WikieupArizonaMay 2018 I read a report about Wikieup, Arizona. I quote the author. “Wikieup is famous for being the rattlesnake capitol of Arizona, but this fact is not advertised much …” To which I say, “If it’s not advertised much, then it’s not famous for being the rattlesnake capitol of Arizona.” Wikieup however, may not… Continue reading Lots of Snakes
Author: asiwentwalking
What to Do With an Alligator
Myakka River State ParkFloridaFebruary 2002 Here we are on the Myakka River State Park on the Gulf coast of Florida. We’re on a five-day backpack trip. To get here we drive across the broad peninsula of the Sunshine State on a highway ribbon called Alligator Alley. We are treated to sightings of crane, egret, pelican,… Continue reading What to Do With an Alligator
Trail Hog
Theodore Roosevelt National ParkNorth DakotaMay 2015 There are four trails I wish to do today, each under three miles in length. My first two hikes go swimmingly. It is during the third hike, on the Jones Creek Trail in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, that I run into an impediment. I hadn’t intended to end my… Continue reading Trail Hog
She Can Dance If She Wants To
Rachel Carson TrailMay 2019 Here is Lisa, breaking it down on a bridge on the Rachel Carson Trail. There was the time we were on the North Country Trail and she almost stepped on a snake. Her reaction was totally unplanned, and entertaining. She danced, oh yes, but this was no ordinary dance. Rather… Continue reading She Can Dance If She Wants To
Rabbits
Cerbat Foothills Recreation AreaArizonaMarch 2019 We have bunny rabbits back home, cute, furry little hoppers. Today’s hike is on the Monolith Garden Trail, some distance up the road from Wikieup, Arizona and Nothing, Arizona. Here we find black-tailed jackrabbits, giants compared to our hometown bunnies. I’m told they grow up to 13 pounds but I… Continue reading Rabbits
Pickelman’s
MissouriJune 2008 C’mon. Really?!
Conquer the Mountain
many mountains It’s not uncommon to hear about a hiker’s ambition to conquer a mountain, to not let the mountain gain victory over their desires to summit. What is this “conquer the mountain” idea and where did it come from! No. This is not the way to approach it. The mountain is fine, whether we… Continue reading Conquer the Mountain
Georgia Peaches
GeorgiaNovember 2012 I have been to Georgia many times, Lisa never. So together, we have never been to Georgia. Until now. As we drive north from Atlanta to Brasstown Bald, the high point of the Peach State, it is clear and sunny and we can’t help but sing… Georgia, GeorgiaThe whole day throughJust an old… Continue reading Georgia Peaches
Lightsabers
December 2015 Giving the gift of weapons to your niece’s young daughter and son may be a bit dicey. First, not knowing how my niece, the Squirt (her nickname that only I may use) feels about toy weapons, I ask her, “Can we bring two lightsabers into your home, y’know, as gifts for the kids?… Continue reading Lightsabers
Halloween
October 2024