The doors to the world of the wild self are few but precious. If you have a deep scar, that is a door. If you have an old old story, that is a door. If you love the sky and the water so much you almost cannot bear it that is a door. If youContinue reading “Drinking Straight from the Source”
Tag Archives: backpacking
With Thanks to Outer Space
Older hikers and backpackers like myself may remember a time when convenient and lightweight food was hard to find. Oatmeal and cocoa were not available in packets. Freeze dried food could be purchased at outdoor stores like REI but was expensive and offered limited choices. Fortunately there was the space program. NASA and the PillsburyContinue reading “With Thanks to Outer Space”
I’ve Got Rhythm
Sign Sign, Everywhere a Sign. . .
Breakin’ out the scenery Breakin’ my mind Do this, don’t do that Can’t you read the sign? Five Man Electric Band If you are a Baby Boomer like myself you may remember that song by an obscure Canadian band that had one hit, but it was a good one, and memorable. While having lunch inContinue reading “Sign Sign, Everywhere a Sign. . .”
Not the Same
These Are a Few of My Favorite Things
I am a part of all that I have seen. James Joyce in Ulysses No, I will not be singing the praises of “raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens” today, though these things are worthy of celebration. My favorite things are what you see in the photo above: a bear canister filled with freezeContinue reading “These Are a Few of My Favorite Things”
Looking Up
Any time is a good time to look up from the creek bed at your feet to the mountains at the horizon. David Boyles The first time I visited Canyonlands National Park in southern Utah, I bought a postcard at the visitors’ center of the beautiful arch you see in the photo above, appropriately namedContinue reading “Looking Up”
More About Beauty
When I have trouble getting to sleep at night, which is often these days, I never count sheep. I have tried a variety of other counting methods, and the one I return to over and over again is to review in my mind’s eye the beautiful places where the trails have led me. I wroteContinue reading “More About Beauty”
Because It Is Beautiful
It is never my intent to alienate my readers by choosing sides in the political struggles and polarization that are happening today. There is enough of that going around. But individuals on both sides of the chasm that separates us agree that these are dangerous times, and our very survival as a species may byContinue reading “Because It Is Beautiful”
Why Solitude?
I am too alone in the world, and not alone enough to make every minute holy. Rilke I well remember the first night I spent alone in the woods. It was not a backpacking trip. Instead I had driven my little Fiat into the eastern foothills of the Olympics, following old logging roads and lookingContinue reading “Why Solitude?”
The Solitude Trail 