Where have I been, you ask? I have visited the world, if not in person then through the eyes of others, traveling on the words of gifted writers and through the eyes of those who shot, not to kill but to share. I experienced the horrors of the Irish Gold, as the Englishman took his life, his land. Shuddering as I watched Mayan Priest sacrifice the youth to appease gods that only they seem to know. In Pennsylvania, in Gettysburg, I watched as men from both sides lost their life, wondering why General Lee could not see what I saw and save the lives of so many by attacking earlier, until the day was his.

Awesome is God’s handiwork when viewed from the tower of snow covered mountains as those on ski slopes of Colorado and Utah. I found comradery with the likes of Pueblo Indians in Taos, New Mexico, as well as those inChichicastenango, Guatemala. The natives of Alaska drew my admiration for having endured extreme weather, while respecting the weather, the environment and their ancestors. I am of the brotherhood, if not by blood, then by my heart. I have been part of taming the west, exploring new lands, developing old lands, I have built cabins, trapped beaver, killed bison to live not to profit. I was there when the Hudson Bay was discovered, when Columbus and his few followers first yelled a hello to my forefathers (adopted). When Leif Eriksson sought Vineland, I was there in the cold, in the first settlement.

I am part of the crowd of lost souls as we passed through Ellis Island, or disembarked from frigates so crowded with paupers or criminals on the shores of Australia. I was on board as Captain Cook anchored off shore from that same strange island years before. I am on board with Ferdinand Magellan as we make the first circumnavigation pass of the Southern Ocean from the Atlantic to the Pacific. I watched from afar as the Elephants crossed the Alps, the Trojan horse, filled with Greek soldiers, entered the gates of Troy, and as the Chinese built the Great Wall. It was in my presence when gunpowder was mixed and ignited to everyone’s delight. Little did we know where this would lead.

When in San Francisco, I watched from Nob Hill as the town burned. I helped rebuild it and during another time I roamed the waterfront tasting its goods from the sea, and at other times I wandered China Town, marveling at their industry and enterprises so different from those descended from Europeans. The Birdman was a friend of mine, and before I left him, I had shared all my knowledge of birds with him. He was a very good student. I remember others in days gone by, back during the gold rush, who would seek me out for my knowledge of geology. Little did they know that the metal only made fools of most, the true treasure was knowledge.