travel light, wake early, walk far
IT'S GREAT BEING RED A quick disclaimer that I am not trying to match David O's creative writing prowess of "It's Not Easy Being Green". This is merely an attempt to highlight another humble amphibian that became the unofficial mascot of our Wild Oak Trail hike: Red-Spotted Newt. We've counted 22 of these little guys... Continue Reading →
PROLOGUE It was Friday night, and the Green Ridge State Forest frogs were having the party of the year. Nothing shouts “mating season” like the first warm, drizzly evening of springtime. The loud disco music kept the crowd hopping as they all chanted in unison along with their favorite tunes. The alcohol was flowing—most enjoyed... Continue Reading →
“Of every tree of the garden you are free to eat; but as for the tree of knowledge of good and bad, you must not eat of it.” — God, Genesis 2:16, JNP, 1985 “There was a time I could drink my cares away . . . but the whiskey ain’t workin’ anymore.” — Stuart,... Continue Reading →
Massanutten PC small group 13 members + Whiskey Fairy/Evan adding you all to the group. Disappearing trip report message time set to never. Team- establishing a principals hikers group for coordination of trip report memories and feats. I was deputized by U-Turn/Michael to pull together a statement of backpacking conclusions. 13 backpackers set out on... Continue Reading →
Hiking on a four-mile long “knife’s edge” trail on the top of a long mountain, with leaf-free winter views on both sides, I composed an outline of this Trip Report in my mind. Frankly, it was writing itself. We had backpacked from Clifton Forge, Va., north through Douthat State Park, to Warm Springs, Va. I... Continue Reading →
DC UL Backpacking 