A basin that normally retains waters and allows no outflows to other external bodies of water is endorheic. The Caspian Sea, The Great Salt Lake, formally known as Lake Bonneville, and Malheur/Harney Lake in Oregon. With only evaporation or seepage to allow water to exit the lakes become very saline and at higher risk for pollution, and potentially toxic. As I was doing some reading on the upcoming Seven Devils Butterfly Count, I was interested in the unusual word. It dawned on me that the current Republican party is mired in a basin. Woke cultural issues, anti Semitism, anti alternative life style, anti diversity, anti inclusion, pro guns at all cost, anti women’s rights and oblivious to health concerns, anti IRS, anti fair taxation considerations, anti books, anti open primaries are among the most frequent drainage into their eco system. The result is a dangerous brew that threatens our democracy and the rule of law.
Back to the butterflies. Our neighbor invited us to join an outing that starts in Riggins and journeys up trail past the fish hatchery and into the Seven Devil Mountains. Turns out this is a common event across our country. I do not think I will be able to join in this year but I look forward to hearing how many different species are sited and the numbers in the migratory pattern. Seems to me the flittering flight of the butterflies would make them difficult to count. I plan to report more on this phenomenon next week. What you are seeing is the butterfly migration as they rested on the East Side of Payette Lake last week end.
Made me wonder why they call the beautiful mountain Range the Seven Devils. Legend from the native Nez Perce tribe recounts the current mountains used to be seven gigantic monsters that ate up any Indian children who stood in their path. It is said that year after year the monsters crept Eastward. The highest of the peaks is 9393 feet but each has a clever name; He Devil, She Devil, The Ogre, Tower of Bable, Twin Imps, The Goblin, Devils Throne and Devils Tooth. You are encouraged to take the 27 mile trail that encircles this beautiful area. The mountains are above the East bank of the Snake River, which forms the Idaho Oregon Border. The mountain are a part of the Hells Canyon Recreation area, which is the site of the deepest gorge on the North American continent; 7993 feet at the high point but over a mile deep for nearly 10 miles. This area remains relatively pristine but if you promise to treat it with great care, please take time to visit.
Finally, I have to say, I am finally enjoying more seasonable summer temperatures in Idaho. We had an unusually cool and damp June but that is likely behind us as 100 plus is in the forecast. Life for humans is dependent on the bounties of our planet. The past three days “were likely the hottest in Earth’s modern history” according to scientists. The surge of heat stretching from North American to Antarctica is “astonishing.” We are responsible for the continued emission of heat trapping gases as our excesses are exacerbated by the El Niño, weather pattern. June was the warmest ever recorded and sea ice levels in the polar south are at record lows.
I would think the world would rally around the idea of saving our planet. Enjoy the heat. Mike
Endorheic
