Category Archives: Uncategorized

Before the Heat Dome, Before the Capitol Hill insurrection, Before COVID, we went into the desert to commune with boulders and shrubs. Truth be told, we had gone so that I might participate in a NUSA (Neighborhoods USA) conference…but we … Continue reading →

We traveled East for family – to pay our respects to a cousin whose big heart gave out on him and to get acquainted with a new generation of family members. We honored family past and future. Bookings were a … Continue reading →

For a Seattle urbanist, wide open spaces can be intimidating. Yet I was drawn to the Palouse with its sensuous undulating hills of golden wheat cut by jagged ravines that reveal eons of history. Farmers thrive here in spite of … Continue reading →

Sleeping Lady had beckoned for years yet the timing never was perfect…and getting reservations is a challenge. We lucked out with a chance inquiry recently and managed to land an Alcove room – not one of the bigger spaces but … Continue reading →

OTY: The towboat season was ending, and I was jumping ship to head back to the lower 48. Getting used to the city life would be tough. At least Chicago had a large body of water to gaze across but … Continue reading →

OTY: You could catch the scent in the air before coming around the bend and passing by the cliffs. Not a pungent smell, just rich from a dense mulch of decaying matter. As we passed below the cliff face, breathing … Continue reading →

OTY: A couple of times we were not welcomed with open arms. Perhaps I was too sensitive to an attitude. Maybe the locals were just tired of waiting for their goods, or the were ticked off that we were the … Continue reading →

OTY: The Captain let me take the helm for one stretch going around a bend. Given the tremendous tonnage of the cargo and boat, you need to begin a turn much earlier than expected, and move the boat slowly through … Continue reading →

OTY: Due to some engine difficulties on another towboat, our boat had to assist. The barge needed to sit out the upstream trip, so two of us were left behind to guard the barge. We relished the hours of just … Continue reading →

OTY: The river raider was either channeling Queequeg, counting coup or out for an afternoon suicidal joy ride. Steering a Boston Whaler skiff, the guy overtook our towboat and barge and then quite deliberately zoomed under our barge bow in … Continue reading →