Cold & Foggy Day, Cullers Overlook, Shenandoah River State Park, Bentonville, Virginia

This is the dark side of touring America by van. And the cold side. And the wet side.

Sheetz, Carlisle, Pennsylvania

In The Battle of US Convenience Stores, my friend, Aaron, submits Sheetz. They have superb coffee, but Stripes has better prices.

Wind-felled Wild Apples, Pepacton Reservoir, Margaretville, New York

These unmarketable, wind-felled fruits — yellow, spotted, stained-looking, bruised, tiny — are hands down the best apples I've ever eaten.

Allaben Campsites, Shandaken Wild Forest, Allaben, New York

Rain is no impediment to the true outdoorsman ... nor to the wannabe with a toasty camper and an awning. 

FYI: Found this great campsite via freecampsites.net.

Trees Aflame, Notch Lake, Hunter, New York

Is it the trees that are catching fire? Or my soul?

Fall Begins, Schoharie Creek, Catskill Mountains, Jewett, New York

I swam these creeks as a child, climbed these mountains. Smells of petrichor and ripe apples call me home.

Strand Bookstore, New York City

You can take the boy out of the Strand Bookstore ... but not without an armful of books!