The placement of Philip R Myerchin ashes
in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
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| John Myerchin holding Phil's ashes |
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| Bill Myerchin standing by Phil's tree |
On September 15, 2010, my brother Jack and I hiked about a mile and one half on the Methuselah Trail in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, in the White Mountains of eastern California. We found a spot on the trail in the ancient grove that was stunningly beautiful. We were at an elevation of about 10,200 feet above sea level. On this one hill stood about a dozen stately Bristlecone Pines. And near the trail stood a grand old patriarch, weathered and seasoned, yet still very much alive. The Bristlecone Pines are the oldest living "life" on Earth. These trees are 4700 years old, and were already growing before the great pyramids of Egypt were built.
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| Spreading Phil's ashes |
We really didn't say much when we planted Phil's ashes. Jack and I had been telling Phil stories all the way on the hike to the grove, and it seemed nothing more needed to be said. A simple placement of the ashes and a quiet letting go, and we left Phil to be with the ages....
Bill Myerchin
