What good comes of artificial boundaries?

CHASING DOWN THE MUSE

Driving across Highway 161 on the California/Oregon border, one

can’t help but be amused by the nature of artificial boundaries. On

one side of the road, the speed limit is 70 mph (California), while

on the other, 60 is the law. Looking out across the terrain, it is

difficult, if not impossible, to discern any difference. Wide

stretches of groomed alfalfa fields, marsh lands and ancient lava

flows fill the horizon in all directions. Which is Oregon? Which is

California? And why?

The concept of borders, or boundaries, seems to have gotten its

start with the earliest civilizations in the area known as

Mesopotamia, a Greek work meaning “between the rivers.” It was in

that ancient fertile valley between the Tigris and Euphrates around

3000 B.C., that successful agriculture gave birth to territories that

needed defense. Developed around the desire to control water

resources, borders were originally geographic in nature, but as our

cultures expanded, so did our need to carve up the earth’s space.

Lines drawn in the sand. What do they mean?

I was again struck by the absurdity of certain borders while on a

hiking junket this past weekend with my husband, Steve. Armed with

the knowledge that the Wilderness Park is open on Saturdays and

Sundays, we headed to the El Toro lot. Ha, not this Saturday. A large

“closed” sign greeted our attempt to enter the parking facility. A

bit miffed, we turned back toward Laguna and up the coast to El Moro

Canyon. A sign there indicated the park was closed to mountain biking

because of the rains, but hikers -- hey, come on in.

Armed with binoculars, water and lunch, we headed up the south

slopes toward the back country. The air was fresh from the recent

rains. The trails crisp and without dust. To the east and south lay

the Wilderness Park, which was closed to our travel -- the park that

I voted my tax dollars to purchase.

I carefully analyzed the terrain. Hilltops and valleys appear the

same. Chaparral, wild sage and a sprinkling of sycamores cover the

land. Two red-tail hawks soared across the open space followed by a

raven. No boundaries for them, nor the coyote tracks in the moist

earth. Wildlife doesn’t know the meaning of gates -- as is evident by

road kill.

It would have been easy to jump the fence and head into the Laguna

park, but as a law-abiding citizen, it seemed an illogical thing to

do. Besides, how could I possibly defend my husband’s position as a

city official -- breaking the rules?

So, two wilderness parks, side by side. Identical in structure and

terrain, managed by two separate organizations that cannot agree on a

joint management policy. Seems painfully like larger issues of

country and state, such as the speed limit between Oregon and

California, or the standard of living between Tijuana and San Diego.

I think the American Indians had it right. No land ownership. Drag

a tepee and follow the seasons. The animals still do. Imagine if the

migrating waterfowl had to have different permits for landing in

Upper Klamath Basin (Oregon) and Tule Lake (California).

I know this sounds simplistic, but a part of me is filled with

great fear of the political courses we are pursuing. Rather than

expanding as humans across the globe, we appear to be closing down

spaces and tightening entry.

As Americans, we cherish our incredible freedom -- both to travel

within the United States and abroad. We are not as innocent as the

animals, the rivers or the trees, but maybe we could take some

lessons by observation. Borders, by design, establish a defensive

position, but not necessarily an offensive movement. As a good friend

admonishes me, “Be careful what you ask for.” We sit precariously in

the family of man.

* CATHARINE COOPER is a local designer, photographer and writer

who thrives off beaten trails. She can be reached at

cooper@cooperdesign.net or (949) 497-5081.