Ten year anniversary
by Kay Ogden
"Sometimes a man hits upon a place to which he mysteriously feels that he belongs. Here is the home he sought, and he will settle amid scenes that he has never seen before, among men he has never known, as though they were familiar to him from his birth. Here at last he finds rest."
—W. Somerset Maugham
It’s one of those
days—the sky is blue, the lake is bluer, and a
slight breeze is blowing across the landscape.
There’s something in the air, is fall approaching
already? This will be my fourth slide from summer into
fall, and I love to feel the changes. Perhaps it’s a
reminder of the first time I came to Mono Lake ten years
ago over Labor Day weekend, 1989.
I had seen the photos and heard of Mono’s story, so I decided to ride in the Tenth Annual Bike-A-Thon. I’d heard the drill—strap a small bottle of water onto my bike and ride from Los Angeles to Mono Lake, up the middle of the desert at the end of summer. But I was completely taken aback when I was handed a small glass vial with a cork stopper! I was supposed to get this precious cargo back up to Mono without losing any water? I must have my water for the Rehydration Ceremony that I had heard so much about which was 5
1/2 days from now and 350 miles away.On my descent into the basin I heard, and then saw, water flowing down Rush Creek. And a few minutes later, my first sight of Mono Lake. I was struck by the intensity of the blue of the lake and the white of the bathtub rings. I was immediately captivated by her beauty, and have been ever since.
It was six years later during the 1995 Victory Ride that I knew I needed to be near the lake to help in the restoration efforts—the lake’s or my own?
I started out as an intern, then worked as Events Coordinator, and am now the Marketing Director. Yes—the Mono Lake Committee has a Marketing Director! My job is to spread the word about the Committee and about Mono Lake to all kinds of people—some who don’t want to hear, some who listen but don’t care, and others who didn’t know but do hear.
So this must be easy, this job! Tell everyone of Mono’s story and get them to come and see not only the destruction that was done by nearly 50 years of water diversions but to also see the restoration work that is vital to the area’s recovery. But the job isn’t as easy as it seems, because exposing the splendor of this very special place to more people with the hope that they will become members of the Committee isn’t necessarily the answer to Mono’s future. Where will they go? What amenities must there be for those who come? Paved trails? Shaded picnic areas? Marinas and boat rentals? Excursions to Negit and Pahoa in glass bottom boats? Hotels in the Scenic Area?
Or, as David Gaines said when he was referring to the concept of spiritual tourism (see Summer 1999 Newsletter), shouldn’t we "encourage an attitude of reverence for what, after all, is one of America’s grandest natural treasures?" Can we help promote and educate about the benefits of spiritual tourism versus industrial or vehicular recreation? In my work I have found that finding the balance of sharing Mono and all her glory without destroying that which we love so much has become a greater and greater issue. As the population of California increases, as tourism increases, as the demand for greater economic return increases, as pressure from development in Mammoth Lakes increases, so will the responsibility of those who love and care about Mono Lake increase.
As I feel the crisp air of Mono brush across my face, I start to cry. Tears of love, tears of joy, and tears of sadness. I’m leaving this magnificent place, but only for a year.
So please…watch carefully, walk softly, and sit by the lakeshore in silence and solitude for me once in awhile.
Ciao … kayo
Kay Ogden is the Committee’s Marketing Director. She will be spending the year 2000 cycling around the world!
Return to Fall 1999
Newsletter
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