Since shooting two documentaries in Maine in 2004 about America’s über-ungulate, I remain in awe of their size, placidity, and ability to attract tourists and admirers from all over the world. The moose should be America’s national animal, not that creepy scavenger, the bald eagle. One of my favorite shots of all time is this one. I was standing in a swamp in Baxter State Park in northern Maine at around 6 a.m. when I captured this incredible scene: a mother moose with two new calves chasing off her one or two-year-old offspring. Yearlings often track down their mothers when they’re feeling lonely but if mom’s got her hooves full, this is what happens. It’s a jungle out there.
Now comes the news that one of the longest studies of animals anywhere is providing clues to solving the mystery of one of humanity’s greatest diseases. Moose on Isle Royale in Lake Superior have had varying degrees of arthritis over more than fifty years. Scientists believe it’s related to in-utero nutrition more than anything else. But that’s just the short version. Check out the whole NYT article here. Just another reason to love moose.
August 17, 2010
Moose Key to Understanding Arthritis?
July 30, 2010
Park City the Most Bike Friendly in America?
Sorry for the glowing post about riding the Rail Trail the other day. Abbie lost two tires and I lost one to numerous stickers and thorns we rode over in one small portion of the path. We didn’t hear the tires blow. They just ultimately went flat- Abbie’s before mine. I didn’t have nearly enough material to fix them all myself. So the good folks at Jans in Park City fixed them all in about 15 minutes at a cost of $30. They’re the best.
Which brings me to Park City being the best place in America if you’re a bicycle lover. There are more bike trails, more bike stores, more bicyclists, and more bike-friendly motorists in Park City than anywhere. Of course, you have to watch out for the tourists who drive around here. They’re not nearly as bike-friendly and don’t usually know where they’re going so you still need to be careful out there.
One of our favorite places to ride is around the Swaner Wetlands Preserve (pic left) on the north side near I-80. Lots of birds, animals, and new homes, stores, restaurants and other stuff popping up around the old Olympic Village from the 2002 Winter Games. Fortunately, Park City is at least slightly environmentally enlightened so the developments are not horribly damaging to the delicate wetland ecosystem. And whether you like street biking, mountain biking, or just tooling around, Park City is the perfect place to knock the rust off those wheels.
July 28, 2010
Wasatch National Forest Adventure: Utah’s Rail Trail is So Much Fun, You Forget It’s Bicycling
Calling myself a bicyclist would be an insult to those who spend thousands of dollars on equipment, entry fees, and those fancy, tight-fitting uniforms that make me gasp for air merely looking at them. I don’t do much street cycling because it’s too dangerous and I’d sooner walk. When I do bicycle, I love to go into the mountains, the Shoreline Trail which wanders all along the Wasatch Front (past our house), or the famous Rail Trail.
The Rail Trail is a former railroad that starts in Park City and goes 24 miles northeast toward the Wyoming border. It’s been turned into a bike path that meanders through red sandstone hills, ranch land, along the Weber River and some of the best tubing and trout fishing in America, through little towns like Wanship and Coalville, and ultimately into the Uinta Mountains (you can only cycle to Echo Reservoir where the trail ends at an old bridge that’s fenced off. That’s where I took the pic).
There are places to stop and have a picnic, towns to explore, spots to swim and fish, plenty of animals and wildlife. Cows, horses, goats all watch placidly as you pass by. Big and beautiful sandhill cranes scour the fields, groundhogs scurry, foxes hunt, and hawks circle ominously. There’s a mild slope descending about 1500 feet from Park City to Coalville. But if you drive to Coalville, start there and head toward Park City, you get the uphill part out of the way first and coast back to your car. However, the round trip to and from PC is easily doable if you’re in any kind of shape.
The trail’s only paved in some parts. It’s mostly gravel so mountain bikes, not street bikes, are your best vehicle. Don’t forget to bring water. There are a couple of shops along the path to get a bottled drink but this is Mormon country and most places aren’t open on Sunday. Also, bring your tire repair kit and/or some of those small, emergency tire inflation tanks. We’ve had a couple of flats during our excursions. Nails, barbs, thorns, and other tire killers are rare but this is farm country. Fortunately, the Rail Trail is right along a state highway (not to mention Interstate 80) so you’re never too far from civilization or a lift if you have a technical problem.
The scenery is spectacular, it’s less than an hour from Salt Lake, there are no crowds, and no motorized vehicles allowed. You can’t spend a day much better than that.
Jack Hanna Blows Off Bears with Pepper Spray; Don’t Hit the Trail Without It
Unlike a gun, it won't kill the bear- or you.
I first reported the advantages of using pepper spray instead of other more dangerous weaponry against bears more than two years ago. Since BYU here in Utah released the findings of their study showing pepper spray is more effective than guns in warding off bears, we’ve carried it with us on our hikes where we know bears live (in the mountains’ lowers elevations, among trees where they have food, shelter, protection). You can buy it at REI or any other outdoors store.
