not learned and therefore an instinct.

When animals react to their environment in a way that was learned, they reacted using intelligence. Intelligence varies greatly from species to species. Intelligence in animals may not be based on logic like it is with humans, however it is based on observation, imitation, and repetition. Adult animals pass down these intelligent behaviors to the young to not just survive, but also to live better. These behaviors come from more advanced thinking than just instinct. Unlike Rachel Carson, Alexander Petrunkevitch wrote about the intelligence of the Digger Wasp in his essay “ The Spider and the Wasp." Petrunkevitch states, “ The wasp acts like an intelligent animal. This is not to say that instinct plays no part or that she reasons as man does. But her actions are to the point; they are not automatic and can be modified to fit the situation.” (Petrunkevitch, 362) Another species that uses their intellect instead of their instincts are bears, specifically the Grizzly Bears found in North America. These intelligent creatures have learned to take advantage of a certain time of year. Bears are a hibernating species, which means that they must store up fat deposits in order to survive the winter. In order to do this bears have learned to hunt for salmon during the salmon runs. Many of these bears live near rivers in which salmon lay their eggs. When the salmon make their way upstream, the bears hunt. The salmon are numerous and weakened by their struggle to fight the current allow the bears to gather and eat extraordinary numbers. These bears even distinguish the difference between the fat in the fish and the meat. The bears only eat the fat because the meat burns too many calories when it is digested. The bear cubs learn this behavior from their parents through observation and practice. This behavior is the result of the bears reacting to their environment, the salmon run, and using their intelligence to take advantage.

Humans react to animal instincts very differently than to animal intelligence. Humans are known for using animals in a variety of ways, however an animal with intelligences tends to be treated better. Dogs can be trained to guide blind people through life. Those dogs are treated like people, better than pets and are rewarded for their intelligence. However, animals like chickens are exploited for their eggs. Farmers cram houses full of chickens and treat them less than desirable all the while taking their eggs to sell. Chickens are not the most intelligent animals in the world, however no one ever said that they were brainless and had no feeling. Humans allow dogs, cats, birds, and such to live in the house; yet, cows and pigs and chickens must live outside. Dogs and cats give humans companionship while one could say that cows and pigs give humans something much more useful, food. People tend to justify the eating of animals by saying that the animal is unintelligent and cannot feel or know what is happening. However, using this theory than if there were a higher trophic level in our food chain, it would be just fine to eat unintelligent humans for they could not feel or know what was happening to them. I am positive that they would not agree to this statement. Humans find it completely acceptable to eat salmon by the boatload, but bears on the other hand, not so much. Bears show qualities that humans can associate with while salmon do not. Bears show intelligence while salmon show natural instincts. Connecting to bears as well as accepting their intelligence makes humans much more leery to exploit these creatures. In fact, Grizzly Bears are on the endangered species list in order to protect them. Humans react to animal intelligence by associating with them and therefore are much more likely to not exploit them. However, animal instincts do not evoke the same reaction. Humans tend to view these animals as natural resource but on earth for humans to take advantage of.


Works Cited

Carson, Rachel. The Sea Around Us. New York, NY: Oxford UP, 1951.
Petrunkevitch, Alexander. "The Spider and the Wasp." Scientific American Aug. 1952.

Picture Credits:

Salmon Run

Bears Fishing

Bear and Salmon

Love Hate Relationship: People Encroaching on their Environment

There are many environmental causes in the world that one can support. It is very important for humans to be aware of their environment because of the consequences that can occur if this major issue is ignored. Environmental issues have been brought into the spotlight recently. These issues are talked about constantly in schools, on the news, and even in political campaigns. One important issue that threatens the environment is humans. Humans come with a lot of baggage. People have been encroaching on the environment especially because of population growth. More and more houses, hotels, restaurants, resorts, and other buildings are constructed each year to accommodate this influx. I believe that, as inhabitants of this environment, we should control our building and ourselves in order to save and protect it. However, some people take this too far. I think that we should find a balance and focus on having an environment to enjoy for the future.

People are often responsible for the destruction of the environment. As the population grows, those people need places to live. Houses are built everywhere and anywhere. Excluding the land set aside as either national parks or nature reserve like places, houses can be built anywhere. In order to build houses, the land needs to be cleared, pipes need to be laid and wires need to be hung. All of this is done for just one house. Houses are very necessary and I am not suggesting that they are not. I am simply saying that people need to be aware of where they build their houses and maybe choose a location that is more environmentally friendly rather than a place with a view or a sprawling floor plan.

An aspect of life that people could live without is resorts. Resorts are built purely to make money off of the environment. They bring an enormous amount of people into the specific area but not without consequence. Ski resorts require hotels, ski lifts, ski slopes, lodges, and restaurants. Most ski resorts, that are successful at all, have multiple slopes and usually have multiple peaks allowing for lines to be short. This mentality is what makes it much more profitable for these resorts to cut down trees in order to build more slopes, lodges and lifts. Ski resorts are not the only resorts that ruin the environment to increase profit; beach resorts are just as bad. Often these resorts build their hotels right on the beach, which increases the speed at which the coastlines are eroding. Resorts are not necessary for people to enjoy the environment. Many people choose to hike up mountains and ski or snowboard on trails not at ski resorts. Just as many people search for unsettled beaches to enjoy their vacations instead of the large overcrowded resorts. These places tend to capitalize off people who want to take the easy way to enjoy an activity that did not start that way. Before skiing became popular, there were no ski resorts, no precut slopes with man-made snow, no lift to take the skier to the top, and definitely no over-priced coffee or tea to warm them up in between runs. People enjoyed these activities way before resorts were around and could still enjoy them if they were no more.

