Well, Nixon did something right. Earthday
I was born in 1965 and in the 70’s you knew that you shouldn’t swim in the Charles River because you would get sick. It was polluted. Probably still is in some places. I don’t think I would drink the water straight up.
My grandparents had summer house on Lake Winnipesaukee, in Kelly’s Cove around the corner from Shep Brown’s Boat Basin and close to Loon Island. The loons had pretty much disappeared by that time, but the lake was still really clear and you could easily see the bottom. Let me be clear about the house. It was named The Boulder, and even though it was refereed to as “Camp” and it was uninsulated, it is a three story home with 4 bedrooms, 2 baths and three extra beds up in the attic. There was a work shop, an office, a shed (that had a pantry with fridge and freezer), wine closet, fishing gear, and a two bay garage. Pretty swank camp if you ask me. It is a wonderful place, where I learned to swim, sail, canoe and listen to the wind in the trees. I spent most of my time on or in the water. I loved it.
The house was just off the lake’s shore, maybe 40 ft. and there is a large dock that can have up to 4 boats tied to it. We put the water pipe directly into the lake, pumped it though a regular filter system and drank it. The only time we abstained was when rain came for more then a week, then lake level rose up to the edge of the dock and the lake was cloudy. Maybe once every couple of years . The camp was the last dwelling in the cove, now it shares with 6-8 more houses. The water is not as clear. There are more motor boats and more people on the lake. I would not drink the water right from the lake now.
Back in the 70’s there was less regulation on pollution and our environment suffered. However, there were also less people. Now the lake is packed, not only during the tourist months, but year round. Folks have changed the landscape from rural agricultural/forestry to suburban. The up side is that a great number of people, not simply the upper class, can enjoy beautiful places like the lake. The down side is that with an increase of residents and visitors, the lake is suffering. The loons are back, but I still would not drink the water.
This earth day I will spend time outside listening to the wind in the trees. I choose to live in a rural place, not on a lake cause I can’t afford to, but close by some and with very few neighbors. A good time to take stock of how I am helping or hurting the planet while I am here.
Why don’t you do the same. Helping or Hurting. Pretty good question to ask of oneself every once and a while.
Happy Earth Day.
