AS MAY FLIES...

Last week Brett and I took the kiddie-winkies exploring along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway which begins just 10 minutes from our place. This highway cuts a path through the mountains, lakes, and forests of central Oregon where volcanism (not even close to what Mr. Spock had) and glaciation formed 150+ lakes for which this region is really well known. In the 30 minutes that we drove, we saw breathtaking examples of lava flows, alpine lakes, and soft grassy meadows.


But for the thin strip of asphalt threading through it, you could imagine and almost smell dinner cooking at the campfire of such mountain men as Kit Carson and John C. Fremont. All your wildest pristine wilderness dreams come true on this part of the planet, my friend!

On the backside of Elk Lake Loop we discovered a lilypad lake called Hosmer. The beauty and serenity were both stunning and unforgettable. We launched our kayaks into complete evening stillness, accept for the passing honk of a pair of Canadian Geese overhead.

After paddling around the lake exploring the lily lined inlets for an hour or so, the snacks were all gone. So we began to head back. Only now the sun had dropped at an angle across the lake that illuminated the 3 feet just above the water like a massive, well lit stage. And here a grand finale was taking place. Thousands of tiny mayflies were performing their great dance of life and one by one dropping into the water, motionless.


I learned in high school Zoology (go Bulldogs!), that these memorable insects spend a year as a naiad (a little like a mermaid), to be born into their adult form for a single day (think of Ariel, ‘with’ legs, but only a fraction of time to get the guy).

Just imagine it! Embryonic Mayflies watch and wait, day after day for an entire year, their big naiadish eyes pearing up through the watery surface to see thousands of upper classmen have their day in the sun and then pass on…fantisizing how earth altering their own big day will be, perhaps stepping off a few counts of 8, just a little choreography they put together while they’re waiting…for life…TO BEGIN!

It's true. Mayflies come from the Order, Ephemeroptera, meaning "short-lived" (literally "lasting a day" or "day-long.")

Right on their birthday, they're born, (I know, right?) with tiny fluttery wings and two pointy cerci for a tail. They learn to fly, find a mate, plan a wedding, get married and have babies all in one day before dancing over the water, bustin' every move they know and collapsing, motionless... not even a twitch. I mean, how did you feel the last time you completed any ONE of those tasks?


And then their tiny spirit floats off to the happy hunting ground of all creation, knowing the consecration to their purpose was complete. Talk about commitment… These ephemeral creatures don't dilly nor dally…No sir!


And I thought to myself…and then sang softly .. “Oh, that I were a mayfly.” And then more loudly, “Oh-oh, that I were a mayfly”...    "Okay, Cut!" (It was Isaac, at the back of my kayak.)

We paddled on, in smiling silence.  But still…my heart wondered.