Why did he leave?

His time was up. As for longer answers, there may be as many as answerers.

What's happened since that last December 2000 day on the Verde?

Collectively, we are aware of four commemorations (Carefree, Scottsdale, Yorkshire, Patagonia), one rodeo dedicated to him, several gatherings in homes, and this web site. Individually, it's been shock, disbelief, grief, anger, sorrow, laughter and other memories, wishes, appreciation, Love.... and a goodly number of dream, Nature and other "sightings."

What's ahead for the FOG web site?

We'll do some modest expansion (e.g., more media articles, a list of his favorite books, perhaps a home page map of his beloved Sonoran Desert). However, the fate of the site, as four of us who first met in February concluded, will rest with whom and what besides us come singing down the open road.

What else is ahead?

Gatherings of his friends will continue. For those of a 'You-All-Come" nature, email us, Attention Calendar Editor, and we'll post it on our CALENDAR..

A list of talked-about projects, now eye gleams, is longer. An edited collection of his newspaper columns? A calendar or book of his favorite quotes? An hour-long video? A photo library on the web site? Additional memorials? A lectureship? If interested in participating, or better, leading, email us, Attention Wish List Editor on our WISHLIST page.

What's happening to his cabin?

The cabin may be returned in time to its original owner. Geoffrey doesn't live there anymore.

What happened to talk of moving his cabin to another location accessible to friends, if not to the public?

A move was not practical, physically, legally, financially, energy-wise....

What becomes of his papers?

In the next twelve months, most papers as well as photos and other memorabilia found at the cabin will be transferred to the Arizona Historical Foundation for sorting, duplicating (e.g., no newsprint), inventorying, and filing. All will then be available for public viewing except for some dozen file boxes of letters. These will have a 50-year time-lock before they are accessible with the exception that the authors of letters to Geoffrey, on presentation of proper identification, may obtain photocopies of their letters. We are fortunate to have this arrangement. The Foundation's collections are kept under high-tech storage and security conditions. This is in stark contrast to Geoff's original filing system, Nature-controlled temperature and humidity extremes, and the gratis access extended to his paper-nibbling and nesting insect Friends. Later, we'll post a FOG page with more information on the Foundation as well as notify those on our email/snail-mail lists when the Foundation's Platts Collection becomes accessible to the public and when a possible three-month exhibit is to open. In the meantime, visit the initial pages of the Arizona Historical Foundation's own web site, under construction, at http://www.users.qwest.net/~azhistoricalfnd.

And his family?

Geoffrey has in England his mother, a younger sister Elizabeth, her daughter and his niece Rachel, and Rachel's daughter Amy, who he held in his arms last summer and absolutely adored.

What about his ashes?

Geoffrey asked in his will that his ashes be scattered "without ceremony" at a designated location in his beloved Sonoran Desert, which Edward Abbey cannot have all to himself.

And his p.o. box?

It will be closed. The Tree Druid is not postcard-ing us anymore, the Source made no replacement, and, speaking of "originals," to cite a Geoffrey favorite:

I think I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree
...Poems are made by
fools like me
But only God can make a tree. Joyce Kilmer

How else will he be remembered?

This is a very personal thing. Some will renew the connection each time they pick up a streamside can and drop it off at a recycling center, read good literature, write memorable letters, have meaningful conversations, participate in an Eco-Alert list, attend gatherings of his Friends, get out into Nature, practice reverence for all life, his extraordinary kindness and wit.... All who met him, and we daresay a goodly number who didn't , will carry him in their hearts. He made clear in that oft-cited D.H. Lawrence quote, capitalization by Geoffrey, what he would have us do: "All I want of you, men and women, All I want of you is that you shall Achieve Your Own Beauty, as the Flowers do." .