Some people take these views way too far. I believe that if humans keep encroaching on the environment at this present pace then in the near future, there will be almost no environment left. However, some environmental organizations take these views way to literally and go about trying to achieve change in all the wrong ways. One of these organizations is called the Earth Liberation Front, formally known as the Earth Liberation Force. It was founded to protect the environment, which seems like a good thing. However, the ELF tends to protect the environment through direct action using guerilla tactics, which often includes violence (Hanna). Members or the ELF or elves have been convicted and placed into prison over many of their illegal actions, their form of protest. In the late seventies, the founder of the first ELF was arrested after he placed seven incendiary devices on crop dusters (Hanna). John Hanna, the founder, spent many years in prison for his actions. In a recent interview he said, “Not if it manifests itself in violence. Civil disobedience can be militant in practice or perception. But violence is NEVER civil. Thoreau and Gandhi landed in jail but they never could have accomplished their goals had they resorted to violence. They maintained the high moral ground and inspired support. They showed they were better than their adversaries” (Hanna). Hanna actually disbanded the original ELF but recently in the 90s another environmental extremist group was created named ELF. They have the same motives as the original and even follow in its idea of direct action. They have burned luxury homes, used car lots, and resorts. Many of its members have also spent time in jail for their actions, just like Hanna. One of their most famous protests was in Vail, Colorado (Funk). The ELF targeted Vail because the resort was considering expansion. The expansion that Vail was planning encroached on the lynx habitat in the area. The ELF set off fire bombs that destroyed 12 million dollars worth of damages including the Two Elk Restaurant (Hanna). It was the worst eco-terrorist act in United States history (Hanna). Four people, members of ELF, were convicted for this protest. Outside Magazine wrote an article on one of the accused, Chelsea Gerlach. She was sentenced to nine years in federal prison in May 2007 for her actions. Outside wrote the piece after Gerlach was imprisoned. When asked if she felt that her actions were wrong she stated, “I don't regret doing what I felt was right. I don't regret trying to protect the environment. I had good intentions, and I don't regret that I dedicated so much of my life to this. Activism is motivated fundamentally by compassion and a desire for peace. It's a big step to use force, and it should be” (Funk, 9). As proven by Gerlach, some people just feel so strong that direct action is the only way they think change can occur. However, Hanna did feel that his actions were wrong and that there is a better way to go about it. The environment is a very important issue and should be protected; however these eco-terrorist groups, like the ELF, may take it too far.

I believe humans should limit the amount of development in order to help protect the environment. Houses, roads, resorts, etcetera should be limited in where they can be constructed. I have watched my own neighborhood go through changes over the past few years that strengthens my belief. I used to play outside in my backyard when I was younger. Trees used to line three sides of my house. Dense forest stretched way back and ended almost at the beach. Now behind my house there is a very thin line of trees that separates my house from the house behind me. A whole new development was built in a matter of a couple of years. Twelve to fourteen new houses were constructed and a lot of trees and plants were cut down in order to build them. My neighborhood is not the only place development has affected the environment. My family used to own a condo on Loon Mountain in New Hampshire. When we first went up there, the mountain was barely settled. There were about four ski slopes and a bunch of small trails for mountain biking and hiking. There were about ten condos along the bottom near the river. Now there are three peaks open with over 50 trails available for skiing. My family ended up selling our condo. By the time we did sell, there were condos lining both sides of the river as well as creeping up the side of the mountain with no trails on it. Loon has tripled in size and is still expanding. In order for this resort to expand, more of the natural environment will have to be destroyed, all in the name of money. I, myself, love to snowboard. I choose to board on either very small resorts or on mountains without resorts. I hate to think that I would be contributing funds to the people who are destroying the environment in order to exploit it for its monetary value. I have also observed human developing much deeper into nature than a ski resort or my town. While hiking on trails that were once secluded and isolated within the forest, I now see houses and telephone lines. On some trails there are even multiple hotels built on them for hikers to stay. Not just a simple hut with a roof and a bed but a fully functioning hotel. It is unbelievable because hiking is one of the most environmentally friendly sports; to hike one does not even need a cut trail. At this rate, it will be difficult to find a spot untouched by development. If this development were to be slowed or limited to certain areas then the environment would be protected from becoming diminished.

As hard as it is to say, I do see how groups like the ELF could become so angry about the total disregard that some people have for the environment. I see it happening around me and it is sad. I enjoy nature and want to for the rest of my life, yet with all of the development that is going on that might not be a possibility. From big ski resorts only getting larger and expanding to housing developments with hundreds of units being built everywhere, our environment is getting smaller and smaller. We need to protect the environment for it impacts many aspects of our lives. Without the environment, life would be very different.

Works Cited

Funk, McKenzie. "Firestarter." Outside Magazine. Sept. 2007. 1 Nov. 2008 .

Hanna, John. "ELF (Earth Liberation Force): the original." ELF (Earth Liberation Force). 2 Nov. 2008 .

