The Battle Between Momentum and Obstacles and the Dream of a Peaceful Future, High Shoals Falls and Jacob Fork River
Divided Falls and Boulders, High Shoals Falls Loop
To escape the post election drama, I went to South Mountains State Park where I camped for two days with my dog Takoda. I had no internet or phone and was able to totally disconnect from the current political insanity. Our country is very divided and its division is putting our national security at risk. Our citizens are living in dual realities and half of the population is either blind to or refuses to see what is happening. There is the truth that Biden and Harris won the election and then all the noise about fraudulent elections, which there is no evidence for at all. It is a terrifying time, because the President is still capable of perpetuating a great deal of harm, but somehow we have to stay strong. The truth will find a way to come out, because truth, like water, always finds a way to cut through the forces that try to suppress or block it. Though I did feel much calmer from spending time in nature, everything I saw was colored by the feelings I have been experiencing from living in a fractured society.
In the Midst of Turbulent Waters
The South Mountains region has suffered from the effects of climate change, both in terms of fires, fallen trees, and rock slide. I will write a second post about climate change next. However, for this post suffice it to say that the area often receives storms that come up from the Gulf Coast bringing large amounts of water as well as wind to the region. I made some images by slowing down the water speed to convey the serenity I experienced, but I also sped up my shutter speed to capture the turbulence of the water as it cascaded over and around the rocks, often crashing in on itself from a multitude of directions. Listening to the roar of the water made me reflect on the turbulence we are living in the midst of, as conspiracy theories abound as well as fears concerning what the President might attempt to do during his remaining days in office. One thing is fairly certain, he will not be putting the safety and security of the American people first.
Shadows on Boulders along the Jacob Fork River
The river appeared clear and beautiful, and I saw a number of fly fishermen. However, driving in I’d seen signs saying Piney Mountain’s wastewater treatment plant has been dumping raw sewage into a pond that is then released into the Jacob Fork River. NC water officials have issued fines against the plant, but state regulators found no evidence of waste in the river (https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article246496470.html). Residents in the area are concerned though, and some have complained of infections after swimming in the river. The existence of such pristine waterways should not be taken for granted and they need to be protected, or potential issues like this will multiply and degrade water quality and put ecosystems at risk. Many salamanders, frogs and toads live near the river and creeks in the park, and there are more than 60 species of birds and many wildflowers, as well as deer, black bears and smaller mammals. So many ecosystems are harmed when our creeks and waterways are not protected, yet the current administration has undone over 100 clean air and water regulations.
Shoals and Fall Color
The smaller shoals along the way to the High Shoals are spectacular. Rhododendron and mountain laurels line the river, as it cuts through rock and creates gorges and other features of this rugged landscape. Though water may at times appear to be soft and graceful, its persistence allows it to carve and shape the boulders it flows over and around. Indeed, the water is what creates and holds the fabric of the natural world together through its creative and life sustaining properties. The fundamental truth of life on earth is that we are all interconnected. Understanding this imbues our experiences with coherence and gives our lives greater meaning, especially when we think beyond ourselves to the greater good. Right now much of reality appears incoherent and chaotic since greed and bigotry have obscured this truth and caused people within our own country to turn on each other. It is up to each of us to build bridges and demonstrate that working together is the only way to reclaim our democracy. If we cannot heal the fractures in our society, we will all be doomed to a perpetual state of unrest and fear will rule our lives.
Lower Shoals, South Mountains
As David Whyte so profoundly wrote in “Not Taken,” from his book Pilgrm, “You were in the end, never just looking on, but always the river moving between the song of the water, holding the flowing of ways together.” Though boulders are obstacles that separate the river into distinct torrents of water, the Jacob Fork is still one waterway as it divides and reunites throughout its course until it flows into the larger Catawba River and Basin. In this period of upheaval, we can choose to feel fractured ourselves or we can expand our consciousness to take in as much truth as possible and create a new more complete narrative of our existence. We can remember that though our sense of security might be threatened, those attempting to overthrow our democracy cannot stop us from reading, or meditating, or reflecting and expressing ourselves from a place of authenticity. We can still love our family and friends and be there for each other, even if we have to connect via Zoom or telephone. We can choose to believe that just as divergent water currents ultimately come together again, we too may succeed in achieving a more unified and just society if we don’t abandon our diligence and dedication to this goal.
High Shoals Falls
High Shoals Falls is a dramatic 80 foot waterfall. The trees at the top are barely visible from the viewing platform and all you can feel is the rushing water that is blindingly white against the dark rocks. Standing on this platform halfway up the cliff, I felt the force of truth, and the primacy of light in the battle of good against evil. Human society has witnessed many a dark moment before, but the darkness never lasts forever. Eventually, most people come to see that the reasons they gave for supporting malevolent forces are not valid, and realize that they too are living in a state of oppression. Even when part of the group in power, people can become imprisoned by their own cruelty making it impossible to live in a joyful state.
On Top of High Shoals Falls
I climbed the steep steps to the summit of the falls. As I took the view in, it brought back memories of what I imagined heaven might look like when I was a child attending Sunday School. Even then, I did not believe in the existence of an afterworld located in a realm of ethereal clouds. Rather heaven was a state I aspired to and to get there I always pictured the most serene natural environments in my mind’s eye. Like the heaven I’ve always visualized, there was no turmoil here, just blue skies, fluffy clouds, and calm water that seemed easily crossable to reach the other side. Of course such a peaceful state can never be permanent and dangers lurk everywhere. Though things seemed calm for the moment, I knew how easy it is to get swept away by deceptively slow moving water at the top of waterfalls and plummet to one’s death. I crossed the river by walking over a bridge. There were fences here as well, to keep people away from the riverbanks. People are curious and can’t be trusted not to dip their toes in dangerous waters. Or we choose to shut our eyes to very real threats and live in a state of oblivion. Still for a moment I stood there breathing more deeply and slowly than I have have in four years. I prayed the turmoil we have been experiencing ends when the President finally does leave office and that some semblance of normalcy will resume. No one can live in fractured and incoherent world for this long without feeling some effects, unless you are wearing the most powerful blinders imaginable.
Turbulence as the Water Mixes
Back by my campsite, the boulders gave way to mostly smaller rocks and the waters were joined together again. There was turbulence in places and I knew even as barriers are broken down and people try to come together again, there will be challenges. However, our newly elected leader believes in working for all citizens and hopefully having such a leader will help diffuse conflicts and allow us to see that we area all part of the same country. The past, present and future are all connected in rivers and societies too, so we must consider making reparations for those who were harmed in our country’s past as we looking forward to creating a society that upholds equal rights for all citizens and even nature.
Dusk along Jacob Fork River
In the soft light of dusk, the fall colors were reflected in the river. I could feel a sense of warmth and peace wash over me. The temperature was surprisingly balmy and I didn’t even need a jacket. Normally, I would have worried this lovely evening was the result of climate change, but during these Covid times I was grateful to be able to sit for so long or a rock in the river without feeling a chill or any sense of discomfort. I was totally in the moment, but I had not forgotten the wonderful day I’d just experienced and there was still another day of hiking to look forward to. I wasn’t afraid to let the continuum of time unfold, especially since I was temporarily disconnected from the news.
Lightness of Being in the Dark Along the Jacob Fork River
Takoda and I stayed by the river until the light was nearly gone. I found a miniature waterfall among some boulders. Though it was not as dramatic as High Shoals, it made me realize that each day they are numerous instances where we can take the plunge into the next moment with lightness of being, no matter what is going on in the world at large. Each time we make it over or around a small obstacle in our daily lives, it helps us believe that perhaps collectively we can face and surmount the huge problems our country faces.