BROADSIDES Volume 14, no. 4 November 2004

In A Broad Sense by Ronni Egan

One day some old Broads went a-hiking And found conditions were not to their liking With cowpoop on the ground, Loud vehicular sounds, And a mess all around that was striking!

So they thought if they banded together They might find some more “birds of a feather” Gals with spirit and spunk, Who would hug a tree trunk Regardless of inclement weather.

Fifteen years have gone by since they met Did they found a new movement? You bet! They’ve gone on to success The Old Broads for Wilderness Great Old Broads at the 15th Anniversary Celebration. Photo by Tootie Hagan To land wreckers they pose quite a threat! unique and important spot as the wise elder voice in the panoply of Wilderness advocacy groups. Our land ethic is filled with our passion. As Wilderness bills we help fashion The event that was the most fun, by far, was our own 15th Saving places so wild, Anniversary Celebration at Snow Canyon State Park, near So that every grand child St. George, Utah. I only wish that somehow all 2600 Great For the Wilderness will have compassion Old Broads could have participated in the camaraderie and hilarity of that weekend. Not only did we thoroughly enjoy You will find us at protests and rallies, ourselves, we also trained over 30 folks, Broads and non- Or hiking in steep mountain valleys Broads alike, to use our Broads Healthy Lands Project Making friends in D C monitoring system for recording ORV impacts on the land. For our lands wild and free Southern Utah has become the “poster child” of the Great Old Broads are the wildlands’ best allies! national ORV crisis, and we’ve received numerous requests for monitoring raining from both environmental groups Great Old Broads for Wilderness has been present, in one and land management agencies in the state. We’re looking form or another, at numerous events during the past two forward to having a positive impact on land use months of celebrations honoring the 40th Anniversary of management in Utah and elsewhere. the signing of the Wilderness Act. This momentous document is unique in that it created a statutory obligation Looking back over the events of the last few years, I am for our nation to do NOTHING on the lands it protects. In impressed by the amount of good work that Broads has these days of rampant energy development, roadbuilding, done on behalf of Wilderness. We had a significant expanding off-road vehicle (ORV) impacts and presence in California, at our Ventana Wilderness encroaching recreational developments, the Wilderness Act Broadwalk, just prior to the passage of the Ventana is the foremost protection for our irreplaceable wild treasures. Wilderness Bill. I’m not suggesting that we were responsible for the bill’s success, but I imagine our energy Board of Directors Co-Chair Libby Ingalls, Program helped it along a little! Broad-power has also been felt in Director Rose Chilcoat and I attended the festivities in Vermont, Illinois, Yellowstone National Park (to which Washington D. C., which included several public rallies, a we’ll no doubt return next February!), Colorado’s Roan gala dinner with celebrity speakers, and 3 days of intensive Plateau, New Mexico’s Otero Mesa, Arch Canyon in Utah, lobbying for Wilderness. It was gratifying to hear from so and many other places. many of the attendees that Great Old Broads occupies a continued on page 5 November 2004 Broadsides—Page 2

Holiday Gifts for Loved Ones & Great Old Broads In the holiday spirit, the following highly-acclaimed book Colorado: Cougar Dave - Mountain Man of vendors have generously agreed to Yesterday & Today. Colorado: Idaho by Pat Cary Peek donate a portion of their proceeds to Moments in Time is Grant’s second The narrative nonfiction story of the Great Old Broads now through the book, and it presents his stunning color David Lewis, 1855-1936. He was a end of the year. If one of these books landscape photography. hunting guide in the Idaho wilderness or boating gear from Jack’s Plastic and around his fire the idea of Welding would make a perfect gift To purchase: preserving the vast Idaho Primitive for someone in your life, please www.collierpublishing.com or call area first took shape. consider purchasing from these 303-984-0801 vendors and give Broads a little gift too. Cost: Moments in Time - $35; To Purchase: Yesterday & Today - $29.95 + shipping. www.greatoldbroads.org/shop.htm We’re in the Mountains, Not Over If ordering online, please mention Cost: $16.95 (includes shipping) the Hill – Tales and Tips from Great Old Broads in the comment box. Seasoned Women Backpackers by Living on Wilderness Time Susan Alcorn -This compelling Jack’s Plastic Welding, Inc. - located by Melissa Walker collage of stories and advice, of older in Aztec, New Mexico manufactures A book for those who have visited women backpackers, combines INFLATABLE BOATS including wild places and want to return, and for honesty, insight and humor with inflatable pontoon boats for fly others whose overcommitted urban practical wisdom and proven tips to fishing, Catarafts, Paddle Catarafts, lives make them long for land where inspire women and men of all ages. and Self-Bailing Rafts, DRY BAGS time is measured differently and and PACO PADS. All products are human beings are scarce. Above all it To purchase: www.backpack45.com top of the line and merchandise can be is a call to join those who, like Aldo or Shepherd Canyon Books, 25 shipped anywhere in the country. Leopold, see wilderness as vital to the Southwood Ct., Oakland, CA 94611 or human community. Author of the year 866-219-8260. Be sure to mention To purchase: www.jpwinc.com. Click in Memoir for the Georgia Writers Great Old Broads when you order. on Products. Please indicate in the Association. Cost: $14.95 +shipping notes section of online payment that you are a Great Old Broad, and 30 % To purchase: Collier Publishing of your Paco Pad or Dry Bag www.greatoldbroads.org/shop.htm Grant Collier is one of Colorado’s purchase, or 20% of your boat Cost: $15 hardback; $10 paperback premier nature photographers. His purchase will be donated to Broads. (includes shipping) work has been published in magazines For more information call (505) 334- Visit www.greatoldbroads.org for more worldwide, and he is the author of the 8748 or email [email protected] information

