Pioneers of the Trail
I spent several months walking the Oregon Trail when I was five and I flew over it in several hours when I was a senior citizen. Jacob Butts 1840-1925 The pioneers that traveled the Oregon Trail were hardy people. Much hardier–than us. Earlier this year we read a book about two brothers who retraced the […]
Land of Two Thousand Arches
In a world that is becoming increasingly virtual, the parks remain places of visceral beauty. Nevada Barr, American Author You may not have been there yourself, but you’ve undoubtedly seen pictures of Arches National Park. On our current journey through the southwestern US we managed to spend two days hiking through this unique area, located near […]
The Austin Texas Snipe Hunt
We love to check out unique local adventures during our travels. During a week in Austin we took a tour up in the University of Texas tower, visited the LBJ Presidential Library, worked on a house build with the local Habitat for Humanity chapter, and…may have engaged in a local “snipe hunt.”* According to local lore, a million […]
The Secret Caverns
An hour east of Tucson there is a unique set of caves in Kartchner Caverns State Park. This Arizona state park was created in 1988 to preserve these caverns in as pristine state as possible. Local cavers, Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts, discovered the caverns in 1974. They kept the location secret and explored them […]
A Season at Home
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1 Six months before we set out on our adventure living a life on the road, my father was diagnosed with incurable colon cancer. We almost delayed our hike across Spain, but my parents insisted we set off. We […]
North to Alaska—Finally
Laurie and I were born and raised in Washington State, the state closest to Alaska. But we’ve never made the trek up north to visit the 49th member of these United States. Something about cold and mosquitos kept it off the top of our list. But we’re currently on a ten day “scouting trip” up here […]
Surprised by New York City
My favorite thing about New York is the people, because I think they’re misunderstood. I don’t think people realize how kind New York people are. Bill Murray Just after Thanksgiving, Laurie and I spent ten days in New York City with our friends Fred, Trish, and Julie in order to enjoy the Christmas season. The […]
An Oasis in the Desert
…I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. Robert Frost One of the most beautiful places in the United States is accessed via one of the most remote towns in the lower 48. The destination is even more special because of its isolation. Supai, the capital of the Havasupai […]
There’s a Bear–Right There
“…among other things, the Wonderland Trail is one of the world’s most scenic weight-loss programs…” Doug Lorain in One Best Hike: Mount Rainier’s Wonderland Trail Part 2 of a Multi-Part Series During our ten-day hike around Mount Rainier with our friends Kim and Trev, we saw many of the indigenous residents of the national park […]
Smoke Gets in My Eyes: A Backpacking Journey Around Mount Rainier
Man plans, and God laughs. Yiddish Proverb “Crystal Mountain is being evacuated because of fire. We might be next.” We were mere hours into a ten-day backpacking trip on the Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier, and it appeared that Mother Nature was ready to not throw us a curve ball, but to strike us out. […]
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