The Place: Clear Lakes of the Western States, USA
‘Clear Lake’ is a descriptive if somewhat overused name for bodies of water large and small. In Washington alone, a quick search on the Internet turns up three Clear Lakes and one Clear Lake reservoir; in Oregon, there is a Clear…Continue reading→
The Story: The Tiger’s Nest
Author’s note: To get the most out of this story, I recommend you first read the previous blog about the place. Thanks! “When people are fearful of something, they tend to avoid the feared activity. Although this avoidance might help reduce…Continue reading→
The Place: The Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan
A large photo of Bhutan’s Tiger’s Nest monastery, also known as Paro Taktsang, hangs in my dermatologist’s office. Whenever I pass it, I get a tingle up my spine. The tingle comes in part from the dramatic beauty of the Buddhist…Continue reading→
The Story: The Azores
Author’s note: To get the most out of this story, I recommend you first read the previous blog about the place. Thanks! Faial Island, 1750 Fia Andino stroked Theo’s muzzle. “I don’t want to sell you,” she told him in a…Continue reading→
The Place: The Azores
The Atlantic Ocean is vast, covering some twenty percent of the Earth’s surface, a roughly S-shaped mass of water bordered by North America and Europe to the north, South America and Africa to the south. It moves unimpeded between the continents,…Continue reading→
The Story: The Cave Monastery near Kamianets-Podilskyi
Author’s note: To get the most out of this story, I recommend you first read the previous blog about the place. Thanks! “Would you be willing to die for your faith?” Brother Dmitrei thought of the question asked him by an…Continue reading→
The Place: Kamianets-Podilskyi, Ukraine
Ukraine is in the news, for tragic reasons. As the war continues, I’ve wondered about Ukraine’s land, its culture, and the landmarks one could visit in more peaceful times. With a bit of research, I came upon an intriguing ancient city…Continue reading→
The Story: The Dead Sea
Author’s note: To get the most out of this story, I recommend you first read the previous blog about the place. Thanks! The Jordan River Valley around the Dead Sea provides the setting for one the more curious Biblical stories,…Continue reading→
The Place: The Dead Sea
I’m returning to extreme places, this time to the lowest land point on Earth. No, the winner of this distinction isn’t California’s Death Valley. At 282 feet below sea level, Death Valley comes in a mere eighth on the list. There…Continue reading→
The Story: Juneau
Author’s note: To get the most out of this story, I recommend you first read the previous blog about the place. Thanks! How the city got its name: After the California gold rush enticed hundreds of thousands of gold-crazy prospectors to…Continue reading→