Staff Great Old Broads for Wilder- Great Old Broads for Wilder- Veronica Egan, Executive Director ness is a non-profit, public lands ness was conceived in 1989 by Rose Chilcoat, Programs Director organization that uses the voices older women who loved wilder- Becky Lindberg, Broadsides Editor and activism of elders to increase, ness and organized to protect it. protect, and preserve wilderness. The wisdom of their combined years (more than three centuries!) told Board of Directors Broadsides is a publication of Great them that the Broads could bring Libby Ingalls, Chair, San Francisco, CA Old Broads for Wilderness. Feel free to knowledge, commitment, high spirits, Kathryn Robens, Sec’y, Santa Fe, NM reprint articles, but please credit Great Old and humor to the movement to protect Karen Cox, Treasurer, Nevada City, CA Broads. Printed on 30% post-consumer our last wild places on earth. Katie Fite, Boise, ID recycled paper using vegetable soy ink. Karen Fischer, Fond du Lac, WI Today, the Great Old Broads has Ginger Harmon, Ketchum, ID Great Old Broads for Wilderness over 2,600 active members throughout Fran Hunt, Washington, DC 850 1/2 Main Street the United States. You do not have to Cecelia Hurwich, Berkeley, CA PO Box 2924, Durango, CO 81302 be female, or old, or even great for that Edith Pierpont, Santa Fe, NM 970-385-9577, fax 970-259-8303 matter! to join—but you must be “bold” Diane Tracy, Salt Lake City, UT [email protected] for wilderness. Please join us on the Julie Wormser, Littleton, MA www.greatoldbroads.org adventure. Wilderness needs your help! November 2004 Broadsides—Page 3

Broads in the Background Thirty years ago Tom Messenger and Ginger Harmon, currently Broads left the East Coast on a trip to see the Board co-chair, on many hikes Grand Canyon. Up until then, he had through Utah’s wilderness, even never seen “Canyon Country,” but at hiking across the top of the Great Old first sight the sparse, simple beauty of Broads Arch (discovered and named the redrock desert took a powerful hold by Steve Allen), in Shofar Canyon, on Tom’s imagination and it remains part of the Grand-Staircase Escalante today a strong part of Tom’s psyche. National Monument. Both Steve and Ginger were a strong influence on Returning from his first trip with a Tom’s joining the Great Old Broads. deep passion for the desert landscapes of the West, Tom began to take In July of 2003, as Broads was just dynamic website that could draw frequent trips around the West with beginning to field test its ORV directly from the database gave Tom his father. Then, in the early 1980’s monitoring forms, Tom joined several the opportunity to put his newly learned there was talk of using Lavender and Great Old Broads volunteers to do skills to work. Tom’s help has also Davis Canyons, near Canyonlands baseline monitoring of routes that been a tremendous benefit for National Park, for a high-level waste were proposed to be part of the Broads—our monitoring program would repository. upcoming San Juan ATV Safari. He not be where it is today without Tom. and Diane Tracy, the mastermind “That was a personal insult to me,” behind Broads monitoring program, Looking towards the future, Tom’s said Tom. “This was a place I had were paired together and spent the day motivation to continue to work on this learned to love. Right then I joined monitoring land conditions in the project is the potential Broads SUWA (Southern Utah Wilderness Bridger Jack area just outside of monitoring program has to continue to Alliance), the Sierra Club, and The Canyonlands. Hearing more about grow and impact public lands Wilderness Broads monitoring program from Diane, management and policies of public Society.” Tom became interested in helping out. lands. What’s important about Broads ORV monitoring program said Tom, is Since “OHVs are a big threat because of that it “convinces land managers and then, Tom their numbers and because of the ‘forget people in general how important has been the land and everybody else’ entitlement making sure that all users of actively that some people feel,” said Tom. working to wilderness lands observe limits that protect He was drawn to Broads ORV protect the wilderness.” wilderness- monitoring program for two reasons. Tom also feels strongly that Broads quality “The field monitoring is fun and it’s is the right conveyer of a message of lands from something you get to do with like- better land management policies when development minded people,” said Tom. The it comes to ORVs. “I think that the and second part dates back to Tom’s career Tom standing on top of Great greatness of Broads is helping to show destruction. as a naval architect, where he did a Old Broads Arch. Photo by that just because you’re not 25 doesn’t Bill Devore Now fair amount of computer programming. mean that the only way to be in the retired, Tom lives in Moab, Utah and outdoors is on some kind of motor devotes many hours of his free time to For several years after retiring, Tom vehicle. Older people can be active wilderness volunteer work. One of had been reading about dynamic, too,” says Tom. the volunteer projects Tom is currently database supported websites. He decided to get involved with Broads working on is Broads off-road vehicle But the true greatness of Broads is because it was a “worthy project” and (ORV) monitoring program known as having wonderful, dedicated members he thought it would be fun to put his Broads Healthy Lands Project. like Tom, who put their passion to work. years of reading into practice. “It was Thank you, Tom , for your many, Tom first heard about Great Old a double benefit for me,” said Tom, many hours of volunteering (100+!). Broads 10 years ago, hiking with “Until you have something you want canyoneering guru and former Broads’ to do with what you’re learning, you To visit our Broads monitoring Board member, Steve Allen. After his can’t remember it.” Helping to put website and see Tom’s hard work, go first hike with Steve, he joined Steve Broads monitoring data onto a to: www.goginger.org—BL November 2004 Broadsides—Page 4

