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“Tim, are you sure about this?” “No problem. I’ve paraglided plenty of times.” “Yeah, but look at those cliffs. They look pretty steep.” “I got this, Dave.” As my friend Tim launches off the cliffs of San Francisco’s Fort Funston, I hold my breath and cross my fingers. I’ll give him this – Tim’s flight […]

In spite of its significance and world impact over the last two millennia, Buddhism isn’t the majority religion in very many countries these days. Bhutan, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Mongolia and Laos – that’s about it. Seven countries. Nevertheless, the Buddhist empires of yore have left their mark. A trip to Southeast Asia […]

As the wave accelerates past me and angles sharply towards the shore, I start swimming as hard and as fast as my arms and legs will propel me. Before I know it, I am up high on the crest of the swell, body-surfing the biggest wave of my life. The feeling is absolutely exhilarating! I […]

When alien monsters attack the United States, what three landmarks will they surely target for destruction? Obviously the Empire State Building in New York. Irresistible! Maybe the White House, a la Independence Day. How about Mount Rushmore? For my money, the first place that galactic invaders will obliterate is San Francisco’s prized monument: the Golden […]

I’m not sure what to make of castles. On the one hand, if you live in a war-like age, with enemies all around, it makes sense to live behind walls and fortifications. On the other hand, we’ve all seen fantasy movies like Lord of the Rings. The invading forces *always* manage to win. Always. They […]

Mark Twain once wrote, “Distance lends enchantment to the view.” I love this quote because it has a cool double meaning, both physical and psychological. When you physically pull back from something, you get a broader view, a deeper perspective. Metaphorically, when you have mental distance from something, it can look rosier in retrospect than […]

“Are you kidding me? They pay you to write this crap!!” Some years back, I found myself incensed while reading an article in which the author suggested that we should all just stop traveling. His argument wasn’t about the carbon footprint of air travel (which actually is a pretty decent reason to manage our wanderlust). […]

My Papa was a rolling stone. Sometimes I’d ask him, “What’s going on?” and he’s just say, “It’s a heat wave, Son. You gotta stop that superstition.” “Oh Dad, you keep me hangin’ on. Don’t you see the tracks of my tears?!!” “Ain’t no mountain high enough, boy!” “I second that emotion, Dad.” The list […]

I’ve talked quite a bit in these posts about Japanese hot springs (Wow Places #28, #61 and #159), which I absolutely love. One of the most unusual I’ve experienced, Yunomine Onsen, enjoys a prominent position on the famous Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route (Wow Place #25). Located near Hongo Town in southern Wakayama Prefecture, Yunomine is […]

I’m maybe 10 years old when, with a combination of anticipation and terror, I climb into my seat on the Giant Dipper. One of the most popular wooden roller coasters in the world, the Giant Dipper is old – I mean really old. It goes all the way back to 1924, when it was built […]