Kohler, Judith, and Dan Elliott. "4 Indicted for 1998 Vail Ski Resort Fires." Washinton Post. May 2006. 1 Nov. 2008 .

Fish out of Water

There are many different ways in which humans and animals interact. It is very popular for people to keep domestic pets. These pets can become part of the family and sometimes they are even treated like humans. Some people choose to keep more exotic, wild pets. These pets are not necessarily part of the family but are more for show. Animals are not just pets though; the majority of species are actually wild. It is very common for people to travel to see animals in their natural environment. Whale watches, safaris, and natural reserves are just a few examples of this. There are many groups that are formed to protect these creatures that we coexist with, while scientists study animals and their behavior for a living. Life would be very different without these organisms that we interact with on a daily basis.

Sometimes animals get into trouble and people come to their aid. One of these situations came about in late July 2002. On July 30, a group of animals got themselves into an unfortunate and life-threatening situation. This occurred in Dennis, a town on the south coast of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. In Dennis, there is a beach called Chapin Beach. At about 6:30 in the morning, a pod of 56 pilot whales took a turn for the worst and headed in to shallow waters. It is still unknown why this occurred. The whales could have been sick, lost, or just chasing food. However, the whales ran into trouble because the tide was moving out around this time leaving the whales stranded. The whole pod was stuck in the sand as the tide went further and further out. A group of volunteers from all over the Cape came to the aid of these whales. Many people created a bucket line to help keep the whales’ very fragile skin wet and ward off sunburn. By 10 o’clock, the tide was completely out and the whales were beached. Scientists from organization like Woods Hole Oceanography Institute and veterinarians from the area came to assess the whales and their condition so people could help the whales with the best chance of survival. Whales, when beached, actually work against themselves. Due purely to the weight of their bodies and the fact that the water is no longer there to suspend them, their internal organs start to get crushed. On top of that, when whales are out of water for an extended period of time they suffer from dehydration. The volunteers kept the whales as wet as possible with ocean water and wet beach towels. Once the tide began to come back in, the leaders had the volunteers try and maneuver the whales away from the beach and out toward the bay. As the tide rose, the whales left the beach and swam away. After the event, there were only 10 pilot whales that had died. Scientists did not know the exact cause of these deaths, however they think it might have been a mixture of dehydration, shock, and of course Darwin’s theory natural selection. The people who volunteered did not have to help these animals. Pilot Whales are not an endangered species. In fact, the species is thriving, especially around the Cape. This rescue was not out of necessity or saving an entire species but rather out of human kindness. This event was one of human-animal interaction with a positive outcome.

I was on the Cape spending some time with my family during the week of July 30. I was staying in Yarmouth, which is the neighboring town of Dennis. I heard about this unimaginable event and had to see it. I was just a spectator, but it was still an incredible encounter with an animal that is not usually out of the water. I looked out down the beach scattered with enormous, black, and shinny bodies. All of the people were chaotic and loud, shouting directions and running around. The humans were in such contrast to the calmness of the whales. Obviously in distress, the whales were mostly silent with the occasional sigh and breath. I watched as people worked tirelessly to run water back and forth from the wave break. It was amazing to watch the whales swim back out into the bay when high tide hit. They swam out to the bay so fast that it was unbelievable to think that they were out of water, their natural habitat, for about eight hours. I will never forget the two sides of this event. I loved watching the little black dorsal fins of the whales bob in an out of the bay as they swam away. However, the sight of the other ten whales just lying there in the sand and shallow water motionless was very tragic.

Animals and humans often interact whether it is in a domestic setting or in a wild setting. The situation with the beached whales on the Cape is just one example of a human interaction in the wild. Whether it is walking a pet dog or helping to push a whale back into the bay, human interaction and encounters with animals are very important.

Picture Credits:

Whale picture with caption

Whale in water

Nature Strikes

Mountains are often viewed as moneymakers. Many mountains are the home to ski resorts, guided tours, or high-priced housing developments. Mount Everest, the tallest peak on earth, and Mt. Vail, one of the most skied mountains are just a few examples. I live near the Appalachian Mountain Range. These mountains aren’t the tallest or the most skied, but they are mountains. Stretching from Maine to Georgia, these mountains are free. I have often spent weekends hiking the trails and enjoying the nature of New England. The Appalachian Mountain Trail starts in Maine where the trail is lined with tall coniferous trees. In New Hampshire, the trail continues with the Presidential Range. Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin all stand tall looming over numerous notches. The combination of wildlife and wildflowers line the trail as it winds its way right into Massachusetts. However, all of these beautiful mountains are plagued with an unfortunate side effect. In the mountains, the weather is very unpredictable. Weather is a huge variable when enjoying the outdoors. John Muir, a very important person in the first nature movement in the US, wrote an essay called “A Wind-Storm in the Forest”. In this essay, Muir describes his experiences in the forest while nature released a windstorm. Often, when people are in nature they forget the dangers involved. I was one of those people until my eyes were opened by an experience. Like Muir, I experienced a storm in nature. Many people view nature as just a beautiful place but it is important to remember the dangers that come along with the beauty.

