Blog
The Very Long Way Home
Glacier Bay National Park, in Alaska, was founded with good intentions in mind: to protect a wild land still recovering from the recession of a massive, steamrolling glacier and all the whales, otters, fish, bears and wolves that haunt the fjords and mountains. But when the monument was established in 1925, the local people, the Huna Tlingit, who had lived there since time immemorial, were not consulted. This, in fact, was not uncommon among national parks and monuments that laid claim to native lands. Thus began…
The Necessity of Desert Wanderings
This past weekend, the forecast called for snow and unseasonably low temperatures. All of Durango seemed to be eyeing the mountains for one last ski expedition. Meanwhile, I was going to the desert. Admittedly the idea gave me pause, particularly the prospect of flash floods. Despite the skies rumbling with clouds and the snow-covered grass, we departed. How bad could it be? I love these fly-by-the-seat weekends. We wound up camping at Hite under mottled skies and waking up to high clouds and perfectly cool weather.…
Finding Perspective in an Old Dance Hall
Just a few days after an election that deeply affected me, I set off into the heart of Trump country: rural Texas. Admittedly, I was a bit wary. I recognize and honor the diverse political viewpoints of our country, but this election felt like a personal attack to me. And yet, here I was on a plane to Austin... The assignment was not political in nature whatsoever. It was a feel-good story about a diverse group of music and dance aficionados who are fighting to stabilize and protect rural Texas'…