Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore:

The homeless rate in America is at a historic high.  Homeless conditions can be caused by many factors in today's complex economy.
Alice and Julius Gilmore now call themselves homeless
Six years ago I met Alice Gilmore at her home on the Navajo Nation outside of Burnham, NM.  Alice's grazing permit and home was designated as the site for the proposed Desert Rock coal burning power plant.  Alice stood her ground and said "Dooda" or "NO" to the proposed plant.  Together the Elders spoke out with her.   Desert Rock was stopped.  But the mining of coal to feed the two existing power plants has continued.

46,740,000 pounds of coal are mined everyday, seven days a week, where Alice lives.  But...Alice doesn't live here anymore.  She and her husband have been removed from their home.  Her land and home within her grazing permit are soon to be dynamited in order for the coal to be mined.  Alice now calls herself "homeless".


be strong, be safe, Carlan

Friday, January 20, 2012

Dynamite & Dinosaurs:

What do over 65 million year old dinosaur bones have to do with dynamite?  Last week I had the incredible opportunity to spend time with a very special individual near Shiprock, NM.  Arnold Clifford is a paleontologist and botanist.  He has been collecting fossils, dinosaur bones, and plants since he was three years old.  Arnold is greatly concerned how the mining for coal and the blasting of Mother Earth with dynamite is destroying a rich and important history near his home.  A history which will be lost for future generations.
Every day 46,740,000 pounds of coal are extracted from Mother Earth at the Navajo Mine in the Four Corners area.  Dynamite is used to first blast the earth followed by draglines removing the over burden to uncover and mine the coal.
I felt like I was walking through a museum as Arnold pointed out pieces of dinosaurs over 65 million years old, fossil forests, and sea life.  Ancient history being destroyed with dynamite.  Arnold's story is an important one.  Take a moment to hear what he wants to share.  

be strong, be safe, Carlan 

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Post Mother Road 2011 - Ride in Beauty:

Many blessings to everyone for the beginning of this New Year.

It seems like Mother Road 2011 just ended. Tornadoes, hail, thunderstorms, the first 2 weeks of my ride, I encountered them all. It reminded me of a video game, dodging one thing after another. I met people who lost family, friends, homes and vehicles. I was offered shelter and I offered comfort. Americans are tenacious and Americans have huge hearts; 4500 miles across our country and I was welcomed every inch along the way. I want to thank all of you who supported Mother Road 2011.  Your generous tax-deductible donations made it possible for me to continue to create voices for those families impacted by coal and to make those voices heard across our country.  There is much work yet to be done.  We need your support for this year's fund-raiser, RIDE IN BEAUTY.

The title came to me from the Navajo prayer, Walk In Beauty, which translates into living in the moment in mind and spirit. Ride In Beauty seemed an appropriate title as I pictured myself riding my trusty Harley 3000 miles through the pristine landscape known as the Grand Circle of the Southwest. The purpose of the ride is not only to raise funding for Question of Power, but to photograph this magnificent country which, unfortunately, we are losing little by little to our continuous need for natural resources. So once again I'm asking for your support. 2012 projects include: Black Mesa, AZ water contamination, Four Corners, NM strip mining encroachment and coal ash disposal, Bokoshe, OK coal ash disposal, and Fairbanks, AK coal ash disposal.  This year we will also be creating an educational program for students working within their communities to tell their stories.  To learn how you can help please log on to RIDE IN BEAUTY.


be strong, be safe, Carlan