Craters of the Moon National Monument--
Such a rough land scape. Yet, it has its own beauty that sets it apart--a quality of beauty that makes it unique. Cinder cones line the skyline in their various shapes and heights. As the light moves and shifts the colors change from dark, almost black to a deep grey. Hardy conifers have found places to dig their roots into the fertile volcanic soil and hold tenaciously, grabbing whatever water comes their way.
Monkey brush, with its yellow blooms stands among the lava adding sparks of color to the arid landscape.
Everything that grows here is tough! Nothing lives lightly in this space. Sage brush sends a tap root 6 to 10 feet deep into the soil to drink in long-lasting ground water. The shallow roots near the surface absorb rainfall and a deeper set of roots extract water that soaks into the soil as the winter snowpack melts. So well adapted for survival, it was created to live here.
The wind whispers across the piles of lava stirring the vegetation, then suddenly it changes and windy gusts push in rocking the trees back and forth. It leaves as abruptly as it arrives. I try to imagine, as I take in the vast view, what it must have been like thousands of years ago during the creation process: the smell, noise, color, the heat. There was no one to hear its birth or watch its miraculous development. Craters saved its comeliness and waited to be found.
I can understand why the people who manage Craters of the Moon have a special feeling for it. This park is extrodinary and in a class of its own. I can appreciate Nolan's growing attachment to Craters as he spends summer weekends there presenting astronomy programs. It may not be extremely green nor does it have water the eye can see. If it did-- wouldn't it just look so much like everything else?
Everyone finds the solar scope interesting. Who doesn't want to see sun spots.
From a distance this plant looks like a cluster of white flowers--touch it and it is soft and shrub like.
