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”
Tag Archives: Aging Hikers
Getting to Just Right
Yesterday I was clever. That is why I wanted to change the world. . . Today I am wise. That is why I am changing myself. Sri Chimney My last post (When Ultra-Lite is Too Lite, August 6) drew a huge number of comments from my readers, more than I have ever received from aContinue reading “Getting to Just Right”
When Ultra-Lite Is Too Lite
Each step of a journey alters the person who makes it. Jane Hirshfield The photo you see above was taken before I had even left the trailhead on the first day of a nine day trek through the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming. Just as I was setting out on the trail I met someContinue reading “When Ultra-Lite Is Too Lite”
Alone but Not Lonely
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”
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”
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 