On Barometer

Barometer Mountain, Kodiak. Suzan Hailey. January 2007. Pics4Learning.

Anton Larson Paddle and Old Woman Loop Hike

John Cannon photo of a segment of Anton Larsen Road. More of his work here.

Yesterday, Tuesday here in the Emerald Isle, the sun was in full-bloom. I skipped the afternoon hours of labor to take full advantage of this rare flower of light. After strapping the boat down and tossing gear in the car, the 16 partly graveled miles out to Anton Larsen bay went by quickly.

Near Island Afternoon Jaunt

Yesterday, a day forecast to be blustery and cruel to the outdoor enthusiast, was at first dark and somber. Eschewing footworn paths, I joined a friend at a birthday party for a 2 year old, held at the local brewery. Sip on all that incongruity with the same lingering contemplation you would accord a delicious, dark porter. Pints were quaffed as minions ran helter-skelter, faces smeared in birthday cake, little impressionistic canvases made manically mobile.

North off the Near Island Bridge

Black Hills Ghost Goat

I once drove cross-country from North Carolina to Yellowstone in a van modified for comfort and class. I slept in the back of this van and bounced from it each morning to leap about the land I was growing to love with each additional destination, each further mile traveled.

The 4WD living room, and haven from four-legged fiends.

Monashka Mountain Loop

Friday, day after Christmas, or Boxing Day for those in Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom, I went to work in the morning and then ducked out just after mid-day to take advantage of the glorious sunshine. Home for a quick meal, warm clothes, water and flashlight - then off to the northern terminus of the Kodiak road system. The road was frozen for most of the eleven miles as I traveled at a safe speed for the conditions, occasionally testing the bite of the studded tires against the surface of the road.

The afternoon's route.