The subject of presentation of archaeological resources is still a developing concept in Turkey. The concepts of educational value and concern, needs a more common recognition and more practice in this context. The same statement goes for the management of natural resources. However, proper public presentation of archaeological and natural resources and public education in those is crucial for the protection of these resources. Moreover, an integrated presentation, approaching the archaeological resources within their natural environment, is required for sustainability, a better preservation and interpretation of the resources. In this sense, this thesis proposes an application / a trail system for the integrated presentation of the archaeological and natural resources in the case of METU Campus Area in Ankara, Turkey. In this way, it aims to ensure the preservation of the resources by raising awareness through good interpretation and education.

Urban greenway trails are emerging as potential tourist attractions in cities and are well recognized for their recreation opportunities in general. The study presented an opportunity to expand the scope of aesthetic response research into the realm of urban greenway trails. The concept of likability (Nasar, 1998) was used as a guiding concept in the study. In order to gather data for the study, a web-based virtual tour was developed and implemented. Treatments were assigned to 6 groups that viewed two urban greenway trail corridors. Each trail had three treatments including the existing trail condition, a manipulated trail condition, and a reverse in direction of the existing trail condition. Analyses were conducted to 1) identify dimensions of aesthetic responses, 2) examine relationships between cognitive evaluation, affective response, trail characteristics, and likability, and 3) evaluate specific greenway trail characteristics and their relationships to the trail experience. Results indicated five aesthetic dimensions of the greenway trail corridors. The cognitive dimensions were maintenance, distinctiveness, and naturalness and the affective dimensions were pleasantness and arousal. Pleasantness and distinctiveness were the strongest predictors of likability in urban greenway trails. In terms of greenway trail characteristics, six of eight specific characteristics had predictive value in relation to how inviting the virtual trail was to the viewer. Finally, several greenway trail characteristics had significant influences on human perception and the likability of trail environments. This study proposed a new way of conceptualizing likability and a model of relationships leading to likability. One of the major implications of this study is to identify a way to improve physical conditions of greenway corridors in urban areas based on aesthetic responses. The study also implied that greenways can encompass natural or man-made features and can be managed and developed as a tourist attraction while providing local opportunities in cities. Aesthetic quality influences perceived quality of life and sense of well-being. Findings of the study can help enhance the aesthetic quality of the greenway trails that can contribute to sustainable development in various tourism and recreation settings.

