There is a sacred beauty in following a river. Like a pilgrimage, I got up every morning with only one straightforward task: follow the water as if you were guided by the Camino's famous yellow arrows. But this was a modernized version: seeing the world through the windshield of a car changes the perspective of a traditional pilgrimage walk. Still, in many ways, my journey brought back memories of walking the Camino Frances, the more than a thousand-year-old pilgrimage in Northern Spain, an 800 kilometers walk to what some believe to be the grave of Saint James.
This is a wonderfully written account told from the heart. I would put your storytelling gifts up against anyone.
Your words are so lyrical and compelling they would entice anyone to follow your footsteps. The first paragraph was a hook that pulled me into the next and beyond.
It was a joy to follow your adventure as it was happening but, on reflection and in retrospect, you’ve given it more life and meaning with this writing.
I think your approach in writing these articles is interrelated and separating the perspectives would dilute the focus we must all keep in mind.
To lose one part is to lose all, at least eventually.
Thank you for another episode that’s a true pleasure to absorb.
Beautifully written! This one really touched me. Thank you.
Makes me want to go back to the American West, but also gave me another idea. I might just walk along the River Rhine from its source to Basel and maybe on into Germany and the Netherlands. I find hiking near water very relaxing.
As for splitting the publication - I might have some thoughts on that.
Beautiful descriptions of nature. Vivid as usual. Water to me is like life and death, pretty much inevitable. I have seen the best scenes from wildlife thanks to water. Ospreys and herons fishing but also pelicans dolphins, and turtles.
I wouldn’t split the publication unless you have a load of good news to share about the planet. News are usually depressing. Depending on how my day is going, I sometimes skip the reading about the planet completely. I just don’t want to be overwhelmed with sad news and dealing with folks who don’t care about it at all.
May 17, 2023·edited May 17, 2023Liked by Alexander Verbeek 🌍
I agree with the writer who said: I think anyone who travels knows that you're not really doing so in order to move around -- you are traveling in order to be moved. So true with this article.
I have grown up in the shadow of this small but mighty Colorado River. My ancestors produced cotton/food from this water source in the unforgiving heat of the Sonoran Desert. Yet reading your article I am seeing this symbol of the American Southwest with new eyes & perspective. I think you have tapped into a spirit or intimation in all of us that we may never ordinarily see while "sleep walking through our lives."
The American Southwest is my home. I like every American own the deed to 635 million acres of public lands including the Grand Canyon and so much more. But do we really appreciate them? I think not.
Kahil Gibran: In one drop of water are found all the secrets of the endless oceans. I do not believe the Colorado River dies in the Mexican Desert. The river is alive; yet it doesn't hold all the water that passes through it. That water has already shaped us. Just lovely, Alex. Muchisimas gracias.
Beautifully written, Alexander! For my 'two cents', I prefer you stick with one newsletter combining storytelling, science, political history, geography, climate change, social injustice, and whatever else catches your imagination. As you mentioned, all of these topics combine to make Earth the incredible home it is for all of its fortunate inhabitants. In terms of inspiring humans towards behavioral change given they are one of the most influential caretakers of this planet, I think you need all of this content. Appealing to logic and rational thinking can be powerful, but I firmly believe you need to also connect to the heart (emotion) to light a fire that fosters sustainable behavior change. Thanks for sharing your journey.
The Colorado has so much to offer and I’m looking forward to seeing more of it on future trips to the USA. Your post has inspired me to make sure I include it in my itinerary. I’m lucky enough to visit every year.
Thanks for sharing your travel thoughts. ‘Have MacBook, will travel!’ Keep going as you are with the Substack, it works on many levels.
I love your travel dialog and the stories you weave into the narrative and how you make us feel we are along with you for the adventure! The two sides of the coin (the beauty of our planet & the politics that may determine the future) are, perhaps sadly, part of the same thing. I will gladly read anything you write --together or separate!!
Masterful!
This is a wonderfully written account told from the heart. I would put your storytelling gifts up against anyone.
Your words are so lyrical and compelling they would entice anyone to follow your footsteps. The first paragraph was a hook that pulled me into the next and beyond.
It was a joy to follow your adventure as it was happening but, on reflection and in retrospect, you’ve given it more life and meaning with this writing.
I think your approach in writing these articles is interrelated and separating the perspectives would dilute the focus we must all keep in mind.
To lose one part is to lose all, at least eventually.
Thank you for another episode that’s a true pleasure to absorb.
Beautifully written! This one really touched me. Thank you.
Makes me want to go back to the American West, but also gave me another idea. I might just walk along the River Rhine from its source to Basel and maybe on into Germany and the Netherlands. I find hiking near water very relaxing.
As for splitting the publication - I might have some thoughts on that.
Beautiful descriptions of nature. Vivid as usual. Water to me is like life and death, pretty much inevitable. I have seen the best scenes from wildlife thanks to water. Ospreys and herons fishing but also pelicans dolphins, and turtles.
As with a fully lived Life, news and personal stories intertwine. Keep writing to share what moves you.
Beautiful! Love your description of the Colorado River and also the contrast of the Rhine.
Don't change a thing. All topics/subjects are connected to The Planet. 🌍
I wouldn’t split the publication unless you have a load of good news to share about the planet. News are usually depressing. Depending on how my day is going, I sometimes skip the reading about the planet completely. I just don’t want to be overwhelmed with sad news and dealing with folks who don’t care about it at all.
I agree with the writer who said: I think anyone who travels knows that you're not really doing so in order to move around -- you are traveling in order to be moved. So true with this article.
I have grown up in the shadow of this small but mighty Colorado River. My ancestors produced cotton/food from this water source in the unforgiving heat of the Sonoran Desert. Yet reading your article I am seeing this symbol of the American Southwest with new eyes & perspective. I think you have tapped into a spirit or intimation in all of us that we may never ordinarily see while "sleep walking through our lives."
The American Southwest is my home. I like every American own the deed to 635 million acres of public lands including the Grand Canyon and so much more. But do we really appreciate them? I think not.
Kahil Gibran: In one drop of water are found all the secrets of the endless oceans. I do not believe the Colorado River dies in the Mexican Desert. The river is alive; yet it doesn't hold all the water that passes through it. That water has already shaped us. Just lovely, Alex. Muchisimas gracias.
Beautifully written, Alexander! For my 'two cents', I prefer you stick with one newsletter combining storytelling, science, political history, geography, climate change, social injustice, and whatever else catches your imagination. As you mentioned, all of these topics combine to make Earth the incredible home it is for all of its fortunate inhabitants. In terms of inspiring humans towards behavioral change given they are one of the most influential caretakers of this planet, I think you need all of this content. Appealing to logic and rational thinking can be powerful, but I firmly believe you need to also connect to the heart (emotion) to light a fire that fosters sustainable behavior change. Thanks for sharing your journey.
The Colorado has so much to offer and I’m looking forward to seeing more of it on future trips to the USA. Your post has inspired me to make sure I include it in my itinerary. I’m lucky enough to visit every year.
Thanks for sharing your travel thoughts. ‘Have MacBook, will travel!’ Keep going as you are with the Substack, it works on many levels.
I love your travel dialog and the stories you weave into the narrative and how you make us feel we are along with you for the adventure! The two sides of the coin (the beauty of our planet & the politics that may determine the future) are, perhaps sadly, part of the same thing. I will gladly read anything you write --together or separate!!
Lovely descriptions! It was almost as good as being there in person 😊