Talking Waters ...

“How should a beautiful, ignorant stream of water
know it heads for an early release ~
across the desert, running toward the Gulf, below sea level
to “murmur” its lullaby
and see the Imperial Valley rise up out of the burning sand
with cotton blossoms, wheat, watermelons, roses ~
how should it know?”
(Carl Sandburg)

Why are we, as humans, so captivated, enthralled ~ perhaps even mesmerized
by the beauty of water? In its various forms, it emits and displays “sea language”.

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Yosemite National Park in California is not just a great Valley, but a shrine to the human foresight, strength of granite, power of glaciers, the persistence of life and the tranquillity of the High Sierra. Yosemite is best known for its waterfalls. The quiet languid Merced River flows gently at its base where the road ends. Here the visitor is totally dwarfed in the Valley by two granite monoliths...El Capitan and Half Dome. Hiking to the summit is one of the most famous and scenic treks in United States...rising 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley and 8,500 feet above sea level.

On a Sunday in May, 2004, my son, Andrew, with a friend in California, travelled to Yosemite Valley. Vernal Fall was the compelling invitation to hike its 1.5 miles to view the 317 foot free-fall. The accelerating “snow melts” in the Spring initiated Yosemite's annual “water show” of its numerous dramatic cascades. From the Vernal Fall Bridge, he called and enthusiastically stated he was ascending the Misty Trail...a gruelling stair-climb to the top. About one hour later he contacted me.
“Mom, Just Listen!”
I heard the Water as it roared over the precipice!
This was the most wonderful and memorable Mother's Day gift he ever gave me!

The Upper and Lower Yosemite Waterfalls tumble a total of 2,435 feet
...a torrent in the spring that crashes on to the rocky landing area.

Bridal Veil Fall of 620 feet is truly beautiful...resembling a long lacy veil.

At 612 feet, Ribbon Fall, located west of El Capitan, is the highest single free-fall in the Park.

Nevada Fall of 594 feet is a stunning sight. It is a 2,600 foot climb along a 3.4 mile trek.

Wapama Falls at 1,300 feet is one of the prettiest sights in Yosemite.
It plunges through a gorge next to El Capitan
and cascades over rocks into a reservoir.

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Research Facts and Comments about Water:

It has no Taste, no Colour, no Odour. It fills us with gratification that exceeds the delight of our senses.

We have never really known how important Water is. We understand it, but do not respect it.
When the well is dry, we know its worth!

Use of Water has increased and in many places, Water availability is falling to crisis levels.
We are already facing Water shortages in many countries,
while the world's population by the year 2020 will double!

Water has become a Highly Precious Resource.

The Great Lakes hold 20% of the world's surface fresh water.
The Great Lakes are estimated to have been formed at the end of the Ice Age.

If there is Magic on this planet, it is contained in the Water.

Life originated in the Sea and about 80% of it is still there.

Water is not without its dangers: drowning, pollution, flooding, erosion. Are these Acts of God?
We need to Nurture it! We need to Respect it! We need to Preserve it! We need to Enjoy it!

The Oceans are the planet's last great living wilderness ~
man's only remaining frontier on Earth. (John E. Cullney)

What makes the desert beautiful,
is that somewhere, it hides a well. (Antoine de Expery)

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My childhood (until age 18) was spent on a farm. With daily chores to perform: milking cows morning and evening; summer crops of hay, grain and corn to harvest; chickens to feed and eggs to gather; vegetable gardens and fruit orchards to lovingly tender, along with preserves of these for winter survival...there was rarely time to drive one hour to Lake Erie. Once a summer, maybe twice, our mother would prepare a picnic lunch...and we'd spend a glorious day at Turkey Point or Port Dover. The most exciting, most exhilarating experience was the First Sighting of the Lake...its beauteous expanse of blue water flowing and waving from the far horizon. The sand was fine and white, feeling like silk between our toes. The water, cool and refreshing, was shallow for many feet from shore...with no fear of water depth nor of undertow. What A Thrilling Day each summer!

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On my Grandparents' farm a small brook playfully babbled along one side of their property. My sister and I had many happy hours making paper boats and setting them a-sea on this sheer streamlet as it gently sloped over small, smooth shiny amber stones. We would retrieve our little boats and again set them a-sail and compete with the breeze to declare a winner.

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A colour front-page photo on a recent local paper, titled, “A Stone's Throw Away” illustrated two boys skipping stones at Bronte Creek. These children are the classic picture of not only us when young, but also as adults who still enjoy this revelry...where the water ripples at each smoothly rounded stone toss. Kids will be Kids!