This is a slide show of selected photographs from the American Indians and the Old Spanish Trail Ethnographic Study. These photographs serve as supplemental materials for the two reports and offers illustrations of the people, places and resources.

Με σκοπό να διερευνήσουμε τους μηχανισμούς επαγωγής απόπτωσης από την TRAIL και την επιλεκτικότητα την οποία δείχνει απέναντι στα καρκινικά κύτταρα, χρησιμοποιήσαμε κυτταρικές σειρές, προερχόμενες από το παχύ έντερο ανθρώπου, οι οποίες αντιπροσωπεύουν τα διάφορα στάδια της καρκινογένεσης, από το πρώιμο αδένωμα στο καρκίνωμα. Παρατηρήθηκε μια ανθεκτικότητα των πρώιμων αδενωμάτων απέναντι στην TRAIL σε αντίθεση με τα κύτταρα που προέρχονται από καρκίνους προχωρημένου σταδίου, ενώ σημαντικό ρόλο φαίνεται να παίζει, εκτός από το στάδιο καρκινογένεσης και η ύπαρξη ορισμένων ογκογονιδίων στον καθορισμό της ευαισθησίας των κυττάρων απέναντι στην TRAIL. Συγκεκριμένα, οι διάφορες ισομορφές του ογκογονιδίου RAS παίζουν ιδιαίτερο ρόλο τόσο όσο αφορά την ανταπόκριση του κύτταρου στην επαγωγή με TRAIL, όσο και στη ρύθμιση των μορίων που εμπλέκονται άμεσα στο μονοπάτι σηματοδότησης του TRAIL. Τα ογκογονίδια RAS παίζουν σημαντικό ρόλο στην καρκινική εξαλλαγή ενεργοποιώντας μια σειρά από μονοπάτια σηματοδότησης που οδηγούν στην ανεξέλεγκτη κυτταρική διαίρεση και στην προστασία από τα αποπτωτικά σήματα. Εντούτοις, η TRAIL (Tumor Necrosis Factor Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand) έχει τη δυνατότητα να προκαλεί απόπτωση κυρίως στα καρκινικά κύτταρα, ενεργοποιώντας τους υποδοχείς DR4 και DR5 (Death Receptors). Σε αυτή τη μελέτη δείξαμε ότι σε αδενοκαρκινώματα του παχέος εντέρου ανθρώπου η έκφραση των υποδοχέων της TRAIL ρυθμίζεται από την ενεργότητα της κινάσης MEK (MAPK/ERK Kinase). Η ευαισθησία στην TRAIL των κυτταρικών σειρών που χρησιμοποιήσαμε φάνηκε να συσχετίζεται με το βαθμό κακοήθους εξαλλαγής. Συγκεκριμένα, οι κυτταρικές σειρές AAC1 και RGC2, που προέρχονται απο πρώιμα αδενώματα και η κυτταρική σειρά Caco2, που προέρχεται απο μέσο αδένωμα παρουσίασαν μεγάλη ανθεκτικότητα στην TRAIL. Αντίθετα, οι κυτταρικές σειρές DLD-1 και HT-29, που προέρχονται απο αδενοκαρκινώματα προχωρημένου στάδιου ήταν ευαίσθητες στην TRAIL. Επιλέχθηκε η κυτταρική σειρά Caco2 η οποία είναι ανθεκτική στην TRAIL και οι δύο κυτταρικές σειρές που προέρχονται από προχωρημένα αδενοκαρκινώματα για να εξεταστεί η έκφραση σημαντικών μορίων για την αποπτωτική σηματοδότηση από την TRAIL. Φάνηκε μια αντιστοιχία της έκφρασης των υποδοχέων DR4 και DR5 με την ευαισθησία των κυττάρων στην TRAIL, ενώ τα επίπεδα έκφρασης των FADD, κασπάση 8, κασπάση 3 και FLIP δεν παρουσίασαν παρόμοια αντιστοιχία. Επιπλέον, παρατηρήθηκε παρατεταμένη ενεργοποίηση των κινασών MEK, ERK, JNK1/2 και p38 μετά από επαγωγή με TRAIL, σε αντίθεση με την αντίστοιχη κινητική ενεργοποίησης των ίδιων κινασών μετά από επαγωγή με ορό. Αντίστοιχη κινητική με αυτή των ΜΕΚ και ERK παρουσίασε η έκφραση του γονιδίου c- FOS μετά από επαγωγή με TRAIL ή ορό. Τα κύτταρα Caco2, DLD-1 και HT- 29 επωάστηκαν με χημικούς αναστολείς των κινασών ΜΕΚ για 16 h και ελέγχθηκε η έκφραση των DR4 και DR5. Τα επίπεδα των DR4 και DR5 μειώθηκαν και στις τρεις κυτταρικές σειρές ως συνέπεια της αναστολής της ΜΕΚ, ενώ η αναστολή των ΜΕΚ δεν επιρρέασε τα επίπεδα των FADD, FLIP, κασπάση 8, κασπάση 3 και τον υποδοχέα FAS που ανήκει στην ίδια οικογένεια με τους DR4 και DR5. Επιπλέον, ελέγχθηκε με ανάλυση FACS η έκφραση των υποδοχέων DR4, DR5 και