In the debates surrounding the elements, such as their number (four versus five?), their definition (scientific versus - to choose just one - astrological), their symbolism (spiritual, philosophical, etc.), the "chicken or the egg" order of their cycles (fire consumes wood, wood grows from the earth, paper covers rock, and so on), the Campfire Tales stance is: How do they … Continue reading Earth Day (2017): Elements
Author: Camp Host Chad
Wednesday Words on the Wild: Pride
I regularly walk by the above banner posted all around the park in process (it looks like they are replacing some lawn with drought-resistant plants). The "Park Proud" phrase catches my eye every time. For one thing, I find it amusing/depressing that it's necessary to encourage people to take pride in our parks (substitute: city, … Continue reading Wednesday Words on the Wild: Pride
Book Review: Under the Stars
To follow up recent posts about camping and nemophilists, I now present the inaugural Campfire Tales book review, Dan White's Under the Stars. My brief description is, "A humorous overview of camping, delving into all aspects of America's relationship to the wilderness, through both the historical past and the personalized present." The book approaches the subject of camping through … Continue reading Book Review: Under the Stars
Wednesday Words on the Wild: Nemophilist
Ne`moph´i`list: n. 1. One who is fond of forests or forest scenery; a haunter of the woods. ~ Webster's Dictionary There is pleasure in the pathless woods, there is rapture in the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar; I love not Man the less, but … Continue reading Wednesday Words on the Wild: Nemophilist
Wednesday Words on the Wild: Camping
For better and worse, camping shows you who you are. ~ Dan White, Under the Stars As evidenced in the photo above, taken during a camping trip to Twin Lakes in the eastern Sierras, the rainfly on my tent proved insufficient to keep out the rain, the trench dug to divert water flowing downhill around the tent was not … Continue reading Wednesday Words on the Wild: Camping
The Grasshopper Complex: Part II
Let's continue with two more connections between the Israelites entering the Promised Land, and me visiting Utah's national parks. (Or, if you're a fan of wordplay, "between Zionism, and going to Zion." Or, if you prefer irony, "between a group trying to leave the wilderness, and one trying to go into the wilderness." OK, enough … Continue reading The Grasshopper Complex: Part II
Wednesday Words on the Wild: Words & Pictures
Maturity: Be able to stick with a job until it is finished. Be able to bear an injustice without having to get even. Be able to carry money without spending it. Do your duty without being supervised. ~ Ann Landers My friend Susan recently wrote me, "[My daughter] gave me a subscription to National Geographic. I'm finally … Continue reading Wednesday Words on the Wild: Words & Pictures
The Grasshopper Complex: Part I
Two weekends ago in Las Vegas I snapped this picture outside the Container Park: After exploring the park, I noticed this sign on my way out: The first Bug Build Fact "just outside Zion National Park" caught my attention. (For more info on The Mantis, go here.) Days later, while reading this book, during a recap of the story … Continue reading The Grasshopper Complex: Part I
Wednesday Words on the Wild: Spring
To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring. ~ George Santayana I am trying not to fall prey to the seduction of spring, honest! Although the wet California winter still delights me, the rain is to be blamed for making everything so distractingly green and vibrant. … Continue reading Wednesday Words on the Wild: Spring
Wednesday Words on the Wild: Rivers
We have an unknown distance yet to run, an unknown river to explore. What falls there are, we know not; what rocks beset the channel, we know not; what walls ride over the river, we know not. Ah, well! we may conjecture many things. ~ John Wesley Powell The river is constantly turning and bending and you … Continue reading Wednesday Words on the Wild: Rivers
