Rockslide Ridge

The shear rock face drops away for hundreds of feet until it meets the mess of jagged debris that has fallen throughout the millennia. I stand firm, concentrating on my balance, lest I topple over the edge and meet a similar fate. Rockslide Ridge is the obvious name for the geographic feature, and I am certain that even Mary Austin would have used it with approval.

Past the rockslide, the hillside gradually gives way to sloping grassland, and eventually scattered trees. Further away I can see the riparian area that we followed during our first excursion weeks before. My eyes drift left and up in the direction of the Cuesta pass. It rises steeply from the valleys below, and is the final barrier between the coast and California’s central valley.

In the opposite direction, I look past road we followed at the beginning of the hike and gaze upon the central campus. It seems more rural and insignificant from this perspective, and I am glad to have the chance to see it this way. Cal Poly is right on the edge of civilization. Development surrounds the campus on two sides, but the other two touch lands that contain few signs of our proximity.

Walking down the hillside is as difficult as climbing it. As I navigate around and sometimes over the rocks, while at the same time dodging sharp yucca plants, I think about the enormous history of the place. Regardless of what caused the erosion, it was a painstakingly slow and intermittent process.

Montaña de Oro

The eucalyptus forest in Montaña de Oro is somber today, as it often is, shrouded in a sea of fog that just barely touches the tree tops. The fog drifts slowly inland in a continuously changing mass of piercing water vapor. I can imagine standing in the midst of its movement. The cool air would be felt all over my body, making the day seem unfriendly. But the fog is high enough to spare me the sensation, and I can walk comfortably through the trees below.

Of all the trees in California, the eucalyptus is one of my favorite. My preference for them is interesting, because the species was introduced to the United Sates. I’ve been told that some Californians are averse to their presence in the state. But how could I dislike them, even for their invasiveness? The eucalyptus is tall and elegant, reaching out but mostly up in a series of well-defined branches. They look so clean, sleek, and a bit exotic. Blotches of orange often accent the branches of the eucalyptus, adding to its uniqueness.

Multitudes of tress surround me as I wind my way through the forest. Old, dried leaves blanket the ground, reminding me that the eucalyptus is not as clean and elegant as I sometimes think. If one paid no attention to the leafy canopy overhead, then it would appear that the entire forest had lost its leaves in preparation for winter. The signs of life are higher up, because the taller trees lack any lower leafy branches.

The trees look at home here, and I suppose they are. They took over the area and made it their home. Controversy aside, I can’t imagine coming to Montaña de Oro without gazing upon the beauty of the fog cloaked eucalyptus forest.

San Luis Obispo

I left my robotics laboratory no more than twenty minutes ago. As I make my way across campus to the northern parking area, I am overcome by how calm and pleasantly warm the air feels. The sun is still on its rising path and baths the landscape in its increasingly warm rays. Heaviness to the air has resulted in San Luis Obispo seeming slightly tropical today. Summers here are a mix of moderate weather conditions, but my absolute favorite is the type of weather we have today. It makes me want to forget all of my commitments and work so I can drive off to the beach or climb Bishops Peak.

San Luis Obispo has nearly perfect weather. My only complaint is the wind, which is why I am contented by today’s calm air. A slight breeze is acceptable, and even preferred, but the strongest gusts that rip through from the ocean can be tiresome. But it’s these very same winds that are largely responsible for the moderate weather that attracts people to the area.

Sometimes I forget just how close San Luis Obispo is to the Pacific Ocean. I used to find time to visit the beaches at least once each quarter. Lately, however, classes keep me far too busy. The random trips to the beach in the middle of winter were the defining elements of my freshman year at Cal Poly. I took full advantage of the Central Coast in those days. San Luis Obispo sits on a plot of land that is surrounding by tall, green, grass covered mountains that give the city its unique identity. The ocean, though hidden while living in San Luis Obispo, defines the city just as much as the surrounding mountainous landscape.

Leaning Pine Arboretum

Today was another first for me. The eco-lit class met at the Leaning Pine Arboretum today, and we walked through picturesque scenes of California flora. Even as a fourth-year student, I never found a reason to visit the arboretum. I can distinctly recall occasions when I wanted to go, but I never got farther than expressing a desire to see it before graduating and leaving San Luis Obispo.

The arboretum is a collection of plants that are displayed in different Californian native groups. All of the plants are types that can be found in the Central Coast area. Steven Marx gave background information on many of the species as we made our way down the dirt pathways. Tall, leafy trees stretched over the walkway and created a wonderful sense of immersion. In every direction one could see a new plant species. Some of them I recognized immediately, and others were unknown to me. I was astounded by the concentration of so much diverse plant life within the small plot of land that contains the arboretum. Trees, shrubs, flowers, and grass are carefully maintained by the students and faculty, so the arboretum has traits in common with an extravagant well-manicured garden. But the arboretum stands out in contrast as a showcase of native California.

To the east of the arboretum, the new Poly Canyon Village is rapidly taking shape. It literally borders the edge of the arboretum, with the construction fence no more than 10 feet away at some points. I wish I had found time to visit the arboretum before the construction started. The view from the arboretum seems to accentuate the splendor of its natural contents, and this effect has been dampened by the proximity of the new buildings.

