COMMON GROUND

摘要

HIGH ABOVE THE FEATHER RIVER CANYON, THE EARLY MORNING SUN TOUCHES THE TIPS OF ANCIENT RED FIRS TOWERING OVER CHIPS CREEK. THE DENSE CANOPY BASKS IN THE LIGHT BEFORE SENDING BEAMS DOWN THROUGH A FILTER OF NEEDLES TO THE PINES, WHITE FIRS, AND DOGWOODS GROWING IN THICK STANDS NEAR THE STREAM. AT THE EDGE OF A BOULDER-SIZED OPENING, A FIRE SCAR STRETCHES 50 FEET UP THE TRUNK OF A HOLLOWED-OUT INCENSE CEDAR. IT IS A MARK OF SURVIVAL, ONE OF HUNDREDS OF SIGNS OF THE CYCLES OF FIRE AND WIND STORM, DROUGHT AND INSECT ATTACK THIS TRANQUIL CANYON HAS WEATHERED.