Jack Hanna, the famous animal dude, has been carrying it for years and finally got the chance to use it successfully the other day in Montana. This should not only serve as additional incentive for people to arm themselves appropriately and safely (sorry, Stephen Colbert), but as more evidence that the NRA’s and other gun fanatics’ efforts to make firearms legal in national parks are the product of paranoia, bad or dis-information, 
and the current administration cowering before the frightening spector of Fox News and right-wing power freaks.
If I was afraid of anything in the wild, it would be these Glock-toting psychos who don’t feel safe in their own living rooms wandering around ready to plug the first thing that rustles in the brush including their five-year-old daughter. As Colbert himself would say: “Bears- not so much.”
April 4, 2010
iPad Impact on Me: It’s All Good- When You Have a Stake in It
The rage over iPad is great for Apple and great for those of us who produce content for the Web. Of course, it also brings out all the pro-PC, anti-Jobs legions who share their pain in anguished forums and chat rooms. Then there are legitimate criticisms like this one about how environmentally destructive gadgets like the iPad are.
Me? I can’t afford to be critical because I have a stake in the success of iPad. My video-book or “Vook”- “Call of the Wild” by Jack London- is one of 19 Vook titles accepted for the iPad and now on sale through iTunes. Being an environmentalist more than a politician or social activist, I can’t relate to all the bickering over Mac vs. PC, Microsoft being the anti-Christ, or whether I’ll go blind from the iPad’s startlingly-brilliant screen quality or watching porn on it.
In this case, I’m not only trying to make a buck (a startlingly-brilliant pun if I do say so myself given the central
character’s name in “Call of the Wild”). I think it’s one of the greatest animal books ever written and should continue to be standard reading for all schools and Nature lovers. It’s really why I made the Vook: the chances of me seeing generous (or any) proceeds from sales are virtually zero.
But because iPad is now the major promotional vehicle for the Vook, I’m endorsing it as much as myself. Self-promotion is always controversial and risky. If you promote yourself, you’re egotistical. If you don’t promote yourself, you’re broke. People who know me also know I’m an egotistical self-promoter and like me anyway (I blithely assume). Those who don’t know me hopefully soon will but as a video producer, Nature lover, and champion of great culture.
And when that happens, I will finally realize the prevailing Hollywood rendition of the American Dream: being worshipped and enriched by EVERYONE without having to actually MEET them. Mush iPad- MUSH!
March 13, 2010
“Call of the Wild” Vook Now on Sale Just in Time for Iditarod 2010
I imagine it took Jack London a while to write his classic “Call of the Wild.” But thanks to the invention of “Vooks”, I can claim co-authorship in a sort of twisted, 21st Century “I’m-a-slacker-looking-for-any-free-recognition-I-can-get” manner.
My first video for Vook.com was not the easiest assignment but it was one that could’ve only been produced in a few places in the world. Fortunately, Utah is one of them. And because I work fast and know the territory, this project grew from puppy to adult in about a month.
For you iPod, iPhone, PDA or other readers, COTW is now available at this website for only $3.00! The price of a bad beer or even worse burger. Do yourself (and more importantly, me) a favor and pick it up today. It’s a fast read, lots of action, and you’ll help all the hero dogs of the world- including you- find their inner wolf.
February 24, 2010
SeaWorld Orca Kills Trainer: Some Animals Just Don’t Belong
Another in a long list of incidents involving killer whales happened in Orlando today. Reading about the incidents in the linked article, you get the impression orcas might not LIKE being held captive for human amusement. One thing about the fans who saw this latest episode: they will never forget that show. Question is what did they learn? Orcas are dangerous. Humans are vulnerable. Amusement is relative. My kid’s afraid of the water now.
How about “stop this stupidity and leave those animals alone?” We know dolphins like us (maybe not the guy in the picture) but they are not good at killing us without a lot of help. You have to pick your captive animals like you pick your friends: carefully.
January 23, 2010
Avatar: Dangerous Cartoon or Greatest Movie Ever?
“Nature is no longer a creation to defend, but a divinity to worship.”
- Vatican radio
“Why drive to the movies, pay for tickets and spend hours in a dark room when you can just as easily read Noam Chomsky or the speeches of Hugo Chavez in the comfort of your own home and couch? Same difference. ‘Avatar’ is an intelligence test. If you fell for it, you failed.”
- Debbie Schlussel, right-wing buzz kill
From donning the 3D glasses to the fairy tale ending, I loved Avatar. Yes, it’s too long. Yes, the plot’s thin. Yes, the pro-environment/anti-U.S. imperialism message is heavy. It’s no wonder the Vatican and America’s right-wing wackos hate it. But it’s eye candy to the max and the Earth can always use a little defending. And you get to keep the glasses!
