The foliage is of all the colors of the prism; but as the woods roll away into the distance the calm, mysterious haze enwraps them in its soft shroud; paints them first in a light blue, then gradually a deeper blue, until, in the distance, there appears but a dim looming; and on gazing at … Continue reading Who Wants to Be a Wood Elf?
The Legend of National Park Mountain
Ages ago, on a dark starry night, Between the forest and the Firehole’s banks (Perhaps the Madison’s), a spark took flight, A thought, a plan, for which we should give thanks National Parks, behold their provenance: Below dark outcroppings, beside a stream (Rock eyes, creek mouth; a face), camp occupants Envisioned preservation. Such a dream! … Continue reading The Legend of National Park Mountain
How Stanley Found Me
In How I Found Livingston by Henry Morton Stanley, journalist Stanley recounts his epic search across Africa, looking for the missing explorer, Dr. David Livingston. I started reading the book (over 700 pages) at least 15 years ago as research on available books circa 1872 that a person living then might have read. Somewhere around … Continue reading How Stanley Found Me
Good Morning, Glory
Just a little something to brighten your Monday morning. Let's all have a great week!
Fix Goo
Dear Weird Al, Do you know what everyone can relate to, but nobody has ever written a song about? Cake fails. Do you know what solves almost all cake fails? Whipping cream. Just in case you wanted to right this wrong and write that song, here is some inspiration, by way of Coldplay's, "Fix You." … Continue reading Fix Goo
Layers Upon Layers
If you ever go to the El Capitan Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, they start every film with the pre-show, "curtain call." I'm sure they refer to it by some other name. "Curtain call" works for me. The music swells, they lift the curtain, and behind that is... another curtain. And then another. … Continue reading Layers Upon Layers
Recap: Hike the Rainbow
Knowing what the readers of Campfire Tales want is a tricky thing, mainly because you aren't a very commenting crowd. Not a criticism. I'm just sayin' is all. Generally your responses are based on what brought you here in the first place, and since Campfire Tales is all over the place topically, I've been on … Continue reading Recap: Hike the Rainbow
Wind Cave: You First, Alice
Do you ever hear someone say something like, "You can eat the stalk of rhubarb, but the leaves are poison," and you ask yourself, "Who was the second fool to try rhubarb?" Or, "I hated that movie the first time I watched it." I can only shake my head when I hear that. "Um... so … Continue reading Wind Cave: You First, Alice
Lake Mead: Historic Railroad Trail
Technically, I should probably call this, "Hoover Dam: Historic Railroad Trail." However, it is not Hoover Dam you look at and walk the perimeter of (at a distance) for the better part of the hike. But without the dam there is no lake to see. And without the water, there's no reason for the dam. … Continue reading Lake Mead: Historic Railroad Trail
Hot Springs: Waterfall
Hot Springs South Dakota waterfall: Enchanting, yes? Like a fairy tale. And like a fairy tale, there's a dark side:
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