The Omnivore’s Backpack

And it sounds like a lot but all of this can be made up into a fairly compact little bundle with a little thought.

New Territory Part 4

We managed to toss out the least desirable quarter of our collection. This was good; we were going to need this space for more rocks.

New Territory Part 3

Something gleamed brightly from the bottom of this pan, something “hot” yellow, a vibrant burst of light in the dim forest understory. “Eureka,” I said to Susan.

New Territory Part 2

The agates weren’t outwardly colorful or attractive but I was starting to develop an eye for their outer texture and translucence. The agates here were also larger than average, with some probably topping three pounds.

New Territory Part 1

Don’t ask me how I started thinking about agates, of all things. These rocks are utterly foreign to me.

Rumors of my Demise Have Been Greatly exaggerated…

Yet, it’s also been a good year and I have much to be thankful for and I improved my own situation in many ways.

All Around The Midwest

Over the last couple of weeks, Susan and I executed our Fall getaway, traveling west to Milbank, South Dakota, north to Virginia, Minnesota and back east via Appleton, Wisconsin.

Off the Beaten Track

People complain of over-crowding on the hiking trails of the east but that’s only because they’ve sought out crowded times and places.

Embrace The Wild – Keep The Change

At the tail end of a long day’s wade, we crossed a crude barrier splattered with a handful of “Posted” signs barring trespassing in the reaches we’d just finished fishing.

deep woods

It was still dark but I knew this was morning. I felt like I’d slept my deepest sleep since… well, since last time I’d slept on the ground.