We left the 102 degree heat of Scottsdale for Vancouver. The city of Scottsdale is a study in environmental contrasts. Last year this area had 650 deaths due to exposure to excessive heat. The city is located in the middle of a low desert with beautiful cacti and yet they use water like crazy to irrigate lawns and golf courses.
We left in the early afternoon and as the plane lifted to cruising altitude you could see the changing terrain below. The land went from dry and rugged to smoke filled to the magnificent Mt. Rainier laden with snow. Looking down it is mind boggling to think that our liveable atmosphere is only from about. 20,000 feet to the ground. It is a narrow sliver of environment that seems so much more fragile from above.
