Webblog

The Wild Land was a lecture about the early exploration, discovery, and description of the vast land of the Plains. Local Hero's such as Coronado and his conquistadors, Zebulon Pike (of which is a hero to me just for being named Zebulon), Alexander McKenzie, and of course North Dakotas Favorite, Lewis and Clark and friends were explained not necessarily of their paths but of their experiences and what preconceptions it gave others when they reported back. One specific preconception that I thought was most interesting was that of Lewis and Clark and the bears. When the explorers reported back of 10 foot bears on the prairie it perked the years of dudes and thrill seekers of the east looking for adventure. There path was more than likely one of the only places on the Plains you would find bears but that is the consequence of trying to describe such a huge land by only exploring one great river.
Another that I enjoyed was the Coronado Crew and there experiences on the Plains. Despite the extreme lack of Gold and trees the Spaniards to a liking to the land space partly because it was reminiscent to home and I think partly in awe of its great vastness that could be found in no parts of Europe. I thought it was interesting that they decided that the land was useless but though it necessary to protect it from the French by establishing San Antonio in response to New Orleans. I also find it amazing how these two cities now have such close economic and social connections despite the fact that they were first established as apposing forces.
As for Alexander McKenzie. It is amazing that we can go through elementary school with hearing so little about such a great explorer. I was taken back when I was in Canada a few years ago and a man gave a lecture on how Lewis and Clark were a bunch of wusses compared to Alexander McKenzie and how it is McKenzie deserves the glory that Americans give to Lewis and Clark. If anything "The Wild Land" reassured me that McKenzie was the real deal.
Despite the much exploration of the Plains it was a reoccurring theme in reports that the land was useless. I don't think any land can be useless. I think the problem was that the explorers had something in mind for the land that they were exploring and when they saw that the land did not fit their particular agenda they deemed it useless. If they would have gone in with the attitude of 'well we have all this land, what can it be best used for' Riches still could have been found. But Leave it to the Canadians to find a creative use for things.
Being the Skeptic I am, I am unsure we have yet discovered the BEST use of the plains. I read a thesis by a pompous English writer that most plains people were offended by. He suggested the depopulation of the plains and allow it to become again a Wild Land, and after this lecture strikes me as intriguing. Does this British mans idea have any merit?