Alder Springs Hike to the Deschutes

Alder Springs Hike to the Deschutes

Yesterday, Waldo and I took what I think is the best autumn hike I have ever had. Maybe it was the weather, warm, yet overcast. Maybe it was my mood—happy to be out hiking after a 13 day hiatus. I returned from my Grand Canyon Rim to Rim hike less… Read More

Climbing Mt. Hood

Climbing Mt. Hood

In March, I decided to do something I have never done before—climb a mountain. At first I thought I would try Mt. Kilimanjaro. I know a fellow in town that organizes trips up the snow-capped African peak. But having never climbed anything higher than 8,000 feet, I did not know… Read More

Daring Adventure or Nothing

Daring Adventure or Nothing

Oregon’s first winter storm was predicted to hit yesterday, and I swear you’d think the sky was falling. Portland metro newscasters pulled out all their doomsday-ware: “Up to the minute Doppler Radar,” webcams of soon-to-be-snow covered streets, lists of school closures and delays, and a scroll of Tweets about the… Read More

Fall Has Come

Fall Has Come

Woke to a pacific wind bringing a pacific scent of golden leaves and rain and sea, and a wide pacific sense that the season has turned to its autumnal frame, and dark will fold us into it bare arms and tell us to hush, hush, hush…

Angel Dust

Angel Dust

It was snowing when I dropped Elijah off at school today. At least it looked like snow – it was white and covered the ground and plants and streets and cars. Then I drove east a few miles, climbing to about 1500 feet, and poof – the snow was gone,… Read More

“The Pursuit of Happiness”

“The Pursuit of Happiness”

Late June. The Pacific Crest Trail still with fog. Quiet as sleep. The charcoal and silver skeletons of an ancient forest reach into a woolen sky. I rise before dawn. Watch the sky lighten, the path lengthen, the dark spires of stone and bone take shape and form. During this Chautauqua Institute week… Read More