My immediate neighborhood - Eagle Bay

This is where I take Andy for short walks. What a beautiful world....

Ralph Waldo Emerson:

There is no beautifier of complexion, or form, or behavior, like the wish to scatter joy and not pain around us. 'Tis good to give a stranger a meal, or a night's lodging. 'Tis better to be hospitable to his good meaning and thought, and give courage to a companion. We must be as courteous to a man as we are to a picture, which we are willing to give the advantage of a good light.

Almost every morning that I walk, I am greeted by an act of generosity offered by a stranger. A simple walking stick. You find them everywhere. I admit that, upon occasion - I have taken them and used them later to help start a fire. . . and feel terribly guilty about doing so. So I offer this as a thank you for the gratitude of strangers who have unknowingly not only provided me an aide by which to ascend some peak, or walk some path yet to be discovered, but who have also provided the tinder for warmth and comfort following the hike. And Andy, who loves nothing better to lie in front of a fire pondering ... well, who knows what? - is also deeply grateful. Just ask him sometime.

A rocky beginning at Rocky Point

Partway up - Rocky Pt., Inlet

The Little
Engine That (Almost) Could...

My camera froze solid on the climb up to make a snow angel - so, Andy and I climbed, then slipped, tripped, and sledded back down... will climb again with new batteries tomorrow! Stay tuned! More pics coming... plus this great quote about climbing by Shel Silverstein...

"He was almost there, when... Smash! Crash! Bash!
He slid down and mashed into engine hash
the little engine that almost could."