Leaving Colorado

It was wonderful spending time with some sweet blogging friends during our stay in Pagosa Springs/Bayfield in Colorado - the children had so much fun together whilst the adults chatted away.

We then travelled through some very scary, narrow mountain passes.  We were fascinated by some old and interesting mining towns. As the sun began to slide behind the majestic mountains peaks, leaving a golden hue upon the horizon, we found a resting place at Ridgeway National Park to settle for the night.

Traveling longer distances than usual we passed through Utah, stopping overnight and then continuing through the spectacular mountains of the Nevada Desert.  Straight roads ran for miles and miles with not a car or house in sight.  We made sure we filled the car with gas at every stop, not knowing when the next station would be.  There were many, many abandoned homes and ghost towns along the way.

Although I have enjoyed traveling through many places, I have  encompassed distressing observances considering live-stock and agriculture.  I was very surprised to see vast acreages of land being used to grow corn, soy and hay. Only to see horses kept in sandy, small corals trying their best to nibble a piece of grass on the other side.  These specific crops continued for miles and miles through different states.

Passing through Texas (and then again in Utah) we saw something considerable ahead that stirred me. My first thought was that it was a massive car-wreck dump that stretched out for miles and then as we came closer we were sickened to see that it was thousands of cows crowded together into small lots.  They were all lying in their own manure and barely able to even turn around.  These lots continued for miles! At the end of the property there was a huge sign saying “Quality Meat” and a phone number. Those cows live in shocking conditions! - if any of you would have seen this I’m certain you would all only consider supporting free-range, grass fed organic meat industry.

These animals, especially horses are large animals known to roam distances unimaginable and here they are kept in tiny corals full of dirt with not a single shrub.  I can only imagine the depressing desire for freedom for these animals as they look out at all those fields and fields of pasture before them. These animals are so neglected.

Do take a look at the wonderful movie called HOME a film by Yann Arthus-Bertrand. "We are living in exceptional times. Scientists tell us that we have 10 years to change the way we live, avert the depletion of natural resources and the catastrophic evolution of the Earth's climate. The stakes are high for us and our children. Everyone should take part in the effort, and HOME has been conceived to take a message of mobilization out to every human being. For this purpose, HOME needs to be free. A patron, the PPR Group, made this possible. EuropaCorp, the distributor, also pledged not to make any profit because Home is a non-profit film. HOME has been made for you : SHARE IT! And act for the planet" by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, GoodPlanet Fundation President."

Food, Inc. is another to video to watch - "An unflattering look inside America's corporate controlled food industry".