Travel Gear: Rain Jacket

The rain was torrential. “You look funny” commented some miserable-looking middle-aged woman as she stumbled towards us on the Wainwright Coast-to-Coast hike across England. I gurgled something to show I was glad I had added to her happiness on that grey day. I suspected this was her first and last long distance walk. We certainly looked… Continue reading Travel Gear: Rain Jacket

Our State Fair

The Minnesota State Fair is a big deal. It runs for 10 days through Labor Day with a total attendance around 1.8 million. This morning, I was one of those attendees. I’m not one for crowds, or food on a stick, or animal competitions. But I do like to drop in on the Fair every… Continue reading Our State Fair

Travel Gear: Trekking Pole

  I often hike with one trekking pole. Some hikers prefer two poles: I don’t have enough hands to carry two while operating my GPS, or grabbing tree limbs. It’s largely about balance, but I suspect my knees are grateful when I lean on the pole while climbing. Unfortunately, a trekking pole makes air travel… Continue reading Travel Gear: Trekking Pole

Nagasaki/Saint Paul

Nagasaki aesthetics, Como Park, St. Paul, MN. Minneapolis and St. Paul are twins; Nagasaki and St. Paul are sisters. In March 2014, I got to meet St. Paul’s sister. I decided not to stay at the Hotel Saint Paul Nagasaki, its name designed to attract my compatriots. I had not come all this way to… Continue reading Nagasaki/Saint Paul