Sincere Thanks for a Patagonian Welcome

I have been so busy since I arrived to Coyhaique that I have not even had a moment to play with words and reflect on the project that I am working on. I do recognize, however, that I have lots of history in Coyhaique. I first arrived here back in late 2001, when I was a graduate student on the advocacy road, sending my first dispatches from the Carreterra Austral.

One difference between then and and now is that I have a better eye now, I am even more acutely aware as to the changes that are happening to Patagonia. I can sense the changes and for this reason I treasure the efforts of artists to document the authentic roots of the region. My friends and colleagues Milenka and Corey worked on a project that resulted in Milenkas must see online photo exhibit: pobladoresaustrales.com

These images capture the soul of what is Patagonia, the patience and weathering of the roots in the earth of the region. My dearest friends, I say please take a moment to go there and marvel at these fotos.

I have no photos to publish tonight, I have been running constantly to pull this trip together. It still remains to be seen how it will all play out. I wonder sometimes what logistical foul up I have put into place, or if somehow the tents won't actually work etc etc. But then I wake up and get back to work.

Here I am in Coyhaique, and here come the people tomorrow! Everyone eager to save the day! I love the great energy, we will be a ball of love and adventure in the face of HydroAysén and their disinformation campaign.

Save the day or not, I would not be able to be where I am in this project if it were not for the help of all of my friends at NOLS Patagonia. The community is great and the willingness to support positive efforts to celebrate free flowing and wild rivers here in Patagonia is inspiring. Thanks so much!!

I also have to thank all the people at the Coalición Ciudadana Aisén Reserva de Vida because it is their excitement about the trip that make all of this really worthwhile.

I also want to thank Hans Silva (carreterraaustralkm1240) for all his help getting things ready for us down in Villa O'Higgins. We are going to the very wild end of the road, and we want to let folks know why it is worth keeping it wild!

The hard work blurs my vision. I mix my personal preferences with the need for professional tolerances. Now however I am finally getting close to my purpose for being involved with this project. Wilderness provides such immediate feedback on leadership, of self and others. This is an incredible project because it is a campaign element that will contain many new revelations for those of us who think we know la Patagonia, that we know South America, that we know Chile. I am looking forward to some new lessons.

I am also looking forward to making a connection with a particularly wild stretch of burly andean river that is threatened by small minds pushing for damming and hydroelectric conversion. My mind is open to the possibilities that this trip provides for me, professionally and also personally. I believe I am about to deepen my personal relationship with the landscape of Patagonia, and I welcome that. Hopefully I can assist in an opening of doors for some of the others on our journey as well. Time for a chance to touch the earth.

Thanks and praises, wish us safe travels!!