The Wilderness Act at 40: Celebration and Challenge

On September 3, 1964 President Marshall, Olaus and Mardie Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Murie, and others promoted the Wilderness Act. That event 40 idea of protecting wildlands. years ago marked both an end and Both Zahniser and Marshall a beginning. For the first time, the received much of their inspiration federal government formally from the Adirondacks. recognized the value of land being The 1964 Wilderness Act set left in its natural state, set aside for aside approximately 9 million its intrinsic value rather than for acres in the National Wilderness recreation. (National Parks, in Preservation System. But that contrast, are set aside for both Robert Redford speaking at the Wilderness Week was just a start; 40 years and 110 gala. Photo by Patricia Fisher enjoyment and conservation.) wilderness bills later, we have President Johnson’s signing nearly 106 million acres of land reception and slide show at The capped an eight-year legislative managed as Wilderness by the Wilderness Society’s headquarters. campaign in Congress, involving National Park Service, the Forest The gathering provided a 66 re-writes by principal author Service, the Bureau of Land wonderful opportunity to meet up Howard Zahniser, but the Act was Management, and the with fellow advocates. Fish and Wildlife Service. Every president since Sunday was spent in a day-long Johnson has added to our training session for activists, legacy, from a high of preparing us for meetings for the 66.3 million acres (Jimmy next three days with congressional Carter, much of them in staff. We learned more about the Alaska) to a low of issues facing our various states 500,000 acres (George W. and how to effectively discuss Bush). Only six states them in the offices we would be have no federal visiting. It was a day well-spent, wilderness at all: where those of us who had been to Connecticut, Delaware, Washington numerous times Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, could answer questions and and Rhode Island. In reassure those for whom this was addition, seven states the first trip to the marble halls of have set up their own Congress. Mike Matz, Executive Director of Campaign for America’s Wilderness, and writer Terry Tempest Williams at state wilderness For many, the highlight of the Wilderness Week in DC.. Photo by Patricia Fisher designations. week came that evening, where a finally passed with overwhelming This September, more than 350 gala banquet took place at the bipartisan support. wilderness activists from around National Press Club. Naturalist the country gathered in and writer Terry Tempest The idea for setting aside Washington, DC for “Wilderness Williams was the MC for the wilderness areas did not begin a Week” to celebrate these 40 years evening. In an eloquent and mere eight years prior to 1964, of wilderness preservation, to take passionate way, she spoke of the however. In 1895, New York State stock of our past and current need for an “open space of amended its state constitution to efforts, and to renew our democracy” where people of set aside the Adirondack and commitment to preserving our differing viewpoints can discuss Catskill Forest Preserves, stating country’s remaining wildlands. the issues at hand, listening to that they should be “forever kept what others have to say, rather as wild forest lands.” Later in the The week got off to a roaring than immediately jumping to 20th century, Aldo Leopold, Bob start on Saturday evening with a conclusions or dismissing them November 2004 Broadsides—Page 5 out-of-hand based on value of the places they love. And preconceived ideas. The evening another afternoon, a rally was held In a Broad Sense cont. was filled with reminiscences by at Upper Senate Park, featuring Stewart Udall, Secretary of the speakers like Ed Zahniser, son of As I am writing this final Interior under Presidents Kennedy the Wilderness Act’s author. paragraph, it is the “morning and Johnson, actor Robert Finally, a reception was held in the after” the election, and I feel Redford, Senator Robert Byrd of Rayburn House Office Building, slightly bilious at the prospect of West Virginia, Dr. Edgar Wayburn where members of Congress what our beloved wild places, and and the late actor Christopher mingled with activists and staff their defenders, will have to Reeve (both via video), and others. from around the country. endure for the next 4 years. As a non-profit organization, Broads Underlying all the celebratory By nice coincidence, the cannot advocate for or against any remarks, however, was concern for Smithsonian’s Museum of the political candidate or agenda. the present, where wilderness is American Indian opened the same Thus, I will confine myself to no longer the nonpartisan issue it week we were in Washington. offering you a familiar, and Many Native timely, quote from that most “Wilderness is not defined by the Americans from steadfast wilderness defender, absence of certain activities but rather North and South Edward Abbey: by the presence of certain unique and America took part “Do not burn yourself out. Be as I invaluable characteristics. The answer in a large festival on am-a reluctant enthusiast... a part to the oft-asked question, “why do you the Mall. It was an time crusader, a half-hearted want this area to be wilderness?” is that interesting fanatic. Save the other half of these areas already are wildernesses, we counterpoint, seeing yourselves and your lives for simply want to preserve them as they the land’s first pleasure and adventure. It is not are and as they have been for enough to fight for the land; it is generations.” stewards celebrating a long-awaited even more important to enjoy it. Nick J Rahall, II formal recognition While you can. While it is still Ranking Democratic Member while we were there. So get out there and mess House Committee on Resources working to protect around with your friends, ramble much of the same out yonder and explore the used to be, where economic