I noticed on my first trip, and unfortunately they have not found anything to slow the spread. So wooded area after wooded area slowly are being strangled to death, exposing hillsides to erosion and remote houses to forest fires - if there was a forest fire in this area the dead trees would be an almost inexhaustible source of fuel.
But all in life is a cycle. This year for the first time I can see where the Aspen trees have slowly started to fill imagers the pines were once thriving. The pines tend to smoother growth below them, their dense limbs full of needles prevent sun from reaching bushes and trees, preventing Aspen trees from maturing. Now as the pines decline, the Aspens can get the sun they need and flourish. Many years from now someone else will be writing about how the pines are taking over from the Aspens, as the natural cycle of life continues on.
This year we drove out on the Northern route, exchanging Missouri for Iowa, Kansas for Nebraska. I'll admit I enjoyed Kansas much more. I think I am a ranch person. There is something about the rolling hills (Kansas along 70 is not flat, in fact Nebraska was much flatter), open ranch lands, and herds of free range cattle (with some horses thrown in for good measure). I'm not a farmer but still can appreciate and enjoy the symmetry of the fields, the crops waving in the wind. The cycle from corn to soybean.
But give me open ranch land any day. There is something free and romantic - wins me over every-time.
Heading to the start town tomorrow. Stormy weather has rolled in and should stay with us for a few days. Oh well!
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