Hiking is one of my many outdoor hobbies that I enjoy. My favorite area to hike is actually in New Hampshire. The area is called the White Mountains. Mount Washington is at the center of this section of the Appalachian Range, and is flanked by Crawford Notch and Franconia Notch. It is such a beautiful area but a bit secluded. I decided in the summer of my senior year that I was going to climb the presidential range in a week. The range includes about thirteen mountains to summit including Washington the tallest peak east of the Mississippi and north of the Carolinas. I have spent much of my life enjoying the outdoors and I have learned to appreciate and love nature. On this expedition I would not just complete one of my goals but also open my eyes to the dangers that come along with the beauty of nature.

I thought the week started out very well unaware of what was about to happen. I summated Webster, Jackson, Pierce, Eisenhower, Franklin, and Monroe by Wednesday. I was on track to complete my goal. I was hiking with my Uncle and we both were surprised at how the well the weather had held up. We expected some rain and some colder nights, but we were not expecting what Mother Nature was to throw at us. Thursday morning we were to start Washington and end on Mt. Clay. The rain started at about nine, but there was nothing to worry about. The rain was nothing but a light but constant drizzle a simple light rain coat could cure. At the summit of Washington, the rain was still going with the addition of a wind that was blowing through the trees and trail. Acting on the side of caution, my uncle and I did not stay long to appreciate the view and kept hiking. By the time we had reached midway up the side of Mt. Clay, the rain was pouring and the wind was blowing very hard. We started to hike faster to reach a suitable place to set up our tent, and take shelter from this developing storm. Then the thunder and lightning started. There was no time for a tent or anything. We got into a position that supposedly protects people when lightning is striking. In any other instance this position would look pretty funny. Crouched down close to the ground with our heels touching and packs thrown away from us, we looked at each other with a hint of fear in our eyes. The storm blew over trees and threw the leaves from the ground up into the air. Lightning was striking all around while the thunder did not waste a beat.

It seemed like the storm lasted an eternity, probably due to the fact that there was almost no shelter from this very intense natural experience. I was surrounded by nature that under any other circumstance I would be enjoying, but this time it seemed different. The weather had changed the environment for me. It showed a different face, a not-so-beautiful face. Feeling very exposed, I had the chance to think about my situation. I was literally at the mercy of the storm. However, the storm would not stop me. My uncle and I continued up the mountain once the lighting had passed. Soaked and a little shaken, we set up camp. The next day we were off again, nothing was going to stop me from achieving my goal. By the end of the week, I had indeed climbed the Presidential Range through lightning and all.

That evening, I learned a lot about nature. It is indeed beautiful and enjoyable. Walking on a sunny day, one could forget the dangers of nature. That lightning storm reminded me of the dangers nature can throw at a person any second. I will never forget the feeling of being crouched down hoping that I would not get hit by a bolt. From avalanches to tsunamis to tornadoes to simple lightning storms, Mother Nature is very capable of destroying not only material things but people as well. Nature is responsible for many deaths a year. Regardless of this undisputable fact, my feelings about nature and the environment have not changed. I still love being outside, surrounding by nature. I appreciate both what nature is capable of doing as well as its lighter more beautiful side. Once people experience these types of natural occurrences they are exposed to the true nature, whether good or bad.

A Past to Build Upon

The year is 1770 and tensions are running hot. The city is a loaded gun ready to be fired at any given moment. The citizens are having trouble accepting the rule of the mother country. Between the horrible occupation by the lobster-backs and the taxation without representation, it is about time the people of Boston got their fight back. Walking down the streets, one can smell the ocean and see the cityscape. That is some thing that has not changed. Now cars line the streets where once there were horses. Skyscrapers tower over the same commons that once held town meetings. As I walk these streets, a sense of history washes over me. I begin to understand the history upon which the great city of Boston is built. In Margaret Atwood’s “True North”, She states that one’s perspective is relative to their knowledge of the geography. I agree with Atwood, for my perspective of Boston has changed due to my new found understanding of the past and where the future is headed.

I visit Boston frequently. It is a city of the old and a city of the yet to be. The city is about a half an hour away from my town, if I take the train. Often I have spent the weekend in Southie, enjoying the Irish culture and shopping at Faneuil Hall. Maybe I even venture into the North end to taste the best pasta and canolis. Riding on the T, I have experienced Boston end to end. Then how, may I ask, did I miss such a large part of the city? This part is hidden, intertwined with the new. An observer can find a seal here, a monument there, an old ship that bobs with the tides. A trail of bricks links these historical places together. The Freedom Trail is often ignored when someone thinks of Boston. I know that I ignored it at first. Boston is such a tight-knit city. Everything is pushed up against everything else. There the past is a part of where the city is moving.

Boston was one of the first cities in the thirteen colonies. It was not just a port city and the business center of the north but also the home to many essential actions vital to the fight for freedom. The city’s history is not lacking. It is full of controversies, battles, and hot heads. The Freedom Trail goes along the streets and stops at the Boston Common, Paul Revere’s house, Old North Church, the site of the Boston Massacre, Bunker Hill, and the Boston Tea Party, just to name a few. It is amazing how stores and tall business buildings surround the historical sites. The past is truly a part of the new. How the bustling streets of today were once the sites of important historical events that lead up to the independence of America is a large part of what makes Boston so unique.

