So there I was, hiking up the river valley, dismayed at how low the water level was.

Last year at this time the water would have been 15 feet above my head.

The sun was bright and the day warm, wildflowers covered the valley walls amongst the rock out-croppings, yet my thoughts were of a darker nature, personal strife, a broken heart, global warming, the shadow of the wars in the middle east... generaly bad thoughts.

Then I glanced down at the water and saw the hearts. Made of white and dark stone, entwined with each other... someone left a message of hope, peace and unity under the waters surface.

I laughed aloud... to think not 150 yards and 2 years ago/away I was approached by white supremecists, asking me to sign a petition for "white only" bar-b-que areas along the river. Yes, that was 2005 and the "Us and Them" vibe was very much alive, even along the peaceful river banks.

But back to the hearts, my mood lifted, and my spirits soared, to see such a beautful message just under the waters of the Yuba River.

May this symbol of unity and peace echo throughout the universe.