FAS in vivo σε ζωντανά κύτταρα που προεπωάστηκαν με τον αναστολέα της ΜΕΚ και στους αντίστοιχους μάρτυρες και τα αποτελέσματα ήταν αντίστοιχα με αυτά των in vitro πειραμάτων. Οι παραπάνω παρατηρήσεις αποτελούν ισχυρές ενδείξεις για το συσχετισμό της ενεργοποίησης της οδού MEK/ERK/FOS με με την έκφραση των υποδοχέων DR4 και DR5 και με την ευαισθησία των κυττάρων στην TRAIL, καθώς κύτταρα HT-29 που προεπωάστηκαν με τον αναστολέα των ΜΕΚ παρουσίσαν μειωμένη ευαισθησία στην TRAIL. Για τον προσδιορισμό των διακριτών επιδράσεων των ογκογονιδίων RAS στον καρκίνο του παχέος εντέρου, διαμολύνθηκαν κύτταρα που προέρχονται από μέσο αδένωμα του παχέος εντέρου (Caco2) με τα ογκογονίδια Ki- και Ha-RAS. Μετά από εξέταση πολλών διαφορετικών κλώνων επιλέχθηκαν για λεπτομερέστερη ανάλυση κλώνοι οι οποίοι δεν υπερεκφράζουν την RAS σε πρωτεϊνικό επίπεδο πάνω από 3 φορές σε σχέση με την ενδογενή RAS των μητρικών κυττάρων. Επιπλέον, ελέγχθηκε αν οι κλώνοι που υπερεκφράζουν τις ογκογόνες RAS παρουσιάζουν αυξημένη σηματοδότηση προς μονοπάτια κυτταρικής σηματοδότησης που είναι γνωστό οτι ενεργοποιούνται από τις RAS. Τόσο οι κλώνοι Ki-RAS, όσο και οι Ha-RAS, έδειξαν να ενεργοποιούν τα μονοπάτια σηματοδότησης RAF/MEK/ERK και PI3K/AKT με τους Ha-RAS να προκαλούν ισχυρότερη ενεργοποίηση. Σχεδιάστηκαν πειράματα για τον καθορισμό του βαθμού της in vitro και in vivo κακοήθους εξαλλαγής. Τα πειράματα σε μαλακό άγαρ δείχνουν την αποτελεσματικότητα των καρκινικών κυττάρων να αναπτύσσονται δημιουργώντας αποικίες χωρίς να προσκολλώνται σε επιφάνεια. Οι δυο ισομορφές της RAS αύξησαν σημαντικά την ιδιότητα των Caco2 να σχηματίζουν αποικίες σε μαλακό άγαρ, ενώ η Ha-RAS παρουσίασε τη μεγαλύτερη ικανότητα. Για τον προσδιορισμό του βαθμού κακοήθους εξαλλαγής των κλώνων in vivo έγινε υποδόριος εμβολιασμός με περίπου 106 κύτταρα από τον κάθε κλώνο σε ποντίκια SCID. Τόσο η Κi-RASV12 όσο και η Ha-RASV12 αύξησαν την ικανότητα των Caco2 να σχηματίζουν όγκους σε ποντίκια SCID με την Ha-RAS να προκαλεί τον σχηματισμό περισσότερων και μεγαλύτερων όγκων. Για την περαιτέρω κατανόηση των μηχανισμών εξαλλαγής των κυττάρων από τα ογκογονίδια RAS αξιολογήθηκαν αποτελέσματα από ανάλυση γονιδιακών μικροσυστοιχιών. Μετά από ανάλυση του γονιδιακού προφίλ των CACO-RAS κλώνων και τα δυο ογκογονίδια βρέθηκαν να επάγουν την έκφραση γονιδίων που εμπλέκονται στην αγγειογένεση και στην προώθηση του καρκίνου, όπως τα γονίδια που κωδικοποιούν τους υποδοχείς VEGF και TGFβ. Σημειώνεται ότι μεταστατικοί δείκτες, όπως η Vimentin, που είναι και δείκτης της μετάβασης από επιθηλιακό σε μεσεγχυματικό φαινότυπο, βρέθηκαν να υπερεκφράζονται μόνο στους κλώνους Ha-RASV12. Ο in vitro και in vivo χαρακτηρισμός εξαλλαγμένων κυττάρων από τα ογκογονίδια RAS, καθώς και η ανάλυση μικροσυστοιχειών γονιδίων έδειξε ότι στο κυτταρικό μοντέλο που χρησιμοποιήθηκε το ογκογονίδιο Ha-RAS έχει αυξημένες εξαλλακτικές ιδιότητες. Τα ογκογονίδια RAS αύξησαν το βαθμό κακοήθους εξαλλαγής των κυττάρων Caco2 και ελέγχθηκε αν αυτό συνοδεύεται από αυξημένη ευαισθησία των κλώνων CACO2-RAS στην TRAIL. Μετρήθηκε η βιωσημότητα των κλώνων CACO2-RAS μετά από επαγώγη με TRAIL και φάνηκε ότι και τα δύο ογκογονίδια αύξησαν την ανταποκρισιμότητα των κυττάρων Caco2 στην TRAIL. Τα Caco2 που εξαλλάχθηκαν με την Ki- RASV12 ήταν λιγότερο ευαίσθητα στην TRAIL από ότι αυτά με τη Ha- RASV12 σε όλους τους κλώνους που ελέγχθηκαν. Ο έλεγχος