– 5 Reasons to Embrace Positive Thinking – Superheroes in the 1960s weren’t as impressive as they are today. There were no computers, no CGI; Superman couldn’t really fly and Batman was funnier than he was fearsome. Instead, we had heroes with whom we could relate; men of substance stacked just a little bit higher than most. They might be stronger or faster or smarter … Continue reading Being Optimistic is Best
– See the Donut, Not the Hole – I had money for food or fuel, but not enough for both. It would be a few days until my Social Security check arrived; the couple dozen dollars left in my account would finance a trip to town but there would be nothing left for groceries. “Payin’ dues,” I reminded myself… though it was of little consolation. … Continue reading 4 Strips of Bacon for Thanksgiving
– November is Bad for Whitewater – We pushed off from Funston the next morning with the idea of moving our adventure to Little Pine. Usually, there was excitement and energy to share when we packed up the boats, but it was quiet and somewhat sullen that day. Our hands were cold and limbs stiff as we lugged the gear to the beach and struggled … Continue reading Weather Can Ruin Your Plans
– What No One Does, Where No One Does It – “Every few days like clockwork, they go straight up the road.” I pointed toward camp. “And this is where the wolves come in.” We stood in the broad rolling bottom of a creek that dried up centuries ago. It disrupted the road with its contours, a washout that had grown over with sage and … Continue reading Night Out with Wolves
– New Friends, New Life – In November, the water level was too low for boating on the upper part of the river, so late season rafters flew in to the short dirt airstrip at the confluence of Loon Creek and the Middle Fork to begin their trips. It was pretty easy to charter a couple planes with a service out of Salmon or Challis … Continue reading Adventure on the Middle Fork
– Tough Transition from Businessman to Mountain Man – It was called ‘Guide and Packer School’, but we wouldn’t graduate as big-game hunting guides. Mostly, Ron clarified, I would train to become a backcountry packer at Guide and Packer School. We would wrangle stock and saddle them and use them to transport freight through the wilderness. Those who signed up believing they would be licensed … Continue reading It’s Hard to Live a Dream
– And Adventure is How I Stay Happy – Happiness is my purpose in life. There is nothing more important; I put my happiness first. The reason it’s a priority is because happiness is converted into good energy that I share with all the other people in my world. It rubs off on the people around me and makes them happy, too. I give my … Continue reading Happiness is My Purpose
– Walking Across the Rockies Alone – When I talk about Adventure, I’m talking about the whole thing; the imagining, the doubts and the planning around them, and the actual doing of the thing. It all starts with that idea; the one that scares you just a little less than it makes you smile. Like the time I decided to get lost on purpose… and … Continue reading Lost on Purpose