values land that they once inhabited. forests, encounter the grizz, climb trump wilderness values. the mountains. ..Enjoy yourselves, While the week was one of keep your brain in your head and The week continued with three celebration, everyone was very your head firmly attached to your days of citizen meetings on much aware that there is a lot of body...I promise you this much: I Capitol Hill. The various state work ahead for all of us who care promise you this one sweet wilderness campaigns organized about wild places. There are more victory over our enemies, over activists into teams to meet with inventories to take, more those deskbound people with their Senate and House staff, bringing legislation to draft, and more hearts in a safe deposit box and them up-to-date on issues, asking destructive proposals to fight their eyes hypnotized by desk them to sign on to letters, or to against. But most of all, we need calculators. I promise you this: support wilderness proposals in to find a way to make wilderness you will outlive the bastards.” Congress. The sheer number of protection a nonpartisan issue volunteers that descended on the once more. Dear friends, Rose, Becky and I Hill couldn’t help but impress our wish you all a warm, festive and representatives, and in ways that Here’s to the next 40 years! blessed holiday season. Then, paid lobbyists simply can’t. It was come January, be prepared to roll quite a showing! “God bless America. Let’s save up your sleeves and get to work some of it.” —Edward Abbey doing what Broads do best: There were several other events defending America’s wild places that also allowed the public voice —Michael Painter is with all the passion we can muster. to be heard. One afternoon a Coordinator for Californians for We will have many friends to help public hearing was held at Western Wilderness. For more us in this work. Together, we will Freedom Plaza, where individuals information on CalUWild visit “hold the line” for Wilderness. could present testimony on the www.caluwild.org November 2004 Broadsides—Page 6 Great Old Broads 15th Anniversary C Genesis by Susan Tixier IRS documents, got a couple of tee- years or more, shirts out into the world, and began. when our (Excerpts from Susan’s speech at the However, we’ve always been around. daughters, who 15th Anniversary Conference) We’re here now. And we’re not going are now away. approaching This account begins with a forty, were in recollection. Staring into the eyes of The day that I am writing this grade school, an old sea turtle, sharing the time we speech, Marilyn Price-Reinbolt, a before grad have jointly shared on this earth, she founding member of the Great Old schools, before in the waters of the Sea of Cortez, the Broads Board of Directors, and I took professional Pacific Ocean, and God only knows our dogs for a hike on a very hot, fall, jobs, through where else, and I in the waters of the northern New Mexico afternoon. more lovers Escalante, the Rio Grande, and not From where we live it takes no time at than we care to only God, but too many people know all to get to places without people and acknowledge, where all else – sharing with that not much longer than that to get to husbands, ancient being, temporarily trapped for bona fide wilderness. divorces, weighing and tagging before being deaths, Dottie Fox, Ginger Harmon, Frandee On that day, the day the law banning Price-Reinbolt, all founding members released, sharing thoughts, if you will, decisions. We assault guns was due to sunset, we Broads. Photo by Tootie Hagan. about “genesis,” about beginnings. recall when were turned back on our hike because neither of us had phones, slept in lofts What I “heard” from the old turtle some nutcase guys were shooting during graduate schools, and made was this: things look bad, I know, but rifles apparently aimlessly into the many, many mistakes. whether I make it out of here or not, narrow chasm we were hiking up the or whether you do or not, is not as side of, just for pure joy of…whatever Some of what the Great Old Broads important as it is that so long as there kind of joy that is. Noise? Things for Wilderness is about is that: loyalty, is a planet earth with wild waters, dying? Breaking apart? Power in trust, a philosophic underpinning that we’re part of a cosmic whole, a their hands? They saw us and made can be shared without ritual, about regenesis, regeneration, of generations no indication that we should continue what wild places mean. Great Old of wise old things. Your Great Old our hike or that we’d be safe. Quite Broadness means being in, Broads and my great old broads have the opposite. All I can say is that we communing with, rolling around in, always been, are now, and will always were frightened, with good reason, eating and sleeping in the outdoors. be – so long as there is water to bring and turned around and headed for life forth, as long as there is earth. some place else. Because that place is where we are close to 15 years ago, we did not “begin” As it turned out, we hiked back what our bodies were Great Old Broads, we just filed the down along the Rio Grande, over made for: creation, re- magnificent, water-carved creation. It is not just a black volcanic rocks the size salve, just a quiet of Volkswagens. We floated respite from a busy, in water so clean and pure you more productive albeit could see the bottom of the totally insane world. big eddy holes. The sky was bluer than anyplace in the As we walked away world. that day, I entertained visions of sneaking up, A magic place. Quiet. The grabbing the men from dogs paddling all around, we behind, taking their two in our middle aged stupid guns, pointing spreading bodies happy in our them into their faces element. We’ve had kids, before tossing them Susan Tixier and MB McAfee reminisce, both past have grandkids. We’ve (the guns) beautifully Great Old Broads out hiking Executive Directors of Broads. Photo by Tootie Hagan. known each other for thirty arching into the Photo by Libby Ingalls November 2004 Broadsides—Page 7

