Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves. Henry David Thoreau Last week I posted about getting lost in the Pasayten Wilderness after forgetting my map on a day hike. That experience changed me in ways I did not fully understand until many years later. The fear that nearly overwhelmed me thatContinue reading “Found”
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Lost
There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls. George Carlin Many years ago on one of my long treks in the Pasayten Wilderness of Washington’s North Cascades, I set up camp in a lovely site near Crow Lake, one of my favorite sites, for it included a rustic chair thatContinue reading “Lost”
Among the Champions
Between every two pine trees there is a door leading to a new way of life. John Muir As my readers know, I grew up in western Washington. In times past most of that area was covered by old growth forest from the Cascade Mountains to the Pacific, but by the time I was bornContinue reading “Among the Champions”
My Mountain Home
Readers of these posts will have figured out by now that I am not a big fan of crowding on our nation’s scenic trails. The title, The Solitude Trail, is a dead giveaway. I was dismayed then to drive across the North Cascades Highway a couple of weeks ago, which I wrote about in lastContinue reading “My Mountain Home”
Why Is It Beautiful?
What does it mean, say the words, that the earth is so beautiful? And what shall I do about it? What is the gift that I should bring to the world? What is the life that I should live? Mary Oliver On a recent trip to western Washington to visit friends and family, I tookContinue reading “Why Is It Beautiful?”
Cozy in Camp
When pleasure can be found, it is fit to catch it. Samuel Johnson When i first started backpacking alone in my early twenties, for the occasions when I would need extra warmth, I carried a pair of long johns, wool pants in a bright red plaid, and a Cowichan sweater my parents had found buriedContinue reading “Cozy in Camp”
Riding on a Snail for 55 Years
Age is simply the number of years the world has been enjoying you. Unknown What a nice surprise it was this week to receive this card in the mail with the illustration you see above. It was a thank you card from Recreational Equipment Incorporated (REI) congratulating me for being a member for fifty-five years.Continue reading “Riding on a Snail for 55 Years”
Summer in My Soul
The trick comes in planning next summer’s vacation while knowing that next summer is not promised to anyone. Sallie Tisdale With fall now officially begun it seems a little odd to be writing about the season that has just passed, but it was an especially good one for me, and that seems worthy of celebration.Continue reading “Summer in My Soul”
Geography Is Destiny
The quote that serves as the title for today’s post is from Abraham Verghese, best selling author of Cutting for Stone and The Covenant of Water, works of fiction about life in Ethiopia, where the author lived as a child. I came upon the quote when I was trying to learn more about him andContinue reading “Geography Is Destiny”
The Wild in Wilderness
Let me take my chances in the big outside worldly wilderness with all its sins and sufferings. William James In the southeastern corner of Washington State lies a mountain range that few people have ever heard of, even Washington residents. Last month when I began to plan my trip and told friends and family thatContinue reading “The Wild in Wilderness”
The Solitude Trail 