Retrospective: An Era Before Tungsten

A Rumination

however beautiful a place to visit is Californing, I cannot take permanent residence where:

roadways are so shamefully maintained,

mirrored lakes become impenetrable wetlands (however slowly),

roast duck is not more ably prepared,

snow persists well into the summer,

"burgers" are produced in short order and may contain within a single bun multiple patties,

the indigenous population is so brazenly fecund and fainéant,

and, judging only from the screams for I dared not venture too near, seaside visitors are subject to all manner of Medieval torture.

The Flora of the Sierra Nevada

it is difficult to determine which to celebrate with greater fervor: the roaring waters or the verdant forest nourished by the cascade.


the clothespin tree.

La Porte de l'Enfer.

The Fauna of the Sierra Nevada

the tree at the end of the world.

a jay. presumably in mourning.

a thing of this size can only be the foot of a brontosaur.

Half Dome

never before has half of anything so stirred my soul.