Bushwacking: making one’s way through wild areas without following a designated path or trail. And so we did, during a hike yesterday to and along the Huron River not far from my camp. And it was wild! The origins of the term harken to our country's beginnings, when private individuals and "irregulars" attacked each other … Continue reading Bushwhacking
Wildfires, and their resulting smoke, are seasonal. Lifelong friendships are seasonless. One is tolerated and, lately, argued about. The other is treasured. Or should be. I was exposed to both lately here in Michigan's remote far north. Photos and captions follow. As I write this Saturday night, much of the country is experiencing heavy smoke … Continue reading Fires & Friends
Most full-time locals are tired of it by now -- they've been dealing with it since November. But I'm a "seasonal resident" (albeit one who visits in all seasons). And a "remigrant" (one who moved away and came back.) My northern winter started at the end of January. And I love it! Here on the … Continue reading Winter on the 46th Parallel
Snowy woods are magical. Yes, it's cold. You have to dress for it. And it's worth the extra effort, because...the stillness. You can hear yourself think! (Or, not. Sometimes not thinking is the point.) American poet Robert Frost must have known this when he wrote "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening." (See him recite … Continue reading Woods on a Snowy Evening
What happens when you reach the end of the earth? Do you fall off? Back in the day when people thought the world was flat, they must have wondered. Us? We stood on the rocks and felt the wind whip our hair. The day after arriving on foot in Santiago de Compostela (after walking 80 … Continue reading The End of the Earth?
"Is this the way?" asked my sister when we briefly lost track of the yellow arrows. Wherever you are, that is the way -- to enlightenment or joy or whatever the goal. It isn't usually a straight line...at least not for me...and losing the path sometimes is part of the process. We left in the dark. … Continue reading El Camino – Day 2 (Neda to Pontedeume)
Camping is defined as "the activity of spending a vacation in a camp, tent or camper." So says one dictionary, anyway. For some of us, it's simply getting away from "home base" for a night, preferably in nature. Below, in photos and captions, some recent one-night getaways in Michigan's far-north (Upper Peninsula). This lighthouse, captured … Continue reading Camping
There's something about walking in nature, or "hiking." (If it's not natural terrain, it's called "walking." 😊) The eyes and ears open and life's stresses melt away, at least for a while. The Japanese call this forest bathing, and have exported this idea as a form of nature therapy. Whether you call it hiking or … Continue reading Hiking/Forest Bathing
We like Canada, don't we? We're not only neighbors, we're friends. (At least I think we still are, though recent political trends have caused some strain.) And we share a continent! So I was glad to get to know it better during our recent Lake Superior Circle Tour. This is Pt. 2 of my first … Continue reading Lake Superior Circle Tour – Pt 2
We did it in 12 days. It's wasn't The Great Loop - but it was a loop, and it was great! The Lake Superior Circle Tour is "a thing" among northerners...to drive the 1,300 miles around the biggest, coldest and deepest lake in the world. I grew up on this lake, and saw "Circle Tour" … Continue reading Lake Superior Circle Tour – Pt 1
For Many Moons 