One important historical event that occurred in Boston is the Boston Massacre. I stood on the star, pressed in stone and woven seamlessly into the cobble stone street. A passer by may step right over it without a second thought. However, over 200 years earlier, people were standing on that spot for a very different reason. In the spring of 1770, there was tension in the air. Everyone was angered by the presence of the British redcoats. The crown was not listening and the colonists were at the end of their rope. Soon enough, a crowd had gathered. Snowballs, rocks, anything accessible were thrown at the despised soldiers. Having no choice, the redcoats shot into the crowd. Only one man died that day, but the incident was printed in the paper as the Boston Massacre, and I stood where it happened. Standing on the very spot where the colonists first stood up for themselves, one really understands the passion, which Boston was built upon. That star marks the spot, where a fight for freedom all began with a simple riot in downtown Boston. In the past, Boston was a city of passion, full of fight, and it continues in that tradition.

One of the most important places in a Colonists life was the church. First and foremost, it was their place of worship and meeting. Old North Church is also important for another reason not related to worship or religon. I traveled down the Freedom Trail to a large white building. I stood there looking up, all the way to its large steeple. This building was crucial to the colonists especially on a very famous night. The British were in tolerable and their latest mission was to confiscate weapons and empty magazines in order to disarm the colonists. The news got out that the British were on the move up north to Concord. There was a magazine up there and the colonists were through with appeasing the intruders. The plan was to set up a militia at Lexington to stop the troops from ever reaching Concord. There were not going to use it if they did not have to. The element of surprise was key and the British had two options. They could travel on foot using back roads to arrive or they could travel by sea using boats. The colonists decided that they needed to know which of the two ways the British were gong to use. Old North Church had a steeple that stood high above the city. From that steeple you could see all of Boston and her harbor. Robert Newman was the man for the job. He signaled using lanterns, one if by land, two if by sea. This church aided in the beginning of the fighting portion of the Revolutionary War. Standing there I listened to the organ music as it drifted out of the opened window. Now in that very church is an Episcopalian church. Still a place of meeting for the people of Boston, Old North stands tall. The building was an integral part of Boston’s history and will continue to be a place of worship in the future.

Boston is a city located on the water. With water running through the city as well as all around it, it has to be a part of the city’s history. My last stop was down along the harbor. A simple boat sat in the water tied to the wharf. The water made a soothing sound as it hit the wooden keel of the boat. I looked out to the horizon. The sun was getting lower and lower in the sky. Never before was anything like this achieved. Using unity, stealth, and intelligence the colonists had come up with a plan, a master plan. Tea had been taxed and the people of Boston were outraged. The crown had no right to tax the colonist whenever they felt like it. England had sent many messages to the Colonists telling them that the tea had to land. However, the Colonists had different ideas. That was the end of the line. The colonists decided that if the crown wanted the tea off the boats and they did not want the tea in the city, both sides could have their way. The colonists boarded the three ships anchored in the harbor dressed as “Indians.” They dragged the tea up out of the holds and threw it into the water. This action was later named the Boston Tea Party. The tea party was a message sent quite clearly and literally to the crown of England. It gave Boston and its people the reputation of being hotheaded liberals. The water was a clear blue with a green tint. I stood there imagining the crates and the massive amounts of tea as they turned the water brown. Today Boston Harbor is at the center of the city’s economy, just like in the days of the Revolution.

As I left Boston this time, I noticed an old steeple peering out between buildings, a boat made of wood docked by the bank. I understood then what this city had been built upon. It had courage, strength, intelligence, anger, and wit. It was built to last and grow and never be controlled. The cobblestone still today still lines the old streets in certain sections. The plaques tell the stories of a city ready to explode. Even the hustle and bustle of business today links back to that old New England city placed on the Ocean to be a port for the Northern colonies. Its foundation holds strong today and will continue to hold for many years to come, for when it was built, it was built right.


Photo Credits:

Paul Revere and the city

Boston Massacre

Boston Tea Party Boat

Boston

Natural Phenomenon - Red Tides

A common natural phenomenon that is not completely understood is red tide. Red tides are also known as toxic algae blooms because that is the cause of the tides. Red tides occur when microscopic algae and phytoplankton become so densely populated that the pigments they release are visible without a microscope. The name Red Tide is misleading for a couple of reasons. First, Red Tide has nothing to do with the tide at all. The growth of these algae is not affected by the tidal cycle. Second, the pigments of the algae and phytoplankton that cause red tides do not always have to be red. In fact they can also be orange, brown and sometimes green. The accurate name for red tides is actually HAB or harmful algal bloom. Another false fact about red tides is that the algae and phytoplankton are toxic, that is not the case. In fact these organisms are essential to the ocean’s food web and are very valuable to the environment. The pigment that the algae or plankton releases is the toxic element. Red tides or HABs can be triggered by nutrient rich water mixed with prime temperatures and conditions for growth and reproduction of these single celled micro -organisms. Red tides are in fact a growing threat to most coastal water. Red tides can be so harmful those scientists have gone as far to call HABs, marine bio-toxins. Red Tides negatively influence both humans and nature alike.

Red Tides have many negative effects on the environment. Red Tides or HABs can harm many marine organisms. They can kill anything from a simple plant to a very large humpback whale. It is true that algae and phytoplankton are at the base of the food web in the marine environment. They are essential to the survival of many marine animals that depend on algae and plankton for nutrients. However, when these toxic blooms occur, these once essential micro-organisms become like poison to their predators and the effects are catastrophic. These HABs are just harmful to marine life if they are ingested, they can also become so dense that they can actually suffocate other organisms. These algae and their pigments do not necessarily kill directly. Everyday organisms compete for dissolved oxygen and other nutrients in the water, when a bloom occurs the increase in organisms is exponential. Not only are resources being used at an increased rate but also decomposition and waste products in the water are also increased. Some species of these algae and phytoplankton actually carry toxins in their pigments. These toxins are neurotoxins that will harm and destroy normal nerve function. The toxins are not found in all red tides but they are often the cause of shellfish and larger organisms perishing. The Red Tides have many negative effects that affect the marine life and their environment.