της έκφρασης σημαντικών παραγόντων για την απόπτωση από την TRAIL έδειξε ότι οι πρωτεΐνες που παρουσίασαν τις μεγαλύτερες διαφοροποιήσεις στους κλώνους που υπερεκφράζουν τις RAS, σε σχέση με τα κύτταρα μάρτυρα, ήταν οι υποδοχείς DR4 και DR5. Παρόλο που οι κλώνοι Ha-RAS παρουσίασαν μεγαλύτερη ευαισθησία στην TRAIL, τα επίπεδα έκφρασης των DR4 και DR5 ήταν παρόμοια μεταξύ των κλώνων Ki-RAS και Ha-RAS. Για να ελεγχθεί κατά πόσο το μονοπάτι σηματοδότησης MEK/ERK παίζει ρόλο στην υπερέκφραση των υποδοχέων από τα ογκογονίδια RAS χρησιμοποιήθηκαν χημικοί αναστολείς της ΜΕΚ και ελέγθηκε η επίδρασή τους στα επίπεδα των DR4 και DR5. H χημική αναστολή της ΜΕΚ προκάλεσε μείωση των επιπέδων των φωσφορυλιωμένων ERK1/2 και των επιπέδων έκφρασης των DR4 και DR5 τόσο στους CACO-Κ15, όσο και στους CACO-Η2. Τέλος, ελέγχθηκε κατά πόσο η μείωση των DR4 και DR5 από την χημική αναστολή των ΜΕΚ μπορέι να έχει επίδραση στη δράση της TRAIL απέναντι στους κλώνους CACO2-RAS και βρέθηκε ότι προεπώση των Ha-RASV12 κλώνων για 16 h με χημικό αναστολέα των ΜΕΚ μέιωσε σημαντικά την ευαισθησία τους στην TRAIL. / In order to study the mechanism by which TRAIL (Tumor Necrosis Factor Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand) induces apoptosis almost exclusively to cancer cells we used human colon cancer cell lines that represent different stages of carcinogenesis, from early adenoma to carcinoma. It was observed that early adenoma cells were resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. On the contrary, cells that were derived from carcinomas were sensitive; while a correlation of the sensitivity of the cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis to the presence of certain activated oncogenes was observed. In particular, the various isoforms of RAS oncogenes appear to play an important role in the responsiveness of the cancer cells to TRAIL as well as in regulating specific components which are essential for TRAIL signaling. RAS oncogenes play an important role in oncogenic transformation by activating various signaling pathways that favor tumor growth also by controlling cell division and resistance to apoptotic stimuli. TRAIL, however, has the unique ability to cause apoptosis preferentially to cancer cells by activating DR4 and DR5 receptors. In this study we show that in human colorectal adenocarcinomas cells the expression of DR4 and DR5 is partially regulated by the activity of MEK (MAPK/ERK Kinase). The sensitivity of the cell lines to TRAIL seemed to be correlated with the level of oncogenic transformation of the cells. In particular, the AAC1 and RGC2 cell lines that were derived from early adenomas and the Caco2 cell line that was derived from an intermediate adenoma were very resistant to TRAIL induced apoptosis. On the contrtary, the DLD-1 and HT-29 cell lines, which came from advanced stage carcinomas were sensitive to TRAIL. The Caco2 cell line, which is resistant to TRAIL and the cell lines that derived from advanced stage adenocarcinomas were chosen for expression analysis of important molecules in TRAIL-induced apoptosis. There was a correlation of DR4 and DR5 expression with the sensitivity of the cell lines to TRAIL, while the expression levels of FADD, Caspase 3, Caspase 8 and FLIP did not seem to correlate with TRAIL sensitivity in these cell lines. In addition, it was observed a prolonged