Explorations of the Wild and the Human Spirit

Journey into a collection of essays, reflections, and field observations that seek to uncover the deeper truths hidden within the desert and ourselves.

These writings weave together natural history, survival wisdom, philosophy, and personal experience — offering a window into The Way of Things.

Presence and Awareness – Lecture 3

Presents a discussion of desert phenomena. Phenomena happen all the time and are something we should not only be aware of, but something we should try to manage. I share with you a complex and very interesting example of how action and reaction demonstrate awareness.

Read More »

Presence and Awareness – Lecture 1

We start with the most simple of concepts – an everyday walk through the desert. As we move, we are a disturbance in “the force”, as is every form of life. We have a certain range and level of awareness that interacts with and affects the range and awareness of

Read More »

Feedback Loop

This lecture discusses the role of camouflage in the environment. The use and effects of camouflage demonstrate a universal phenomenon, known as a feedback loop. In the case of camouflage, the feedback loop is one of awareness and knowledge.

Read More »

Rock Dynamics

This lecture explains how a rock’s height and width effect the local environment as well as the desert environment as a whole. Flat Rock 3D Rock

Read More »

Burro Bill and Me

Edna Calkins Price This book could be viewed in many different ways, as a history book, an adventure book, or a book about various places in the Southwest. And it is certainly all that! However, for me it is a book about two people leaving the modern world and going

Read More »

Grand Canyon – A Century of Change

Robert H. Webb This book is simply amazing. It represents a monumental effort taken on by many people. The fact that this book has not been on bestseller’s lists is a testament to where our culture now stands. The author can truly be proud of this monumental achievement and the

Read More »

American Indian Food and Lore

Carolyn Niethammer I found this to be a valuable and unique book. It is much more than just a list of edible plants; it delves into the true nature of what it takes to be a gatherer. When one takes into account all the books about hunting and fishing, one

Read More »

Ecological Consequences of Artificial Night Lighting

Catherine Rich and Travis Longcore This book definitely comes with a message and it is one that I generally agree with; however, you’ll find that such books generally don’t make my list of recommended reading. But this book covers the subject that is rarely talked about and yet is very

Read More »

The Secret Knowledge of Water

Craig Childs This book has been read and enjoyed by a wide variety and for good reason; the author delves into such issues as history of the environmental movement and natural history while doing so in an artistic and sometimes poetic and even spiritual manner which is often the hallmark

Read More »

The Bighorn of Death Valley

Ralph E. Welles and Florence B. Welles This book is often referred to as “Welles and Welles” in normal conversation as well as in scientific literature. This book is often cited in scientific literature to this very day and is considered the foundational study of the desert bighorn sheep but

Read More »