We Broads are THE bridge from the Celebration! social to solitude. We, as women represent, and in fact participate in canyon far generation, regeneration, and carrying below. on of civilization in our genes. We, as Wilderness, women, know that the paradox is that the cycle of we also carry its destruction. We, as life, does wilderness women, bring the two include death together in our godessness, in our and pain, and animal selves, the part that howls at anger. That’s the moon. This is something like also what what I heard from the old sea turtle, I Broadness is think. Barbara Sevee holds a Kingsnake, a about. We native to the Snow Canyon area. Great Old At the end of Desert Solitaire, when Photo by Tootie Hagan Broads for he was leaving his solitude in the Abbey, take a stand on the bedrock of Wilderness canyon country, Ed Abbey talks about animal faith. We represent the can become his time in the wilderness of Southern paradox. And we bring it all together: very angry Utah in just his perfect way, in a way present, past, human, and animal, one e Johnson, Susan Tixier, and Marilyn about the that, I believe, reflects the need for raucous, rumbling grey-haired delight! s of Broads, sing Happy Birthday to ripping off Great Old Broads for Wilderness. He of Mother says, “Whether we live or die is a Earth’s skin with ATV’s, bulldozers, matter of absolutely no concern This Old Broad or blocking up her arterials with dams. whatsoever to the desert. Let men in sung to the lyrics of That day Marilyn and I sucked it up, their madness blast every city on earth This Old Man and we found a place of beauty, into black rubble and envelope the instead. Broads know when to walk entire planet in a cloud of lethal gas – This Old Broad she hates cows Especially when they empty their away, too, to win another day. the canyon and hills, the springs and rocks will still be here, the sunlight bowels Which brings me back to the sea will filter through, water will form On the trails in streams turtle. Do you know a sea turtle can and warmth shall be upon the land and And in the meadows green The word to describe it is obscene travel 3000 miles per year and can after sufficient time, no matter how find its place of birth some 25 years long, somewhere, living things will This old Broad after dark later? Scientists believe they follow emerge and join and stand once again, Took a hike up in the park the reflection of this time perhaps to take a different With no light she soon found the moonlight of and better course. I have seen the Much to her dismay the ocean surface place called Trinity, in New Mexico, Many slippery spots along the way where our wise men exploded the first to find their way to When she got back she checked the sea. How atomic bomb and the heat of the blast her boots much like that are fused sand into greenish glass— And found the slipperyness we Old Broads? already the grass has returned, and the Had it roots We seek our place cactus and the mesquite. On this In manure cows had plopped of birth, in bedrock of animal faith I take my Along the way wildness. And I stand, close by the old road that leads She’s ticked off suffice to say love the image of eventually out of the valley of paradox.” This old Broad joined a group finding it by the When “somewhere, living things Dedicated to eliminating all cow poop reflection of the From the public lands where cows will emerge” it will be done through moon’s beams on have so long trod rolling waves, the generation, through the genes, through If you’d like to join its called Great magic of something the giver of life – woman. The Great Old Broads! reflected onto a Old Broads for Wilderness are never static, powerful beyond measure, as —Sung by lyricist and Great Old Broad, Dunbar Susong, at Broads g in Snow Canyon State Park. always flowing conveyers of ancient wisdom, and element. present leadership, because we, like 15th Anniversary Celebration. November 2004 Broadsides—Page 8

and inspiring FIRST Firsts by any definition.

