American West

Went hiking near Reno this afternoon and spotted this flag up on an elevated outcrop, so I scrambled up to it to take a photo.

Living in Nevada after growing up in New England certainly provides one with a very real understanding of the lack of water here (I hear its been raining for days back east!). I've been reading a rad book called Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water by Marc Reisner, a book that has greatly impacted the way I look at our government and our desire for complete control of all natural resources, specifically water.

Reno is a very strange place- its in the middle of the high desert. Since the city sits just east of the Sierra in the rain shadow, the Truckee River acts as Reno's primary water source. This region is also known for its obsession with mining gold and silver. In a guilty moment, I find myself wondering how I can support this oddity of a town stuck here in the middle of the uninhabitable. But this city is wonderful, booming with life and energy, which helps me to forget just how unnatural a home it really is.