It is what I was born for– to look, to listen, to lose myself into the soft world– to instruct myself over and over. . . Mary Oliver The painting you see above was transferred from the riverbank to the canvas by my grandmother, who was an accomplished oil painter. My grandfather was an earlyContinue reading “Bearing Witness”
Tag Archives: Colleen Drake
Happy Hiking
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. Edward Abbey It is New Year’s day, and like many people I become pensive at this time of year, reflecting on the year that has passed and wondering what the new one willContinue reading “Happy Hiking”
Petals and Patience
“Patience” comes from the same ancient roots as “petals”—to open like a flower, to unfurl, to receive the stroke of a moth’s tongue and the ministrations of a bee. And so we are given “passive” and “patient” and “passionate.” Kathleen Dean Moore in Wild Comfort The flower you see in the photo above is aContinue reading “Petals and Patience”
Something Worth Writing
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. Benjamin Franklin When I started this blog about a year-and-a-half ago I never in my wildest dreams imagined that I would be posting weekly. I thought if I managed once a month I would be doing well. I was certain that I would run outContinue reading “Something Worth Writing”
Things Best Known
Will you seek afar off? You surely come back at last, In things best known to you finding the best, or as good as the best. The folks nearest to you finding the sweetest, strongest, lovingest; Happiness, knowledge, not in another place, but this place–not for another hour, but this hour. Walt Whitman William AtkinsContinue reading “Things Best Known”
Surprised on Sand Ridge
When it’s over, I want to say: all my life I was a bride married to amazement. I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms. Mary Oliver Many years ago for my annual trek in the wilderness I chose a route that was quite different from the backpacking trips I usually took. ForContinue reading “Surprised on Sand Ridge”
Is This the One?
The journey is my home. Muriel Rukeyser It has happened to every hiker and therefore most likely to you, since I know most of my readers are themselves hikers. We get injured on the trail. Fortunately most of them are minor. . .scrapes, lacerations, sprains, burns, bruises, blisters. It is just not possible to scrambleContinue reading “Is This the One?”
Notes from the Desert
In the point of rest at the center of our being we encounter a world where all things are at rest in the same way. Dag Hammarskhold My last post was published from the Painted Desert, where I sat at a wooden table with my lap top. I had gone into town the preceding dayContinue reading “Notes from the Desert”
Impossible Conditions
Whatever you’re meant to do, do it now. The conditions are always impossible. Doris Lessing Everyone’s had a trip like this. If you haven’t been hiking for long and still believe that everyday on the trail is just another day in the sunshine, let me assure you they won’t all be like that. And I’mContinue reading “Impossible Conditions”
The Solitude Trail 