"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 = ??
Photography
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
Palms Up!
Q. Why are palm trees the most carefree trees? A. Because they have fronds in high places.
Happy Trails
No memory is ever alone; it's at the end of a trail of memories, a dozen trails that each have their own associations. ~ Louis L'amour
Camping R.S.V.P. (Really Scared, Visiting Promptly)
A quick note: Thank you for the camping invite. I can't come. Wish I could. (Although, I still might.) I'm not only scared of the COVID bathrooms, Here's my list: Lyme Disease, poisonous mushrooms, Drowning, getting lost, falling over a cliff Or in a campfire while breathing a whiff. Also, bears. Snakes. Bigfoot. Hillbillies. Skunk … Continue reading Camping R.S.V.P. (Really Scared, Visiting Promptly)
Rusty’s Treasure
Sittin' on this bucket And panning in the stream, My mind is on the work, Leaving my heart to dream. ~ Camp Host Chad For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ~ Matthew 6:21
Would NOT Cut
woodcut noun 1: a relief printing surface consisting of a wooden block with a usually pictorial design cut with the grain 2: a print from a woodcut ~ Merriam-Webster Dictionary Thought you might like this, a picture of cut wood (itself cutting through the woods) that looks like a woodcut. How meta! (Second photo is … Continue reading Would NOT Cut
Campfire Tales 