So come on, conservatives: lighten up and give the economy a lift by dropping a Hamilton and Washington into Hollywood’s shrinking pockets. When the Na’vi start getting all green on you, it’s time for popcorn!
October 14, 2009
Autumn in Southern California’s High Country: Great, But Not Utah
Rivalries are an American tradition. Yankees-Red Sox. North-South. Dodge-Chevy. And in the American West, the most intense rivalry is between states who feel theirs is the most beautiful. Most Americans would probably say California is more beautiful than Utah. That’s probably because they’ve never been to Utah.
I’ve had the good fortune to spend the last few days before a major business trip relaxing in Big Bear Lake, California. It’s a long-time resort area built around a human-made lake in the mountains of the San Bernardino National Forest about 90 minutes east of LA. The Hollywood elite used to make this their playground. Names of the pine-lined, winding roads include “Wendy” and other characters from Disney’s “Peter Pan.” Now, it’s a resort area that time forgot: without the huge luxury homes you see in a lot of newer areas because the lots are small, Hollywood now owns its vacation homes in Spain, and the lake cabins and cottages, probably luxurious back in 1940, look worn, cramped and ancient. But that’s the source of Big Bear Lake’s charm.
There aren’t even any bears around Big Bear Lake. Unless you count the countless wooden carvings, statues and paintings of bears that are everywhere. Like the Golden bear, California’s official state symbol, which was wiped out by hunting and gold mining more than 100 years ago, the black bears here have long been extirpated. Another victim of our increased need for risk-free vacations. But it’s still a pretty place with lots of restaurants, recreational opportunities and tourists from all over the world. And at 7,000 feet, it’s retained its quietness and remoteness.
But the long-term drought in California has taken its toll. The ground is dry, the trees look parched. There’s a noticeable lack of color compared to New England, Indiana and other places where autumn is startling in its colorful complexity and natural simplicity. Meanwhile, in Utah, the high country is ablaze in color after a normal summer of rain and sun. Reds, yellows, oranges, light greens and near purples splash the mountainsides of the Uintas, Wasatch and other parts of Utah. There are probably parts of California that are similar. Just not this one. And being here now, comfortable and fun as it is, make me look forward to returning to Utah after my business trip, hoping that there will still be enough autumn left to remember- until the next one.
June 9, 2009
Zion National Park Voted #1: I Second That
A poll of 3,000 people by the travel company tripadvisor shows that Zion National Park in Utah is the most popular national park in America. Normally, I don’t have a lot of confidence in polls though they are probably the best way to gauge something’s popularity. But in this case, I agree because I’ve actually visited several national parks in the past couple of years. In fact, I visited the number one and two national parks- Zion and Grand Canyon- within months of each other. And I can vouch from personal experience that the poll is correct.
First, Zion has a great public transportation system (natural gas powered buses). It keeps private vehicle traffic down. Like other national parks, it is overrun with RVs, SUVs, motorcycles and other fossil fuel burning vehicles that create pollution, noise, hazards for pedestrians, horses, wildlife. The buses take a lot of pressure off and increase comfort in the park which is mostly in a very deep canyon which easily traps pollution and noise, heat and cold.
Second, Zion has lots of camping areas and a great lodge. The lodge has small, separate cabins that are clean, cool, and right on the bus route. They’re also right next to the big store which has all the essentials, a great gift shop and even a couple of very good restaurants. If you don’t want to stay in the park, you can stay in nearby Springville, a quaint and beautiful resort town that will remind you of Aspen, Colorado, Sedona, Arizona or Woodstock, Vermont. Lots of hotel rooms, restaurants, shops and all right on the edge of the park. Third, Zion is easy to get to: only about five hours from Salt Lake, about the same from Phoenix and even closer to Las Vegas.
Speaking of distance, it’s probably Grand Canyon’s biggest drawback. Despite being overrun with tourists, most of whom come in big buses, it takes a long time to get to Grand Canyon from anywhere. It’s two hours off the main road through northern Arizona, making the trip from Salt Lake about nine hours one way. Once you’re there, you’re actually overwhelmed by the size of it, so much so that you are discouraged from actually hiking or camping or doing anything other than gazing into the big ditch from the South Rim. FYI: it’s about another day’s drive to the North Rim- that’s how big it is.
Grand Canyon is breath-taking and has lots of trails, helicopter and horse rides and outdoor things to do on a budget (a camping permits is only $18). They have a big store, restaurant and lodge right at the South Rim. But for my money, accessibility, and even all-around beauty, I’d have to agree that Zion beats Grand Canyon. Not that I’d choose between one or the other because they are very different. I’d go to both. Oops, already did that.
Correction: More importantly, I’d do it again.
