Dessert First, Please

Dessert First, Please

When is it okay to have dessert first? Outside of Portland, Oregon, the Multnomah Falls are legendary. Nestled into the Columbia River Gorge, this double-decker cascade of water drops a heart-stopping six hundred and twenty feet. The falls are a breathtaking treat that I only need step from the car to take in. Dessert first,…

Trail of Discarded Prose

Trail of Discarded Prose

My husband has a sixth sense for when I’ve dropped into Revision Hell. Maybe it’s my snippy tone or my random “this is crap” outbursts or just my sullen and vacant look across the room. Nonetheless, he knows when I’m struggling. This past spring, after such an outburst or two, he suggested—no, he demanded—that we…

A Handstand at Delicate Arch

A Handstand at Delicate Arch

Hikes are usually inspiring for all the expected reasons: the stretch of muscle, the expansion of breath, the delight at the end when the pinnacle is reached and all the hard work is rewarded with nature’s beauty. But sometimes the prize is unbridled and well-earned fear. And a little perspective of the world upside down….

Stumbling Upon Paradise

Stumbling Upon Paradise

What does paradise look like? This is the view from Kula Lodge in upcountry Maui. It hugs the Haleakala Crater at an elevation of 3200 feet. It was built in 1948 as a private home, which hosted parties for mid-century celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Spencer Tracy, and Katherine Hepburn. But for a modern audience,…