Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the President or any other public official, save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country. It is patriotic to support him insofar as he efficiently serves the country. It is unpatriotic not to oppose him to the exact extent that by inefficiency or otherwise he fails in his duty to stand by the country. In either event, it is unpatriotic not to tell the truth, whether about the President or anyone else. -- Theodore Roosevelt

Camping at Grand Canyon

One of the things my grandson, Zachary, was most looking forward to about being in fourth grade, was the annual trip the local fourth graders traditionally make to Grand Canyon. This trip isn't just for fun. Grand Canyon is a living example of geology, ecology, the protection of endangered species, and more; and fourth grade is about the time most youngsters have grown aware enough to appreciate and understand it. Unfortunately, since our president has chosen to spend trillions of dollars fighting an un-winnable war against an enemy that didn't exist until he invaded their countries, there isn't enough left for the local schools to make the trip. And so, Michael and I took Zach and his friend, Chris, ourselves.

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Festival Mass

The Cathedral of St. Augustine, now officially named the Basilica-Cathedral of St. Augustine, and informally known as Cathedral Parish, was, since its inception in 1565, the social and religious center of St. Augustine. It served the same purpose during most of my growing up there.

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Marriage Equality

Today is Michael's and my wedding anniversary. We've now been married for eight years.

What's that you say--how is it possible? Massachusetts, the first state to allow "gay marriage", only did so beginning in 2004. So how could we be married? Simple. We said, "Fuck the government. Marriage is a statement of commitment to ourselves and our friends and families." We got married in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Surprise, Arizona on August 12, 2000.

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Last Weekend In Verde

This past weekend marked my fourth time camping at Verde Hot Springs. Sadly, it will be the last weekend I do so. This gorgeous, remote spot has become a weekend party place for rowdy teenagers and twenty-somethings, to the point that no one else can enjoy the place on weekends. Too bad. Still, that didn't stop Michael and me from having a very nice campout with our new friends Teddy and Art.

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Brains Being Rushed To Few Remaining Bush Supporters

As news of President George W. Bush's continued approval by less than one in five Americans makes its way around the world, an outpouring of generosity has resulted in the Brains For Americans campaign to donate unused brains to the 18% of the American population who have been doing without.

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Son of Return to Verde Hot Springs

The reaction of my dear readers to my last post was, by and large, this: "Well, what happened after you left Verde Hot Springs? Did you spot another UFO? Whatever happened to Truck Guy?" But my readers were just echoing my own thoughts. And so, when I got off work Friday without having already planned a trip, and in fact I thought I'd just stay home and relax for a change, I felt a compulsion to return. Not to see a UFO, because I've already learned that they never show up when you're looking for them, but just because I had this nagging feeling of unfinished business. There was...something...going on at Verde Hot Springs, and I did want to figure out what it was.

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Return to Verde Hot Springs

It's inevitable that, as I travel to campsite after campsite and see each of Arizona's natural wonders, great and small, I develop some favorites to which I want to return. One of these is Verde Hot Springs. Almost any excuse will do, as when my friend and rafting buddy Frank wanted a place to unwind after one of his grueling multi-continent series of flights. And so, back to Verde I went with Frank in tow.

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Sierra Ancha Wilderness and Bees

This weekend's camping trip was in the Sierra Ancha Wilderness, in the mountains east of Roosevelt Lake. I went with a new friend, Wade, who hadn't been camping since he was a kid and had asked to be taken some place isolated and quiet...which I completely understand, because I am so over the noise and crush and pollution of the city.

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Camping Checklist

What should be taken on a camping trip? What's essential, and what can be left out?

For my own convenience as much as anyone else's, in this post you will find a printable checklist of stuff I take when I intend to go out into the wilderness for an overnighter.

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Splashing in Oak Creek

On July 4th, the members of our extended family were scattered. Michael and I attended a terrific pool party hosted by our friend, Jay, which included the most divine pasta dishes (which I shouldn't have eaten, but did). Zach and his Mom and grandmother went to Zach friend Chris' house for barbecue and to watch the fireworks (though Zach pooped out before the fireworks started). Karen continued to house sit.

But, on July 5th, Michael and Jenny and Zach and I loaded up the Expedition and headed for Oak Creek Canyon.

Oak Creek Canyon runs from a few miles south of Flagstaff to Sedona. Lots of tourists visit Sedona for its famous red rocks walls and barely notice Oak Creek, which formed those walls. By the time the creek gets to Sedona, the walls are far apart and the canyon opens up. Further north, though, where the walls narrow, there are no T-shirt or crystal shops and true nature lovers like myself can better appreciate the rocks, the energy, and the scenery.

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