Monthly Archives: January 2012

Dog Canyon Hike

Several years ago my son and I began a summer hike near Alamogordo, New Mexico. It was my second hike on the Dog Canyon National Historic Trail beginning at the foot of the Sacramento Mountains. Our plan was to climb … Continue reading

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First Brook No-Frack Blues

Two decades ago, the regional fight against a proposed nuclear waste dump for Allegany County and New York State was more intense than this struggle. That was passionate arm-in-arm civil disobedience against the state, along with a protractive legal war, that … Continue reading

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Genesee Trailwalker

Like most North American rivers, the Genesee, in western New York, has a history of trail use on its banks. From animal path to hunters’ trail to railroad bed and more, the river banks have had a wealth of practical … Continue reading

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Elfin Bird of High Ravines

A few years ago on Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, I happened to step out to the creek where I’d soon find the secretive bird. I had known the winter wren for years prior to that occasion, but seeing it then … Continue reading

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At Camp With Rio Grandes

Winter finally arrived here with a blast of snow and ice, and after dealing with it on the roads and driveways all day long, I was ready to sit back with a recollection of New Mexico’s summery “Land of Enchantment.” … Continue reading

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A Sportsman’s Triad

1– A Few Old Guns I haven’t really hunted since I was a teenager, but I’ve always had a few firearms, pieces that I’ve grown familiar with. The guns I’ve pictured aren’t worth a lot of money but they help … Continue reading

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Beyond Main and Pine: A Walking Meditation

It happens every winter when I grab a favorite book and prop my feet up by the fire. Thoreau’s winter essays found in Walden capture my imagination and further my self-education. It isn’t long before I want to move outside … Continue reading

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To Fish on Winter Holiday

A Dozen Reasons to Fish the Genny on Day 1: 1– No hangover from the night before. 2– No reasons are necessary, but some “whys” may need to be articulated. 3–This ain’t the Florida Keys; it’s the Genesee River in … Continue reading

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A Two-State Tributary Shuffle

For a guy who likes his rural traditions, I also get a buzz from breaking them every now and then. One of my traditions is to fly-fish the Allegheny River on New Year’s Eve, assuming the water is free of … Continue reading

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