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Show On that particular trip, someone had allowed the campfire to continue burning as we hiked along the Waterpocket Fold tracing the route of the proposed road. On our return that evening, most of the tents and sleeping bags had burned up—only the ash remained. A wind had arisen during the day and spread the sparks about. Scheduled to camp out yet another night, Helland canceled the trip and everybody motored home. A good omen indeed. Dinner nightly at 5:30 Call £ a a eon 92 E. CENTER STREET 435.259-4295 state liquor license It was on that issue that my environmental friends, Ruth Frear, Jack McLellan, June Viavant and a host of others of the Sierra Club and related groups lobbied hard against the appropriation of congressional highway funds to build the road. The funds were never appropriated. It was one of our greatest victories ever. . But it was a raging issue. At one time Jack McLellan asked Mohr Christensen if his group could come to Escalante and make a presentation. Mohr, a cousin of mine and the chairman of the publicity committee of the Escalante Chamber of Commerce responded: Dear Mr. McLellan: As I promised, I brought the matter of your proposed visit to a meeting of the Chamber GLOBALLY INSPIRED CUISINE “ ys 2 UTAH POLITICIANS WE'D L IKE TO FEED: Governor Mike Leavitt of Commerce last evening. The vote was unanimously against asking you to come. W.M. Christensen Sorry Governor, No green Jell-o Eliott Porter, author of the Sierra Club’s, The Place No One Knew, and his party joined me on a trip into Coyote Gulch. I was elated to have him, and it was a fascinating trip. I rolled his camera box down a steep sandy hill into the rocky creek far below after cutting the pack strap to keep my pack horse from rolling down too. I remember my concern as to how Eliott would react. He reacted. We need to swell our ranks with energetic and high-minded young people who have the guts, sensitivity and honor to see this thing through. Together we might slow down this relentless, destructive and ruthless mindset that's destroying our Earth. A dream? Maybe. But a wonderful dream. Those were beautiful days. Once I had to wade my horses across the newly-created Coyote Gulch lake to get them to higher ground after a ledge had fallen into the creek bottom. Then I had to cut steps into the sandstone to give my horses footing to get around the body of water. The lake receded and finally broke through after a few good flash floods. And the canyon quickly returned to its enchanting former self, oblivious to the natural damming process. May the canyons experience the same after the draining of the reservoir behind the Glen Canyon dam. Of course I'll have to mention again my momentous meeting with Ed Abbey at Lee’s Ferry. Our meeting was instrumental for both of us regarding our own future plans and our working toward the restoration of Glen Canyon. It culminated in a long friendship and his eventual publication of The Monkey Wrench Gang. And when Ed died 10 years ago, he left us all a great legacy. Glen Canyon must be restored. I invite you, dear reader, if you've read this far, and if you're of like mind, to join our new group. Old duffers like myself are sometimes useful, but we need to swell our ranks with energetic and high-minded young people who have the guts, sensitivity, and honor to see this thing through. Together we might yet slow down this relentless, dsuitaites and ruthless mindset that’s destroying our Earth. A dream? Maybe. But a wonderful dream. We've got to start somewhere at some time. And who knows, maybe, just maybe, we'll yet yea restore Glen Canyon to its former grandeur. Ken Sleight is a regular contributor to The Zephyr. “THE BEST RESTAURANT IN SOUTHERN Salt Lake Magazine UTAH" The Premier Historic Hotel Northern Arizona 100 dees inn i North San Francisco i 290-779-6971 ig lb icea When traveing south fo Fagstafor Grand Canyon area, come slay a he afodable and beautfu Hotel Monte Vista Great Week Day & Weekend Rates 1 800-545-3068 BROWNTROUT PUBLISHERS P.O. Box 280070 San Francisco, CA 94128-0070 800.777.7812 2000 is HERE: Browntrout offers the most extensive selection of calendars in the world. Look for Browntrout Calendars at fine bookstores across the country. With 600 titles, Browntrout is the largest producer of calendars in the United States and we continue to grow. In 1994, we launched our book program. Check out our web site at: www.browntrout.com You'll find a wide assortment of Browntrout books and calendars at BACK OF BEYOND BOOKS in Moab, as well as fine book stores everywhere |