A Fork in the River

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     I'd like to say that I took this picture because it reminded me of the decisions we often have to make in our lives, but that wouldn't be true. In all honesty, I took this picture because I thought it would be a cool picture––end of story. But as I look back on this picture, I can't help but think of the days of the fur trade (probably because I had just taken a tour about that very subject earlier in the day).

     WARNING: The following material is historical in nature (pun unintended), and unless you find yourself fascinated with the olden times, you may want to skip to the last paragraph.

     You see, if we lived back in the 1600's, and came across this fork in the river, we'd have to choose which way to paddle our birchbark canoe, as the main mode of transportation were the waterways. Fur trappers, Native Americans and businessmen alike used the network of rivers and lakes that span across North America. The Upper Midwest was the main location for the famously sought-after beaver furs, as it contains thousands of acres of forest––a prime habitat for beavers.

     It is a little known fact that the indians and europeans lived in harmony for around 200 years. Both cultures learned and benefited from each other––and surprisingly, intermarriage was common. The indians caught and sold beaver skins to the "white men," in exchange for beads and other essentials. The europeans used the beaver skins to construct fashionable items of clothing . . . the most favored item being the top hat. It's amazing to think that a complicated and well oiled trading business went on for 200 years, which also involved other countries from around the world (such as India), simply for the sake of men's fashion. 

     The point I want to make is that I think a photograph can cast us back in time, or illustrate to us a new idea. In this case, I found this photograph to remind me of when North America was just beginning to be tamed and explored. It's wonderfully metaphoric and historic at the same time. So I ask you . . .

     What does this photograph mean to you?