Mount RogersVirginiaJuly 2011 & July 2014 We’re enjoying the summit of Mount Rogers, the high point of Virginia. Which means that after hiking so many hours to gain 1500 feet of elevation, we’re doing nothing in particular, just being here. Lisa does a little exploring of the high woods in our vicinity while I absentmindedly… Continue reading Virginia’s High Point?
Author: asiwentwalking
Pennsylvania Series XXV — The Mütter Museum
PhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaOctober 2004There are 27 columns in my Pennsylvania Series. Behold! What’s normal? Statistics say that normal falls between 30 and 70 percent. The government agrees that Normal is a town of about 47 000 humans in Illinois. According to… Hey, wait a minute. That’s not what I want to write about here. What I want… Continue reading Pennsylvania Series XXV — The Mütter Museum
Pikes Peak America’s Mountain
ColoradoJune 2018 First, let’s get the name straight. They don’t call it “Pikes Peak.” They call it “Pikes Peak America’s Mountain.” Or at least the P R people call it that. Next, Pikes Peak America’s Mountain is… – the second most-visited mountain on the planet. For 50 points, which one is first? Right! Mount Fuji… Continue reading Pikes Peak America’s Mountain
Jesse James is Hiding Here
Taum Sauk MountainMissouriJuly 2012 Lisa and I walk from the parking area to the summit. Takes about ten minutes. At this high point is a polished granite marker immediately before a two-foot high rock and a forty-foot tall oak tree. It appears that the rock is pushing the tree over, starting with the roots. It… Continue reading Jesse James is Hiding Here
Las Vegas — Whoopee!
Las VegasNevadaMarch 2019 Our flight lands in Las Vegas. I would be remiss if I did not spend a little time describing this desert burg to you. It is nicknamed Sin City although I will be quick to point out that prostitution, which is legal in the state of Nevada, is not permitted by law… Continue reading Las Vegas — Whoopee!
Moving the Earth
2021 When I walk, I move forward by placing my feet, alternating one by one on the ground, pushing backward. Using my hamstrings, I am pushing Earth away from me, back toward where I was. I’m staying in the same place, but my mighty hamstrings push the entire planet backwards. The illusion is that I… Continue reading Moving the Earth
Bug Spray
Frick ParkPittsburghAugust 2023 The Frick Park Lawn Bowling Club rocks it in Pittsburgh’s East End. Has since 1938. Generally older folk roll a ball on the manicured grass about as slowly as it can move without imitating stasis. I think those playing this bowling-like game get older as they play. Their goal however, is to… Continue reading Bug Spray
Chipmunk v Hawk
Blue Spruce ParkPennsylvaniaMay 2005 Suddenly a commotion trailside. Big wings! It’s a hawk, a Red-tail streaking and whizzing around a tree, circling like crazy, fast, fast. I’m surprised I don’t see tire screech marks in the air. It’s chasing a chipmunk. So this is why chipmunks chase each other up and down tree trunks. Have… Continue reading Chipmunk v Hawk
Theory of Universal Compensation
Mount RogersVirginiaJuly 2014 We take a short rest at the junction where the Appalachian Trail meets the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail. We get to chatting with another couple of hikers. These two are checking their maps, looking around, squinting, scratching their respective heads. They are trying to decide how strenuous the hike up Wilburn Ridge… Continue reading Theory of Universal Compensation
My Man
Monongahela National ForestWest VirginiaJuly 1992 Another time in Dolly Sods as I am making my way up the trail a few days after a storm, I come upon a downed tree. A tall, muscularly chiseled woodsman is chopping through the log which is blocking the trail. He’s using an ax. His flannel shirt lay on… Continue reading My Man