Witness to the footsteps of humanity.

Witness, Bristlecone Pine ©Billy Sauerland

“Witness” ©Billy Sauerland, Bristlecone Pine, Schulman Grove in the Inyo National Forest, White Mountains, Southeast California.

Bristlecone pines grow in isolated groves just below the tree line, between 5,600 and 11,200 ft (1,700 and 3,400 m) elevation on dolomitic soils. The trees grow in soils that are shallow lithosols, usually derived from dolomite and sometimes limestone, and occasionally sandstone or quartzite soils. Dolomitic soils are alkaline, high in calcium and magnesium, and low in phosphorus. Those factors tend to exclude other plant species, allowing bristlecones to thrive. Because of cold temperatures, dry soils, high winds, and short growing seasons, the trees grow very slowly. Even the tree's needles, which grow in bunches of five, can remain on the tree for forty years, which gives the tree's terminal branches the unique appearance of a long bottle brush.

The slow growth, and ability to withstand the elements, have led these trees to be around long enough to bare-witness to the progression of humanity's existence in what is now known as the western United States. The experience of one tree goes from watching the footsteps of the first people, the rise of civilization, and the expansion of trade routes reaching as far south as the Andes of South America for thousands of years before colonization. Then through the systematic extermination and genocide of the indigenous people of North America at the hands of the European Colonizers. Then the exploitation and extraction of minerals from the soils, the damning and diversion of the rivers. The testing and development of nuclear weapons and the rise and the expansion of human cancer known as cities, particularly the city of Las Vegas and the city of Angels Lost. Where the residents of these cities use on average 400+ gallons per day, for comparison the average tree in the Schulman grove uses 100 gallons or less per year. To witness the evolution of not only the environment but that of humanity as well as the tail these trees have to share.

I can only hope that the story these trees will share after another 5000 years, is a story of redemption and kindness. Not only for kindness being shown to each other but towards the natural world as well. And that we have to the best of our ability restored all that we have molested and destroyed.

Business Talk: The Mountains and The Bay

The Mountains: The base of upper Yosemite Falls ©Billy Sauerland

I love having people in my life that inspire me. Particularly about going after what you want, doing the work, and achieving your goals and dreams.

I recently went on a trip to California, first to Yosemite then to San Francisco. My friends Elisabeth “Moe” Barton and Bryant Burnette are founding members and operators of Echo Adventure Cooperative in Groveland, CA outside of Yosemite National Park. Then in San Francisco my friend Keith Lawrence, musician, producer, co-founder and owner of Unicorn Breeding Ground.

During my visit, the discussions would often transition to work, projects, goals and the excitement of what we’re currently working on.  Along with the trials we’ve had, the solutions and achievements we’ve made in overcoming them. This back and forth is energizing, and helps motivate you to get your own work done. While in the mountains talking motivations, current and future plans, business and marketing strategies. Then a few days later while on the bay discussions about artistic collaboration and how working with different artists has a way of making each other better together rather then apart.

The give and take, the seeding of ideas, the whole experience can be intoxicating. If only I can bottle it and take it home with me. There is nothing like being present in the place where big things have and continue to happen. In one case it's the small mountain town right next to one of the jewels of the National Park system, the iconic Yosemite. Where the likes of John Muir and Ansel Adams did some of their best work, helping to form our environmental movement and the way we see it.  And the other, San Francisco, where artistic expressions, social movements and technological achievements have changed our culture and our everyday lives.

The Bay: Baker Beach just southwest of The Golden Gate Bridge ©Billy Sauerland

I love and support my friends, their work, and them achieving their goals. I’m taking that energy home, cultivating and growing it. NOW, LET’S WORK!!!

Below are a couple links for Echo Adventure Cooperative and Unicorn Breeding Ground’s social media, go and check them out.

The Mountains: Echo’s FB Echo’s Insta The Bay: Unicorn’s FB Unicorn’s Insta

I hope all of you have people in your lives that do the same for you. #goanddo #dothework #liveyourpassion