On The Fly

In this episode (171) – 5 Years Later - Part 2 . . . In last week's episode, we explored the reality of Wilderness camping. This week allow me to share a story that spread like wildfire during our 2022 Sierra adventure.  (Photos on YouTube) First, as an intrepid explorer, you must come to terms with today's world, which you have no control over, that mandates your experience, like it or not. You must be flexible and able to adapt to rapidly changing situations, from freeway traffic patterns to accidents, road construction, and, frankly, drivers who cannot back a truck with a grotesque, oversized motor home attached. So, my friends, a positive frame of mind is essential as you begin your Wilderness adventure. For Brendan and  me, it began that first day. Of course, it was Labor Day weekend. And we did  NOT  have a reservation for our first night in a public campground at ~9,000 feet. As a last-ditch option, we were considering sleeping in the back of the truck, park...

In this episode (170) – 5 Years Later . . . "Hey Google, turn on the kitchen lights." Today's blog post illustrates how people take for granted the conveniences of modern everyday life and miss the satisfaction of wilderness camping. (Photos on YouTube). We just returned home from our recent Sierra adventure. Little Lakes Valley in the Eastern Sierras camped at Gem Lakes - Tuesday, September 6, 2022. It had been five years since my last wilderness adventure. An unprecedented heat wave enveloped California and the West this Labor Day Weekend to mark the occasion. The first all CA—State Flex Alert was issued to prevent possible power outages for the West Coast grid. Why? It was HOT. During our drive up Route 395 North through Owens Valley, temperatures exceeded 110 degrees. Millions were drawing excess power for air conditioning. Anticipating cooler temperatures in our mountain retreat, we experienced unseasonably warm, beautiful weather for the Sierras. You may recall that...

Podcast  – Common Sense . . . It was Voltaire who said, “Common sense is not so common.” Welcome to Labor Day weekend. With this pandemic still around us and businesses beginning to open up, please exercise your best judgment when going out. I’ve been holding on to this segment that appeared in The London Times on Common Sense for most of the summer. Here’s what it said; Today, we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair, and Maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate ra...