Category: The Moosilauke Letters

The Appalachian National Scenic Trailany time since 1937 The Appalachian National Scenic Trail was first envisioned in 1921 and completed in 1937.  Eleven years later, Earl Shaffer stepped on the Trail at its southern end and then, 124 days later, stepped off the Trail at its northern end, logging roughly 2100 miles.  The first verified… Continue reading Running the Trail

HancockMarylandJuly  2024 Lucky us, we made a last minute weekend trip to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.  On the way home, we took a break from driving by stopping at the Sideling Hill Welcome Center in Hancock, Maryland.  What drew us in was mostly the location — it was time for a break — but… Continue reading Rest Stop

Blue Ridge ParkwayVirginiaJune  2015 What is that, right of center in the top quarter of the photo, sticking up above the trees?  That small, silvery hut.  It looks little. Wait, I know the answer.  It’s the Green Knob Lookout Tower.  Let’s set that as our goal for today’s hike. We turn off the Blue Ridge… Continue reading Green Knob

Laurel Highlands Hiking TrailPennsylvaniaJune  2004 A backpacking trip, this one on the Laurel Highlands Trail.  Not more than two hours into our hike, the six of us are caught in a thunderstorm.  Lightning in the woods:  dangerous, yes.  We are clearly not the tallest things in the area, perhaps we will be safe under the… Continue reading Dad! Dad!

VirginiaJuly  2011 We’re on our way to Mount Rogers, the high point of Virginia.  A minor traffic slowdown develops on the highway in front of us, who knows why.  We crawl along.  The vehicle we follow is a Mercedes Benz, painted one of those alcoholic colors that’s hard to define, like “champagne” or “whiskey beige.” … Continue reading Dragonflies

Humphreys PeakArizonaJune  2013 If you like to categorize, if making order out of randomness is your type of thrill, put hikers into three categories.  N’wait, I’ll do it for you. 1I was leading a hike of fourteen people when some hikers approached from ahead.  They stopped walking, I stopped walking, my group, behind me, stopped… Continue reading Hiker Style

Moraine State ParkPennsylvaniaJuly  2019

Blue Ridge ParkwayVirginiaSeptember  2010 I think it’s delightful, oddly gratifying even, that something like a road that is 469 miles long can be considered to be a park.  In fact the Blue Ridge Parkway is the most visited National Park unit and has been nicknamed “America’s favorite drive.” It’s not just transportation, one place to… Continue reading Marys Rock

Death Valley National ParkCaliforniaMarch  2019 Telescope Peak is more than 11 000 feet high.  My friend Mike once climbed up and over this peak on his way to Mount Whitney. Calling the park where Telescope Peak is located, the telephone conversation begins this way… “Death Valley National Park.  This is Aubrey.  How may I help… Continue reading Telescope Peak

the California CoastJanuary  2009 January 23I fly into SFO and am greeted by a friend of my brother.  He shuttles me to Laurence’s apartment in the Mission District. As we greet each other, I note that Laurence is nearly gaunt, but in good spirits.  He is feeling much better since he began taking morphine yesterday. … Continue reading My Brother Laurence