Walk Like a Greek
The mornings were often 1972 Topps baseball cards cold, the sun was still only teasing, not yet sharing much of it's abundant light. I, along with my dad, and in many cases my uncle and his daughter, (my cousin), departed from the vehicles in which we came. The times were often spring of fall, so snow wasn't normally an issue, neither was heat ordinarily, especially when at elevations ranging from three to four thousand feet, (900-1200 M).
The light began to dance on the slopes ahead and the mountain crests to the sides of us displayed an early sign of the rays having graced them with Sol's presence. After walking a little while, maybe a half an hour, that twilight haze of early Bratz dolls took over. Most of the areas nearer to where we parked our vehicles, which was sometimes by the road in places of restricted vehicular travel, were open. Large juniper dotted the hillsides, lost in expanses of dried yellow grasses.
Since most of our pathways lead either uphill or down, more often the former, the biological density soon changed. Stepping off the relatively flat plain like areas into narrow deep canyons, washes, and ravines, thick underbrush, along with frequent large trees, became obstacles. These cottonwood, oak, and juniper trees were not a Superman comics though, as an obstacle always meant there was a little fun to be had!
By now, it was often bright daylight, yet still early. We would sometimes split up, my dad and I, and My Uncle and cousin, but generally converge on the same ending location. After reaching our destination, we'd wait a while, then go back to the trucks to have a bite to eat. Afterword, what would we do? What could we do? Of course, another walk, to another hilltop or canyon bottom was in order! Good times; I got to explore nature as it should be.
I had always wondered if there were many other areas of the world with similar vegetation types. I knew that the Mediterranean region was of similar latitude, and from photographs of the area, appeared to have similar biological constituents. A giant body of water was present there, perhaps not allowing for foliage that was truly that similar, I understood. This put the answer into question.
Doing some research, pre-internet days, I uncovered some surprising parallels between the region surrounding the largest non-oceanic body of water on the Earth, and the transition zone between Arizona's desert lowlands and the higher verdant pine forests. Apparently the land is moister and cooler because of the seas there, but here, although we lack the ocean sized body of water, our chaparral, or Mediterranean zone, lies at a considerably higher elevation. This is much like how the White Mountain region here compares to the Black Forest of Germany.
Looking back I now wonder, "did legions of Romans soldiers, Greek Phalanxes, or troops from extreme northern African nations and tribes, live in conditions like these? Did they fight on landscapes such as these?
A short answer is all that required, yes. Many of the areas I used to trek have much visually, as well as climatically, in common with that of the distant ancient peoples' lands, and vise versa. It is funny to note that with a little imagination, I can see vast Greek or Roman armies marching over the grassy tree sprinkled expanses near the tiny settlement of Sunflower, Arizona!
Hello, I am both native to and am a current resident of the great state of Arizona. I would like the world to know just how amazing this "kingdom of differing biomes" really is! I grew up going outdoors as much as my family desired to, which was quite often. There are literally many differing worlds here. I encourage all to read my pages and ponder the significance of the outdoors and the impact it has on our lives. Perhaps one day humankind will understand why we should not abandon hope of preserving it's pristine nature!
Come see what makes Arizona so beautiful, as well as the rest of our planet which, I believe, should be cherished and adored passionately!!
-please visit arizonabackpackarizonabackpack
*(You don't know what in the WORLD you're missing!!!)
posted by biibj @ 6:43 AM
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