Front news | Rocky Mountain Outdoor Writers & Photographers

Waterfalls and Voyageurs

Text & photos by Maryann Gaug

Split Rock Lighthouse; Lake Superior; Minnesota — Split Rock Lighthouse

Driving down a forested hill, the ocean appeared reaching to the horizon. Wait! Not an ocean, but Lake Superior! I’d never seen this largest of the Great Lakes. Once on the main north-south highway along Minnesota’s North Shore, my exploration started. I had with luck reserved five nights in three different state park campgrounds, giving me plenty of time to hike to waterfalls, past cascades, and to explore historic sites in between. My journey would cover 110 miles of Gichigami’s shore, the Ojibwe tribe’s name for the lake.

So why are we going to Los Alamos???

One of the things we like about Los Alamos is that it offers a delightful variety of attractions and activities, practically something for everyone. Details on organized field trips are being worked out, and we’ll also be suggesting things you will want to do on your own. The 2023 conference is a group effort, with Don Laine and Linda Haehnle as conference co-chairs and Virginia Staat taking the lead on setting up workshops.

Of Days Past

By Richard Holmes

I can still hear the crunching sound of tires on white gravel as the car slowly turned into the long driveway toward the stone farmhouse. But my preoccupation was with the tree. Was it still there? Was it the same?

Conference Choices

by Don Laine

Where are we going next year? And maybe the next few?

With apologies to Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and the delightful Dorothy Lamour, “We’re off on the Road to Morocco…”

Well, not really. But we are checking out three possible locations that are just as fascinating, all relatively small communities with plenty to see and do, and we hope, affordable lodging and meeting space. Please continue reading and then email info@rmowp.org with your thoughts. Now, in no particular order, our three possible locations are: Los Alamos, NM, Cortez, CO, and Kanab, UT. Read on for why…

A View from the Inside

By Richard Holmes
May 2022

Looking up from my hospital bed on a warm April afternoon I see two tall women in green scrubs. One of them is the doctor who will be taking out my gallbladder, I think the one holding a butcher knife in her hand. I could shorten this tale by saying the day began with a trip to the doctor to look at a sore thumb and ended up with removal of my remaining gallbladder.

Kokopelli – Friend or Foe?

By Don Laine

Of the many subjects of rock art found in the American West, one claims both a name and a gender: He’s Kokopelli, and he’s been found in ruins dating as early as A.D. 200 and as late as the 16th century. The consistency of the images over a wide geographic area indicates that Kokopelli was a well-traveled and universally recognized deity. The figure is generally seen as hunchbacked and playing a flute. His image is still used by potters, weavers, and painters, as well as for decoration on jewelry and clothing. Kokopelli has never been a totally evil character, although he’s frequently been a comic one, and sometimes a bit lecherous.

Two New Members

Two new members have joined RMOWP’s ranks: Buddy Green from Wyoming and Janis Lindsey Huggins from Colorado. We welcome them!

News from Member Michael Salomone

Vail, Colorado, member Michael Salomone has been busy. Among his projects were as a guest on an Upland Nation podcast with Scott Linden, where he talked about hunting “Blue” Grouse as well as a recent writing award he received for his Upland Almanac magazine article on Blues published last November. See www.uplandnation.com/e/bird-hunting-advice-from-a-fly-fishing-guide-who-knows-blue-grouse-tips-why-we-hunt-win-a-vest/

What’s Up in that Tree?

Text and photo by Steve Cochrane

porcupine in tree — Porcupine sitting in the upper branches of a tree. © Steve Cochrane

Who knew porcupines climbed trees? This is the normal response when I take clients to view and photograph porcupines.

Red Jewels

Text and photo by Steve Cochrane

cherry tomatoes, back-lighting — Cherry tomatoes in golden light. © Steve Cochrane

I love photography, but a close second would be my passion for cooking. I love cooking with fresh ingredients and nothing is fresher than straight from the garden. A simple dish and one of my favorites is cherry tomato pasta. Simple ingredients: extra-virgin olive oil, onions, garlic, crushed red pepper, basil, parmesan cheese, and the cherry tomatoes.