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Field Notes

I’ve heard it said that the best musicians are those who must sing or must write music. I guess it follows that I write because I can’t not. It only recently dawned on me that my inner muse demands that I open up a notebook or my phone to capture thoughts. Many are pure musings—slightly self-satisfying and frequently foisted on my wife for her reaction.

All said, perhaps some of the pieces below will contribute to your deeper insight or another way to think about the world. You will find published pieces interspersed with my own regular observations.

And generally, the accompanying images are my own, serendipitously composed while wandering, driving, walking, and more.

Enjoy!

Latest Observation

{#60} The 1 AM Test

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Dad joke anyone? I’ve never slept outdoors a night in my life. I’ve spent dozens laying on the bare ground or in a tent, though, eyes wide open, waiting for morning to come.

That wasn’t true when I was younger. But over the past few years, it’s become increasingly accurate. Last week I decided to change that story’s arc. I brought a new sleeping pad to see if I couldn’t break the trend on an overnight trip to show my son and two granddaughters a take-your-breath-away lake at 10,500 feet. I’d spent dozens of nights there years back. On this trip, we’d drive to altitude, hike up another 600 feet, and win a sunset and sunrise by spending one night under the stars. Yes, on the ground.

I reflected on altitude as we hiked in. A few months ago, a friend climbed Everest for the second time. This time he made it to 24,000 feet without supplemental oxygen—not because he’s not a little superhuman, but because for months beforehand, he slept in a pressure tent at home, training his body to live in thinner air. He chose to be uncomfortable in his own bedroom every single night.

When he reached a point on Everest where his body simply wouldn’t go higher, altitude had done its work. It was honest feedback. It exposed the hard limit between what he’d built and what the mountain allowed.

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{#60} The 1 AM Test

{#60} The 1 AM Test

Dad joke anyone? I’ve never slept outdoors a night in my life. I’ve spent dozens laying on the bare ground or in a tent, though, eyes wide open, waiting for morning to come.

That wasn’t true when I was younger. But over the past few years, it’s become increasingly accurate. Last week I decided to change that story’s arc. I brought a new sleeping pad to see if I couldn’t break the trend on an overnight trip to show my son and two granddaughters a take-your-breath-away lake at 10,500 feet. I’d spent dozens of nights there years back. On this trip, we’d drive to altitude, hike up another 600 feet, and win a sunset and sunrise by spending one night under the stars. Yes, on the ground.

I reflected on altitude as we hiked in. A few months ago, a friend climbed Everest for the second time. This time he made it to 24,000 feet without supplemental oxygen—not because he’s not a little superhuman, but because for months beforehand, he slept in a pressure tent at home, training his body to live in thinner air. He chose to be uncomfortable in his own bedroom every single night.

When he reached a point on Everest where his body simply wouldn’t go higher, altitude had done its work. It was honest feedback. It exposed the hard limit between what he’d built and what the mountain allowed.

Other Articles

{#12} Orphaned

{#12} Orphaned

I didn’t see it coming – but then I did. The forgotten passwords. Her TV began to go on the blink intermittently, never an explanation....

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