I grew with early 90’s T.V. when the recycling movement was in full swing, with cartoons like Captain Planet and movies like Fern Gully encouraging us youngin's to take all sorts of environmental precautions. The fictional episodes of the cartoon Captain Planet may not have been that far of a stretch from reality. Take one example, an episode called The Dead Seas in which Captain Planet combats fishing boats that use illegal driftnets. While it is a fact that some countries still use driftnets despite the fact that they accidentally capture dolphins and other marine life. This is just one example of how our loud push for recycling and preservation of our lands and animals goes in one ear and....

Hot springs

As a child, I believed what they told me and always took recycling, proper waste disposal, and conservation efforts seriously. Corporations and some people havn't done their part (and then some). As a result, they have negated much of our efforts by worsening conditions. Not to mention our  National Parks and reserves are always in danger and constantly fending off drilling and other environmental deregulation, from the unquenchable greed of those in power.

Moose baby

I have a very simple belief system when it comes to animals and nature. It is our duty to treat nature and animals with kindness and respect by not hurting our animals or polluting our oceans and land.

Devil's Tower

I find that one major theme of many American novels, including the one I wrote, is the roadtrip. So in honor of the our beautiful country that so many pollute and take for granted, I have created a photo essay from  some of my original photographs of our land and animals. The essay is described lyrically by some of my favorite American roadtrip songs.

     Bear in Shenendoah

Almost heaven,West Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River, Life is old here, older than the trees, older than the moutains, growin' like a breeze,

Shenandoah Mountains

Country roads, take me home, to the place I belong, West Virginia Mountain Mama, Take me home Country Roads 

 Smokey Mountains

All my memories gathered 'round her, miner's lady stranger to blue water, dark and dusty painted on the sky, misty taste of moonshine tear drop in my eye

Mama bear climbing the tree to retrieve...

Country roads, take me home, to the place I belong, West Virginia Mountain Momma, Take me home Country Roads 

...her baby bear

I hear her voice in the morning hour she calls me, the radio reminds me of my home far away and driving down that road I get  the feeling that I should've been home yesterday, yesterday- John Denver

On the road again, I just can't wait to get on the road again, the life  I love is making music with my friends, And I just can't wait to get on the road again, 

America's Greatest Threat

On the road again, Goin' places that I've never been, Seein' things that I may never see again, And I can't wait to get on the road again

Texas Highway

On the road again, Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We're the best of friends, Insisting that the world keep turning our way and our way - Willi Nelson

    Surface of Carlsbad Caverns

 All alone at the end of the of the evening, and the bright lights have faded to blue, I was thinking ’bout a woman who might have loved me and I never knew

 Soaring bird cloud

 You know I’ve always been a dreamer, spent my life running ’round, And it’s so hard to change, can’t seem to settle down, But the dreams I’ve seen lately.......

Wild Fire in New Mexico

So put me on a highway, And show me a sign
And take it to the limit one more time- The Eagles

Bird Soaring Through Grand Canyon Sunset

Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose,
Nothing don't mean nothing honey if it ain't free, now now.
And feeling good was easy, Lord, when he sang the blues,
You know feeling good was good enough for me,
Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee- Janis Joplin

White Sands, New Mexico

Train, roll on, on down the line. Won't you, please, take me far away.
Now I feel the wind blow outside my door. Means I'm, I'm leaving my woman at home.

Tuesday's gone with the wind. Oh, my baby's gone with the wind.

Monument Valley

And I just don't know, oh, where I'm going. I just want to be left alone.
Well, when this train ends I'll try again oh, but I'm leaving my woman at home. Tuesday's gone with the wind.
 

Driving away from Lake Powell

Train, roll on many miles from my home. See I'm, I'm riding my blues away, yeh. Tuesday, you see, she had to be free. Lord, but somehow I've got to carry on - Lynard Skynard

And some Journey for good measure...

Red rocks, Sedona

Highway run into the midnight sun

L.A. mountains taken from observatory

Wheels go round and round

Napa Valley

You're on my mind

Northern California, misty with a mystical feel

Restless hearts sleep alone tonight

Ancient Redwood Forest

Sending all my love along the wire 

Driving out of Wyoming

They say that the road  ain't no place to start a family 

My faithful Kia, still going with 175k on it

Right down the line it's been you and me

Washington

And loving a music man ain't always what it's supposed to be

Your's Truly

Girl, you stand by me, I'm forever yours
faithfully  -Journey

I will always stand by you, animals and Planet Earth! As Captain Planet used to say, "The power is yours!"