Today I met Travis and Bowen, two lucky boys (+/- 10 years old) traveling around the country with their parents. They’re on there way to the Grand Canyon for a raft trip but, as Travis told me, “The Hoover Dam has blocked off the Colorado River, all the way across, and nearly killed it.”
The boys speak directly and look so self-possessed. They’ll be rafting down the river but not through rapids because, as Bowen says, “They think we’re too young.”
“You might get thrown out, right?”
“But they don’t take into account the environment we grew up in. My body is made for this.” Bowen pats his chest.
“What environment is that?”
“The forest, the country. Our whole lives.”
“I’m going backpacking in the Grand Canyon in March,” I proudly tell them.
“Oh,” says Bowen seriously, “while you’re hiking be sure to stop and look up at the landscape but when you walk, look at your feet because it can be a very narrow path with steep sides.”
Travis adds, “And even if we did get thrown out of the raft, I know a special trick. It goes against what seems natural but you aim for a big rock and catch your legs up on it like this.” He raises his two legs in a rocking chair pose. “Then let the water push you up onto the rock and wait until someone comes to get you.”
“Be like a piece of driftwood,” agrees Bowen. “You know, like when you send a piece of wood down the water and it gets caught on a rock instead of going downstream.”
“It sounds like you know a lot about nature. Where are you from?”
“The Cascades. This kind of place is a very foreign to me except for that tree over there.” Bowen points to a beautiful cottonwood across from my house.
Feeling the need to defend my neighborhood and it’s trees, I say, “Well, that cottonwood is very talkative and has some interesting things to say. There are also a couple of ravens who drop by once in a while. You can have a chat with them. It’s been nice to meet you but I have to go to work now.”
“What do you do?”
“I’m a writer. I write about nature and wild things.”
Bowen looks me directly in eyes and nods. “I can tell you’re a writer. Its the shape of your jaw and your eyes. You’re taking in all the details and that’s what writers do: take in the details.”
I smile. What a fine compliment to begin my day. “It’s been very nice to meet you both. Have a wonderful trip.”
We shake hands. I’ll surely think of Bowen and Travis next time I get discouraged about the future of our planet. They’re already carrying the torch.
