reading my post about trying to get a drone into operation
in my news shop.
DAY BOOK
A PLACE FOR THE ANCIENTS
This extraordinary creature is a 600-800 year old dwarfed pygmy oak residing in the Los Osos Oaks State Reserve. The 85 acres of ancient sand dune is south of Morro Bay and just east of Los Osos off Los Osos Valley Road in San Luis Obispo County. Chumash Indians once lived where the historic trees have been saved.
It is a small reserve but has managed to protect living links to the 11th century. When these oaks were saplings,
European court society had not yet sent explorers toward what they would call North America. The Chumash camped on this land. Some of the preserve is on a Chumash midden.
Lace lichen streamers decorate some of the old stand. Historians say Chumash mothers used the lichen as wraps for their infants.
Three hiking trails take you beneath the old growth oaks. The eastern edge of the preserve runs along a stand of old sycamore, willow, laurel and cottonwood trees. Between Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo you can time travel.
Nothing is certain in politics. I heard Eric Sevareid say that when I was a young reporter and it has stuck with me.
Now Rick Santorum enjoys the GOP limelight in what
has been the craziest campaign season since I covered my first presidential election in 1968.
I think a lot about the late Sevareid as I watch this
season play out. The reporter/analyst was brilliant.
"The difference between men and boys in politics is, and always has been, that boys want to be something, while the men
want to do something."
Eric Sevareid
Those of you old enough may remember Sevareid as the commentator at the end of the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite through the '60s and 70's.
He was one of "Murrow's Boys," the war correspondents who invented modern broadcast journalism as they covered
WW II. Hired by Ed Murrow this band brought seriousness, analysis and intellect to daily reporting.
Sevareid was famous for his "think pieces," as we used to call them. Essays really. He had been a roving correspondent after the war. Once while covering the Burma China war his plane developed trouble and before parachuting to safety he grabbed a bottle of gin.
"Next to power without honor, the most dangerous thing
in the world is power without humor."
Eric Sevareid
It would be a joy to see and hear Sevareid weigh in
on this campaign season. He never spared anyone from his critical gaze.
"The bigger the information media, the less courage and freedom they allow. Bigness means weakness."
Here is a sample of the kind of thoughtfulness in
broadcast journalism, that many of us miss. This is his
final commentary.
"I'm sort of a pessimist about tomorrow and an optimist
about the day after tomorrow."
Eric Sevareid
DAY BOOK THE HIGH SIERRA
With the first blooms of spring I begin thinking about our
next exploration of California. Like the magnetic north I am drawn to the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada.
Decades of globe trotting afforded me exposure to many wonderful places on this blue planet and I put the eastern side of the Sierra high on the list of exquisite.
Folks have their favorite spots. One of mine is near Tom's place off the 395. From there you drive up to Rock Creek lake at about 10,500 foot elevation. From the trail head you go up to a wide fan of lakes along either the Morgan or Mono Pass. These shots are taken from a hike, mostly south of the Morgan Pass.
Our friend Ruth, who spent years hiking and exploring this region reminds us the scenes are similar to what we've seen in the Swiss Alps. Gorgeous meadows, valleys, rugged rock walls, popular with technical climbers, pristine alpine lakes, wild life, fresh air, quiet and true serenity.
Box lake
Rock Creek Lake
Morgan Pass
Long Lake. If your journeys ever afford you a chance to visit the Eastern Slope of the Sierra, I suspect you too will be in awe. See you down the trail
