UFO Tour

SedonaArizonaMay  2018 Odd looking clouds?  Nope, they’re not really clouds.  Wavy lines on a pond?  No, they’re not water currents.  Pair of parallel jet contrails?  Nope. They are signs, according to some believers, obvious indicators that someone, or something, is busy. Sedona AZ is known for many things, running the gamut from A to Z,… Continue reading UFO Tour

Take It Easy

WinslowArizonaMay  2018 Well, I’m a standin’ on a corner in Winslow, ArizonaSuch a fine sight to seeIt’s a girl, my Lord, in a flat-bed FordSlowin’ down to take a look at me These are some of the words of a song called Take it Easy written by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey. The singer is… Continue reading Take It Easy

Roughin’ It

Clingmans DomeTennesseeMay  2013 After a good half day of hiking, Lisa and I have our sandwiches at Clingmans Dome, the highest point in Tennessee.  Reminds me of another time I was here.  I tell Lisa this story. In 1998, I was in the midst of a 10-day backpacking trip here in the Great Smoky Mountains. … Continue reading Roughin’ It

What Makes a Mountain

the mountainsas long as mountains last What makes a mountain?  Herewith are the words of professionals, enthusiasts, scientists and poets.  You be the judge. . A mountain is an elevated portion of the Earth’s crust, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock.  A mountain may differ from a plateau in having a limited… Continue reading What Makes a Mountain

Mount Washington Blows Me Away

Mount WashingtonNew HampshireSeptember  1986 / August  2013 On the way to our summit hike of the Granite State, we stop at the Mount Washington Observatory Museum in North Conway, New Hampshire.  They tell us that this is the largest museum in the world devoted exclusively to the weather. Think about that.  Weather is pretty big. … Continue reading Mount Washington Blows Me Away

Up Mount Washington

Mount WashingtonNew HampshireAugust  2013 What’s that, up there in the clouds…?  N’wait, it disappeared.  Oh, there it is again.  Hey, it’s a building.  It’s the hut.  Y’know what?  Let’s take a break, get out of this wind for a bit.  Figure this out. The Appalachian Mountain Club was founded in 1876.  Their mission was and… Continue reading Up Mount Washington

Siren Call

Ponce InletFloridaMarch  2017 Irresistible. Across from Harbour Village Golf and Yacht Club.  Not where I would expect to find her.

Take What You Can Get

PittsburghMarch  2018 1On my way home on an urban walk, minding my own business, looking at the architecture of the houses along the route, I am befallen by feathers.  Suddenly, swirling around me like little clouds as I walk, a flock of small, grayish-white feathers alight on my shoulders, my head, my jacket.  I pretend… Continue reading Take What You Can Get

The Railroad Stop

BayardWest VirginiaJune  2011 & May  2014 Ordinarily, on the way to Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia, we would drive right past the “Smallest Church in the Lower 48″ and the Maryland high point trailhead.  This is the route we took three years ago on our first summit trip to West Virginia.  Today… Continue reading The Railroad Stop