Red tides do not only affect nature negatively but they also affect humans. These tides can affect humans both directly and indirectly. Humans are directly affected because it is true that some of the toxins released in the pigments of the algae and plankton can be harmful. Especially during a very dense bloom of algae, these toxins would be in high concentration and have the potential to be fatal even to humans. Humans are affected indirectly through our food resources as well as our source of economy. Because the algae invade the habitats of many organisms that are caught and eaten, many companies and restaurants are affected greatly by Red Tides. Shellfish and other fish are often taken off the market when a Red Tide occurs due to that fact that some types of algae are toxic. If the mussel or clam or even bigger fish, like haddock, ate the algae they could carry the toxin and harm the person who ate it. Also beaches are closed in an event of a HAB. Swimming is prohibited and even boating is discouraged. Red Tides have caused millions of dollars in damages. When beaches are closed, shell fishing and fishing halted, along with the closure of ports, Red Tides can prove to be extremely harmful to the economy. Red Tides are harmful to humans in many ways, whether directly or indirectly.

Scientists have been studying red tides all over the world. As of now, it is still impossible to predict or control these HABs. Scientists are trying to understand the cause of these red tides in order to create a solution. Knowledge about this phenomenon and its consequences will help to reduce the effects on humans. In the future, it may be possible to end these destructive tides.


Works Cited
Anderson, Don. "Toxic Blooms: Understanding Red Tides." Toxic Blooms: a seminar. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. 9 Oct. 2008 .
Collins, Jocelyn, comp. "Red Tide and Shellfish Poisoning." Red Tide and Shellfish Poisoning. 11 May 2006. 9 Oct. 2008 .
"Harmful Algae and Red Tides." Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. 9 Oct. 2008 .

Picture Credits:
Red Tide

Shellfish affected by Red Tide

Ocean Man

The first thing I always notice is the smell. It is a very distinctive smell, one part sweet and one part salty. The smell is so strong it is almost overpowering yet comforting. As I sit there, it lingers in my nose and my memory is jogged. Now I can hear the sounds of the calming crash and roll of the white caps. I feel the granules underneath my feet and in between my toes. When I turn to look, I see nothing and it is wonderful. Open space is so freeing, so comforting. I close my eyes and I see him. My uncle is a tall lanky man. He has a muscular build all topped off with a light brown, almost blond mop. His eyes are a piercing light green and his voice is soothing and low. He has that smell all the time, everyday. Whenever I see my Uncle Tom, I see the ocean. Whenever I see the ocean, I see my Uncle Tom. Each of them have certain characteristics which remind me of the other. Both Tommy and the ocean are playful, passionate, forces of Nature. They are one, never to be separated.
Uncle Tommy and the ocean love to play. As I sit on the beach, I love to watch the waves crash on the wet sand, playing. The Ocean is pretty boring to someone who is not properly acquainted. True, the ocean is a ton of blue green water all in one spot, but it is also much more. I think of the ocean as trapped between the large masses of land that shape it, trying to make it fit into the mold of conformity. “It Tommy, not Tom or Thomas,” says my uncle constantly. My grandparents always shake their heads at this act of immaturity, but that is my uncle. I think of him as a kid trapped in an adult body. He tends to appear boring on the outside, blending with the businessmen of Boston, but he is far from it. His job is to advertise extreme sporting equipment, like snowboards and surfboards and rock climbing harnesses. What kind of businessman insists his clients address him with a childhood nickname? The same man who convinces his company in order to advertise the equipment he must first try it. Tommy is all about the playing in life. To him life is a huge jungle gym and he is going to take advantage, swinging from all the monkey bars, sliding down all the slides, and climbing everything that can possibly be climbed. Tommy especially loves playing with the ocean. He is an avid surfer and was my teacher. He surfs everyday from late March to late November. He would surf everyday of the entire year but New England weather is a bit chilly. He has a connection with the ocean unlike anyone else. Uncle Tommy and the Ocean are like two best friends playing through life.
Another characteristic both Tommy and the Ocean possess is passion. Uncle Tommy was the first to introduce me to his friend, the ocean. When he talks about the water it is like poetry. He talks as if the ocean were a person, alive and well. He sometimes just sits on the beach and has silent conversations with the water. His passion for the ocean is shown through the dedication and love for it. He could never live in a landlocked place. He would lose his best friend. I am glad Uncle Tommy shared the ocean with me. It started with surfing and now my relationship with the water has only grown. Tommy and I go surfing all the time. He taught me how to appreciate the water, allowing myself to float and trust. Uncle Tommy respects the water and the water respects him. Most surfers try to conquer the ocean, my uncle flows with it. The waves crest and he pops up. Smoothly, he glides along the surface defying gravity. The Ocean shows its passion for Tommy by allowing him to do so. The waves always seem perfect for Tommy, as if the water was saving the best waves for him. Yet, the water is calm and yet full of motion. When a storm awakens the sleeping monster, hell hath no fury. The ocean becomes feisty, almost passionate, as it rises to the challenge. It can destroy a coastline like a snack before the feast. Tommy might be one of the most relaxed and laid back people in the world, however he too can be stirred to frenzy. Tommy uses his passion to crush his opponents like waves crashing against the coast. Tommy and the ocean are full of passion.
There are five forces of nature, earth, wind, fire, water, and Tommy. Both the ocean and Tommy are huge forces of nature. When Tommy walks into a room, he appears to be a shaggy haired, chill, thirty-something beach bum who smells of salt and leaves a trail of sand behind. He looks like he has no ambition, yet he built his own house. It is a small beach house just down the road from me. He built his house in such a way that the ocean is always present and that is the way he likes it. The better story is when he built his house. Tommy had just graduated college with a degree in business. He had no job, he had a bunch of debt, and he was still going back to school for a Masters. Instead of doing what most people would do and just get a job, any job, he instead took out another loan. He bought his supplies and land then got to work. He just started to build, no plans, no help, no nothing. He worked on that house of two years and finally it was done. It is a single floor layout where you can see the ocean from any room. A business major with no money or professional help or any idea how to build a model, no less a house, erected a full, up-to-code house that just happens to have a view of the ocean from every single room. Tommy is a force of nature, tempting any opponents that think themselves worthy to battle him. The ocean is literately a true force of nature. It can do damage as well as be very useful. The water can just as easily create a category four hurricane, as it can allow human to use it to transport valuable resources. The ocean cannot build a house, but it can be used for energy and as a source of food. Tommy did complete his Masters and got a very good job, probably the job of his dreams. He is a force to be reckoned with just like the ocean. Strong and powerful, diligent and stubborn, both Tommy and the ocean are forces of nature. Uncle Tommy and the Ocean are and always will be intertwined. Tommy is a part of the ocean. The ocean is part of Tommy. They could not live without each other there for support. I know if he absolutely had to move to a landlocked place, Tommy would survive, however his soul lies in the water. When my uncle is sad or happy or angry or feeling anything, he goes to the ocean. When he is there, it is like watching two old friends talking. Often my uncle will just sit on the beach and absorb, take in the smells, watch the waves, taste the air. The ocean and Tommy share their playful attitudes, their passion for life, and their ability to do things their own way. Tommy is responsible for my deep relationship with the Ocean. Tommy and I go surfing or swimming or even beach sitting all the time. When I am away from the ocean, I feel as though I am a fish out of water, literally. We understand it because we are a part of it: the ocean.

