The odes, oddities, and O Deities of a world traveler

On the Graces

Gratiae Patientia Patience lets you take a moment to think. It gives you a chance to let the Empire of the Mind take over and evaluate whether your instincts are good or if they are the sort that should be avoided. Patience gives you endurance so that you can get to the goals you have…
Did you know: Aspen Sunscreen

the white color on Aspen bark has the same function as sunscreen for the tree?
Ode to Music

Music is my life. A large part of why I believe I don’t really live in the real world is because of music. I live it. There is nothing that can capture my feelings so completely. I am enraptured, enraged, elated, melancholy, inspired, desolate and hopeful, pumped up and relaxed. For every emotion, there is…
Did you know: Wyoming State Tree

the state tree of Wyoming is the Cottonwood?
Ode to Mountain Peaks and Climbing

Mountain peaks are rarified. There is something very special about getting to the very top of a mountain. The vertex, turning point in its very most basic meaning, is a place from which you can only change direction. The amount of effort that it takes to get to the peak of a mountain may be…
Did you know: African Fauna

most stereotypically African animals evolved in Eurasia and North America?
Kanab Creek to Deer Creek Route

Impressions: Kanab Creek to Deer Creek loop is a very ambitious backpacking trip. It fundamentally traces a circle around Fishtail Mesa. While nothing comes to technical (there is one semi-climb near the end that is interesting in the snow), there are long, dry distances, route finding around pour-offs, slot canyons, boulder hopping, many stream crossings…
Did you know: mammal teeth

most fossil mammal species are distinguished by their teeth? It’s why so many species have -odon at the end of their name.