Dogtown, Gloucester Massachusetts

[urbpan]

My father left us with his car for two weeks, Alexis and I both had the day off, and it was insanely sunny, hot, and beautiful, so we took the dogs hiking in Dogtown (Click the link to get the full story of the name and the weird carved rocks. It's bona fide New England ghost town. Of course the forest swallows everything up in New England, if it isn't cut back, so it's hard to find the evidence of the village.)

Note to my brother, brush_rat (and anyone who wants to find the place and it's rocks), we used these directions to find the place, and at that entrance there are actual trail maps. Next time you come, we won't get lost.





At Dogtown we found courage, truth, integrity, ideas and work. And posed with them.











After Babson's rocks, we found Babson reservoir.











Maggie doesn't swim, so she just stood around panting and baking on the shadeless rocks.



Until Alexis made some shade for her.



And it wouldn't be a trip into the New England woods without lots and lots of ticks, picked off the dogs and condemned to a soda pop bottle.




Cross-posted to cottonmanifesto and maybe found_objects

Comments

[zipotle.livejournal.com]

That is AWESOME! I wonder if there's a place like that around here!
Guess I should look.

[ms-cantrell.livejournal.com]

*shudder* ticks are so repulsive and foul. you would know- do we need them? are they necessary? can we end all tick-life?

Alexis calls this my "novel"

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Alas, ticks like all parasites, are vital members of the biological community. Their effects (and appearances) horrify us, but they function like other predators: they strengthen the genetic stock of their prey (hosts). "Parasites have probably been driving the evolution of their hosts since the dawn of time itself." (see ref. below) Ticks fit into the web of life just like all the other plants and animals (and fungi, protists and bacteria). That being said, I have no problem killing the ones that try to feed on me or my dogs.


"By keeping their hosts from passing on their genes, parasites create an intense natural selection...A lot of the evolution that results takes place where you'd expect it: in the immune system, which defends animals from invaders. But it also brings out things that seem at first to have nothing to do with diseases. There's growing evidence that parasites are responsible for the fact that we, and many other animals, have sex. The tail of the peacock, and other devices that males use to attract females, may be brought to us thanks to parasites. Parasites may have shaped societies of animals ranging from ants to monkeys."

Carl Zimmer, Parasite Rex, Simon and Schuster 2000. p159.

Re: Alexis calls this my "novel"

[anais2.livejournal.com]

"There's growing evidence that parasites are responsible for the fact that we, and many other animals, have sex."

Is there an explanation forthcoming? Or do you refer to my ex-husband, who apparently gets around a lot more than I had thought?

For that matter, how do parasites prevent the hosts from passing genes?

Just curious, here...

"chapter 2"

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Parasites prevent their hosts from passing genes by either a) killing them before they breed or b) making them unable to breed (by say, weakening or sterilizing them, or simply making them undesirable mates for conspecifics--a bird ravaged by mites, missing display feathers, may not be able to attract a mate).

I can't comment on the effect of your ex on sex, and thank goodness for that.

The text goes on a 9 page explanation for the quote you excised. The gist of it is that sex, with its scrambling of genetic material (as opposed to other kinds of reproduction that result in exact copies) helps creatures to defend against parasites. It adds that a parasite that can reproduce either asexually or sexually, will tend to reproduce sexually more often in a host that has a stronger immune system. It's genetic adversity in general (I think) not just parasitism, that reinforces the usefulness of sexual reproduction. (pp. 162-171)

Does that make sense? I'm a little tired.

Re: "chapter 2"

[anais2.livejournal.com]

Actually, it makes it of sufficient interest to put that book on my reading list. There is a lot that Desmond Morris didn't cover. But it also raises new questions.

Is this genetic adversity part of the reason for seemingly healthier mutts?

Re: "chapter 2"

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

I've always assumed so, but I don't know for sure.

Re: Alexis calls this my "novel"

[ms-cantrell.livejournal.com]

hey! that's really interesting. and here i thought it was acceptable to wish for the end of all mosquitos, ticks, and chiggers. now i'll just make sure i have my bug spray handy.

thanks, sir :)

Re: Alexis calls this my "novel"

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Thank you!
I love questions like that that I have to think (and research) about. I think you've made me have to write an article on it for the next zine.

Once, a friend asked me "Why are mosquitos?" I think that's my title.

That is...

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

a great question.

[lostnorange.livejournal.com]

God, you guys always look like you have so much fun, I am jealous! It always reminds me my favorite place on earth is only a 2 hour drive away!

[(Anonymous)]

I'm from gloucester and have spent alot of time in dog
town.So glad you guys enjoyed my favorite place!It is truly a place of great mystery.Did you find any cellars?
they are very well marked.There have also been several murders and strange happenings.If you ever would like too I could give person tour.