The Misfortune of Inheritance

Thoreau, in Walden, writes “I see young men, my townsmen, whose misfortune it is to have inherited farms, houses, barns, cattle, and farming tools; for these are more easily acquired than got rid of. Better if they had been born in the open pasture and suckled by a wolf, then they might have seen with clearer eyes what field they were called to labor in.”

I truly believe that Thoreau is correct. Even if his “solution” is a bit harsh and unrealizable, his reasoning is valid. Thoreau is commenting on the lack of choice that we have as we grow up and settle into a role in society. Well, we actually do have some choice, but it can be immensely difficult to break free from a path in life that is already open, and has been followed by your closest family members.

I have wondered before if farmers are happy with their profession. Not just farmers, but also other professions can be worth discussing in the context of the Thoreau excerpt. How many engineers picked a path that they were directed toward by someone else? Their inherited farms are instead the promise of an “in’ at the father’s company or even a parent’s prodding to go into the profession.

Farming is still interesting to look at, partly because of my years spent in a small Wyoming town. Actually in Wyoming it was ranching instead of farming. So many of classmates ended up on the family ranch and had either decided on it or resigned themselves to it years before. I sometimes wondered if these people had any choice. If they did have other options, how hard would it have been to case away the life that was inherited: by “misfortune”, according to Thoreau.

I feel a little of what Thoreau talks about, but in a different sense. I picked engineering, and am now starting down the path toward law school. The transition is difficult, primarily because I am so entrenched in the world of engineering.

New Engineering Lawn

I am taking a break from classes, and I find myself sitting on the grassy hillside in the new plaza next to Engineering IV. The wind really rips through here at times, but today is relatively calm. A large expanse of rich green grass extends in front of me, all the way to the parking lot, and a few students are lazily stretched out on the turf. The grass is thick and tall, and will probably need to be cut soon.

I wonder how naturalists like Thoreau feels about landscaping, including hedge trimming and lawn mowing. On one hand, the vegetation is unharmed (presumably), and is taken care of. It is provided the water it needs, and will never be allowed to die. But the whole process of planting the grass in a specified enclosure and maintaining it at a certain state is completely unnatural. Would that bother a naturalist? I would guess that it would not, but my guess is influenced by my opinion.

The trees are another matter. They are currently young and very small. Wooden stakes and rope support the narrow trunk until the tree has grown stronger. A predetermined number of trees were planted in predetermined spots, and they will certainly be trimmed if needed as they grow larger. Would a naturalist look at this and cringe?

This plaza is really quite well designed. The buildings are a balance between extravagance and efficiency. I think no one would deny that this set of buildings is one of the nicer structures on campus. I am trying to imagine what it will look like with enormous trees throughout the plaza. The look and feel would change drastically, and for the better. Beautiful landscaping like this allows some remnant of naturalism to remain, even in the midst of constant new development.

Relatively Secluded Clearing and Needle Grass

The class walked up to a grass enclosure near the Cal Poly President’s old house. I rarely have an opportunity like this to sit in a sunny, open, peaceful area that is tucked away from the rest of campus. I wonder if the campus administrators will keep it this way—as a protected escape from the bustling campus. Construction noises are audible, and I can still hear the passing cars, but the visual separation will have to be enough. I can see parts of the rising architectural and environmental engineering building, already beginning to take a definite shape.

The sun bearing down on my face in the middle of this chill and windy day is a pleasant experience. I am certain that if I wanted to I could fall asleep in this setting (if I were along, that is). The gnarled surface of the log I sit on makes a surprisingly good chair, and it adds to the comfort I feel. Chirping birds sound from all directions. I have no idea what types of birds I hear, but I enjoy listening anyway. I wonder if I would enjoy the sounds more or less if I knew all of the scientific details.

The professor is definitely correct about the needle grass being a wonderful native species. A gentle breeze causes the golden grass to sway and ripple. I usually appreciate landscapes without knowing much about the plant life, but now I am able to recognize at least one species. There are so many natural places near Cal Poly, each one as unique as this one, but my schoolwork keeps me too busy to spend more time outdoors.

Poly Canyon

This is not my first trip to Poly Canyon. I was here about three years ago during my freshman year of college. As I walk through the surroundings again, the main thought that strikes me is the entirely different feel of this experience. Last time I was here with my brother and many friends. The day was hot, and Poly Canyon was breathtakingly beautiful. The group of us were simply enjoying the perfect day and exploring a new area. We looked at and went into all of the houses and took pictures of everything.

Today the weather is overcast and calm. The air feels hot and humid. The bright sun is completely hidden behind a sea of grey clouds. Even with the weather so different than during my last trip, the main difference is the situation. I feel like I am on a field trip, which we sort of are. This seems to limit my enjoyment, probably because I am in my learning mode. Also, the other class members are completely unknown to me.

I never realized the extent of Cal Poly’s land ownership. Knowing that Cal Poly has the land assets that it does, I can’t help feeling a slight sense of pride. Not only do I get to study at a great engineering school, but I also get to attend a college in one of the most beautiful and relatively undeveloped parts of California.

I hear the sounds of birds singing all around me as I sit writing on the hillside. The experience has a calming effect on me, and I feel a sense of detachment from the stressful day to day life of classes, projects, homework and tests.