"The wilderness, by design, disorients. As any wilderness trekker past or present will tell you, the wilderness has a way of forcing the point, of bringing to the surface whatever fears, questions, and struggles hide within. Nothing strips you down to your essential humanity and inherent dependency quite like submitting to the elements, surrendering to … Continue reading 20 + 20 = ??
Stump Speech: Deride and Conquer
Vote for me! Forget those other stumps. Commies! Reds! Lobotomized chumps! A copse of carbon flatheads! They can't say, "Ain't nobody never cut me down." (mocking voice) "Waahh! Help me!! I need another crown!" Sure, I'm twisted, hollow, partially decomposed. So what? There you have it. That's me, fully disclosed. In life, in elections, I've … Continue reading Stump Speech: Deride and Conquer
Stationary Stump Speeches
Stump Speech: a speech that is made many times by a politician who is traveling to different places during a campaign for election For the record, Campfire Tales is non-political, and that's not about to change. (No, that's the wrong word. Try again.) For the record, Campfire Tales is non-partisan, and that's not about to … Continue reading Stationary Stump Speeches
Five Stages of National Park Grief
Hello, Campfire Talesmen and Taleswomen! Our last shared post completed a series of five poems depicting the five stages of grief, as represented by National Parks awaiting our return. Yes, they rhyme. Denial = Crater Lake Anger = Lassen Volcanic Bargaining = Joshua Tree Depression = Death Valley Acceptance = Yosemite The final post, Yosemite, … Continue reading Five Stages of National Park Grief
Yosemite Waits for You
Thank you for visiting your national park, Particularly in times when things look stark. Fires, pandemics, presidents, droughts; all will fade. Do you know what won't? The memories we've made. Imagine a campfire. Picture yourself there. Feel the heat. Smell the smoke. Watch the embers flare. Let go of thoughts that detain you. Consume grief. … Continue reading Yosemite Waits for You
Down in D. Valley
"Thank you for visiting your national park..." (sigh) I'd give you the sales pitch, but honestly, why try? Either, One. My name's embossed on your bucket list, Or, Two. "Over my dead body!" Thus, I'm dismissed. Make no mistake, I love my survivalist crowd. They arrive flushed and nervous; depart tanned and proud. Still, I … Continue reading Down in D. Valley
J. Tree Makes a Plea
"Thank you for visiting your national park," I'll say, If only (sooner than later) you head out our way. You'd rather go to Disneyland? Word. That might be best. Smooth paths. Soothing (artificial) views. Shade. Benches. Rest. What? You're NOT a Make-a-Wish recipient? You hike?! Wanna give my trails a chance and see if you … Continue reading J. Tree Makes a Plea
Ignore the Headlines
Signing in to write this post, I passed by the gloomy headline, "Disaster Inside a Disaster." Ugh. OK. We get it. Give us the news, please, not your negative editorial. Here are three pairs of opposite perspectives, meant to remind us all that we can't control what happens to us, we can only control our … Continue reading Ignore the Headlines
Hang in There, Northern California
Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. ~ Proverbs 25:25, NIV Please know, the cold water reaching you will be good news in this distant land. Also, thoughts and prayers are with you!
Palms Up!
Q. Why are palm trees the most carefree trees? A. Because they have fronds in high places.
