An analog week ahead

 

Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior can be a scary place...

• Wolves
• Moose
• Leeches
• Unpredictable weather

and perhaps most frightening of all

• No cell phone service

Starting Saturday, 5 outdoor club members and I will be hiking Isle Royale from its northeastern most point to its most southeastern point. The beginning and end points of this 45 mile hike have a few amenities - ranger stations, a lodge, potable drinking water, and stores. But for the majority of the hike across the spine of this large island on the Greenstone Trail, one must to carry what one will need - period.

My pack without water will weigh about 32 pounds. Ultra-light back packers will scoff at such a load. But for those of us who wish to enjoy time in the campsites and sleep snugly and don't need to cover more than a dozen miles in a day and want hot coffee in the mornings, the camp chair and the cushy sleeping pad and the gas stove are worth the few extra pounds.

One thing I will not be carrying will be my cell phone. Instead I will have a digtial camera with an extra battery, a real-live compass/thermometer, a wrist watch, and a paper map of the park.

What I have not yet decided on is whether to bring a print book or my Kindle as leisure reading material. The print book is light and keeps the analog spirit of the trip. But what will I do if I finish the book before the hike is over? What if the battery of my headlamp dies? Can I read the smallish print of a paperback with my cheaters? On the other hand, my Kindle may also run out its battery life. Might it get wet and short out?

The horror of not having something to read is greater by far than that of no Internet by far. 

Wish us good weather. And long battery life.

What will your grandchildren see and experience?

The photo above was taken during an Alaskan cruise in August of 2019. It is a vivid example of the gorgeous, unspoiled scenery of the Tongass National Forest as seen from Misty Fjord. I was moved by the beauty and serenity of the area during the week we spent slowly drifting through the area on the small ship, by kayak, and on inflatable skiffs. When we took hikes ashore, we were on our best ecological behavior, leaving not trace of our being there.

While I try to stay away from politics on this blog and social media in general (well, maybe life in general), I could not help but react to the following story: Trump pushes to allow new logging in Alaska's Tongass National Forest, Washington Post, August 27, 2019. This is just one of what is reported to be many reversals of environmental rules that the current administration has implemented. More than tariffs or North Korean bluster or self-serving tax policy changes, the potential impact on the environment has a concerning long-term impact on the country (and world).

When it comes to politics, I try to apply the "grandpa" filter in determining my reaction to a program, proposal, court-ruling, or law. In other words, how will my grandchildren's world be better or worse in 20 years for the decisions being made today.

Our society's need for instant gratification needs to be counter-balanced by long-term thinking. Is it nice to have a tax reduction today? Of course - more trips, more ice cream, more shopping for clothes we don't really need. But what if that tax reduction results in a national debt that will be born during my grandsons' working years? Low gas tax vs. crumbling infrastructure. Underfunded schools vs educated workforce. We show our love of future generations by looking into the future.

Put on on your grandparent glasses the next time you read the newspaper or look at your newsfeed. Maybe by doing so, our grandchildren can experience the Alaskan wilderness and the good life as well.