Normally shy and by Barbara Sutherland uncomfortable in crowds, I felt very much at home despite A young life is full of memorable a gathering of 50 or firsts. First day at school. First love. 60 people. It is not First date. First job. First child. At inherent in my nature 64, however, I find fewer events to feel at ease with achieve the significance of those that many folks that I youthful milestones. It is true that don’t know. Yet, I there are still canyons to be explored, sensed that I had Broads stay in formation and help each other up moki steps while desert silence to be absorbed and new arrived at a place hiking. Photo by Jim Case friends to meet. But, as my skin thins where I belonged. As Robert Frost and develops little brown spots, the it is commitment. It is what I feel when says, “Home is the place where, when mirror reflects more wrinkles, gray I am “out there.” The Broads feel it you have to go there, they have to take hair emerges from my scalp, and my too. you in.” Broads took me in. I’m not memory becomes less reliable, there sure how the universe conspires to I no longer have the money or are fewer and fewer truly momentous bring together so many copasetic professional position that I sought occasions to call a FIRST. individuals in one place to experience when my career was interrupted by On September 30th, I went to the 15th harmony and synergy in such a Multiple Sclerosis. I survived the Anniversary Celebration of the Great powerful way. But indeed it does humiliation of being fired by a Old Broads in Snow Canyon, Utah. happen on rare occasions. This was corporation that believed they could This is my first year as a Broad and one. no longer afford to have a leader who my first Broadwalk. It was a grand could not speak clearly or walk I have NEVER been at a without looking drunk. The power of gathering where at least four the Broadwalk somehow created a other VW Westfalia camper convergence of interesting bus owners showed experiences with others who have had up…female owners at that! an intimate relationship with similar These are a special breed of personal road blocks. My first hike wilderness wanderers on a during the event was an introduction journey beyond the limitations to several women who are living with of mind, body and well- every day challenges greater than mine. traveled highways. But, we Their equanimity, strength and courage don’t find each other very often. are an inspiration to me. Later in the That was a FIRST. weekend, I met a number of others who have found peace and healing in In the mid 90’s, I guided wild places as they sought their footing river trips for novice canoeists through life altering grief and loss. I down the Colorado, Green and am deeply touched by the mettle and Gunnison rivers. I loved it resilience of these Great Old Broads. because I had the opportunity to introduce the uninitiated to When I returned home, an e-mail their first wilderness awaited me with the words of an wonderment and watch a unknown author: transformation of spirit that has no match on Wall Street, in “When you see geese heading south winning the lottery or breaking for the winter—flying along in V While Broads V-formation may be a little off the bank in Las Vegas—it is formation—you might consider what kilter, we’re always there to help each other beyond intellect, politics, and science has discovered as to why they out. Especially on those difficult and adven- fly that way. turous hikes! power. It is passion, it is love, continued on page 9 November 2004 Broadsides—Page 9

Firsts Cont. Being a Great Old Broad As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird by Tootie Hagan ways by continuously writing and immediately following. By flying in V sending photographs to my local formation, the whole flock adds at Congressman and other local/federal The Great Old Broads is a special least 71% greater flying range, than if government representatives, fellowship. Each time I attend a each bird flew on its own. including President Bush. Broadwalk I am inspired by those People who share a common individuals who are diligently Great Old Broads is more to me direction and a sense of community advocating for wilderness and than an environmental activist can get where they are going more additional wilderness areas. One can group. It is a fellowship of women/ quickly and easily because they are see by the presentations given by men who feel passionate about th traveling on the thrust of one another. environmental advocates at the 15 making a contribution to their future Anniversary Conference that it takes world. I feel connected to this group When a goose falls out of formation, like a family member who is it suddenly feels the drag and trying to protect these wild resistance of trying to go it alone and areas for their children. quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of More importantly, these the bird in front. women and men, whom I have met through Great Old If we have as much sense as a Broads, have been an goose, we will stay in formation with inspiration for my own those who are headed in the same aging process. I have been direction we are. When the head shown that I do not have to goose gets tired, it rotates back in the become sedentary, cynical wing and another goose flies point. It and negative. Rather, I can is sensible to take turns doing Tootie Hagan (left), proud winner of Frandee be inspired, motivated and demanding jobs with people or with Johnson’s (right) watercolor painting of Snow Canyon. positive with possibility. geese flying south. Geese honk from years of lobbying, planning Old Broads live with grace, love and behind to encourage those up front to meetings, researching and a great enthusiasm. We advocate for our keep up their speed. deal of passionate energy to make strong beliefs about the environment in peace. Finally—and this is important— things happen. It is this passion and when a goose gets sick, or is wounded heartfelt energy that keeps us going when things are not going well or One of the evenings during the by gunshots, and falls out of formation, 15th Anniversary Conference I was two other geese fall out with that goose when the current political environment is not supportive. lying awake, waiting for sleep. I and follow it down to lend help and could hear the laughing, giggling protection. They stay with the fallen After seeing Steve Allen’s and the high hopes of conversation goose until it is able to fly, or until it photographs and listening to his 40- about the silent auction. The energy dies, and only then, do they launch out year exploration of Southwest Utah, was so uplifting to my soul. This is on their own or with another I am convinced that this area needs one reason why I come to the out of formation to catch up with their group.” to be saved from development and doors to be with these Great Old Indeed, Great Old Broads know how destruction. Being an Old Broad, I Broads—it fulfills my life and to fly in formation. am inspired to advocate in small especially my spirituality. Since that first Broadwalk last month, I have become what Ed Abbey finding new ways to help pave the unexpected life altering events and the called a “part-time crusader.” I pass way for future generations to experience role that solitude and/or wilderness out Broads brochures to future Broads their own firsts in America’s wild lands. have had in influencing their lives. If wherever I go. Today, I am a member you would like to share yours for of a powerful flock of Broads flying —Barbara is collecting the personal eventual publication in a collection, in formation. I can look forward to stories of people who have experienced please e-mail [email protected]. November 2004 Broadsides—Page 10