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As you sit by a mountain stream, gaze at a peaceful lake or listen to the musical roar of a deep sea, it seems that the Great Door (that does not look like a door)...Opens!
The feeling transcends you to an unimaginable level...
giving infinite hope and placidity...
instilling a deep yearning to dwell forever in this phase of contentment!

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Scuba Diving: My son's first scuba diving assay was in the tropical waters of The Philippines. Opportunity beckoned with an invitation to view life underwater. He was feverishly attracted and fascinated with this “new world” to explore. Upon his return home, he availed himself of further instruction. While working in California scuba diving quickly became a weekend pleasure.

Monterey Bay just offshore from the Monterey Peninsula, is home to one of the largest expanses of kelp forests in the world...often called “The Redwoods of the Sea”. Great kelp can soar 100 feet or more from the ocean floor, growing up to 12 inches a day in the summer. Divers share these Bay waters with sea otters, sea lions and harbour seals. Monterey Canyon extends 95 miles into the Pacific Ocean reaching depths up to 10,000 feet below the surface level at its deepest. The actual canyon itself is only about one mile deep making it of comparable depth to the Grand Canyon. (Imagine, being underwater and sitting on the top edge of this deep canyon in the Bay!) The features of this Bay are of prime interest to scuba divers...a recreational invitation for under-water exploration!

In his early diving experience, he wrote: “Our assigned leader, Tony, brought us through the thick of a kelp forest in water about 20 to 30 feet deep. We were swimming in single file through the narrow channels (sand on the bottom between the rocks where the kelp grow). It was really a fun dive! Another more advanced dive was with 3 divers together, who dive at Monterey. There was a thick kelp canopy near the shore, so we brought our dive lights and turned them on at the beginning of the dive to see under the canopy. Despite the bright sunlight, it was pretty dark under it when we first started and I needed the light. It was beautifully adventuresome! As you would enjoy a more challenging ski hill, when you have the skill to accomplish it, I enjoyed this more unique challenge of the dive. I now had developed the skill and confidence to do it and enjoyed exercising these abilities.

I recall another boat-dive when my buddy and I surfaced and we were some distance from the boat (about 250 feet). There were kelp fields between us and the boat...and you kind of have to crawl over them. Since we both had a reasonable amount of air remaining, I said, ' Let's go under the kelp fields'. While they look like thick carpets of drifting kelp on the surface (and it really is no fun surface-swimming over them) to go under the canopy is like floating through a rain forest. Imagine if you could explore a rain forest, drifting through the air about 50 feet above the ground and just under the tree canopy, with sunlight streaming through the leaves. It is like that. We were not over 10 feet deep but we had the whole “rain forest effect” with the sunlight streaming through the overhead canopy. We just pushed the stalks aside with our hands and frolicked between them. Perhaps you can try to visualize the forest that I'm talking about. The kelp forests are far more spectacular underwater than on the surface.”

Among the fish are swarms of mysid shrimp,
giant Keyhole limpets and various invertebrates.

Water often Creates Absolute Dramatic Emotions

Niagara Falls: The voluminous waterfalls of Niagara straddle the International border between Canada and United States. These cataracts seem to have an almost “magnetic pull” with every view of the gushing, rushing water as it sprays over the limestone rock into the 176 feet below. These Falls, recognized for their beauty, are also a valuable resource of hydro electric power. Spectacular they are... every evening, when alternating colour lights illuminate and focus on the Horseshoe Falls. Numerous other inviting activities are available for the visitor to experience. The Skylon Tower (175 feet high) offers a superb sweeping vista of the Falls, the Niagara River and its bustling rapids while fine-dining at the Skylon's revolving top surrounded by this stunning ambiance.

It is said that Niagara Falls has a hypnotic allure that gives some people the uncontrollable compulsion to jump in and join the powerful, swirling waters. To date, 16 “daredevils” have gone over the Falls in various crafted barrels...all designed to beat disaster (of course)...all in the name of adventure! Only 11 have survived and two men went over twice who lived to “tell their tales.” Today, if anyone attempts this feat, the individual is charged with “mischief in the Park” and is severely penalized.

The Grand Canyon in Arizona is indescribable! With numerous view sites along the South Rim, one looks deep into this chasm where the Colorado River tumbles and thrashes its way over rocks (forever eroding the sides of the canyon as it has for numerous centuries, snaking its course, often very turbulently, toward the canyon's end to be released. From the North Rim, 1,000 feet higher than the South, 3 viewing areas are available. It is also from this Rim that hikers, with a guide, can descend into the canyon...staying overnight at Phantom Ranch at river level for needed rest and meals, before they ascend the following day to the South Rim. Due to this arduous trek, the hikers carry only a backpack. Other adventurers enjoy being challenged with rafting through the canyon on its Colorado River...for its thrill, its excitement...akin possibly to climbing Mount Everest...it's just there to do!

