Category: The Moosilauke Letters

WyomingJuly  2013 Chugwater [https://www.asiwentwalking.com/2024/01/19/buffalo-jump/] is about more than dead bison.  You’ve seen the famous Bucking Horse and Rider symbol, almost always in silhouette.  It’s the trademark of the state of Wyoming.  It’s on their license plates. Clayton Danks, the cowboy, and Steamboat, the horse, were the two models for this emblem.  Our tie-in is that… Continue reading Horse and Rider

Mingo Creek County ParkPennsylvaniaFebruary  2015 Hiking occurs in the non-linear world.  These bridges define the linear world.

NothingArizonaJune 2018 What would you call a town that was a town, then it was a ghost town, and now it’s not even that? You’d call it “Nothing,” right? This town that couldn’t make it as a ghost town once had a sign on the outskirts of town, wherever that might be.  You would see… Continue reading Nothing

Pennsylvania(There are 27 columns in my Pennsylvania Series.  We have visited all of these marvels on the way to, or from, various hikes.) Pennsylvania.  Sylva refers to the woods, the forest, the places where we frequently hike and camp.  Penn means “Penn”, as in William Penn.  William Penn?  Who dat? William Penn was the father… Continue reading Pennsylvania Series:  Penn’s Woods

VolcanoHawaiiJuly  2016 In 1946 Vichy, France, a baby was born.  He was named Claude Vorilhon.  Claude grew up to become a singer/songwriter, a sports writer, a race car driver and the leader of a good-intentioned, semi-wacko cult group. As a musician, he sounded a little like Antonio Carlos Jobim, but not too much.  His music… Continue reading The Raëlians

Frick ParkPennsylvaniawhenever it might rain If there were 27 or more hours in a day, Lisa and I would put more time into driving to trailheads farther away than where we now go.  So because there are only 24, and because walking and hiking isn’t all we do in this life (really?!) we often walk… Continue reading But It’s Raining III

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

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

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

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