July 16, 2008

-7- The Story of Water

Have you ever noticed how relaxing it is to walk along a babbling brook on a warm day? Or walk in a deep canyon and hear the echo of a waterfall or the low steady roar of a white water stream? I find these sounds comforting, I know I will always find a cool drink if I need it.

As a young boy growing up on a ranch in Southern Arizona, water was key to the survival of our cattle, horses and ultimately to our on survival. What ever heaven might be, it was sure to contain lots of running water. In the heat of the summer, neither man nor animal can for much more than a day without water. If one is exerting one's self, it can be a matter of hours until heat stroke symptoms arise. Walking down to the creek for a drink was not an option for much of the year.

Seasonal rains would fill up pools in rocky canyons, but for most of the year, water was a critical resource. Small springs and seeps became gathering points for all livestock as well as all wildlife. We had a few windmills which we used to fill large storage tanks with water. Each storage tank would have a livestock trough with a float valve to control the release of water from the storage tank. We would spend much of the dry part of the year constantly checking these watering spots to make sure all was well. The water in these livestock troughs was warm and full of moss and algae. The protocol for drinking was first the people would fill up on water, then the horses went second as they tended to stir up mud and muck as they drank. Finally, the dogs were allowed to jump in, swim around and drink up their fill. Green and slimy as the water was, we knew it was good to drink.

There was a section of the ranch that was highly mineralized. Ironically, the water in that area was crystal clear. Nothing lived in it and nothing drank it. The water in this area came from many mine dumps and was loaded with heavy minerals including arsenic. A lesson to be learned in that area. If the water had a few bugs and some moss in it, you could drink it. If it was crystal clear, drink at your own peril. Beautiful as the pools of water appeared, no form of life could exist in them.

Now when I walk, I always enjoy the path as it passes by a small stream. Abundant water is worth more than gold when you really need a drink. When next you walk, don't forget your bottle of water. You might need it.