by Greg Koelker
En 1849, Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr, wrote, “Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.” Ain’t it the truth.
In the journal for July 18, 2002, I wrote, “… Along the road (meaning our ridge road) there are black berries. They were thick in some places and just green in others. The clover and bunch grass have done well this summer, probably because I got such a late start at mowing. I was hoping that letting the grass and plants have a little longer would help slow the erosion of the clay areas of the old road. They may have, but the ruts in the downhill lane are growing and will need the service of a dozer or grader of some sort soon enough… I cleared out the area around the Grouse Hollow fire pit so we can have a blaze there some night soon I hope…Speaking of fire, our younger son, Mark lives in Avon, Colorado. They haven’t been bothered by forest fires much this season except for smelling smoke and of course the danger of possible fires. Mark told us the other day that one of his roommates told everyone to come and look. Their apartment overlooks I-70, and it seems some thoughtless jerk tossed out a cigarette or other incendiary and started a small fire in the bone-dry median. Much to the boys’ surprise, a number of passing motorists pulled over to help stomp out the growing and potential conflagration. It has been raining out there some lately, so the threat of fire is less…We are headed to Colorado this week…
Back to 2026, I am still struggling with those ridge road ruts. I ordered rock to fix it – two months ago, but so far, no delivery. I was hoping it might at least get here before Mountain Man (and landscape artist) Ben comes to visit in August.
Ben and Christine and Mark and Jen, along with really everyone in the west, have been dealing with drought, extreme heat, and sometimes thick smoke from western fires. Mark texted a pic of a column of smoke he could see from his front door and another of a roadside fire on Highway 6 down the mountain. He also sent a spectacular smoke-enhanced sunset shot. Bachelor’s Gulch sent Ben and a co-worker to a Fire Camp firefighting training session a few weeks ago. Let us hope they don’t have to use those skills.
Our friend Timber Todd Slaght picked some blackberries here, and last week he gave us some eggs and cucumbers AND a jar of his homemade blackberry jelly. This morning we had fried eggs sunny-side up with whole wheat toast spread with some of that jelly. Good stuff Maynard! Thanks Timber.
Until next time, get out – early in the day for the next week if you can.
We are making plans for another road trip to Colorado yet this year.
Oh yeah, the French saying transposed to English reads “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” True that.
Pray for peace.
Greg Koelker is a lifelong resident of the Driftless region along the Mississippi River. He is the acclaimed author of the “Grouse Hollow Journal,” a column that celebrates rural life, nature, family heritage, and the traditions that bind communities together. While technically focused on the “outdoors,” his writing often explores broader themes of community values and education.
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