New Mexico - Environment

Monday

Hello from the bur-covered folks in chicken country!! These chipper volunteers arose this morning bright eyed and bushy tailed, eager to again count the chickens we have grown to adore. After our morning rest, we headed out to work on Weaver Ranch with our new friend and rancher, Charles. Charles, sporting a glorious handlebar mustache, showed us the ropes in replacing unsustainable vertical structures. This work assisted in an 11-year study of the famous Prairie Chicken. Our names have been permanently engrained in the volunteer book (we're basically famous!). We split up into two teams to work on and learn more about the area. The group lucky enough to be graced with Charles learned more about the plants, wildlife, traps and the Pronghorn (who shed their hair-made horns once a year). Not only does Charles have a PhD, he also faced a barbed-wire fence barehanded.

After thoroughly being annihilated by burs, yet again scorched by the Sun and covered in more than one blister, we headed back to our humble abode. Dinner was provided by Chef Moxley and quickly scarfed down. At 6:30 we headed back out to the sand dunes to salute the sunset and gaze at, not only the familiar stars but new stars and planets most of us had never seen. Upon walking back in the dark, we were met by Tish's friend, Betty, with cookies and even more knowledge of the stars. We popped down in the middle of a quiet and deserted road ("What if a car comes? We die!"...kidding.) Laying on our backs in the silence of a New Mexico night, we got to experience two things most people never get the chance to do Not only were we starring at more stars than most people ever see but we were laying in silence completely uninterrupted by human-made noise. It is clear how fortunate we are to be in this gorgeous and unexpected place, and with that, it is time for our heads to again meet our pillows.

Namaste and good night.

From two members of our group:

Coming from Saint Louis, I never realized how many stars were in the sky. I rated stars somewhere between bugs and dirt on a scale of things I paid attention to. Out here, you almost have no choice but to notice them. The amount of stars visible littered the sky until a big stretch of blue seemed a rarity. It was absolutely breathtaking. Betty reminded me that the stars were more than just a pretty sight to the early homesteaders that migrated here. It was their compass and their lifeline. Betty's story really reminded me that there is more to this world than me. When we were in the middle of the road I've never felt smaller. You could see for miles and know you weren't seeing even a fraction of a state within a country within the entire world. Even though at 5:00 in the morning when we're waking up I've cursed myself for singing up for this, when I look up at that vast sky I can't help but feel so amazingly happy I have the opportunity to be here. Sometimes, in the hustle of school, clubs, Greek life, resumes and friends I worry that I'm missing life. I wonder if I'll regret studying on a Saturday morning instead of just letting my worries leave and go hiking or something. In that moment though I didn't feel a bit of regret. Even though most people wouldn't give a second thought about stargazing I suddenly felt that I was living life. I was enjoying and utilizing my spring break to the fullest and I didn't think about anything but the amazing opportunity at hand and the amazing people I was able to share it with. This trip has given me more than just something to put on my resume, eleven new friends and the some useful knowledge. It has inspired me to sometimes put everything down and do something to relax and connect with nature. Its cliché but I'll remember nights like these more than I'll remember studying for a test. And it's only the second day.

To stars, Orion and living life to the fullest.

Carpe Diem, Claire Virden

Hola todos,

In honor of this gorgeous place I have now found myself, I would just like to ask everyone to step outside tonight and stare up…take advantage of the stupendous view right outside your own door. All the work, sweat and blisters have been made more than worth it for the incredible views we have all been blessed with in only the two days since arrival. The amazing people we have met along the way have only made it a much more incredible experience. In my family, the people we encounter almost always define the trip. This trip has been no different. Between Tish, Charles and Betty, I can only anticipate with excitement the people I have yet to meet. Day two is done and I have already gotten more out of this than expected. As a friendly reminder, appreciate those around you and enjoy the environment surrounding you. If there's one thing I have learned thus far; take nothing for granted.

Don't let the bedbugs bite,

Caroline Williams