Category: The Moosilauke Letters

Center of the WorldOhioJanuary  2018 Center of the World is a town in Ohio.  The best part of this town is the sign you see in the photograph. Of itself, it is the lone tourist attraction, and unless you live here, pretty much the only attraction. In 1845 Randall Wilmot, a bit of an eccentric,… Continue reading The Center of it All III

RugbySouth DakotaMay  2015 If you’ve got a thing, there must be a center of that thing.  Right?  North America is a thing so it must have a center.  Have you heard of the “Center of North America?”  If so, you may have heard something about Rugby, North Dakota.  It’s a thing. Rugby, in north central… Continue reading The Center of It All II

Belle FourcheSouth DakotaMay  2015 Highpointers find great value in lists.  I mean, how else do you keep track of the number of state high points you have summited.  Highpointers, I surmise, are somewhat compulsive, goal oriented, slightly geeky and fact/trivia-oriented.  So not only do we seek high points and keep track of them, but some… Continue reading The Center of It All I

Frick ParkPittsburghAugust  2014

Pinkham NotchNew Hampshire1990 “Marc, Mark.”  Sounds like a dog with a hairlip. Leaving My MarcAfter a visit with Marc, my brother from different mothers, I take off for a visit to my parents, including my real mother.  I’m leaving my Marc. Leaving My MarkMy parents would sometimes enjoy their summers on the side of Okemo… Continue reading Leaving My Marc/Leaving My Mark

Pittsburgh and environsall the time There are 27 columns in my Pennsylvania Series.  We have visited all of these marvelous places of interest on the way to, or from, various hikes.  These are some of our experiences while hiking in and near the Burgh. There is no better way to capture the essence, the spirit… Continue reading Pennsylvania Series:  Yins Comin’ Dahn?

PortlandMaineAugust  2016 We are in Portland, Maine, sort of scouting for our next attempt at summiting Mount Katahdin, and getting the poop on what else we might want to do on this trip.  We travel to a renovated building housing an upscale winery, a proud brewing company, a performing arts training and performance group, a… Continue reading The International Cryptozoology Museum

SedonaArizonaMay  2018 Odd looking clouds?  Nope, they’re not really clouds.  Wavy lines on a pond?  No, they’re not water currents.  Pair of parallel jet contrails?  Nope. They are signs, according to some believers, obvious indicators that someone, or something, is busy. Sedona AZ is known for many things, running the gamut from A to Z,… Continue reading UFO Tour

WinslowArizonaMay  2018 Well, I’m a standin’ on a corner in Winslow, ArizonaSuch a fine sight to seeIt’s a girl, my Lord, in a flat-bed FordSlowin’ down to take a look at me These are some of the words of a song called Take it Easy written by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey. The singer is… Continue reading Take It Easy

the mountainsas long as mountains last What makes a mountain?  Herewith are the words of professionals, enthusiasts, scientists and poets.  You be the judge. . A mountain is an elevated portion of the Earth’s crust, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock.  A mountain may differ from a plateau in having a limited… Continue reading What Makes a Mountain