Outdoor Destination Wish List: 2010

The Outdoor places I want to visit, hike, see or just experience by the end of 2010. No particular order ~
· Yosemite NP: Half Dome and Glacier Point (Sentinel Dome)
It is here I want to once again feel a waterfall push the air across the Mist Trail before dawn. The ache in my legs and lungs brushed aside as I contemplate the power not seen; only heard as we climb ever higher.

· Zion NP: Walk the full length of The Narrows
At this point, I think I’ve walked all of the trails in the canyon, even a portion of the Narrows but only near the Temple of Shinawava. It is upstream I wish to see and bare witness to the beauty wrought over millennia. Those who have touched the canyon walls there are few indeed.

· Valley of Fire, NV: Check it out from top to bottom
A new place to explore, perhaps with friends who live in the Vegas area. It looks absolutely fabulous from the photos.

· Joshua Tree NP: It's all good
The closest NP to home, it is truly a special place in terms of beauty and personal history.

· Portland, OR: Gorge and/or Mt. Hood treks
The main draw is a young boy and his parents who live there now. But to see so much green at every turn is a treat in itself.

· Superstition Mtns, AZ: "The Wave"
Not so easy to find, almost a hidden slot canyon that is unlike any place on earth. I’ve only seen photos of the rocks as well as how to get there. Still, it might be a challenge to actually see it in cool weather.

· Prescott, AZ: Peavine Trail
I want to share this sweet walk with my sweetheart. For an “urban” trail, it gets NO better from a visual perspective.

· Saguaro NP, AZ:
Rather short trails, I think…but beautiful in so many ways. I want this for my birthday.

· Hidden Springs and The Grottos, Mecca Hills
Want to hike this as a backpack trip with my sis and my brother. We enjoyed this unique place as youngsters where it took hold of my imagination and never let go. I found some recent photos of it and the thrill of it all came rushing back.

· Anza Borrego Desert, CA:
I’ve only been a couple of times and enjoyed it…but I know there is much more to appreciate out there.

· Daley Ranch – Entire Loop
I walked the entire thing solo this year. It took all day but I want to do it again, only a bit faster and with less pain the next day.

More to come, I am sure.

Moving Day - Excuse my dust

I've moved a lot of old posts from Modern Artifacts that were more focused on writing, poetry and such to this blog today.

Trying to keep the other blog more focused on art, craft and maybe some instructions now and again. I've deleted some posts and kept some over there that I was just too lazy to move.

That being said, I'll try to keep this blog more werdz centric and the other more artsy-fartsy centric.

Sorry for any confusion and sorry if you find yourself re-reading any of this old junk.

Cheers.

Waiting for Spring; Time for a Poem

NOTE: A post from last spring, moved over to this blog. I'll hammer one out in time for this spring.

The other day, I noticed it wasn't completely dark at 5:00 PM. During a particularly wondrous setting sun event last week, I remembered that Spring keeps its promise to always come around to bring some green. I suppose there are some things you can depend on in this life besides taxes and death.

I wrote this poem some time ago. It's time to dust it off as the sun sets a little bit later each day.

(cue: G. Harrison "Here Comes the Sun")


Spring

Cold, hard reminders of winter’s grip
fail to halt the promise of Spring.

Chilled nights, early sunrises prepare
for the life giving thaw.

And I breathe deeply, drinking in
the warming air.

Young children, flower buds of
humanity play, squeal in delight
and wonder.

Magical season, with each visit I ponder
and realize,

This is the beginning of the New Year.

Sure, we have plenty of winter left, but it's still nice to know its ticket is just about to be punched.