Author Archives: Dianne Fallon
Intersecting slopes on Mount Chocorua, New Hampshire
As we hauled ourselves up the granite cone of New Hampshire’s 3,478-foot Mount Chocorua, a middle-aged woman picking her way down the granite ledges groaned as she stretched out her legs to ease herself down an especially large slab. My … Continue reading
Up in the air at Kluane National Park, Yukon Territory
The clearing weather presented both a threat (mostly to our wallets) and an opportunity. As we pulled into Haines Junction, we debated our options. The circle was nearly complete. Along with my 13-year-old son, my Alaskan friend Elizabeth and I … Continue reading
A trip to Bennett Lake, British Columbia, then, and now
In 1986, when I arrived at Bennett Lake, my body was beat up, but my spirit was soaring. After four days of backpacking on “the meanest 33 miles of history,” I’d conquered the Chilkoot Trail to reach this legendary destination … Continue reading
A slew of seals at LeConte Glacier
The blue icebergs bobbed and floated seductively, dangerous but enticing, clues that somewhere upstream lay a glacier. But in Southeast Alaska, navigating a field of icebergs field is dangerous is any season, all the more so in November, with its … Continue reading
Bears, bears everywhere: AnAn Alaska adventure
From the platform, we could see the drama at the outhouse unfolding, predictably, almost comically, if not for the fact that the climax could be a dangerous human-bear encounter. The older gentleman had scurried across the boardwalk to the outhouse, … Continue reading
If People Magazine existed in 1776: cast your ballot for the hottest Patriot!
Patriot John Hancock is the King of memorable signatures, so much so that his name has become synonymous with signing a document. As President of the Continental Congress, he was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence on July … Continue reading
Goodbye, antibiotics, hello summer: travels with Lyme Disease
After the phone call, I realized that our pediatrician had an approach, a way of talking about a delicate subject that he had used many times before. After ten years of near-perfect health, my daughter had become a high-maintenance patient, … Continue reading