Tubing The Upper Rogue River, Part 1.

June 30, 2012 Leave a comment

IMG_0574IMG_0573IMG_0417IMG_0379IMG_1186In tubing the Upper Rogue River, the floater has more choices, because of the recent removal of Gold Ray Dam and Savage Rapids Dam.  Basically, you can tube from below Lost Creek Dam to Gold Ray Rapid, and from Gold Hill Park to Graves Creek without too much difficulty.  High water creates some large holes, which should be avoided if possible.  Since the tube can only take a curler of a certain height, anything above that height will result in a swim.  Places to watch out for include the long rapid near the former Obstinate J Ranch, which is full of turbulent eddies, cross currents, minor reversals, and rocks.  This rapid is about 1/2 mile below Casey State Park.  Over the years, many, many people have gotten stranded or have tipped over in this rapid.  Rapids such as the one above Rogue Elk Park acquire considerable force as does Horseshoe Falls just above Rattlesnake Rapid.  Twin Bridges Rapid just above Valley of the Rogue State Park should not be taken on the left, because of sharp, rocky ledges.  It is wise to get out immediately on the left below Gold Ray Rapid since an irregular wave through a broken weir at the right occurs very soon, and Bitterman Falls, Gold Nugget(Hayes, Dowden) Falls, and T’lomikh Falls are definitely not for tubers.  The photos above include one of drop below Casey Rapid,  two of Rogue Elk Rapid; and two of Twin Bridges Rapid.  Photo below is Casey Rapid.IMG_1187

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Back To The Rogue River

June 29, 2012 Leave a comment

It’s the end of June, and I’m back to the Rogue River.  Water flow is high, over 3,000 cfs coming from the Dam, and near Tou Velle about 3500 cfs.  The weather has been erratic with a few warm days offset by cooler, rainy ones.  I think tubing season is probably one to two weeks away.  The water is still quite cold, about 51-52 at Takelma Park.  I prefer a flow of 53+, so I don’t feel the stinging sensation that comes from cold water.  I offer a few photos of the river and the surrounding flowers near my home and Dodge Bridge.      

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“I Think The World Is Like A Great Mirror,…”: A Look At Aunt Jane’s Nieces

June 19, 2012 Leave a comment

“I think the world is like a great mirror, and reflects our lives just as we ourselves look upon it.  Those who turn sad faces toward the world find only sadness reflected.  But a smile is reflected in the same way, and cheers and brightens our hearts.”  So says the crippled girl, Myrtle Dean in Aunt Jane’s Nieces and Uncle John, but it could easily sum up L. Frank Baum’s philosophy of life, and Aunt Jane’s nieces embody that philosophy through their different personalities.  Patricia Doyle, the beloved daughter of Major Doyle, is an impetuous redhead with sparkling eyes, who, although quite poor, takes a positive attitude toward life.  Elizabeth de Graf is an unwanted daughter, who has a cold, untrusting nature, but will try to make the most of any situation.  Louise Merrick is a somewhat shallow, vain, society girl, but displays determination when confronted by obstacles.

Baum had an optimistic view of life even though he suffered from heart disease.  He was a doer and loved to travel and seek adventures as do the nieces and virtually every major female character in Baum’s writing.  He embodied the American philosophy that life gives you the opportunities to make something of yourself, but you must provide the initiative.  Madeleine L’Engle expressed this idea profoundly in A Wrinkle in Time:  “You’re given the form, but you have to write the sonnet yourself.”  Baum could not have agreed more.

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Pine Hollow: A Magic Space For Education

June 17, 2012 Leave a comment

Bonnie Bryant, author of the Saddle Club books, has created a magic space for education:  Pine Hollow.  Surrounded by horses and vast fields, this space is truly what Ukrainian educator, Vasilii Sukhomlinsky called the school”under the blue sky.”  It is interesting to note that Russians have two words for education:  “vospitanie”(upbringing, but a better translation would be moral and social education, and “obrazovanie”(formal education.)  It is clearly the former that has the most significance at Pine Hollow.  However, a few situations concerning formal education do occur:  Lisa Atwood’s problems with geography and her mother’s threat to expel her from her riding classes at Pine Hollow Stables if her grades don’t approve, and Lisa Atwood’s advice to Rafael the gypsy to complete his school work so he can compete better in the “real world.”  But there is no joy in formal education here.  It is simply a requirement one must reconcile oneself to.  On the other hand, the unforced learning that comes from experiences at Pine Hollow is often a source of joy and wonder.  The teachers not only include the people that supervise Pine Hollow, but nature itself:  the expansive fields, the creeks, the mines, and surrounding wildlife.  The girls learn the importance of chores by mucking out stables and taking care of horses.  The girls learn to be more sensitive to other people’s feelings as well, which includes the often commanding, condescending Veronica di Angelo.  In essence, all the adolescents of Pine Hollow are taking steps towards learning”how to care, and be cared for”, a tenet from Stanford educator, Nel Noddings, so they can be wise and understanding parents in the years to come.  The girls are also learning how to express and recognize the different aspects of their personalities.  According to Rod Newton, Director of Hidden Springs Wellness Center in Ashland, Oregon, a healthy human being needs to come to grips with the different characteristics that make up his/her personality.  In the episode, Scooter encourages Veronica to do just that.  Veronica tries to behave like an adult and refers with derision to the “juvenile nature of The Saddle Club.”  She struts around with an impatient air of importance giving orders(like an adult.)  But her attitude causes her to be isolated and inwardly unhappy.  Scooter challenges Veronica to look into herself, and not suppress the carefree, playful child, which is also a part of her.  Throughout the series we witness Veronica’s struggles, climaxing in an intense inner dialogue.  Scooter’s probing question, “What is it you really want, Veronica?” reminds all of us to focus on what is truly meaningful in our lives.

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My Russian Air Conditioning

June 7, 2012 Leave a comment

I consider myself a most fortunate man, because I am surrounded by people, who think of my well-being.  My architect went out of his way to ensure that not a precious ray of sunshine escapes my room, so that I should not suffer from an overdose of oxygen.  My mailman is conscientious enough to deliver my neighbor’s mail to me on a regular basis , so I will get sufficient exercise.  My “significant other” drains my wallet monthly, so I’m not burdened with too much money.  And I am the first on the block to have a repairman install Russian air conditioning.  When the technician arrived, he told me he was a Russian from the Ukraine and that he had a special treat for me:  “This pound of freon will only cost you $150.  If I had come the day next, it might have cost you $400.”  When he left he said: “You can count your stars lucky.  You have Russian air conditioning made in China.”  So I sit and I schwitz, and I choke and I croak.  However, occasionally I feel a stream of lukewarm air wheezing through the vent and am content.  I have Russian air conditioning.

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