It had been a long time since I'd climbed a hill this steep, this high, for this long. My legs reminded me of this inescapable fact with every step I took. As long as I kept my head up and focused on the yellow and red trees, it didn't matter. My outdoor adventures had been…Read more Backpacking the Wild Oak Trail, VA
A Worthy Comet
Pictures of Comet NEOWISE are all over the place these days, and with good reason. It has been putting on a surprisingly good appearance over the past week, with a beautiful tail, and for a while even breaking the naked-eye-visibility barrier. The phrase "best comet since Hale-Bopp in '97" seems to be floating around among…Read more A Worthy Comet
Paddling Under A Full Moon
It was July 4th, but I still didn't expect so many explosions. Due to crowd restrictions, all the public fireworks displays in our area were canceled, and most of them have been rescheduled for Labor Day. With no plans for the evening, we decided to take advantage of a clear, warm summer night and go…Read more Paddling Under A Full Moon
COVID Camp
Times are strange. Even though a lot of what I like to do is, by its nature, remote - backpacking, canoeing/kayaking, sailing, etc - all these activities became extremely popular as soon as we started getting guidance not to congregate. The bars closed down and the trailheads clogged up. Add to that the challenges of…Read more COVID Camp
Earth Takes a Break
I'm about a week late in writing about Earth Day, but this subject seems to fit, so consider it my offering. Recently, someone challenged me to consider the COVID-19 outbreak from a non-human-centric point of view. The basic nature of the argument was this - if nothing else, the human tragedy associated with a global…Read more Earth Takes a Break
Top of the Food Chain
A couple months ago, I was walking along at night. The wind blew cold and broken clouds obscured the Moon. Early-season frogs peeped sporadically, wishing it was warmer. It occurred to me then, walking through dark trees, what a privilege it was to be unafraid. Humans haven't always been so secure, and in many parts…Read more Top of the Food Chain
Water-tight?
In my efforts to test myself, I sometimes get a little overconfident. I like to think I'm fairly level-headed and consider risks enough that I'm not doing anything downright STUPID, but I have certainly messed up enough to make me wonder just what the heck I thought was going to happen. Such was the case…Read more Water-tight?
There’s Something Wrong With Us
(Warning: This is NOT a post about COVID-19, not really. It's more about an observation on what COVID reveals. I know we're tired of talking about the pandemic, and I apologize for contributing to it!) It's spring, the weather is suddenly warm, and because the country is deep in "social isolation" as a result of…Read more There’s Something Wrong With Us
Red-Belly Nest
Signs of spring are everywhere right now. Fruit trees are starting to bloom, and the larger hardwoods are budding. Robins are everywhere (though in truth I've seen them all winter - they never really left), and the high school sailing team is back on the water. We've had no snow this winter, and very few…Read more Red-Belly Nest
Outdoor Ethics on the Appalachian Trail
Every year as March rolls around, thousands of people set out to fulfill a bucket-list item and complete the Appalachian Trail. Best wishes to those who are setting out now, and in the next couple weeks, as the Class of 2020! Thru-hikers admonish each other to "hike your own hike" - a reminder that there…Read more Outdoor Ethics on the Appalachian Trail
Canine Wake-up Call
I have what is, mostly, a desk job. And so, recently, I got a FitBit. It's a little cliche, maybe, but this little robotic overlord on my wrist has served a purpose in that part of my life where I represent the target audience of sedentary office worker - and so it dutifully reminds me…Read more Canine Wake-up Call
Sunset at Bear’s Den Rocks
Bears Den Rocks, looking west off the Appalachian Trail in northern Virginia. North end of the "Roller Coaster". Get Out There Troy http://www.flying-squirrel.org
Bear’s Den Trail Center
A familiar site to AT hikers - we've taken over with a crowd of teenagers! Appalachian castle at Bears Den. Get Out There Troy http://www.flying-squirrel.org
Mars and the Moon
This morning, the Moon passed in front of the planet Mars. My view of the event from the east coast of the US was entirely daylight, and I wasn't sure I'd be able to resolve anything. I was up around 6:30am, and the sky was mostly clear. I stepped out on the back deck and…Read more Mars and the Moon
Watch the Moon Block Mars – Feb 18, 2020
I've been meaning to write about this for a while now, but things keep me busy, as they do, and now it's almost too late, because this event happens TOMORROW AT DAWN!! Tomorrow, the Moon will slide directly between Earth and the planet Mars, causing an eclipse, of sorts. This type of event is called…Read more Watch the Moon Block Mars – Feb 18, 2020
Flying Squirrel Outdoors 