New Year’s Eve

in 2019

Bruce learned to ski from up high

into a new life

in 2019

a drain drained our resources

and worsened our debt

in 2019

my girls adjusted again

to life’s challenges

in 2019

we were given the rare chance

to make a difference

in 2019

we traveled through the country

searching for ourselves

in 2020

we’ll make a better life

everywhere we go

Road Trip 2019: Day Ten, One of Ten Thousand

the oldest arrives

to take over paddling

just one of these lakes

Road Trip 2019: Day Nine, Mosquitos

a state park lunch stop

(sad Superior goodbye)

brings mosquito hell

trips beget errands

in search of camping comfort

in this humid state

Road Trip 2019: Day Eight, Lake Superior

Superior beach:

like the ocean without salt

great for paddling

kite flying kids

will remember these beach days

so different than home

Road Trip 2019: Day Six, Gitchi Gami

you haven’t ridden

over the Rockies; not yet.

Superior wins.

with a pup and girls

(unread itinerary)

we biked thirty clicks

Minnesota wins

for elevation record

on these little legs

and to end it all:

waterfall, campfire, cheese.

who would ask for s’more?

Road Trip 2019: North Dakota

i never listen

when someone says it’s boring

i always find fun

North Dakota wins

kindness, camping, paddling

and late-night sunsets

Earth lodge history

and indigenous genius

round out this cycle

with Art Deco touch

to capitalize the north

and give us this view

all in a day’s work:

this “boring” state makes dreams bright

campfires and all

Road Trip 2019: Dakotas, Day Two

from flat Dakota

emerges a river trail

hard on legs and kids

but water wins views

however it meanders

giving life to all

The Golden Gate

just one hour out

you can shed your city life

for backpacking dreams

Wear Him Out

backpacking with dog:

sudden hailstorm brings frenzy

of dirt-rolling wash

All in a Day’s Work

packing to backpack:

more effort than backpacking

as puppy attests