My Umbrella: A Room with a View

I Love My Gear!

My Umbrella is a Rainy Day Room With a View

Yesterday, I walked on Cold Mountain, VA, in a cloud. Rain drizzled down and visibility was

"My Room with a View"

about 20 feet. Yet, I was enjoying the walk, the view, and a visit to this magical place of beauty.  As I walked, I realized that my umbrella played a big part in my ability to embrace this moment in comfort  and joy.

When I first started backpacking, I thought that an umbrella would be about the dumbest thing I could bring.  Wouldn’t it get caught in branches along the trail?, I thought.  An umbrella is fragile and awkward! Umbrellas are for city streets, not trails!  It’s just not right! An umbrella is bulky and hard to pack. My list of reasons to leave the umbrella at home was long. read more

Mingus Creek poetry

Standing next to a rushing stream in the Great Smoky Mountains Park I jotted down a poem in a “diamont” style. Nature calls me to observe her constancy amid my sanguinity.

Mingus trail stream
White rushing
Flowing unaware alluringly
Beckoning me to wilderness
Free purposeful refreshing
Journey’ s inspiration
Constancy