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

Go With The Flow

“Go with the flow” is the slogan for the Newberry crater area, just south of Bend, Oregon. A nice play of words on the whole lava phenomena. Nature flows with what is. Finding harmony within disharmony. I wonder about how to be more like nature? Natural. Passing a forest where there had been a burn… Continue reading Go With The Flow

Go to the empty places

January is empty for reservoirs. They hold the void. There is no water, wake, or waves. Hardly anyone is there. You’d see them if they were; there’s nowhere to hide. I tromped around wondering about the emptiness. Which reminded me of the importance of being empty. My friend recommends going into a room empty. Especially… Continue reading Go to the empty places

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

The Maiden Voyage

“You ate your dessert first!” She said, stating the obvious as the fudge brownie was already half gone. “Yes. I do that,” said I. The sandwiches were taking forever. I have little self control. We were having lunch at the Metropol to celebrate the first paddle of the new kayak. Mariann, my friend and paddle… Continue reading The Maiden Voyage

Stand-up paddle the urban Willamette

I pushed off at Sellwood Riverfront park. The plan? Paddle the board toward the city. I wouldn’t make it all the way, but the journey looked good. I parked on a street nearly under Sellwood bridge and headed toward what I thought was a boat launch. It seemed that it had been one a long… Continue reading Stand-up paddle the urban Willamette

Field trip for the soul

I was feeling a little bummed out. I needed some different scenery. I had some things on my mind and they weren’t all happy things. What to do with a melancholic half day off? Leave town. First stop, the bird refuge. My spirit needed a rinse of water, sky, birds, rain. This is a story… Continue reading Field trip for the soul