The common denominator in all these conditions—whether in the lungs, the muscles, or the bones—is overwhelming pain… It’s not a question of whether you will hurt, or of how much you will hurt; it’s a question of what you will do, and how well you will do it, while pain has her wanton way withContinue reading “A New Companion on the Trail”
Tag Archives: nature
Making Choices
Like most hikers and backpackers I have long considered myself to be an environmentalist. I remember the first Earth Day in 1970. I was a sophomore in college, and it was a warm spring day. I stood in the commons listening to speakers tell us of various threats to the sanctity of our planet. NoContinue reading “Making Choices”
Hiking the Duck
In old age I shall walk quietly the beautiful trail. Navajo Prayer Last week I completed my first backpacking trip of the year. Ordinarily such an event would be no big deal. Until a few years ago I typically would do an early trip in the spring, several short ones during the summer months, andContinue reading “Hiking the Duck”
With Love from Red Reef Rock
Dream or nightmare we have to live our experience as it is and we have to live it awake. Jacob Bronowski When I was about five years old my family camped at Staircase Campground in Olympic National Park, as we did for many years. It was one of our favorite campgrounds, and I always lovedContinue reading “With Love from Red Reef Rock”
Shall We Gather at the River?
Soon we’ll reach the silver river, Soon our pilgrimage will cease; Soon our happy hearts will quiver With the melody of peace. American Gospel I first heard this old hymn at my grandmother’s funeral many years ago as a young child. I remember holding the tattered gray hymnal as we sang, and I envisioned aContinue reading “Shall We Gather at the River?”
Hiking with Bruno
One Last Time
Most of my hiking friends have favorite destinations, places they have perhaps visited only once but linger in their memories as particularly beautiful. At my age these memories occur as places where I would like to return one last time. Avalanche Valley on the eastern slope of Mt. Adams in the Cascades is one suchContinue reading “One Last Time”
With Me On the Trail
I cannot live without books. Thomas Jefferson On a bottom book shelf in my bedroom is a collection of books that have always been precious to me. Most books are precious to me, but these books are especially so, and I keep them there so that if my house is ever beset by wildfire andContinue reading “With Me On the Trail”
Living on the Edges
Backpacking is the art of knowing what not to take. Sheridan Anders The first time I carried my cell phone with me on a backpacking trip was completely unplanned. This trip took place many years ago, before the days of smart phones, and I had my flip phone with me in my truck as IContinue reading “Living on the Edges”
In Praise of Buttercups
The bloom of a flower has changed the world and made it ours. Loren Eisley in The Immense Journey They are certainly not spectacular. . .bright yellow splashes of color that appear just as the ground is becoming soggy from snowmelt and a few straggling green blades of grass are showing up for spring. HereContinue reading “In Praise of Buttercups”
The Solitude Trail 