Category: The Moosilauke Letters

World’s End State ParkPennsylvaniaSeptember  1998 A large tree fell some time ago.  It lies here, moss growing profusely on its surface.  A chipmunk speeds along the fallen, now horizontal trunk, running along on legs that move so fast I can’t see them, looking like a speeded up, bumpy version of a hover craft.  Y’know, the… Continue reading Speed Demon

Rachel Carson TrailPittsburghApril  2020

PittsburghPennsylvaniaalways and forever Most folks never hear this word until they come to Pittsburgh.  Jagoff. Yeah, jagoff. The word jagoff is an ancient word that probably originated with the Shawnee, the native tribe that once resided in western Pennsylvania. No it isn’t.  That’s totally ridiculous. Jagoff is truly a Pittsburgh word, through and through.  We… Continue reading Jagoff

Frick ParkPittsburghOctober  2013 At first I think it might be a Toxicodendron radicans reaction.  You know, a poisoning by urushiol, the histamine-producing substance in poison ivy, or one of those allergy-generating, contact dermatitis plants. Umm, it isn’t. My dermatologist calls it, and these are the exact words she uses, “Itchy Red Bump Disease.”  Guess what… Continue reading Mistaken Identity

McKenna TrailLaurel HighlandsPennsylvaniaAugust  2018 Hike long enough, and hike a lot of miles, you too can get your own trail.

PittsburghPennsylvaniaNovember  2018 Walking home from an appointment here in the city, I come to a busy intersection.  The crossing guard greets me and we have a little chat.  “It’s been a long time since I had help crossing the street,” I tell her. “Are you warm enough?” she asks. I point to my down jacket… Continue reading The Crossing Guard

Amargosa ValleyNevadaMarch  2019 We’ve been almost a week in Death Valley National Park in southern California.  Leaving this strange and somewhat unfathomable land, hot, dry and low, we drive east to Death Valley Junction, a “town” with an official population of four.  4.  One, two, three, four. We were surprised by how few critters we… Continue reading Area 51, a Gallows and a Cow

BurnsvilleNorth CarolinaJune  2015 We cross the Continental Divide and the Blue Ridge Parkway on North Carolina Route 80, the Devils Whip, and turn left to Albert’s Lodge, our new temporary home.  At least for a night or two while we summit Mount Mitchell. Our room is comfortable at Albert’s Lodge, or Albert’s Motel, I never… Continue reading Albert’s Lodge

North CarolinaJune  2015 We’re on our way to climb to the highest point in North Carolina, Mount Mitchell.  Driving northwest from Charlotte, our roads get progressively narrower and curvier until we funnel into North Carolina State Route 80, where the road gets even narrower and curvier than before.  SR-80 is called the Devils Whip, and… Continue reading The Devils Whip

The Appalachian Trail, and others How dedicated are you?  Hark the common wisdom to ascertain the depth of your engagement with hiking, your level of immersion.  Behold, the M&M Test… Drop an M&M on the Appalachian Trail and watch what happens. . A day hiker will pick it up and put it in their pack… Continue reading The M&M Test