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Alicia
reads her creative piece to a distinguished audience of
writers, publishers, artists, photographers, and scientists
at the
2002 Yosemite Winter Literary Conference
 "Climb
the Mountains, and get their good tidings," are the
instructions John Muir left us; to feel nature's peace and
let its serenity drop all cares away. Unfortunately, the
best many Californians can do to comply is look to the horizon.
From the day we are born, to the day we die, all a Californian
need to do is look to the East, and see the glory of the
Sierra Nevada. A swell of pride rises in every heart as
the sun meets the mountaintops, for we know that they are
a part of us. Whether we climb them or not, we feel those
good tidings that John Muir spoke of. But the Sierra Nevada
is more to the Californian than meets the eye. Besides being
a spiritual pleaser, there is an economical bond that ALL
Californians share. For if it was not for the Sierra Nevada,
the average Californian would find himself in the dark,
without food or water.
The
watershed in the Sierra is close to unfathomable, and provides
almost all of California with water. From LA to Sacramento,
you can bet much of the water you use is from the Sierra.
As for food, the Central Valley is considered the breadbasket
of the world, supplying millions with different crops. If
not for the Sierra and her water, the Central Valley would
be a wasteland, hardly capable of supporting a tree. Also,
if there were no Sierra, the power supplied from her rivers
would be non-existent, leaving many Californians in the
dark. And let's not forget the tourism and lumber that comes
from her as well. From there one can decipher the economical
ruin we would become if California did not have the Sierra.
Whether
we climb them, rope them, hike them, or just look at them,
the Sierra Nevada is a Californian treasure and necessity…one
we share with the rest of the world with pride. For we know
it's in our own backyard. It's ours!
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