activation of MEK, ERK1/2, JNK1/2 and p38 after induction with TRAIL, which did not follow the kinetics of serum-induced activation of ERK1/2. The activation of MEK and ERK1/2 was correlated to the kinetics of c-FOS proto-oncogene expression induced by TRAIL or serum. The expression levels of DR4 and DR5 were analysed after incubation for 16 h of the Caco2, DLD-1 and HT-29 cell lines with MEK inhibitors. There was a decrease of DR4 and DR5 expression levels in response to MEK inhibition, while the expression levels of FADD, Caspase 3, Caspase 8, FLIP and FAS receptor were not affected. Moreover, FACS analysis of living cells showed that MEK inhibition reduces the levels of DR4 and DR5 but not of other receptors of the same family, in vivo. It appears that the activation of the MEK/ERK/FOS axis plays a role in the positive feedback loop of TRAIL its receptors DR4 and DR5. To determine the distinct effects of different RAS oncogenes in cancer cells colon intermediate adenoma cells (Caco2) were chosen for transfection with the Ki- and Ha-RAS oncogenes. Clones that did not express more than 3 times the endogenous levels of RAS proteins were selected for further analysis. In addition it was examined whether the CACO2-RAS clones are able to activate the RAF/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways, which are known effectors of RAS proteins. Both RAS isoforms activated these two pathways with the Ha-RASV12 clones presenting better potential in activating both RAF/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways. In order to characterize the in vitro and in vivo oncogenic potential the ability of the CACO2-RAS clones to grow in soft agar and to grow tumors in nude mice was examined. The in vitro and in vivo characterization of the Caco2 RASV12-transformed cells showed that the Ha-RAS oncogene has a higher in vitro and in vivo transforming ability relative to the Ki-RAS oncogene in these cells. Results from cDNA microarray analysis were evaluated in order to further understand the mechanisms by which the RAS oncogenes cause oncogenic transformation. Gene expression profile analysis of the CACO2-RAS clones showed that both oncogenes induced expression of genes involved in angiogenesis and tumor promotion such as VEGF and TGFβ. Notably, metastatic markers, such as Vimentin, which is also an epithelial to mesenchymal transition marker, were overexpressed only in the Caco2 cells transformed with the Ha-RAS oncogene. The RAS oncogenes increased the oncogenic potential of the Caco2 cells and it was examined if the increased oncogenic potential correlated with increased sensitivity to TRAIL. Moreover, the examination of the expression levels of molecules important for TRAIL singnaling showed that Ki-RAS as well as Ha-RAS oncogenes can induce DR4 and DR5 expression with similar efficiency. However, in spite of similar induction of DR4 and DR5 by the two RAS oncogenes, the Ki-RAS-transformed cells were less susceptible to TRAIL induced apoptosis. Finally, in order to see whether the increased MEK/ERK activation observed in the CACO-RAS clones played a role in increasing DR4 and DR5 levels the CACO-RAS clones were incubated for 16h in the presence of MEK inhibitors. MEK inhibition resulted in decreased DR4 and DR5 expression levels, as well as decreased sensitivity of the clones to TRAIL induced apoptosis.

