Boots over New Zealand

Next week we’ll be hiking the Queen Charlotte Track a glorious ridge trail above sea-drowned valleys at the top of New Zealand’s South Island. It’s a comfortable tramp, just 43 miles over four days. Maybe that explains why Rudyard Kipling’s “Boots” was my earworm the other day: We’re foot—slog—slog—slog—sloggin’ over Africa! Foot—foot—foot—foot—sloggin’ over Africa— (Boots—boots—boots—boots—movin’… Continue reading Boots over New Zealand

A Very Japanese Christmas

Christmas was coming to life when I visited Japan in early November. Colonel Sanders, an integral part of Japan’s Christmas traditions, was in his Santa garb. Ticket counters in some train stations were decorated with tinsel and little ornaments. Christmas trees were starting to sprout. Christmas tree being set up at Nagoya’s main train station.… Continue reading A Very Japanese Christmas

Categorized as Japan

Monday Morning Coffees

From under the duvet, I hear the daily grind. Dwight is edging towards his workday. It’s time for my daily incantation: “OK Google, what time is it?” “OK Google, turn on National Public Radio” “OK Google, turn on bedroom lights” “OK Google, bring coffee” OK, I don’t ask Google to bring coffee. I stick my… Continue reading Monday Morning Coffees

A Sporting House

November 2017. I look out from our Minneapolis Mill District apartment. Ahead, I see St. Anthony Falls, the only significant waterfall on the Mississippi. A hydroelectric plant, established in 1882, still generates enough power for thousands of homes. Minneapolis grew up around these falls. Across the river I pick out the Pillsbury “A” Mill. Completed… Continue reading A Sporting House

Walking in Silence

Today I walked through a solemn space filled with sounds of flowing water, wishing for an alternate history that does not lead to this place. Circular route to entrance, water a constant theme. Underground. Concrete pressed with cedar panels. Bench. Falling water. Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims.

Snapshots: Circling and Framing a Volcano

Sakurajima dominates the view across the bay from Kagoshima, southern Japan. It’s one of the world’s most active volcanoes, regularly raining ash on the city. Surfaces can feel gritty, accumulations of dust are a hazard to cyclists. Hotel rooms with a view of Sakurajima fetch a premium. Directions are expressed relative to the volcano; e.g.,… Continue reading Snapshots: Circling and Framing a Volcano

Using Social Media to Resolve an Issue with United Airlines

We’re off to New Zealand in December. There are no nonstop flights from hometown Minneapolis (MSP) to New Zealand, but I found one-stop itineraries through Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco, and Houston. These are good cities to connect through in the winter: they don’t get shut down by snow. Everything was fine until United changed… Continue reading Using Social Media to Resolve an Issue with United Airlines