Broad Thoughts. Thank You “A big Yoo-hoo ”The Red Rock thank you for country is so Sponsors! an inspiring special for me. anniversary I was Great Old Broads for Wilderness weekend particularly would like to thank the following experience in thrilled to be companies and individuals for their Snow Canyon able to join donations to our silent auction at Utah! Broads’ Jim Case and our 15th Anniversary Celebration. validation of others for We were able to raise over $3,000 older women’s Mary O’Brien, Chuck McAfee, Margie exploration for Broads! strength and Padgett, and Vera Snyder practice their GPS into the skills. Photo by Tootie Hagan spirit is a Cottonwood Andrea Flatley - Pullman, WA message to our culture who WSA, a less well known area to Campaign For America’s often mistakes us for ‘little old us non-locals. Jim’s nonchalance, Wilderness- Seattle, WA ladies in tennis shoes.’ You gave (“I THINK this is the right Canyon Cove Spa & Salon - SLC, UT this longtime trekker one heck canyon,” “There wasn’t this Chaco, Inc. - Paonia, CO of a hike for my money.” much water here last year,”) Collier Publishing - Lakewood, CO —Dee Lange, San Diego, CA might have put off a less secure Diane Tracy - SLC, UT group of hikers, but boy, not Don Kloetzke, Brownsville, WI “I thoroughly enjoyed my first these Broads! Up and off we Dottie Fox - Snowmass, CO outing with the Broads, and will went, Jim pretending to be Epic Valley Salsa - Salida, CO look forward to many more.” exhausted by US. What a trooper!” Frandee Johnson - Boulder, CO —Molly Campbell, Snowmass CO —Susan Graf, Nevada City, CA Ginger Harmon - Ketchum, ID High Country News - Paonia, CO Words From A Young Broad Jack’s Plastic Welding - Aztec, NM Jo Ann Valenti - SLC, UT great company, beautiful country, and by Andrea Flatley Katherine Corson - Moab, UT tons of fun! I was able to spend time Kathleen Kershaw - Nevada City, CA with my mom, but also able to meet a Kathy Barth - Ivins, UT When my mom first asked me if I ton of other fabulous Broads during Libby Ingalls - San Francisco, CA wanted to come and hang out with her the weekend. I was awed by the Jean Poulsen - Grass Valley, CA in St. George, Utah during a Great Old amount of knowledge that each Maria’s Bookshop - Durango, CO Broads for Wilderness event I was a individual had in so many different Mark Miller Subaru - SLC, UT little uncertain. Did I really want to areas. I realized then how unique and Osprey Packs - Cortez, CO take my vacation time and spend it special the Great Old Broads for Pamela Crawford - Berkeley, CA camping with a group of Great Old Wilderness organization really is. Pat Cary Peek - Viola, ID Broads? I had heard horror stories Every member has their own unique Patagonia Clothing - Reno, NV from the Illinois Broadwalk, about the passion, yet they are all joined Petzl - SLC, UT cold and rainy days and nights, the together by a common thread…the Pine Needle Mountaineering - lugging around of huge bags of trash, desire to make our country a better Durango, CO and the slashing of tires by an anti- and more beautiful place to live. REI - SLC, UT wilderness group…did I want to be a Rich Bryant - Ivins, UT part of that? I left for home as excited as ever, Susan Alcorn - Oakland, CA with a mind stuffed full with new I guess I did. I bought a plane ticket Susan Graf - Nevada City, CA information. I couldn’t wait to get and got ready to head down to the Terry Tempest Williams - home to call my friends and tell them desert to spend 5 days with my mom Castle Valley, UT to join this organization. I was so and the Great Old Broads for excited to share my experiences with Wilderness. Boy, am I glad I did! them and hoped we could become me how wonderful and special our country’s wild lands are! Everything, and I mean everything, Great Old Broads together. Thanks during the 15th Anniversary Mom, and all you Great Old Broads, —Andrea is Karen Fischer’s daughter, Celebration was perfect. Great food, for a great weekend and for showing a member of the Board of Directors. November 2004 Broadsides—Page 11

