Photography
Anchored Down in Anchorage
Both of these photos are from our morning walk within the city limits of Anchorage, where we visited my daughter and grandchildren.
New York Ladder
I lost count of the number of ladders the maintainers of the Appalachian Trail have installed in the rockier sections. New York is notorious for sending you over obstacles like this, when often, while at the top, you can look down and see a perfectly useful trail that goes right around the thing you are climbing on. #hiking
Thanks Ladybird
If you enjoy roadside planting of wildflowers, thank former first lady, Ladybird Johnson, who conceived and popularized the practice. I’m glad the government spends money on flowers. I’d rather they do that than buy more bombs or tax fewer rich people. The planting is by a rest stop on Interstate 40 in Johnston County, NC.
The Bridge at Vernon
Some stretches of the Appalachian Trail lack any amenities. There are whole states with no privies and Maine doesn’t have any bridges for creeks and rivers, you have to wade them all. New Jersey, on the other hand, has all the fancy stuff, including this bridge outside Vernon.
Off the Blue Ridge Parkway
Good morning from just off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock, NC. There are miles of paths through the woods near Cone Manor, once the estate of a textile baron, today a park.
The Rutherford Shelter on the Appalachian Trail
Located in High Point State Park in New Jersey, the Rutherford Shelter sports a (non-functional) satellite dish courtesy of some joker who lugged it through the woods to install. The hiker shown (trail name, Smokey) was notorious for the extra pack weight he endured to carry a constantly replenished bottle of bourbon and a considerable amount of cannabis. #hiking
Linville Gorge
Good morning from Table Top Mountain, near the edge of Linville Gorge, home of some of the toughest #hiking in the Eastern US.
Trail Town Oddities
I saw numerous odd things while passing through trail towns on my AT thru-hike. This live bait vending machine was beside a gas station in Delaware Water Gap, PA, right on the river at the New Jersey State line. The people there were very hospitable, and we stayed in a church-run hostel that has free showers and laundry.#hiking
Goldfinch
Every spring, I buy thistle seeds to attract the goldfinches to my yard. I think they are one of the loveliest birds around. #birds
Pelicans in Flight
Good morning from Carolina Beach, NC. The pelicans are out early looking for breakfast. #birds.
Another Knife's Edge
This is one of many stretches of the Appalachian Trail known as The Knife’s Edge. It’s in eastern Pennsylvania, a day south of the Lehigh Gap. For about a mile, you have to put your hiking poles away and maintain three points of contact to traverse it. #hiking
The Appalachian Trail Near Allentown, PA
I remember this day for one spectacular disappointment - we’d planned to visit a privately owned shelter near the trail that had an actual flush toilet instead of a privy, but we couldn’t find it for some reason. I was so sad. We stopped at this primeval looking spot to eat lunch.
Bald Pate Mountain
Southern Maine has some of the best hiking in the US. Bald Pate Mountain is fun on a dry day, but if it is raining, take the day off. This is the south side. The northern side is just a steep granite sliding board with the occasional bush to grab. The view from the top is magnificent. #hiking #AppalachianTrail
Moravian Church
The cupola atop the Moravian Church in Old Salem Village (which later combined with another nearby community to form the modern city of Winston-Salem, NC).
The Colorado River
If you descend to the floor of the Grand Canton, this is what awaits you. Wonder Woman sent me this photo on the day she completed the Rim to Rim challenge. She also remembers it as the day I watched two TV shows without her, something I will never live down, I guess.
Huumingbird at rest
This is the only photo I have ever taken of a hummingbird while perched. #birds
Rim to Rim
A couple of years back, Wonder Woman made a weekend trip to Arizona to cross this off her bucket list - running the Grand Canyon from rim to rim, which she did the day after taking this photo.
A New Generation
Having lived in the same house for 30 years now, I’ve watched generations of tree rats make their home in my backyard. Every year, a new crop of babies starts the process of getting to know us through the bribery process. I’ve probably distributed a ton of peanuts to them since 1995.
