Christmas for Grownups

Hiking the Long Trail

This summer I hiked about 80 miles on Vermont's Long Trail, mostly with my friend Paul. Once we were in the woods I realized that I am not used to spending extended periods of time with men. 

The trail leads you along the spine of the green mountains. There are shelters and lean-tos along the way, and much of our time is spent calculating the distance we've traveled and estimating how much longer we might have to walk. Our first night was at a lean-to called Montclair Glen.

Anatomy of Dog

Captain Bravery vs Garbage Can

A Brief Inventory of "Some Place Safe"

I Am Pro Leash

WINTER CSA HORROR

Bird Song

Shelburne Museum!

Wedding Guest Fun

Summer!?

I Do Not Care.

Cuba Journal

I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Cuba in January 2016. The trip was amazing - stepping back in time to a city full of colorful cars with fins and hood ornaments, few cell phones, and beautiful, dilapidated buildings. 

In 2011, Raul Castro was elected head of the Communist Party in Cuba. He introduced a series of reforms, including allowing certain private enterprises to exist outside of government control. We were there to document the food - what happens when private restaurants emerge in a country with limited access to fresh, quality food? How does it work with rationing? (Rationing was so severe when the Soviet Union collapsed in the early 1990's that most Cubans lost a third of their body weight.) What are people eating now? 

Throughout the trip I was struck by the ingenuity and resiliency of the people, and the sharp contrasts between Cuba and other countries I have visited in Central and South America. Nothing went as planned, but everyone we met was helpful, friendly, and making due. It is a country on the verge of an incredible transition and we were lucky to see it at this cusp of change.

Cuba, the Fanny Pack

So I brought it. And defended it. 











And found my people.

Cuba, to the Airport

Couldn't Find The AirBNB

Oh, Our BNB Didn't Exist.

I Still Got It!

So it rained.

Our Money Sitch.

Traveling Again.

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Museum of the Revolution Was Interesting.

During one of the many rainy days we ventured into the Museo de la Revolucion. We learned and saw many things, including a great deal of anti-American propaganda. My question - does the CIA really know how to poison a cloud? Our Canadian guidebook did mention that the CIA has made over 600 attempts on Fidel Castro's life. 

The "Hall of Cretins" is a particularly compelling mural, showcasing caricatures of Fulgencio Bastista, Ronald Reagan, George Bush Sr., and George W. Bush. After each the mural reads, "THANK YOU CRETIN, FOR HELPING OUR REVOLUTION."

Talking to Everyone.

So loud!

Lonely Planet Cuba, Not the Best

Kitchen Times

Currency

Privatization 1

Jobs

Safety

Cuba KFC

Biking?

Deep thoughts