West Rim TrailPennsylvaniaJuly 2003 On the third and final day of our backpacking trip on the West Rim Trail, the storm comes back. Or maybe it’s a whole new storm. Can’t tell, doesn’t matter, it’s a storm. The lightning flashes, the thunder booms and the rain rains. We’ve got a few miles left to hike. … Continue reading But It’s Raining II
Author: asiwentwalking
But It’s Raining I
Laurel Highlands Hiking TrailPennsylvaniaJuly 1995 I know a lot of people don’t like to be outside of buildings in the rain. I think even more people don’t want to go hiking or camping in the rain. Martin, Abbie, Andi and I are driving to the Laurel Highlands for a two-day backpack trip. It is raining… Continue reading But It’s Raining I
HIking with Canine Americans
everywhereall the time My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog thinks I am. A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.— Robert Benchley If dogs could talk, perhaps we would find it as hard to get along with them as… Continue reading HIking with Canine Americans
Marty’s Dry Boots II
on the slopes As much of a schmuck as I can be — go read https://www.asiwentwalking.com/2024/12/05/martys-dry-boots/ — I think it’s a good story. But I owe Marty. He’s a good guy. In fact, here he is again, in the world where he is most comfortable. He is not exactly walking, but as a ski patrol… Continue reading Marty’s Dry Boots II
Crows
Frick ParkPittsburghDecember 2003 Wherever crows are, there is magic.— Ted Andrews “The crows seem to be calling my name,” thought Caw.— Jack Handey Frick Park is a mere block and a half from my home. Being close to this park is one of the chief reasons I chose some thirty years ago to live in… Continue reading Crows
Where the Bison Roam
Panorama PointNebraskaJuly 2013 Oh, did I not mention the buffalo? After crossing the border between the two Dakota states — <Dakota> is sort of a Sioux word meaning “allies” or “friends” — we drive right through Buffalo, a town of 330 residents. Not far from the center of town, and past the Tatanka Plaza, is… Continue reading Where the Bison Roam
Sleep Study
PittsburghJanuary 2017 I’ve got some stuff going on. One doctor thinks I have sleep apnea. That’s when you stop breathing while you are sleeping. I’m thinking that as long as you start up again, what’s the problem? But they say that it can affect your waking life too; make you sleepy during the day, mush… Continue reading Sleep Study
Rite of Passage
Frick ParkPittsburghJune 2020 Minding my own business as I move on up the trail, I notice a guy and a kid, off in the bramble. Young father and son, just poking around. They make their way over to a particular tree. They face the tree, Dad behind Junior, talking quietly to him. I hear a… Continue reading Rite of Passage
South Dakotasota
any two states Heading due east on our way to the high point of Kansas — yes, Kansas does have a high point — we cross the Colorado/Kansas state line. This transition occurs at a city called Kanorado. Great name, a portmanteau of KANsas and ColORADO, as if you couldn’t already tell. What fun! Some time… Continue reading South Dakotasota
Simon the Cyrene
HuntsvilleAlabamaNovember 2013 A couple thousand years ago, give or take twenty minutes, in and around Jerusalem, this happened, then that happened and so forth, all leading up to Jesus’ trek on the Road to Calvary. You may recall that the soldiers compelled Jesus to carry his own cross to the site of his crucifixion. That… Continue reading Simon the Cyrene