LANDBACK

June 9, 2023

Riding across the great expanse of the West is an incredible thing. Huge and numerous mountain ranges, massive basins and seemingly endless high desert plateaus, covered in fragrant sagebrush. The speed and exposure on a bicycle means you see so much and feel just about everything, including the spirits of things past.

There is a great emptiness here along the grasslands and high desert of eastern Oregon and beyond. A lingering energy of giant beasts roaming freely, churning the soil and curating the land for all that inhabit it. This was home to the Great American Buffalo, driven out by greed, politics, racism and ignorance. As I pedal along the highway, I see a sign that proudly states CATTLE COUNTRY and my heart aches with bitterness.

“I saw lots of Buffalo in Yellowstone. There are plenty!” A local states. “Anywhere else?” I ask, as he stares blankly into my eyes. “60 million free roaming across North AND part of Central America to a few hundred thousand in private ranches and a couple of petting zoos for tourists. Now all I see is fenced off private land and goddam cows. I love steak just as much as the next guy but lets talk straight, it doesn’t seem like Buffalo are around at all.”

There is hope. We must be catalyst for change. Bring ‘em Back!