Your father is so eloquent with his words. It is so sad what we are doing to this country. I remember going to Boulder, CO for the first time in 2011, that's when the land and the west spoke to me. I wanted to move their immediately, that's how much it lured me with it's sacredness. In just a few short years, I saw the expansion, the sprawl and that dream became unattainable. I didn't want to live in a place with commercialization, urban sprawl and ticky tacky boxes. What was once cool and unique was ruined by "growth". The west still calls to us. Hopefully, by the time we get there, there will still be land and clean water to enjoy. In the meantime, we will do all we can to speak up and protect these public lands and sacred places. I appreciate you sharing again. Your fathers words are still relevant today. Let his legacy not be lost. May his words whisper on the wind and echo in the canyons. Our ancestors have the answers and the Indigenous have been telling us all along.
Your father’s essay was a beautiful, brilliant and inspirational composition of words that is descriptive of what is happening all over the world – not just in Colorado. That Sandy wrote this 50 years ago is a testament to the depth of his understanding of how the people interact to the beauty of the creation.
I now see the genesis of your unique writing style. I suspect you could attach your name to his essay, and none would suspect you were not its author. You must be very proud of your father’s work. And thanks for sharing his ageless article.
Thanks for sharing. This brought up many memories, and I’m still struggling to understand the same things today. Your dad was the first to show me an unexcavated site and make me promise never to reveal its location (I wouldn’t be able to find it again anyway). And we spent long hours in deep discussion on slow horses en route to an “inspection” of City Reservoir. I trust that the land will endure.
Wow! This brought tears to my eyes, as I knew your father. I can hear his sonorous voice as I read it. Thank you for sharing this and the local arrest records from 1975 in Telluride. Sandy Thompson was a supporter and gentle advisor to KSUT in his lifetime. He came alive today with this post.
Wow. I'm sharing this with my entire staff. It's the last day of summer camp. We've had scores of youngsters traversing the Sandy Thompson trail at the Nature Center all summer long. We hope that through their time with us, the seeds of stewardship will take hold, and they will be able to name what they think is sacred in our region as they grow. His words will give pause to the team and encourage them to think through the purpose of our work across the San Juans. I know this place has always been sacred to me - and motivates me even during sh*tty days - and there have been a fair number of them this summer. Thanks for re-sharing.
I love the Navajo man's question. If I had been there I wouldn't have had any hesitation saying, "This harsh and beautiful land is sacred. These mesas, canyons and mountains are sacred. The clouds and sky are sacred. More sacred than any church or temple.". No, I wouldn't at all have a problem talking like that because that's how I truly feel and that's why I am so angry and sad at the profiteers and privatizers that have defiled these lands.
Thank you for sharing this, Jonathan. Your father was an extraordinary man, and his wise and heartfelt words have gone straight into my heart, where they will remain. Thank you for everything you write & post, I always come away feeling not just smarter but stronger as well, readier to stand up & keep fighting for what we all love.
That is powerful, I am happy to have read it. I think it expresses something many "old-timers" I have known felt, but never could say. The myth of progress they were taught to buy into is a also powerful one, seductive even, and too many of them believed it and found ways to benefit. We still need a new myth.
The eloquent words of your father were prescient. I sincerely appreciate his love of this landscape, and that you’re carrying on his tradition and love of this land and culture. I’m a subscriber and will continue to be because we need you now more than ever.
Your father is so eloquent with his words. It is so sad what we are doing to this country. I remember going to Boulder, CO for the first time in 2011, that's when the land and the west spoke to me. I wanted to move their immediately, that's how much it lured me with it's sacredness. In just a few short years, I saw the expansion, the sprawl and that dream became unattainable. I didn't want to live in a place with commercialization, urban sprawl and ticky tacky boxes. What was once cool and unique was ruined by "growth". The west still calls to us. Hopefully, by the time we get there, there will still be land and clean water to enjoy. In the meantime, we will do all we can to speak up and protect these public lands and sacred places. I appreciate you sharing again. Your fathers words are still relevant today. Let his legacy not be lost. May his words whisper on the wind and echo in the canyons. Our ancestors have the answers and the Indigenous have been telling us all along.
Colorado Plateau Rendezvous, Telluride, Colorado, 1975 (Sandy Thompson)
Your father’s essay was a beautiful, brilliant and inspirational composition of words that is descriptive of what is happening all over the world – not just in Colorado. That Sandy wrote this 50 years ago is a testament to the depth of his understanding of how the people interact to the beauty of the creation.
I now see the genesis of your unique writing style. I suspect you could attach your name to his essay, and none would suspect you were not its author. You must be very proud of your father’s work. And thanks for sharing his ageless article.
Beautifully penned
Thanks for sharing. This brought up many memories, and I’m still struggling to understand the same things today. Your dad was the first to show me an unexcavated site and make me promise never to reveal its location (I wouldn’t be able to find it again anyway). And we spent long hours in deep discussion on slow horses en route to an “inspection” of City Reservoir. I trust that the land will endure.
Wow! This brought tears to my eyes, as I knew your father. I can hear his sonorous voice as I read it. Thank you for sharing this and the local arrest records from 1975 in Telluride. Sandy Thompson was a supporter and gentle advisor to KSUT in his lifetime. He came alive today with this post.
Wow. I'm sharing this with my entire staff. It's the last day of summer camp. We've had scores of youngsters traversing the Sandy Thompson trail at the Nature Center all summer long. We hope that through their time with us, the seeds of stewardship will take hold, and they will be able to name what they think is sacred in our region as they grow. His words will give pause to the team and encourage them to think through the purpose of our work across the San Juans. I know this place has always been sacred to me - and motivates me even during sh*tty days - and there have been a fair number of them this summer. Thanks for re-sharing.
I love the Navajo man's question. If I had been there I wouldn't have had any hesitation saying, "This harsh and beautiful land is sacred. These mesas, canyons and mountains are sacred. The clouds and sky are sacred. More sacred than any church or temple.". No, I wouldn't at all have a problem talking like that because that's how I truly feel and that's why I am so angry and sad at the profiteers and privatizers that have defiled these lands.
Thank you for sharing this, Jonathan. Your father was an extraordinary man, and his wise and heartfelt words have gone straight into my heart, where they will remain. Thank you for everything you write & post, I always come away feeling not just smarter but stronger as well, readier to stand up & keep fighting for what we all love.
You were blessed to have an insightful father. Always a gift to read your posts- now, yours or your dad’s ☺️
Looking forward to Tuesday's essay!
Insightful and well said.
Thanks for providing a few minutes to be in your dad's company once again. It brought up memories of many conversations we had - and tears in my eyes.
My own family (McCormick) was here in the late 1870s. Fourth generation ranchers. I now live at Navajo Dam community. The San Juan country is home.
I have practiced law for 43 years. Oil & Gas (I represent land and mineral owners), Water Law, Immigration (removal defense and asylum).
I am also a writer and filmmaker.
And I am a Vietnam Veteran: US Naval Riverine Forces, CTF 116.
I am pleased to make your acquiantance!
That is powerful, I am happy to have read it. I think it expresses something many "old-timers" I have known felt, but never could say. The myth of progress they were taught to buy into is a also powerful one, seductive even, and too many of them believed it and found ways to benefit. We still need a new myth.
The eloquent words of your father were prescient. I sincerely appreciate his love of this landscape, and that you’re carrying on his tradition and love of this land and culture. I’m a subscriber and will continue to be because we need you now more than ever.
Beautiful writing. Great piece to mull over this morning, thank you for sharing.