Moving at human pace solidifies his connection to the land.

When he slows down, he told us, he can see and feel so much more. Plus, he likes the physical challenge.

carefully planned, our route detailed, the logistics ironed out? But uncertainty has become the only constant. Rather than adhering to schedules or itineraries, our days are shaped by the landscape; each valley, each river, each pass slightly different from the last.

alcoholic; a shower and four walls provided to me right now. The line between words and actions quickly becomes blurred, so we don’t usually speak of our deepest doubts, or acknowledge that we could cause our own undoing. Today I don’t care. I can think of no reason to continue,

He’s a study in contrasts, a rare person who sees little conflict in owning many identities at once.

E7, the bird whose satellite track revealed an impressive 7,396-mile nonstop flight, didn’t attain fame because she did anything particularly unique for a bar-tailed godwit, but because she showed us how remarkable the usual can be.

Tedium is a regular part of my job. But today the graphs and calculations fall away as I inhale the scent of dirt and spruce needles. Out here, I am half scientist, half disciple. I’ve left the laboratory far behind and, with it, the need to quantify and contain. In its place, I’ve reconnected with the simple act of observation.

Bulls and lone cows often hang back, deferring risk to the gangly youngsters and their travel-weary mothers.

Before walking toward the forest’s edge, I offer a silent goodbye to the gray-green waters of the Pacific.