Monthly Archives: September 2017

Road From Vernal Utah

Posted on September 26, 2017 by JohnMatel

The road out of Vernal, Utah is marked with signs telling you the type of rock you are passing and the type of fossils found there. It is a very beautiful place in general. As you go up the hill, … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation & Environment | Comments Off on Road From Vernal Utah

Forestry comparisons on Freeman

Posted on September 23, 2017 by JohnMatel

Before and after the 2017 growing season and before and after the fire. First picture is 2015 September, next 2017 February and then 2017 September

Posted in Conservation & Environment | Comments Off on Forestry comparisons on Freeman

Visit to Maryland forest

Posted on September 20, 2017 by JohnMatel

Just before I got home from my western trip, I took a short side trip to New Germany State Park in Garrett County, Maryland. The park was built by the CCC during the 1930s, after the government acquired land that … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation & Environment | Comments Off on Visit to Maryland forest

Forest visit

Posted on September 20, 2017 by JohnMatel

Here is my daily beer drinking picture tree farming style. The hat is dopey looking, but the fringe keeps the bugs off. I brought down a bench where I can sit and have lunch, as you can see in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation & Environment | Comments Off on Forest visit

On the road – Missouri, Illinois & Ohio

Posted on September 18, 2017 by JohnMatel

The National Road The National Road was authorized by Congress and signed into legislation by Thomas Jefferson in 1806. It started in Cumberland, Maryland and ended in Vandalia in what became the State of Illinois. It was the first piece … Continue reading →

Posted in My life | Comments Off on On the road – Missouri, Illinois & Ohio

Is native always better?

Posted on September 17, 2017 by JohnMatel

This is my submission for this issue of “Virginia Forest.” They will edit and improve it, but this is the general thrust. This issue concerns invasive species. What is native? Our bacon and eggs breakfast comes to us thanks to … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation & Environment | Comments Off on Is native always better?

The “natural fallacy”

Posted on September 17, 2017 by JohnMatel

I love nature but I am beginning to dislike the concept “natural,” applied as it often is to mean excluding humans or human influence, first because it is not possible, since humans influence all aspects of the world, and second … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation & Environment | Comments Off on The “natural fallacy”

Pawnee Grassland & Denver

Posted on September 17, 2017 by JohnMatel

We stopped off at the Pawnee National Grassland. There is no doubt a lot to see if you know where to look. I do not, unfortunately. The area just east of Denver is very intensely used by cattle operations. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation & Environment | Comments Off on Pawnee Grassland & Denver

Eisenhower Library

Posted on September 17, 2017 by JohnMatel

Long drive today from Denver. Started at 5am after Alex left at the Denver Airport. Finished in Columbia, MO at around 7pm. Stopped off to see the Eisenhower home and library in Abilene, Kansas. Eisenhower is the most familiar president … Continue reading →

Posted in Our travel | Comments Off on Eisenhower Library

Ponderosa pine

Posted on September 16, 2017 by JohnMatel

Following Route 191 we found very beautiful ponderosa pines, as you see in the first picture. The Mustang Ridge Fire burned 22,000 acres, mostly of juniper-pinyon pine forest. It pretty much wiped out these and they still are not regenerated. … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation & Environment | Comments Off on Ponderosa pine