Ocean Dependent

Four hours east of New York City, half an hour north of Providence, forty minutes south of Boston, and west of nothing but Europe, lies a small piece of the United States that I call home. Southeastern Massachusetts is different from anywhere else on earth. It has the fast pace feel of big cities mixed with the relaxed feeling of living on a beach. The coast is lined with small seaside villages from Westport to Provincetown. The Cape is one big suburb of Boston, and holds many valuable assets unique to the area. One of the unique qualities of the Cape is that it is surrounded by water on three sides. The ocean has an enormous impact on the area. The economy, recreational activities, even the way we build our houses, all depend on the water that surrounds us.

The economy of the Cape is based around the ocean. The major industries associated with the southeast are seafood and cranberries. These two things seem like they would come from very different areas however, that is not the case. It is so beautiful to drive along the roads in the early morning to see all the fog rising off the bogs; however, the best view is from the air, fly over the Cape in the fall and see the red checkerboard made by the bogs.These bogs are so successful because of the very high water table in the area, due to the proximity to the ocean. The bogs get plenty of water and damp soil to allow growth, while the weather of the area stays cool to chill in the fall. The bogs explode into berries, ripe for picking, giving the farmers opportunity for great profit. One of the biggest cranberry companies in the world, Ocean Spray, is based on the Cape. Cranberries are not only profitable but also well loved as a food on the Cape. They are in everything from chocolate covered to breads and muffins, to just plainly dried. The other major industry is much less surprising. Seafood obviously comes from the ocean and that is something of which the Cape has no shortage. The most common seafood, excluding shellfish, is white fish like haddock, sol, and of course cod along with bigger fish like swordfish. Shell fishing is also a popular industry. Scallops, clams, quahogs, mussels, lobsters, crabs, are all found in abundance. The two most important industries on the Cape, cranberries and seafood, depend on the Ocean.

There are many things to do in Southeastern Massachusetts that one can take part in for fun that involve the Ocean. There are beaches everywhere. The whole coastline is open for beachgoers and there is even an area consisting of over 40 miles of protected beaches called Cape Cod National Seashore. At the beaches, swimming, surfing, skim boarding, kite boarding, sailing, kayaking, and almost anything else dealing with the water is available for participation. The beaches are not the only water-based activities; the Cape Cod Canal also draws a crowd. This man-made canal breaks the Cape off from the main state of Massachusetts. It is a narrow canal that allows boats to cut through without having to sail around. Along the Canal is a trail that allows walking, running, biking, and rollerblading. There is also a train that crosses the canal on a type of Drop Bridge. All of these activities bring in a lot of tourists, which also supplements the economy, which once again can be traced back to the ocean.