It has long been demonstrated that increased appreciation of place initiates stewardship and responsible management of the land. Interpretative design possesses the potential to generate this stewardship through recovering the connections between place and the people that inhabit it. It is essential that interpretation be integrated into the everyday landscape to deepen one's respect of the past and one's commitment to its future. This vision of an interpretive trail in Mission, British Columbia, explores techniques of illuminating place history to inspire and challenge cognitive participation with the landscape. The format of this project begins with a discussion of the values and limits of interpretative methods. Secondly, the study area is introduced through site reconnaissance with special emphasis on historical morphology and social history. Next, interpretive design strategies are explored in conjunction with significant landscape precedents, culminating in a design approach for an interpretive trail on Mission Flats. Six nodes along the trail serve as keystones for this approach, with individual nodes revealing historical processes, both natural and cultural, through design. Akin to Mission Flats, every place is intimately bound to the people and events that have shaped it. Illumination of this connection is the goal of interpretive design. The planning and design phases of development are incomplete without the inclusion of this holistic vision of place. It is therefore imperative that we further explore interpretive design, so that it may be integrated into the oft-impersonal contemporary landscape, for the generation of authentic place identity.

Echoes of Experience: The Narrative Forces of the Qu’Appelle Valley explores the possibility of playing on the picturesque notion of a ‘folly’ within this Southern Saskatchewan valley. By incorporating an understanding of the physical and narrative forces that have shaped the valley as both place and space, speculative interventions are proposed that generate an awareness of past conditions in order to provide some trace of those narratives within the future of the valley. This practicum endeavors to use landscape narrative inquiry as a tool that helps one to understand the landscape experience by harkening to the ‘echoes’ that beckon people to the Qu’Appelle Valley’s hills and lakes. The valley is a setting for exploration and for experience. Working within a narrative when designing allows those key experiences to be extracted, along with subsequent narratives, and developed into a three-dimensional space. This results in a meandering yet defined direction of thought and reflection during the course of design. By revealing what was once previously hidden within the landscape, the spirit of place reemerges, and the new design becomes integral in the experience and understanding of self and of place.

This paper describes a study designed to determine average labor and machine times required to implement erosion control and revegetation best management practices (BMPs) for skid trails in Kentucky. Labor and machine activities were recorded for 14,400 feet of skid trail on 10 nonindustrial private logging sites. Water bar construction and reshaping activities such as filling ruts and berm removal were filmed continuously with a video camera and then analyzed using time-motion study techniques. Labor activities for revegetation such as seeding and application of fertilizer were also timed. The average total machine time for retirement activities per 1000 feet was 51 minutes for sites using dozers and 52 minutes for sites using skidders. The average water bar construction time using a bulldozer was 1.5 minutes (n=112) while the average construction time using a skidder was 3.5 minutes (n = 21). The average amount of labor time required to seed 1000 feet of skid trail was 23 minutes (n = 5). Three methods of water bar construction were observed and analyzed to identify differences among them. While there were significant differences among the three methods, the data suggest that skid trail percent slope may have the greatest effect on water bar construction times.

