Isn’t it great that school is finally back up and running? My kids have pretty much destroyed the house over the summer and are on each other’s nerves, as a brother and sister should be.

While taking pictures last week on the opening day of school, I was glad to note that our teachers were not on strike, that our schools looked great and that our children have some of the best opportunities to learn in the state.

I typically try to photograph a parent crying as they part ways with their young child. Most of the folks at the schools know me and are quick to point out a crying parent. I was a little disappointed this year, though, as there was only one report of a misty-eyed father. I scanned the crowd but never actually saw any tears.

Parents of older children are kind of like myself: thankful school has started. In fact, there ought to be a first-day-of-school parent party somewhere. It should be a national holiday.

But beyond the joy that was had last week as the kids went back to school was an afternoon spent with Wade Holden of Friends of the Trail. Wade and I had been talking about the Snoqualmie Tree Farm for a few months. Last week we finally made a drive up into the tree farm to look around and see if Wade could sniff out any garbage. This guy knows where people dump trash, and he drives accordingly.

A truck ride with Wade is a constant conversation, talking about family, friends, adventures and, most importantly, the scoundrels of the earth who dump trash on public property.

Granted, the tree farm isn’t quite public property but it was a fun drive, 25 miles up in the middle of the mountains. It’s important to pay attention when driving with Wade because at the first sign of a potential garbage dump, his foot hits the brakes and he swerves to the dump spot. Luckily, the tree farm is pretty clean due to the access pass program and, frankly, a lack of traffic.

Wade is passionate about garbage on public lands and nothing gets his temper boiling more than a pizza box or an old appliance in the middle of the pristine woods. However with each cleanup comes a new spot to check or a previously cleaned area that needs another once-over.

What is even more amazing is the garbage people leave on public property – pizza boxes with addresses, letters and papers with names and addresses and even a driver’s license.

Wade is quick to note that it doesn’t take much to figure out who dropped the stuff off out in the wilderness.

So the next time you see Wade’s truck, tell him thanks. Better yet, volunteer some of your time to help him with his passion.