Houses are one thing that is necessary everywhere. The ocean shapes the houses that are built. Although the high water table is conducive to growing cranberries, it is not for building houses. Basements are almost an impossible unless they are built on top of the ground soil. Digging any deeper than 3 feet will draw water and is unsuitable for building a foundation. Houses close enough to the shore will be built on stilts. These stilts are to raise the house off the ground in order to protect it from nor’easters or hurricanes or floods. The water does not limit house building indefinably it just limits the choices. Either a really tall house built on top of the ground or a sprawling layout that covers a lot of land. This is not necessarily a bad thing just a different way to build houses.

Cape Cod is a very unique area that is completely dependent on the ocean. Its economy would be nothing. No cranberries, no shellfish, no tourists would equal very low profit which in turn would lower the value of the area. The recreational activities also involve the water. No matter what season there is always an activity to do, like ice fishing for winter, kayaking for spring, swimming for summer, and surfing for fall. The ocean even affects how the houses are built. Stilts and no basement are the norm for the area. All of these things make the Cape unique. Without the ocean it would not be the same. I think that the ocean has shaped me as well. I will never stray far from the ocean.

A Family's Journey

A long and winding road parallels the coastline, scattered with beaches. The street is never busy as it twists and turns through cranberry bogs, wooded areas, and small seaside towns. Located way off the beaten path, hidden atop a cliff and enclosed by trees stands a house. Scattered fields line one side of the crushed seashell drive, while the other side is a perfectly manicured lawn so flawless it appears each blade was measured and cut. A cobblestone walkway leads up to a typical New England style cottage. Giant pines loom overhead making the three-story home appear miniature. The beautiful, glistening, free ocean surrounds the cottage on three sides. The salty smell is always present and always comforting. Never is it a chore to drive to my grandmother’s house. My family always sits in the car quietly, taking in the natural beauty of the area. As we drive along, each of us anticipates the excitement to come. The journey my family is on started in this place. As my family grows and changes, my grandmother’s home will always be at the center.

My grandmother’s home is always welcoming. As soon as the door opens the smell of home cooking seeps into my nose. Following the aroma is an embrace full of energy and love. The embracer is an older woman, short in stature and a little portly. Her hair is a mixture of fading brown and gray. It is always pinned in a bun sitting at the back of her head. A cigar bounces in the corner of her mouth as a long string of foreign words flow out. She always speaks in her native tongue, Portuguese. She is a very proud, strong, and generous person. She is the head of the family, regardless of what my grandfather believes. Our family considers her the Enforcer because she keeps everyone in line. My grandfather is a strong man, who is on the shorter side with a white Van Dyke, he always smells of wine and meat. When he is not eating or drinking, he enjoys a smoke with his wife. They are the driving force behind my family. Their home is never empty, the more the merrier. Everyone is welcome there.

Family is the number one priority in my grandmother’s book. It has and always will be. Family is at the center of the Portuguese culture and has been a huge part of my life. My grandmother always says that family shapes a person. The experiences and the knowledge are passed from member to member in order mold each other into better human beings. My grandmother’s home is where the lessons are taught and the knowledge is learned. The family is always changing with kids going off to college and marriages and babies and even deaths, however it will always be at the first priority on my list.

On the first Sunday of every month, my grandmother has a family gathering at her home. The family comes together to enjoy food, drink, and company. These three things are important aspects to our culture. My grandmother always prepares an enormous amount of food. Usually, it lines the counters in three of the four rooms on the ground floor. There is always a wide variety, everything from linguisa and kielbasa to potatoes and carrots. The house fills with smells of the homeland. Another important component is wine. My grandfather makes wine from the grape arbors he grows outside. Never a meal is served without some traditional Portuguese wine. These gatherings are a tradition of sorts with family at its core.

One thing my family is great at is talking. Silence is a word my family does not understand. Boisterous conversation drowns out the usually loud sound of the ocean crashing against the cliffs. There are several conversations going at once. Grandma and the women usually start gossiping about the recent event of their lives. Anything from what so and so heard in the hair salon to who has a new recipe. Grandpa and the men usually talk business, sports and politics. The children usually drift between the two groups to hear what everyone has to say. Even though they start off with their separate conversations the family always ends up together, laughing.
Families change and grow and evolve all the time. Mine is no different. Babies are born to excited new parents. Marriages are formed between two people in love. Life is taken when the time is right, unfortunate, but has to be done. One thing that never changes is my grandmother’s home. It is the center, the place of gathering and talking and growing. My grandfather built that house by hand when they moved here from Portugal. It stands strong against nor’easters, blizzards, hurricanes, and anything else Mother Nature can throw at it. This is the foundation upon which my family was built. This foundation my grandparents built to withstand changes and growth and evolution. Even though the family is different it is still just as strong.

The road is still long and winding. The ocean still smells sweet and salty all at the same time. The house still sits hidden atop a cliff in rural New England. The waves are still crashing and the lawn is still perfect. As I walk up to the door, I can already smell the home cooking seeping from underneath the door. Everyone is there. Family is still the most important thing in my life, my number one priority. I pause for a moment to remember the lessons I have learned. The door opens and I am immediately embraced. The people and the food and the conversation may be different, but the family is not. The journey of a family is never ending and always changing. The unexpected twists and turns, additions and even subtractions are what make a family strong. The experiences and family time enjoyed within the hidden house atop the cliff are just a part of the ever-continuing journey of my family.