The purpose of this study is to examine the overland trade with northern Mexico as international trade, to analyze its unique role in the economic development of both New Mexico and Missouri, and to evaluate the influence of Mexican gold and silver on the economic development of Missouri. The economic development of the United States between the beginning of the Revolution and the Civil War was attended by uncertainty, risk, and experimentation. The United States was exceedingly poor in specie, had almost no liquid capital, and its international credit rating was not well established. The United States currency system was based on paper money in contrast to that of New Spain and Mexico.Chapter I discusses the vagaries of a paper currency system, especially when the young nation was trying to establish its international credit rating, fight a war with England, and develop a wilderness on its western frontier. The problems were made more difficult because citizens of the United States lacked not only financial experience, but also adequate liquid capital. Mexico, however, had gold and silver ores and the capacity to mint coin. Northern Mexico was handicapped by Spanish commercial policies; until independence in 1821, it had little industrial capacity and almost no mercantile facilities. Chapter II provides an overview of New Mexico in 1820. Taken together, these two chapters show the mutual economic benefit to be derived by both New Mexico and Missouri from the development of the trade.Chapter III is a detailed chronological study of the events of the first decade of the trade between Santa Fe and Missouri. It brings together into one place the most up-to-date information on the participants in the trade from 1820-1830. Comparisons are made between the Anglo-American sources and the Spanish-American records; an effort is made to fill in as many gaps as possible and to check the accuracy of both sets of records. In this chapter the chief participants in the trade are studied.Chapter IV studies the nature of banking, credit, and currency problems in Missouri. It shows the tendency of people on the frontier of the United States to resort to experimentation in their efforts to deal with deflation, recession, and depression. Particular emphasis is given the panics of 1819 and 1837. The chapter also shows the effects in St. Louis of rapid growth and inflation. The unique role of Mexican gold and silver in the establishment of Missouri finance is studied. Between 1830 and 1840, as Chapter V shows, the merchant-capitalists of St. Louis replaced the farmer-merchants of the period 1820-1830, and the exchange of trade goods for Mexican specie and bullion increased steadily. The specie flow to Missouri reversed the usual United States frontier economic condition. Missouri accumulated enough liquid capital to launch St. Louis into position of "the Gateway to the West" as the great movement of people to California and Oregon began in the 1840's.In Chapter VI, a comparison of coin in circulation in the United States and coins minted by the United States correlates with the specie flow from Mexico to Missouri. The data vindicates the thesis that the key to St. Louis' financial success in the early years of Missouri's statehood lay in its trade with northern Mexico which resulted in the accumulation of the most valuable of all commodities, gold and silver specie and bullion.

Echoes of Experience: The Narrative Forces of the Qu’Appelle Valley explores the possibility of playing on the picturesque notion of a ‘folly’ within this Southern Saskatchewan valley. By incorporating an understanding of the physical and narrative forces that have shaped the valley as both place and space, speculative interventions are proposed that generate an awareness of past conditions in order to provide some trace of those narratives within the future of the valley. This practicum endeavors to use landscape narrative inquiry as a tool that helps one to understand the landscape experience by harkening to the ‘echoes’ that beckon people to the Qu’Appelle Valley’s hills and lakes. The valley is a setting for exploration and for experience. Working within a narrative when designing allows those key experiences to be extracted, along with subsequent narratives, and developed into a three-dimensional space. This results in a meandering yet defined direction of thought and reflection during the course of design. By revealing what was once previously hidden within the landscape, the spirit of place reemerges, and the new design becomes integral in the experience and understanding of self and of place.

The Pacific Crest Trail has become increasingly popular since Clinton Clarke first envisioned such a trail in the 1930’s. By comparing the original motives and experience of the trail to the realities of the trail today, the trail’s fluid narrative becomes apparent. While this narrative is ever changing, over the course of the trail’s history one theme has remained constant – a notably problematic relationship with wilderness rooted in an exaltation of the sublime and post-frontier ideals. This thesis focuses on how the Pacific Crest Trail’s development over the past eighty years has created an experience that, on the surface, is notably different from Clarke’s original vision for the trail, but is still influenced by a perception of wilderness born from a romanticization of nature and a pursuit to preserve the western frontier. Chapter one, The Historic Trail, investigates Clarke’s manners and motives behind promoting the trail. Chapter two, The Popular Trail, examines the visual culture surrounding the trail, from nineteenth century landscape painting to the trail’s presence in social media today. Chapter three, The Trail Community, focuses on the growth of a strong community of hikers, and what this means for the future of the trail.