Why should I feel lonely? Is not our planet in the Milky Way? Henry David Thoreau When I first started hiking alone in my early twenties people asked me a lot of questions, on and off the trail. There were alway two consistent themes: The first was, “Aren’t you afraid?” That was not hard toContinue reading “Alone but Not Lonely”
Author Archives: Colleen Drake
In Praise of Small Things
On a long backpacking trip in the Pasayten Wilderness many years ago, I was setting up camp near Sheep Mountain when a backcountry ranger stopped by to visit. We talked for a long time. Her name was Mary Pat, and we found many things to talk about. Darkness was approaching by the time Mary PatContinue reading “In Praise of Small Things”
On the Trail with Teacup
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. Edward Abbey For weeks I had been putting off this trip. We had abundant rain that continued most of the spring, and three days without precipitation in the forecast seemed like an impossibility.Continue reading “On the Trail with Teacup”
Going Out in Joy
For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace, The mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12 My backpack is propped against the legs of the kitchen table, and gear is strewn about onContinue reading “Going Out in Joy”
With Teddy in the Badlands
Squeak into a gap in the soil, turn, and unlock–more than a maple–a universe. Annie Dillard When I lived in Wyoming I often got a head start on hiking season by traveling to North Dakota in May, where I camped at Theodore Roosevelt National Park and explored the varied landscape. It was an interesting placeContinue reading “With Teddy in the Badlands”
On the Edges of Things
The world is poetical, intrinsically: what it means is simply itself. Its significance is the enormous mystery of its existence and our awareness of its existence. Aldous Huxley On my first hike in Washington’s Pasayten Wilderness, I discovered the Hidden Lakes, well named, for they are not visible until the hiker reaches the shoreline ofContinue reading “On the Edges of Things”
Finding Strength in a Twig
As people who want to live a good, full, unrestricted, adventurous, real kind of life this is certain instruction we can follow: see what is. Pema Chodron I encountered my first subalpine larch tree on a backpacking trip in Washington’s Pasayten Wilderness, an area I came to love because of its isolation and beauty andContinue reading “Finding Strength in a Twig”
Hiking with Lulu
I want to do whatever it is that presses the essence from the hour. Mary Oliver Lulu and I went on our first hike of the year together last week after a long and quiet winter. Yes, she is the beautiful standard poodle you see in the photo. Though it was a short hike, IContinue reading “Hiking with Lulu”
Strolling with the Desert Fathers
Let the unknowable touch the buckle of my spine Let the world turn in the trees, and the mystery hidden in the dirt swing through the air. Mary Oliver Twice a year in the spring and fall I go to visit a friend who has a rustic cabin in the Painted Desert of Arizona nearContinue reading “Strolling with the Desert Fathers”
Good-by to the Lodge
The world is always ending somewhere. It just depends on whether it falls in your line of vision or not. Akwaeka Emezi On Monday morning I got up and opened my laptop, as I do most mornings, and was surprised to see a message from a friend that said simply, “Oh no!” I clicked theContinue reading “Good-by to the Lodge”
The Solitude Trail 