Our neighbor in McCall; Lisa is a volunteer for the Snowdon Wildlife Sanctuary. Lisa invited us to visit the 35 acre parcel, located in a semi-remote location near McCall Idaho. Founded by Linda DeEulis in the early 80’s it became a non profit in l989. Since the founder passed away in 2012 the organization has been run by dedicated Board members and volunteers. In 2006, the very wise Board placed a conservation easement on the property ensuring this gem will be protected forever. The property in bisected by the Lake Fork River. The picture is looking up stream toward what used to be an earthen damn, taken from the bridge that takes you to the animal enclosures and clinic.
Once a year during the open house visitors are allowed to tour the facilities. The rehabilitation is done in these secluded areas so that the animals remain well adapted to their natural habitats. Falcons, hawks, owls, and eagles whether injured, orphaned have a Flight barn where they can gain the strength to fly. Migratory birds, skunks, and black bear cubs to mention a few other of the rescued creatures. It was well worth the visit and they welcome your financial support.
There is always more to learn about the surrounding areas, history, and geography. A friend of ours was standing on the bridge, I had to ask Ellen, “what river is this?” She pondered and then said Lake Fork Creek. I wanted to see the drainage it served and discovered a word salad of creeks—North Fork of Lake Fork, East Fork of Lake Fork, Middle Fork of Lake Fork, South Fork and of course the Main Fork of Lake Fork. They all flow into Little Upper Payette Lake. This all reminded me of Yogi Berry’s immortal quote, “when you come to a fork in the road, take it.” Yogi may not have been a lover of poetry, so we can’t assume that he read Robert Frost’s “The Road not Taken” where the young man is abruptly confronted with a fork in the path.
As a country we are facing a fork in the road that leads to the future of our country. If you watched the debate last night, in my opinion a very embarrassing display of prospective Republican Party leadership. My grandchildren have much better manners and clearly formed ideas than anyone on that stage. Follow that up with the star witness in the impeachment hearings in the House clearly stating there is currently no evidence that warrants the discussion.
Karen and I can get along without our Social Security payments for a while but not everyone can. Our military, Air Traffic controllers, Government employees, indeed our economic well being as a country are all at risk from the non sense of the extreme Right.
It up to all of us to speak up about the importance of democracy and to push back against those who are only interested in their own agenda. Blackmail is not an honest negotiating tactic, I can only hope those folks fall on the fork they have chosen.
Take good care. Mike
A Fork in the River
