Poetry Prompt - Our Home Was a Single Cloud

I have never lived in a high rise or even a multi-story apartment building, but this is what I came up with based on the prompt. Started in my writing group a few weeks back, edited during today's lunch break.

2019 Snow Update - with historic figures back to 2014

Since 2014, I've reported on snowpack figures. I was inspired by University of Utah atmospheric science professor Jim Steenburgh, who happens to be an avid backcountry skier. His blog talks a lot about the science behind great snow - lots of detailed info and an introduction to the concept of the Steenburgh Winter (Defined below), which is upon us in southwest Montana. 

Lost & Overlooked Ski Areas - Bear Paw

Here's the latest in the Lost & Overlooked Ski area series.

Montana has may places to ski. Beyond the well-known ski resorts, there are a number of smaller, less resorty ski areas such as Lost Trail and Discovery. With ample terrain, decent to great snow, and a downhome feel, they draw ski enthusiasts looking for something new. While I have explored many of the primary and secondary ski areas in Montana, before Thanksgiving, I didn’t realize Montana has another tier of even smaller ski areas to check out.

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The Joys of a Long, Mellow Ski Tour

Nothing to Strava About 

December 2019 Update: This post was later revised and appeared in Outside Bozeman magazine. http://www.outsidebozeman.com/magazine/archives/winter-2019-20/tootle-loo

Lost & Overlooked Ski Areas - Montenegro

Part two of the series

I didn't expect to find ski lifts in Montenegro. Between its mild climate, small population and developing economy, I didn't think they'd have the luxury . I have made three trips to Montenegro since 2013 and it has me captivated. When  I found out there was skiing there I longed to know more about the people who share one of my biggest passions. So far, I've found out little. Here's what I do know.

Another Publication

Thanks Outside Bozeman for publishing my piece.

http://www.outsidebozeman.com/magazine/archives/winter-2018-19/sweet-spot

Lost & Overlooked Ski Areas - New Jersey

Intro to the series

Lost & Overlooked Ski Areas

Žabljak, Montenegro - what's the story?

Of all of the places to ski in the world, skiers often forget about the lesser known spots where people practice the sport; the small ski areas, where many of us learned to ski, the abandoned ski areas whose lifts have long stopped running, and the ski areas we pass in unexpected places.

On (Not) Becoming a Travel Writer - A Poem

In my writing group the other night we did a poetry exercise, which lead to a whole evening of poetry writing. Collectively, we don't really know much about poetry, but we all agreed it was pretty free-form. With poetry fresh in my mind I wrote this poem during lunch today.

Channeling Your Inner Mary Ann

RIP Mary Ann Vinciguerra

L-R: My grandfather, my aunt Tippy holding me, my mother

March 2, 1934 - October 1, 2018

Aroma: A Poem

Although I've never been drawn to to poetry as either as a reader or a writer,  Henry Hugh's reading at the Country Bookshelf back in September had gotten me thinking about poetry. I've been working on my writing practice in recent years, taking classes, reading books on the craft, and trying to mimic styles and articles that capture me. There's something in the way poets use a brevity of words and the artistic layout of their work that I feel certain can help my writing. Maybe I should write a poem? 

The few poems I painfully wrote in an undergraduate creative writing class were my last attempt at poetry. What makes a poem? Certainly they are more than the rhyming mess of words I typed out all those years ago. It was time to write a poem so I sat down and did it. Reading up on how to do it can come later.

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