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 …

June 5, 2014 You may have thought your Memorial Day festivities were great. Maybe even exciting. See if you still think so after you read about mine. Now, you’re probably thinking I’m going to wow you with a tale of some exotic and dangerous hike or a family reunion with a long-lost relative. OK—so it wasn’t that exciting, but . . . We spent the holiday with my father-in-law in Xenia. I kicked the day off with The Grillin’. It’s big stuff when a guy gets to do anything with propane. Bonnie and her dad …

May 17, 2014 Sixty-four is not a big birthday. At least I keep telling myself that. We would celebrate it quietly. Bonnie and her dad know just what I like and had it planned out. However, none of us knew it would involve a Golden Ticket. No, I’m not trying out for American Idol any time soon. There will be no coveted plane ticket to Hollywood. I haven’t even kept up with the show this season. But we did head off to the outfitter store. Bonnie had given me a blank check (within reasonable limits) …