In April we completed a multi-day, inn-to-inn hike across and down the Marin County peninsula, across the bay from San Francisco. We walked through Muir Woods and across the peninsula to the Pacific. We then crossed back to the Bay side before heading to downtown San Francisco. This was an easy adventure: each day we… Continue reading A Walk to San Francisco
Author: Tom Wilson
We Always Stop For Trains
Most weeks, when the weather is fair I go cycling with my friend, Dave. I always look forward to our bicycle adventures: we indulge our curiosity about the world around us, the conversation flows, and we get some exercise. Yesterday our cycle ride included the recently completed Robert Piram Trail in South St. Paul. When… Continue reading We Always Stop For Trains
Settling in One Place for a Month
This winter we stayed in an apartment in Palm Springs for a month. Until this year, we’ve never settled in one place for that long when traveling. The number one reason we went to Palm Springs is easy access to hiking trails: we walked to mountain trails right from our front door. The daytime temperatures… Continue reading Settling in One Place for a Month
Hiking Tucson
For two weeks in January we hiked the trails around Tucson, Arizona. The city is an excellent base for winter hiking: daytime temperatures were in the 60’s and we used just nine gallons of gas driving our rental car to nearby trailheads. Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Saguaro National Park East Saguaro National Park West Around… Continue reading Hiking Tucson
Vacation Rentals: Embracing Imperfection
We’re in Tucson, hiking wonderful trails, with trailheads just minutes from where we’re staying. Our legs aren’t quite as supple as they once were, so we’re having a rest day. We’re relaxing in a rental apartment and contemplating a short walk out to lunch. Vacation rentals are great value, especially now, with hotel room prices… Continue reading Vacation Rentals: Embracing Imperfection
Trip Stacking: Managing Uncertainty
This summer we’ll be traveling somewhere overseas with our nephews and their parents. Exactly where we go will depend on the trajectory of the Covid virus and how different jurisdictions choose to manage transmission risk. To minimize uncertainty, I’ve resorted to stacking three trips for around the same time this summer. We’ll make one of… Continue reading Trip Stacking: Managing Uncertainty
12 Months of Microposts: 2021
It’s almost the end of 2021: it’s time to look back at the past 12 months of my almost daily microposts. I’ve been posting daily for about 10 years. The posts don’t document my life during those years; they’re merely a series of little things that have given me joy. Occasionally I miss a day… Continue reading 12 Months of Microposts: 2021
Hawaii Snow Day
I’ve always enjoyed Minnesota snow days. Heavy snow, schools shut, commerce pauses, we all get to stay home and cocoon. This morning we woke to warnings from the National Weather Service that there would be blizzards on Hawaii Big Island where we’re staying right now. We were unperturbed. Admittedly, it was raining hard, but that… Continue reading Hawaii Snow Day
Thames Path Hike
The Thames Path is a 184-mile National Trail that roughly follows the River Thames from its source in the Cotswold Hills to the Thames Barrier east of London. For three days this week I walked part of the trail from near Reading to Oxford. I’m grateful I was joined by two friends I’ve known for… Continue reading Thames Path Hike
The Day Swinging England Invaded America
England swings like a pendulum doBobbies on bicycles, two by twoWestminster Abbey, the tower of Big BenThe rosy-red cheeks of the little children Roger Miller, 1965 I’m on board an Airbus A350 from New York-JFK to London-Heathrow. Last night, my home was the TWA Hotel at JFK. The hotel’s public spaces are in the restored… Continue reading The Day Swinging England Invaded America