Bears have no need to read signs, much less pronounce the names of obscure creeks, to figure out where they are going. They just put one foot in front of the other and see where it leads.
One bear followed Plum Brook to Wickecheoke Creek and ended up on the Delaware River, while its sibling rambled along the Second Neshanic River, to the First Neshanic River, to the Neshanic River, to the South Branch of the Raritan River, to the Raritan River.
This bear has chosen its path, after a long moment of indecision.
The two streams, arising from springs, on each side of a common ridge, a mere half mile apart, lead to New Jersey's opposite coasts. Together the streams form a direct pathway from coast to coast.
We live in a provincial world defined by geopolitical borders, reinforced by the scale of our self-imposed home range. When we travel US route 1 in New Brunswick, we never consider that if we go straight, instead of turning into a Chipotle restaurant, we end up in Caribou, Maine or the Florida Keys. Same situation as the two bears.
Whether tracing the tracks of a rambling bear down a watery trail to the coast, or a paved highway to opposite ends of the continent, we begin to see connectivity to distant places. Artificial borders fall away and perspective comes into focus. Taken to the highest resolution, we see that celestial events in the cosmos dictate the requirements and conditions for life on earth.
Far away places exist only in our limited imagination, programmed with a distorted sense of scale. Find that far away places are not really that far away, once we see the connection.
Put one foot in front of the other and see where it leads.
Images then and now. Parkway bridge under construction in the background (Left). Winter escapade on the south branch (Right). Same kid.
Contact Joe Mish at jjmish57@msn.com.
See more articles and photos at winterbearrising.wordpress.com.
Yay!! Go, Ali! Go, Joe!!!!!!
Must share images captured late yesterday afternoon on the edge of the banks of the south branch of the Raritan.. Posted some images on facebook.