Water frozen in the chiller line put us a day behind schedule, and gave me a day to explore.  After chatting with two long-time local coworkers about nearby caves, hikes, and cultural scenery I settled on a loop exploring the NE corner of Alabama and a bit of Tennessee. 
Breakfast at the hotel with a couple spontaneous flower shots in the morning focused my mind on moisture, beauty, color, and observing fantasy in the ordinary. 

Cathedral Cavern was closed at 8am, so I continued on to Buggy Top trailhead.  A sign proclaimed …

Wilderness is something we seldom experience as social dwelling humans anymore.  The vast expanses of nature, gory and serene in their realness have shrunk and hidden away from humanity and we are much worse off for it. 
Teva gives $10,000 to “Teva Life Agents” to have the adventure of a lifetime and document it. 
Andrew Hyde and I submitted a video to Teva at the end of January.   Many of you helped us along the way with your comments and energy.  Thanks you!
In the end Teva picked a Life Agent: a spectacular individual …

Part 1 (Mallorca) or the Spain Journey here which explains why are there no good pictures of this event.
Also, Spain: the beginning, for a taste of the planning of our trip here
“FUUUUUUCK!”  The gas cylinder didn’t fit my backpacking stove.  Let me rephrase that: the only gas cylinder within 100 miles which we had just spent almost two hours ransacking every shop in Montenejos searching for didn’t fit my backpacking stove.
We were starving, and really looking forward to to the pasta we planned on cooking.  More than that, I’m pretty …

Mallorca Spain: Lost Journeys and Coincidences Found
I catch a glimpse of my face in the mirror; It is noticeably glowing with a heavy coating of sun, happiness, sand and salt.  We just came off the most wonderful adventure into the local climber beach life of a Mallorca native/knowing traveler.
Cala Varquez: a secret kept by locals and climbers in the know, is a beach on the East side of Mallorca. Actually the only beach on that side of the island that isn´t dotted with perminant umbrellas and touristy edificios. After close to 50 …

The cultural exuberance and natural beauty of Spain has been slowly drawing me in over the past few years.  Finally, with the intersection of cheap tickets and a chance to visit my great friend James it has come to fruition.  I am about to embark on quite an adventure.
 
It’s always interesting traveling with other people, their needs, desires, and differing life paces.  Sometimes it is really limiting, but other times it is incredible to have close friend to share strange and beautiful experiences. 
 
James will be flying down from Scotland.  …