In Memoriam: Jonathan Collins, 1984 - 2015

I met Jonathan in 1997. We were both early-teen boys, and quickly found friendship in the world that revolved around that small church in rural Western North Carolina attended by both our families. I was the newcomer, and he welcomed me into his influence.

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.

Coastal Termination Trail

Still under the weather, my sickly soul was drawn outside by the big blooming sun, bold between the blue sky and teal waters. Tunes in my car and a short, slippery eleven miles north later I was hop-scotching across the frozen creek bank towards Monashka Bay.

Pillar Mountain Drive

Strep throat has strapped me with sickness, ever since the night of my last hike. Sequestered to home ever since, except for brief forays into the office when my co-workers were absent and thus protected from infection, I was rapidly tiring of my seclusion.