Hidden Wonders in the USA Who would have thought an island in the middle of a river would have anything worth seeing. But you really have to visit Blennerhassett Island in the middle of the Ohio River in Parkersburg, WV. From the main land side it looks just like an overgrown island of nothing but … Continued
“Shhh, it’ll be okay,” I’m consoling the bawling woman, “be strong. You’re brave.” Till 30 minutes ago I didn’t even know she existed and here I am now, playing Big Sister to her in the air-conditioned confines of a Delhi hospital. It’s neutral ground for us both—she has come from a coastal Indian town whereas … Continued
Kiev is the heart of the Ukrainian soil. Its even, soothing beats are born in the humble whispers of the growing wheat, echo in the quiet murmur of the Dnieper, and clearly announced by the festive ringing of the bells. Your own heart skips a beat when you first set foot in the city and … Continued
The Memories That Never Go Away I will never forget the longest plane ride of my life. Traveling across the Atlantic Ocean going faster than any human could ever run. Our first stop was an airport in France, one of the biggest airports in the world. I was personally ready to explore, but not remembering … Continued
The storm raged outside. Okinawan typhoon, Jelawat, raged furiously, equivalent to a category four hurricane. We felt safe and snug inside: warm, dry, blissful, behind sturdy, solid concrete walls. We’d spidey wrapped 100 pound test-cord and seven bungees all around the satellite dish, to stabilize the disc from moving against the mount, bolted to that … Continued
Vietnam Today By Ferida Wolff It was in the sixties. I was recently married and worried that my new husband would be drafted and sent to Vietnam. I spent time protesting, marching, and writing letters. The pictures of our eventual withdrawal, particularly the photos of the frantic rooftop evacuation in Saigon, were seared into … Continued
Age and Adventure Entry #1 I stop and look at myself in the mirror and am shocked at what I see. I tend to think I am still a man with youth and promise, but as I stare into the wrinkled face of my aged self, I pause; I falter as my figuratively young eyes … Continued
Late into my senior year of college, I called up my mentor for some graduate school advice. It was already that tenuous time when parents and professors begin demanding, “So, what’s next? Postponing responsibility with more school, or have you gotten a job?” All I knew for certain was that I wanted to study raptors … Continued
There are over 50,000 miles of American highway, crisscrossing the country like heartlines on the palm of the ground or veins under skin. Between the towns of Salina and Green River in Utah, there lies the country’s longest stretch of highway without services. It is an empty forest without trees, sand and grass and road … Continued
With a son in Iowa, a daughter in Massachusetts, a full-time job in Aruba, and seasonal employments in Mongolia and London, our family’s travel plans can defy the most careful budgeting. Add parents and siblings scattered from Vermont to Seattle, and you can understand why we typically purchase nonrefundable fares—often one-way, on different airlines—to get … Continued