Audio Narratives

Audio Narrative and “Visual-Audio” essays document impressions for an immersive experience, almost like a conversation. Consequently, the listener becomes a participant in the act of discovery, the decision-making and the myriad emotions activated by long distance walking. Thanks to John Reamer and Associates for their generous support in the making of the Te Araroa essays and Peeps of the PCT series.

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TA audio narrative: chasing clear skies
The weather is wild in New Zealand ranging from hot days to storms with gale force winds.
TA audio narrative: hut life
In New Zealand, thousands of huts in the back country provide shelter for trampers.
TA audio narrative: north down, south to go
New Zealand's North Island is slightly longer and more varied than the South on the Te Araroa.
TA audio narrative: weather window
The most important lesson I learned is if the weather is good, keep moving.
TA audio narrative: thru-canoer
Blissful hangs up her hiking shoes for a paddle on the Whanganui River.
TA audio narrative: best birthday present ever
Good weather and good friends add up to one of the best birthdays in memory.
TA audio narrative: into each life...
Rain is a constant companion on the Te Araroa causing anxiety until I learned to accept it.
TA audio narrative: gratitude
I just happened to be passing through Auckland at Thanksgiving and have a lot to be grateful for.
Omra tells me that my subconscious needed this long walk to sort out the "big questions."
TA audio narrative: the trail will provide
There is a lot of magic on a thru-hike when we have faith and juts let it happen.
TA audio narrative: hiking as conversation
The birds, people, and sound of my feet through water, mud and sand were the hiking conversation.
Legs like stilts on the Ninety-Mile Beach in the far, far north of New Zealand.
TA audio narrative: the start
The start of the Te Araroa is a trial of sand, wind, rain and mud, but it's worth it.
TA audio narrative: suddenly D-day
After 36 hours of travel, I arrived in New Zealand and started hiking right away.
The great philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche wants us to be wanderers, “though not as a traveler to a final destination: for this destination does not exist.”
TA audio narrative: no outcomes backpacking
If you arrive at a final destination, it’s a sign that you’ve set your sights too low.
When in doubt, make a fool of yourself.
TA audio narrative: Does orange make my butt look fat?
It's said that people fear public speaking - and looking ridiculous - more than death.
I love my work as a classical music radio host, but I wanted to see what a long distance thru-hike would do to my body, mind and spirit so asked for a leave.
TA audio narrative: who is this "blissful hiker" you speak of?
I love being a DJ, but wanted to experience a thru-hike before it was too late.
The "alicoop," a Tarptent Notch Li built for one.
TA video: Thru-hike prep with visual aids
In Silent-Film-style, the Blissful Hiker sets the "alicoop" and finally crawls in for a little shut eye.
song of the sea caves
On the northwestern tip of Wisconsin, where a peninsula of land like a unmanageable hair swirl juts into Lake Superior,
Creatures of the C2C
The sounds of the Northern English countryside are new to my ears.
honk if you love silence
one woman’s brave attempt to create a tranquil neighborhood
Armand Bayou bliss
A convergence of ecosystems amidst a concrete jungle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeAOUGtbeiI
wild river afternoon
A solo late winter snowshoe in Wild Rover State Park introduces surprises in myriad foot prints.
just a walk to work
Every day an adventure on Saint Paul’s streets
skate ski as metaphor
a bitterly cold day reminds me to savor the moment
stone-cold badass
beginner ice climber goes up  
train enthusiast
me and Dvorak love public transit
the sound of snow
-15 makes styrofoam snow