I was almost asleep when Jeremy bolted upright and headed toward the shelter door. "I can't sleep. Gonna go rub one out." He opened the door and then called over his shoulder, "You coming, Cole?" A groggy voice answered. "No, man, I'm too beat." "Suit yourself." Cole groaned. "Jeremy's the horniest dude I've ever met. No apples for him, he lives by the philosophy that 'a wank a day keeps the doctor away'." I was glad it w...

There's not a friend I hold dearer or have had longer than Sue.  As kids in elementary school, we chased each other on the playground and spent many days playing at each other's homes. Sue's herculean efforts were the only reason I passed Advanced English in high school.  Then there were the countless hours in college studying together and going on outdoor adventures together.  Yet, for all that time together, our relatio...

"Now Entering Pisgah National Park" The sign signaled the end of our seven-hour road trip, and I was excited to stretch my legs. The back seat of George's car was not meant for people as tall as me, and my legs were getting numb. Under normal circumstances, I probably would have thrown a fit and demanded to at least spend SOME of the trip up front. George was three inches shorter than me, and Colin was easily six or seven...

The Invitation   You “Do any of you hike?” you ask. The question is addressed to the table but you were looking at her when you spoke. The immediate flurry of responses from everyone making it clear that not one of them has realised who your question is really aimed at. “My fingers do all the exercising I’ll ever need thank you very much!” one laughs. “You wouldn’t catch me dead anywhere near that much nature on purpose!”...

I watched as you approached the car. Just as I asked, you were wearing a short skirt and a hoodie. I pushed myself off of the hood and met you partway. I took your arm and guided you to the car. Changing hands, I opened the door and allowed you to step in, offering my steady hand for support. Once inside, you look up at me with a subdued excitement in your eyes. You don’t know where I’m taking you, but you know I have som...

I smile as I step out of the car, my boots crunching against the gravel beneath my feet. It’s one of those perfect spring days – the sun shining brightly through the crisp, cool air, a bit of breeze carrying that intoxicating earthy, damp smell of the season. My smile broadens as I remember that quote from Miss Congeniality: the “perfect date” was April 25th, because “it’s not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a ligh...

It had been unseasonably warm and sunny that morning as we pulled to the side of the road, next to a faded red dash painted on a tree. The three girls quickly got out of the car, eager for the opportunity to stretch arms and legs, and breathe in the fresh mountain air. Gravel crunched beneath their feet as they walked around. “I can’t get a signal,” Mei complained, waving her phone around. “Me either,” Shruti confirmed. “...

Between my junior and senior year of college, I got the offer to do an ecology internship deep in the woods of New England. I jumped at the chance, knowing it would be a great educational experience as well as an excellent networking opportunity, and who wouldn't want to spend three months getting paid to hang out in the woods?   So come the end of finals in May, I packed up my Jeep and drove up into the deep woods. My gr...

The mountains and forests of New Hampshire are beautiful in the summer. We had been enjoying the sights and activities of the White Mountain National Forest for the last four days; hiking, exploring, and kayaking on the streams and trails around the little town our  B&B was in. The trip had been somewhat last minute, a week away without any kids or job distractions. The hiking was especially nice up there. Whereas at home...