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The Rio Grande was only knee-deep. We stood nervously at the edge of the international border, contemplating the noble river in front of us. Rivers are a big deal to Ohioans. In northern Ohio, the Cuyahoga River represents an environmental redemption story. In the 1950s-70s, the Cuyahoga was so polluted that it caught fire on twelve separate occasions. Now, the restored river winds peacefully through Ohio’s own Cuyahoga Valley National Park. On the southern border of our sta

The black and white image contrasts with itself. Deep shadows cut holes in a mountain so brightly lit by afternoon sun that it is almost painful to look at. Popcorn clouds drift overhead, providing no respite from the sun. It is an image so warmed by the desert that it almost flickers like a heat wave. As you look closer, a mirage appears. A ribbon of a river, sleek as glass, curls at the feet of the sun-hot mountains. It forces you to take a double-take. Are you, panting wit

The crinkle of plastic wrappers was a certain indicator that the flight attendant was coming. I pried an earbud from my ear and twisted around in my seat. Sure enough, there she was, balancing a blue bin of Southwest snacks on her hip. Efficiently, she moved down the tight aisle, distributing snacks and smiles to sleepy passengers. When she reached our row, she smiled at me. “Oreos or pretzels?” she asked. I returned the smile. “Oreos!” She delivered the small, blue package