December 8, 2014 This Christmas season we are taking down our tree. Not the evergreen in our living room, but the gnarled old silver maple that has stood guard in our front yard since the day we moved in. A tree so decrepit looking it could evoke a snarky comment even from Charlie Brown. Sometimes I think our tree is a sentient being, like when it tries to see how close it can drop its dead limbs next to the cars parked at the curb beneath it. It hasn’t hit one yet, at least that …

November 22, 2014 Thanks to all who have expressed interest in our book Hiking Without Dave. After three and a half years, Bonnie and I are ready to release it.  Be advised that when you open it things may get messy:  Bonnie and I will both come pouring out. If you want a head start, sample chapters can be downloaded on the Hiking Without Dave page. If you know Bonnie, I am sure you will whole-heartedly agree that she is a sweet and loving person. Here is a little secret just between you and me: …

October 11, 2014 It was the end of the day. We sat around the fire in Spence Field Shelter talking about yet another great backpacking trip . . . and we waited for the bear. Tomorrow we would descend from the misty mountains to our vehicles parked in Cades Cove, then head for home. That is, if we survived the night. We had arrived three days before on Sunday night. Monday we began the day by hiking a few warm-up miles near Newfound Gap. I appreciated this chance to work out some of the bugs. …

by guest blogger Bonnie Spencer   September 20, 2014 When my first-ever digital camera died recently, I went shopping for a replacement. I searched for a similar model because I didn’t want to have to learn how to operate a different one. Eventually, I did find another low-end model that caters to the non-pro like me. Give me an Auto setting and one button to push and I’m happy. My PHD (Push Here Dummy) in photography serves me well. So how difficult could it be to shoot the cover photo for a book? I was …