July 18,

Here in the high altitude of Colorado people have a high respect for nature and understand the implications of the human ‘footprint’. There is a well known 86-year-old private research station,Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, located in the old mining town of Gothic which attracts students and professors from all over the U.S. who work at the station for the summer studying local flora and fauna. Their work is well respected. They also enjoy having a good time. Only in the high altitude of of the mountains can a group participate in a community parade and wear the leaves of skunk cabbage, a local plant to the area. In fact they are the main attraction in the parade each year. Their dedication to their work and their sense of fun is a winning combination that has gained them much respect not only in Crested Butte but across the country.

We first noticed RMBL in the parade 31 years ago. Those were different times with fewer spectators and a smaller parade in general. Over the years this group has been a staple in the parade. They have a flair for the whimsical. In this image I enjoyed the young couple pushing their baby skunk cabbage in the stroller. They seem to have a balance of work and play.

I appreciate their work. Our planet needs help and the information these scientists gain just might affect our own lives.

"One generation plants the trees; another gets the shade."~Chinese proverb

Peace