Author: asiwentwalking

Speed Demon

World’s End State ParkPennsylvaniaSeptember  1998 A large tree fell some time ago.  It lies here, moss growing profusely on its surface.  A chipmunk speeds along the fallen, now horizontal trunk, running along on legs that move so fast I can’t see them, looking like a speeded up, bumpy version of a hover craft.  Y’know, the… Continue reading Speed Demon

Jagoff

PittsburghPennsylvaniaalways and forever Most folks never hear this word until they come to Pittsburgh.  Jagoff. Yeah, jagoff. The word jagoff is an ancient word that probably originated with the Shawnee, the native tribe that once resided in western Pennsylvania. No it isn’t.  That’s totally ridiculous. Jagoff is truly a Pittsburgh word, through and through.  We… Continue reading Jagoff

Mistaken Identity

Frick ParkPittsburghOctober  2013 At first I think it might be a Toxicodendron radicans reaction.  You know, a poisoning by urushiol, the histamine-producing substance in poison ivy, or one of those allergy-generating, contact dermatitis plants. Umm, it isn’t. My dermatologist calls it, and these are the exact words she uses, “Itchy Red Bump Disease.”  Guess what… Continue reading Mistaken Identity

Dog Hobble

Clingmans DomeTennesseeMay  2013 Foggy day for this summit hike, unfortunately obscuring our view of the mountains.  Instead, I look down.  I look for dog hobble.  Growing close to the ground, it shouldn’t be obscured by the fog. I remember dog hobble from another hike in the Smokies.  Dog hobble is a fast-growing evergreen shrub with… Continue reading Dog Hobble

Frog Leg

Mount MagazineArkansasJune  2012 Fortunately, you don’t need to join a club to visit the highest point in Arkansas.  However, if you stay at the Lodge at Mount Magazine, as we do after our summit hike, and choose to imbibe an adult beverage here in this dry county, you must first apply to become a member… Continue reading Frog Leg

The Kenn Trail

McKenna TrailLaurel HighlandsPennsylvaniaAugust  2018 Hike long enough, and hike a lot of miles, you too can get your own trail.

The Crossing Guard

PittsburghPennsylvaniaNovember  2018 Walking home from an appointment here in the city, I come to a busy intersection.  The crossing guard greets me and we have a little chat.  “It’s been a long time since I had help crossing the street,” I tell her. “Are you warm enough?” she asks. I point to my down jacket… Continue reading The Crossing Guard

Cops on Top

Humphreys PeakArizonaJune  2013 Over the past month, as Lisa and I drive home from various hikes, she is twice stopped by the police for speeding.  Both times she is ticketed.  By my standards Lisa is a safe driver, but she just doesn’t seem to be able to slog along slow enough not to attract the… Continue reading Cops on Top

Heroes

Humphreys PeakArizonaJune  2013 Y’know, this Highpointing adventure of ours is full of conflict for me.  I fight my demons so that I can scale these sometimes soaring places.  I grapple with my altitude anxiety, my discomfort with travel including the terror I feel when on an airborne craft and a bunch of other personal obstacles… Continue reading Heroes