Monthly Archives: February 2013

Land Moves (On the Need to Fish)

Posted on February 27, 2013 by rivertoprambles

The Anglo-Irish poet Oliver Goldsmith saw it coming. He recorded several negative aspects of the new Industrial Revolution of the 18th century, most famously in his poem called “The Deserted Village.” Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey,/ … Continue reading →

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Like Old Man Winter

Posted on February 25, 2013 by rivertoprambles

I decided to take a cold morning hike into the wildest corner of my valley. If every country and suburban district had a designated, well-preserved wild location (an idea prescribed by H.D. Thoreau, but dutifully ignored), the Big Ravine would be … Continue reading →

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Scottish Ramble #5

Posted on February 23, 2013 by rivertoprambles

In Scottish Ramble #4, daughter Alyssa visited Dunnottar Castle and environs near Stonehaven. More recently she made another visit to the eastern coast, this time to the former “Kingdom of Fife.” Her ramble on the Fife Coastal Path near the grey seal … Continue reading →

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Fishing With Thoreau

Posted on February 21, 2013 by rivertoprambles

A  summer daydream, or maybe something more. 1   I went to the creek to examine my motives for trout fishing in a hot dry month. For fishing when most streams had minimal flows and marginal water temperatures, when most stream … Continue reading →

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Before and After Flyfishing

Posted on February 17, 2013 by rivertoprambles

In rethinking the role of wet fly patterns, both the winged and wingless models, I’ve    refocused on the time-honored traditions of fishing with an artificial. Although I never really abandoned the use of wet flies over my lifetime, I primarily … Continue reading →

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Good Writing, Lousy Health, and Love

Posted on February 14, 2013 by rivertoprambles

I viewed the cooling of my blog statistics and an overall decrease in the comments left by readers of RR. I got to thinking this was not a positive development. I wasn’t sure what it meant, but I was willing to consider the … Continue reading →

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Scottish Ramble #4

Posted on February 10, 2013 by rivertoprambles

Whereas I make an effort to stick to my stated themes at Rivertop Rambles when considerating a new post, I like to keep an edge on the subject matter, too, remaining flexible when it comes to defining “rivertop” country. Yes, the … Continue reading →

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Canyon and Portal (4)

Posted on February 6, 2013 by rivertoprambles

The final installment of my canyon narrative… If you joined me for the long kilometers of the hike down to the sea, thank you, I’ve enjoyed the company. If you’re here for the first time and wish to glance back at … Continue reading →

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Canyon and Portal (3)

Posted on February 5, 2013 by rivertoprambles

This third installment of my canyon narrative follows the post “Canyon and Portal (2)“, in case you missed my story of descent through Crete’s “Samaria” and wish to catch up. The fourth and final installment will appear shortly. After my first … Continue reading →

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Scottish Ramble #3

Posted on February 3, 2013 by rivertoprambles

“Brig o’ Doon” is the third in a series of Scottish Rambles based on stories and photos from daughter Alyssa who is spending a year in Scotland. Our previous viewing (Scottish Ramble #2) was called “Ye’ll Take the High Road.” … Continue reading →

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