The smell of whale burp

Yesterday evening, upon my return, a parade went through my neighborhood.Call: “Whose lives matter?” Response: “Black Lives Matter!” Call: “Get outta your homes, and into the street!” Repeat. I got outta my home and into the street to see what was going on. I didn’t know what the revolution would look like. I always thought… Continue reading The smell of whale burp

Port Townsend

The areas of the brain that process emotional thought and response are larger, percentage-wise in the brains of orcas than any other animal. So said a sign at the visitor center in Port Townsend. Port Townsend is a place that I love. Historically, some people say it’s “the city that whiskey built.” I didn’t drink… Continue reading Port Townsend

Sol Duc retreat

No computer, no TV, no cell service Sol Duc resort sits down on the floor of Washington’s Olympic National Park. Sol Duc is said to mean “sparkling water,” and was discovered by non-natives around 1880. Sitting in the hot sulphur water, about 30 of us watched a man high up on a rickety ladder, replacing… Continue reading Sol Duc retreat

Notes from Canada

They sit, walk laps, read Ferry carries passengers Standing in the wind I traveled to Canada last week with my girlfriend. Haven’t been there since, oh, about 1983. Smoke and fire give way Three hours up the freeway Gray clouds bursting rain I meant to get back there sooner. Someday much sooner. “When is someday… Continue reading Notes from Canada

Orcas Island

  I felt on the brink of magic. I was, Orcas island was next. Still, Anacortes is beautiful; you can walk on the beach or a boardwalk path if you have time before your ferry pulls in.   Anacortes is the place to drive onto ferries that go to Canada and the San Juan islands.… Continue reading Orcas Island

A voice from the Pacific Crest Trail

Chance Fitzpatrick is over halfway through hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, from Mexico to Canada. I asked him some questions about his journey so far. MP: What would you tell your past self, prior to getting on the trail? CF: Just relax and trust the process. The trail always provides and everything will be given… Continue reading A voice from the Pacific Crest Trail