Drilling Plans Halted New Advisory In 1997, Gloria Flora, former On October 5, Assistant Interior Board supervisor of the Lewis and Clark Secretary for Land and Minerals, National Forest, declared the Rocky Rebecca Watson, announced the Great Old Broads is pleased to Mountain Front off limits to future Department of the Interior (DOI) announce the creation of an drilling. Since that time, even after would indefinitely stop work that Advisory Board. Advisory Board leaving the Forest Service, Gloria has could have led to oil and gas members have a long history with continued efforts to protect the Front. development in the Blackleaf area Broads and in the environmental Now, seven years later, the Front is along the Rocky Mountain Front. community. Their wisdom, finally going to receive some of the This decision came after a PBS support and participation in protection it deserves. special (NOW with Bill Moyers) Broads future endeavors will help exploring the drilling issue. Host us to make insightful and David Brancaccio announced on air productive decisions. Their that the Department of Interior knowledge and connections will intended to drop the EIS help Broads get in touch with the (Environmental Impact Statement) right people at the right times. because of overwhelming public Welcome Advisory Board and comment and the complexity of the thank you for continuing on with issue. A few days later the DOI Broads in the journey to protect publicly announced a halt to looking our country’s wild lands. at drilling opportunities along the Front. Steve Allen - Boulder, CO Two weeks prior to the DOI’s Dave Foreman - Albuquerque, NM decision, The Wilderness Society Dottie Fox - Snowmass, CO released a report showing that nearly Maggie Fox - Boulder, CO 99 percent of the people who Fred Goodsell - Anaconda, MT commented on the proposed natural Vicky Hoover - San Francisco, CA gas project opposed oil and gas Dale Johnson - Boulder, CO exploration on the Front. Frandee Johnson - Boulder, CO Linda Liscom - Kenwood, CA Gloria Flora, speaking at Broads According to Gloria, the voicing of Chuck McAfee - Lewis, CO 15th Anniversary, just after strong public opposition is one of the MB McAfee - Lewis, CO appearing on Bill Moyer’s NOW key factors to the DOI dropping its program and learning that oil Liz McCoy - SLC, UT exploration on the Rocky Mountain plans to drill in the area. The BLM Sarah Michael - Sun Valley, ID Front would be halted. Photo by received about 50,000 pieces of Erin Moore - Bellingham, WA Tootie Hagan correspondence from the public, with Cindy Shogan - Washington, DC 49, 064 people in support of protecting Susan Tixier - Embudo, NM Give the Gift the Front from development. Liz Thomas - Moab, UT Joro Walker - SLC, UT In a Great Falls Tribune article, of Broads Melyssa Watson - Durango, CO Gloria said, “We applaud the BLM Don’t forget that special Broad in and the public for speaking so there are still many battles to fight. your life this Christmas. Give a forcefully.” “Land managers need to remember gift membership to Broads to that they are here for sustainability Startech Energy Inc. of Calgary, help protect our wilderness. While and future generations,” said Gloria. Canada was asking to drill three wells you’re at it, don’t forget all the in the Blindhorse Outstanding Natural —After resigning from the Forest other great items like Broads t- Area. The EIS that was recently Service, Gloria Flora started SOS shirts, nalgene bottles, and tote dropped was for these three wells. (Sustainable Obtainable Solutions), a bags. To purchase any of these non-profit whose goal is to increase items, call 970-385-9577, or visit While the announcement gives the understanding of sustainability us online at cause for celebration, Gloria reminded and the interrelationships of people www.greatoldbroads.org th Broads at the 15 Anniversary that it and nature, especially on public is only one small victory and that lands. www.s-o-solutions.org —BL Join The Great Old Broads Today!

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Address______City______. There is no place Broads are more at State______Zip______Email______(please include!) home in than desert sandstone. Photo by Barbara Eaton Send a ONE-YEAR GIFT MEMBERSHIP to a Broad-minded Broads Paraphernalia friend! Please enclose additional dues for this membership. Item Size Cost Quantity Name______Broads Tee (natural) S, M, L, XL $15 Address______Long Sleeve Tee S, M, L, XL $20 City______State______Zip______Scoop-neck Tee (white) S, M, L $15 Slim-fit Tee (sage green) S, M, L, Email______(please include!) $15 Button or sticker (please circle) $1.50 Phone______Canvas Tote $15 Nalgene Bottle w/ logo (violet) $15 *We will include a note that the gift membership is from you. Dung to Dust Booklet $4.05 Please do not share my information with like-minded organizations. If you are making a $100+ contribution, please be sure to Please return with check or money order to: circle your size for the Broads t-shirt on the order form. Great Old Broads for Wilderness POB 2924, Durango, CO 81302 Total Enclosed $______

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