Lately, I have been overcome with the news. This all began in December with the endless snow. I felt like Jack Nicholson in The Shining; all of the snow was driving me over the edge. And that was topic one on everyone’s mind. Have you checked the weather? When was the last time you checked the weather?First of all, I am not Willard Scott. Secondly, the only 100th birthday I celebrate will be my own. Smuckers or not. Why is everyone obsessed with milk and bread when it snows? I am concerned with Little Debbie cakes and Coronas. Obviously, my priorities took a U-turn.
Finally, rolling into the new year, the weather threat averted, it is all about Haiti. That television coverage is too horrific for me to watch. Shocking and sad. The amount of human loss is unfathomable.
To take my mind off of the bad news, I was reading various opinions on the Best and Worst Dressed at the Golden Globes. That is hot news in my world. My friends were clamoring for my pick as my morning Facebook update. However, I was drawn to a story that is not my norm. Pop culture is my forte. However, I am broadening my horizons and this story proves it.
The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world. It is also an enormous, inexhaustible source of hydro-electricity. Several dams have been built and more are in the process that could irreparably affect this river forever. Other environmental concerns are the potential extinction of certain species of animals and that this area is on a fault line and very prone to earthquakes.
To draw attention to their cause, many international conservationists are rafting what could possibly be the last rafting trip on this river. They have titled it “The Final Descent.” One large dam under construction will flood certain canyons and waterfalls and eliminate any rafting potential. This structure will flood much prime whitewater. On a human level it eliminates villages, displacing locals. The challenge appears to be that the Chinese people see rafting as so extreme it would be impossible to enjoy. The education of the people is key to saving this resource.
I was shocked that this affected me so. Normally, I glance at the news in the morning while sipping a nice Ethiopian blend coffee. This was different for some reason. Somehow this industry has awakened my inner environmentalist.
You don’t know what you have till it is gone.
This really struck a cord with me as someone who really takes his state for granted. West Virginia is feast for the eyes and the soul, attracting adventurers from across the globe. Knowing I live 15 minutes from the New River Gorge and I rarely go there made me feel very tiny. The activists have a passion that I admire.
We are lucky in West Virginia because activities can be found year round. During the summer, whitewater rafting is our state’s bread and butter. There is a plethora of other activities to be had that we, as locals, sometimes forget. First and foremost, is our Zip Line Canopy Tour. It presents the New River Gorge in a totally different way and perspective. My point: We are really fortunate to be in the center of such a wealth of outdoor opportunities.
Let’s embrace it now before industry and necessity take over. Raft a river that exists in your backyard. It might not be there tomorrow.
