Wheeler PeakNew MexicoJuly 2013 In order to hike to Wheeler Peak, the highest point in New Mexico, we must first walk in the Carson National Forest. These woodlands were named for Christopher Houston Carson, better known as “Kit Carson.” Lisa hears Kit Carson and thinks of a PTA mom. I think Kit Carson sounds like… Continue reading Kit Carson
Author: asiwentwalking
Royal Gorge Bridge
Cañon CityColoradoJune 2018 If you want, or if Lisa encourages you, you can walk across a bridge that is 955 feet high. That is, 955 feet of air below you. If your hat were to blow off, or if you dropped your book of Chaucer poems, it would take about nine seconds to get to… Continue reading Royal Gorge Bridge
The Scary, Dangerous Mexican
Big Bend National ParkTexasNovember 2018 The Boquillas Canyon Trail begins at the cul-de-sac of a spur road and climbs up from the parking lot to the top of a cliff overlooking the Rio Grande. The Big River, defining the border between Mexico and the United States, is narrow and unimpressive at this spot. Across the… Continue reading The Scary, Dangerous Mexican
The Great Stone Face
The White MountainsNew Hampshire1983 / 2013 One of the remarkable things I have come upon in my travels is the Old Man of the Mountain. To wit… Men hang out their signs indicative of their respective trades; shoe makers hang out a gigantic shoe, jewelers a monster watch and the dentist hangs out a gold… Continue reading The Great Stone Face
She Flies!
Rachel Carson TrailHampton TownshipPennsylvaniaFebruary 2016
Not a Snake
Frick ParkPittsburghSeptember 2012 A couple days ago on a training hike (they’re all training hikes) I saw a snake among the partially submerged rocks at a little creek junction. Yesterday I saw another snake in the same place. This morning, again at the same junction,I saw a snakeskin on a rock just under the surface… Continue reading Not a Snake
Two Egg
Two EggFloridaNovember 2013 Don’t miss Two Egg while you are in the Panhandle of Florida. Two Egg has a startlingly rich history for a community that, in spite of its name, none of us have ever heard of. Two Egg has turned up important archeological relicts, was at one time a vital trade and travel… Continue reading Two Egg
Stonewall Jackson’s Mom
AnstedWest VirginiaJune 2014 We are driving a 21st century Toyota on a path that was originally carved into the mountains by 18th century bison and pioneers. In 1790, George Washington ordered the trail cleared to allow for travel by stage coach: horses and wheeled vehicles. It was named The Midland Trail. Some time later the… Continue reading Stonewall Jackson’s Mom
Throwing the Chip
OklahomaMarch 2013 Black Mesa is the highest point in Oklahoma. 137 miles east of Black Mesa as the crow flies, or 161 miles as the crow drives, but still in the Panhandle, is a town called Beaver. Beaver is — did you know this? — the Cow Chip Throwing Capital of the World. For each human, sixteen… Continue reading Throwing the Chip
The Scary, Dangerous Mexican
Big Bend National ParkTexasNovember 2018 The Boquillas Canyon Trail begins at the cul-de-sac of a spur road and climbs up from the parking lot to the top of a cliff overlooking the Rio Grande. The Big River, defining the border between Mexico and the United States, is narrow and unimpressive at this spot. Across the… Continue reading The Scary, Dangerous Mexican