New on my Mountains-to-Sea Trail Substack: Ghosts above the Falls. Echoes of labor in the landscape, prayers for the builders of a bridge, and cicadas.

Falls Dam again, this time from upstream. It is five miles of trail from the dam to get to this view, though it can’t be more than a mile as the crow flies.

The workshop has been blood-warm much of this month so I bought a chip carving knife and some basswood and have been sitting at my desk to practice. I may be approaching a charming level of mediocrity.

On my substack: I officially started hiking the Mountains-to-Sea Trail at Falls of the Neuse. Geology, longleaf pines, funny dogs, deadly floods, and a bald eagle.

The trail into a not too recently burned patch of long leaf pine forest at Falls Lake. The bark is still visibly singed, but saplings are growing back.

Cursed with a nationwide shortage and blessed with a rampant garden, I made my own sriracha. It tastes pretty good, but the real test will involve tater tots and mayonnaise.

Virginia day flowers growing by a utility pole.

On looking down: Wildflowers along the Crabtree Creek and its tributaries

Thanks to whoever it was recommended (or at least mentioned) Matsuo Basho’s The Narrow Road to the North. I am enjoying it.

On the absurdity, and necessity, of walking in a technological age. Warning: This essay mentions bindlestiffs and name-drops Edward Abbey.