Running down the trail, sulphur fumes permeate my nostrils. Steaming gases rise in the distance. Blackened craters spew acidic steam. Just down the road, a traditional Maori village welcomes foreigners to watch–and learn, for men–the Haka war ritual. Sacred Maori lands are home to Middle Earth, where I ran as close to Mount Doom as…
Tag: Nature
Philippines Adventure
Can’t forget that ladder is behind me, dark open water below. Bamboo scaffolding on each side of this boat, speeding out to Osbol. We’re searching for dolphins, will later swim with sea turtles…and, before that, the almighty whale shark. Guilin and I arrived in the Philippines five days ago. It’s been a grand adventure ever…
Chang Cheng: I am here
The Great Wall. “Yahweh” first taught me about this place. That’s Professor Hall Peebles of Wabash College. Circa 1997, he opened my eyes to other faiths, cultures, traditions. This had a profound impact on the course of my future. Stories of ancient Chinese traditions flowed from his lips, as the trusty tissue in his hand…
In the Blood
Regardless of my travails, I’m home. While down in a hole, the fragrance of freshly mowed grass reminds me I’m still alive. John Deeres drive by as I swing on the front porch, leaning to touch the log home. Rabbits run the field where horses eat as cows swim in their pond. Geese eat alongside…
A Curated Photo Just for You: Part II
In this series I will be choosing my ten favorite photos of summer to share with each of you. The first was featured in yesterday’s post, the second is now… Fire in the Sky As we sped through Ako, Japan on a Shinkansen bullet train at around 150 mph, I shot this from the comfort…
A Sacred Space
Mount Inari: one of the most fascinating, interesting, intriguing, uplifting, cool, spiritual places I have ever visited. Yes, there are legions of tourists below at the famous Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. Especially when you do exactly as a more experienced American traveler in Japan told you exactly not to do, by going in the afternoon….
The Truman Show?
Is this city, this nation for real? Did the cashier at Family Mart convenience store just bow fairly deeply to me more than once? Are these tiny, winding streets always so quiet and so dang clean? Do numerous employees of a large bank actually all immediately drop what they are doing as you walk upstairs…
Which Path?
Would YOU go beneath the arch or around? How do we choose our path? Is this tree here for us to climb? Were these spoons dropped to test whether I will pick them up? Are boxes meant to be worn? Or, are my family members insane? Seek a Higher Path…
Don't Let My Parents Read This 