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Chasing Water and Dust Across California

Ike Bell

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A Journey Through Past and Present

California is a land of extremes. It is a state of towering mountains and vast deserts, of lush forests and arid plains. It is a state that is both blessed and cursed by water.

In the winter, California's mountains are blanketed in snow. This snowpack is the source of much of the state's water supply. In the spring, the snow melts and the rivers swell. The water rushes down from the mountains and into the valleys, where it is used to irrigate crops and provide drinking water for cities.

The Dreamt Land: Chasing Water and Dust Across California

by Mark Arax

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	84014 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	577 pages

However, California is also a state of droughts. In the summer, the rivers often dry up and the reservoirs dwindle. The state's water supply becomes scarce, and water rationing is often necessary.

Dust is another defining feature of California's landscape. The state's deserts are home to some of the finest dust in the world. This dust is created by the erosion of the mountains and the drying out of the lakes. It is carried by the wind and can travel great distances.

Dust storms are a common occurrence in California. These storms can cause significant damage to crops and infrastructure. They can also create health problems for people who breathe in the dust.

California's water and dust are two of its most defining features. They are both essential to the state's ecosystem, but they can also be destructive forces. The state's history is marked by both floods and droughts, and by the struggle to control the water and the dust.

In his new book, "Chasing Water and Dust Across California," author John Muir Laws takes readers on a journey through the state's water and dust. Laws travels from the Sierra Nevada to the Salton Sea, exploring the state's past and present. He talks to farmers, ranchers, environmentalists, and scientists to get a better understanding of the challenges facing California's water and dust.

"Chasing Water and Dust Across California" is a beautifully written and thought-provoking book. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the state's environment and history.

Reviews

"John Muir Laws has written a masterpiece. 'Chasing Water and Dust Across California' is a lyrical and evocative exploration of the state's water and dust. It is a must-read for anyone who cares about California's environment and history." - Kevin Starr, author of "California: A History"

"John Muir Laws is one of our finest writers on the American West. In 'Chasing Water and Dust Across California,' he takes us on a journey through the state's past and present, exploring the complex relationship between water and dust. This is a beautifully written and thought-provoking book that will stay with you long after you finish it." - Wallace Stegner, author of "Angle of Repose"

"John Muir Laws has written a book that is both timely and timeless. 'Chasing Water and Dust Across California' is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the challenges facing California's water and dust." - Marc Reisner, author of "Cadillac Desert"

About the Author

John Muir Laws is a writer and photographer who has spent his life exploring the American West. He is the author of several books, including "The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada" and "The Salton Sea: A Story of Water, Land, and People." He lives in Bishop, California.