My work over time has been inspired by many people. I would like to credit four right up front:

Joseph Meeker who taught me that “no educational system knows how to create wisdom, and no science can make wilderness. We do know how to damage and destroy both of them, however, and we have devoted much of our energy to that in recent centuries. Before we reach the point where both wisdom and wilderness cease to exist, we should think about what they are, how they relate to one another, and what the world would be without them.”

Richard Nelson who suggested to me in word and deed that “what makes a place special is the way it buries itself inside the heart. Every place, like every person, is elevated by the love and respect shown toward it, and by the way in which its bounty is received.”

Len Barron who demonstrates time and again that the proper study of one’s life is really the study of  beauty; that life is really quite simple and we can fully experience it by just showing up; and that the real deep secrets of any life find their way to light through laughter.

And to my mother Virgene, who at the beautiful age of ninety-one,  still encourage me to do whatever I like, period. Without question she has always known I would not abuse such freedom.

Sponsors

I could not do my work without the sponsorship of some rather marvelous folks.

Jon Meyer – OSO Negro Fine Roasted Coffee – has been with me for the last three years. He sponsored my international sailing expedition A Voice in the Wind, Virgene~1918, and my current pilgrimage, Shaking Hands with the River. His support, encouragement and gentleness has given me wings. Thank you Jon!!

Brent Petkau’s  (The Oyster Man)   kindness and support is assisting me in Shaking Hands with the River. He is always the first to remind me that the world is my oyster.

Dr. Chris Chart of Selkirk Animal Hospital has been kind and generous to Bonnie-the-wonder-dog. Bonnie will travel with me this summer on my pilgrimage around the Columbia River Basin as a part of Shaking Hands with the River. Chris has made sure Bonnie is fit, vaccinated and supremely fed with Medi-Cal.