To attend the sunrise at 6:50 AM in the still, frosty November air is a unique spiritual revelation. One's breath drifts into the chill of early morning...not a leaf moves anywhere...an occasional bird serenades the waking hour. The sun, in a few moments, breaks the horizon, as I stand with two others to witness and absorb this North Rim phenomena. Its rays touch the canyon, and the depth begins to reveal subtle shades of light rose, red, yellow, green and browns signifying the rock layers cut over millions of years by the Colorado River. I gaze into the mighty depth and marvel at the river-ribbon as it turns and twists.

These are truly out-of-world-experiences...observing the Power of Water
on the human eye and mind!
The Grand Canyon is a Superb Gift of Nature!

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For many years I was fortunate to overlook Lake Ontario from my 18th floor apartment...observing the water in its myriad forms...from placid to rough with high-crested waves, from pastel-coloured sky at sunrise to the silvery moon reflection as it spills its rays across the midnight waters. In winter,
weird ice formations lace the shoreline; in summer the Lake and Bay are a playground for sail and surf. The Lake speaks volumes about its changing moods! Supplementing all this were the frequent freighters, both domestic and foreign, seeking entry to the harbour to unload and reload cargo. In the dusk of the evening, capture with your eyes, a floating “lighted city”, moving ever so slowly as it approaches the “lift bridge”. Sea gulls were a constant, as they screeched and wheeled the shorelines, diving in search of their daily meals.

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The beauty of water, whether waterfall or river, attracts both lovers and anniversary celebrants. Consider the cruise ships that ply the oceans and seas with their luxurious offerings to lure the traveller to unique destinations.

A few years ago, a University student, completing his Post-Graduate studies, invited his lady-friend of several years to dine at a fine patio bistro, then later parked with a view of the Bay...a-flutter with a regatta of white sails cutting through the shimmering waters, glistened by the rays of the early evening sun. There he proposed marriage to her. Later, a Full Moon arose from the eastern sky, casting its silvery spell as if to commemorate this event. What could be more romantic?

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Water Heals! Water Soothes! Water Quiets the Mind!

...becoming one with Nature!

Its hidden treasure is Ours...likened to an oyster shell,

when opened, reveals a “delicate pearl”.

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It was mid-July at the height of soaring temperatures and humidity...stifling hot!
Late one afternoon we parked in the shade of a few mature leafy trees to visually absorb the scene before us. Tall maples and weeping willows framed a "bower" as we glanced toward the Bay waters of azure blue to the billowy cotton-puff-clouds, to a hazy shoreline and the towering Skyway Bridge.
A couple sail boats appeared, calmly wafting the quiet waters as we watched
with unspoken words.
It was Cooling! It was Refreshing! It was Spiritual!
The message of this interlude was secret to each...akin to silently read poetry.

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Our days cannot always be sunny. Rain is essential for all Life's Dimensions. After a storm, our small part of the Planet settles...the rain tapers off to a drizzle like fine crystals touching Earth...the sun bursts through the dark gray clouds...a gorgeous rainbow arcs its pallette of colours from the upper sky to a far field...likened to reflected light through a glass prism.
We are enchanted with its display...wondering if there really is a “pot of gold”.

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Pierre Elliot Trudeau remained for 16 years as Prime Minister of Canada until 1979. A flamboyant person he was...yet, he frequently would seek his “personal space” to reflect and cogitate. Clad in buckskins, with his canoe and paddle, he would locate a quiet water haven where the only sound was the dipping of his paddle and the occasional jump of a frog from its green lily pad...or the chirping of a bird. Nature gave him peace and serenity of spirit. He expressed his love of the water and his love for this country. Following is a memorable quote by this well loved politician:
What sets a canoeing expedition apart is that it purifies you more.
I think it is much better that we all get along together...every man paddle his own canoe.

Pierre Berton (renowned Canadian author and novelist) commented
A true Canadian is one who can make love in a canoe without it tipping.


Michael Proulx, a local nature photographer recently stated,
If people look a little longer in silence,
they will discover infinite views.

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A Further Point of Interest

“Paddle to the Sea”, a film based on this book, told the story of a boy from Lake Nipigon in Northern Ontario who carves a wooden model of an Indian in a canoe and sets it free to travel The Great Lakes
from Lake Superior to the Atlantic Ocean...under the power of wind alone.

Along this arduous journey, Paddle is fraught with dangers, but he manages, with his faith in Nature and in God to overcome these setbacks and survive. It is a delightful film, viewed by many, many children who have been visually encouraged by the small boat and its lone paddler as they negotiated the complicated waterways to reach their destination.

A Fabulous Geographical Experience and one of Philosophical Insight!

Merle Baird-Kerr
July 31, 2010