Whaddabouda-ism
If you try to prepare for every contingency you may find you end up ill-prepared for what you need to do. Read More …
Category: Musings
My views on life, the universe, and everything.
An influential woman for March 8th
Sr. Helene, a no-nonsense nun, is a woman I think of on March 8th every year. Read More …
2021 : The steady state
The annual waxing of the poetic and looking at the past year. Or skip the prose and see the photos! Read More …
Happy Holidays – Desert Style!
Happy Holidays from the desert! Read More …
Bears Ears – The enemy is us
Thoughts on Bears Ears and what the re-instated protection may actually mean. Read More …
Bear spray canister copy/pasta
More people insist they need bear spray when venturing into black bear country because “it is better to have it and not need it.”—my boilerplate response. Read More …
Ending campfire romanticism
I’ve made a case that campfires belong in the past with other practices. And to make that change, we need to change the culture around campfires—some thoughts. Read More …
To NOT build a fire
Why backcountry campfires should no longer be a regular part of the backpacking experience. Updated with modified views. Read More …
The scourge of Rec DOT gov
Recreation DOT gov gets managed by the multi-billion dollar DC beltway firm of Booz-Allen-Hamilton. And here’s why I think it’s awful. Read More …
Website of the week: Drought.gov
A look at a fascinating, interesting, and ultimately sobering website. Read More …
Love letters from devoted readers
Feeling the love from the wonderful comments from over the years. Read More …
2020: COVID, disappointment, and giving fewer f****
My year in review. A year I found disappointment but also much happiness. Read More …
Thoughts on gatekeeping
What is gatekeeping? And is withholding specific location information a form of it? Read More …
Gifts for yourself: A practical gift guide
Here are some gift ideas that an outdoors person can get for themselves. And they can be used in all seasons and in the coming years ahead. Updated for 2020. Read More …
Signs of the outdoors – Part 2
More signs I found amusing over my years of wilderness travel. Read More …
Back to the 1920s – Thoughts on outdoor rec
Thoughts on the state of outdoor recreation in our modern times. Read More …
Signs of the Outdoors – Part 1
A collection of signs I found amusing from my (mainly) outdoor travels. Part 1. Read More …
The politics of blaze orange and COVID masks
People on either side of the political divide are often more alike than different. They both eschew practicality and safety for political statements. Read More …