How to Move a Mountain

Today we went to a hot air balloon festival in Loveland Colorado. It was held at the city park and ball field complex. Right along the edge of the parking lot there is a sign and a map. The sign tells about a number of things including a mention of Long's Peak. Long's Peak is one of the 53 mountains in Colorado with an altitude  of more than 14,000 feet. According to the sign:

"Long's Peak is visible from the west side of Loveland along the recreation trail where it meanders through grassy fields."

My daughter Debby, an English major and grad school student said that because there is no change of subject, "it" refers to Long's Peak and so according to the sign board Long's Peak must "meander through grassy fields."

Debby said that if it meant the trail meanders the sentence would say "Long's Peak is visible from the west side of Loveland along the recreation trail which meanders through grassy fields.

By saying "where it" instead of "which" the Loveland Recreation Department is attempting to move a mountain by speaking in a manner similar to what God did in Genesis Chapter 1 when  he spoke Creation into existence. 

"Mountain moving" is an aspect of Cowboy Safety though does not involve the most unsafe practice of having a mountain "meander through grassy fields."

"Mountain moving" is when there is a challenge, a decision is made to do something, and a solution is found. The presence of the mountain must be acknowledged. The decision to move it must be made and the decision to "move that mountain" must be expressed verbally or in writing. The mountain will not go away all by itself. While the mountain will probably not be a 14,000 foot high piece of rock it will be something that can cause great harm.

By all means get involved in mountain moving. Be specific and definite. 

David Sneed