Summer Nights

This unbearable heat wave has forced us into retreat, shuttered away into air-conditioned buildings. The arrogant sun sweeps across the sky and withers the landscape below, but when the sun finally recedes, a last fiery remnant paints the horizon red and flickers across the water. Filled with relief, people emerge from their homes to breathe the easy air once again.

I find myself moved as well; moved by the refreshing water of a fountain or the reflected lights on the Spokane River.







In this moment, I've nothing meaningful or profound to share, only my simple appreciation for cool summer nights after the scorching heat of day.

All photographs in this post were taken at Riverfront Park in Spokane, Washington.

Contrast

A view of the Spokane River from the north bank.

The Maple Street Bridge passes over the neighborhood of Peaceful Valley.

Indian summer overtakes us almost imperceptibly. The sun still shines with summer-like vigor and fills the air with warmth and cheer. But nature feels the changing seasons long before we notice any difference. Standing above the Spokane River, I photograph Peaceful Valley and notice the tiniest change in color beginning to appear. The trees are slightly less green than before, the uppermost leaves tinged a faint yellow.

The world seems momentarily quiet, scorched, and tired. No doubt the earth welcomes the approaching renewal through snow and ice.

Sometimes the worlds of nature and men come crashing together in painful dissonance, perhaps moreso today. When I return to my car from the river, I unlock the driver's side door, and see black shards of broken glass strewn over the seats. For a brief moment I look forward in a blank stupor, as if the information before me has no reason or sense. I take a breath and then look more carefully; the back window of my pickup has been smashed open.

"Okay," I say to myself, "Is anything missing?" My school papers and my journal are still on the passenger seat. Even my eagle feather is still hanging from my rear-view mirror, but then I realize my cell phone and small camera are both missing.

Things change so quickly. Just a few minutes before, I was standing amid the wonders of nature. Now as I drove home, the sound of shattering glass played over and over in my mind, even though in reality, I heard nothing at all. It's such a small thing, really, but my hands are shaking slightly against the steering wheel. "It's done," I finally say to myself, and with a long breath I let it all go.

Summer's End

As the summer reaches as end, one season fades to another and reminds me of all that has passed. I reflect on the previous months and realize I've had a very busy and productive year so far.

Travel played an important role. In February, Rhonda and I went to Hawaii to perform Gary and Linda's wedding. By spring, I flew to Washington DC to help facilitate the Ecuador Youth Leadership Exchange. In late June, Dakota and I attended a sundance ceremony on the Blood Reserve in southern Alberta, Canada. And perhaps most importantly, Rhonda and I traveled to Ecuador in August, and even spent several days in the Amazon Jungle. We visited a very diverse set of destinations.

I also met two celebrities this year: Hillary Clinton as she made a campaign stop in Spokane, and Blake Lewis from American Idol.

Major projects and life changing events also made their mark. During the spring, I helped organize the youth leadership exchange, and during the Labor Day Wellpinit Powwow I received my grandfather's wardance regalia. My brother Bradley came for a rare visit, and my sister graduated from Eastern Washington University.

It's been a big year on many levels. Of course, it's only September, but with the end of summer vacation and the beginning of a new academic year, I feel inclined to reflect on where we've been over the previous months and weeks. And then my normal schedule resumes and I find myself visiting my old hiking trails again. I've been all over the world, but the mountains and trees welcome me back as though I've never been away. That is the nature of my home; my spirit is connected to this place forever.