“…I joined a group of strangers to descend the Alsek River—a remote river at the upper end of Alaska’s southeastern panhandle.”
Square Peg, Round Hole
“So here I am, with a dog who is not search and rescue material and a horse who doesn’t jump.”
Denali: The Mountain
“There, from a very unusual vantage point was a clear and glorious view of the mountain whose name means ‘the Big One’…”
Aerial Alaska
“Alaska is just...immense, no matter where you are: on the rivers, in the mountains, or in the interior. No wonder the place enjoys such a mystical, far-away reputation.“
Small in Size, Great in Stature: A Salute to Miss Roth
“She is a teacher. Her career traversed interesting times, beginning as it did in September, 1942…”
Palau and World War II (Part 4 of 4)
“My original interest in visiting the tiny Pacific nation was driven in large part by curiosity about my father’s service in WWII.“
How To Say “Ngchesar”: Terrestrial Palau (Part 3 of 4)
One of the most fascinating elements of Palauan culture, to me, is the language.
Underwater World (Palau, Part 2 of 4)
“While in Palau, I added to my lifetime hours of snorkeling by factors of ten. As a novice, I was in that delicious ‘beginner’s mind’ world where everything seemed wondrous.”
Speaking of Faraway Places: Palau (Part 1 of 4)
“This Pacific archipelago nation of 386 islands is world-famous for its underwater world of marine beauty and diversity.”
The Dreadful and Brilliant Facebook
“Facebook is such an...interesting phenomenon. Many people I know have a real love/hate relationship with it. The best way I’ve seen it described is this: It’s the 21st century equivalent of the local coffee shop.”
The Ides of March Rolls By...Yet Again
“On the Ides of March, 2016, a momentous occasion occurred: I managed to meet an important deadline. I finished writing a book.”
Flight 93 National Memorial
“It was exceedingly dignified, and calm, and respectful, and deep. I stood there on the lower plaza, alone in the misty cold day.”
Run For Your Burrow!
“Yes, I went to Washington, D.C… where people were polite and, although determined to be heard, quite amazingly friendly and helpful to others.”
An Epic Day in Washington, D.C.
“In the aftermath (afterglow?) of what was indisputably an epic, historic day, we feel exhilarated and tired.”
Yosemite
“It was a place that had languished on my “someday” list for decades. I finally got there in April, 2016: Yosemite!”
Lingering Things
“A core message I choose to wake to daily is that “everything is possible in the morning.” That is, an entire day lies ahead, filled with promises and opportunity.”
Why the U.S. Congress Should Go To NOLS
“Imagine a group of people tasked to accomplish important things, but who do not share much in common. The people in this group tend to take one of two sides when controversy comes up. Common ground is not common.”
On Good Leadership
“When groups of people come together, the need for leadership arises. Unfortunately, many groups do not enjoy good leadership.”
Road Trip!
“During the past year of focusing on writing a book, I had a hiatus from wandering (ok, except for Egypt in December...). It helped me realize just how much I love being at home.”
The Perfect Peach
“Tis the season of the perfect peach, the one you think is ripe but which is still firm enough to the gentle press of the thumb to make you wonder.”