Author: Sandra Friend

In the Nautilus

Posted on Nov 11, 2011Jan 10, 2026 by Sandra Friend

The fascinating spiral pattern of the stairs within the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse invites comparison with a nautilus shell.

Rio Grande Gorge

Posted on Nov 7, 2011Jan 10, 2026 by Sandra Friend

In the distance, it isn’t obvious. A simple gash across the landscape, a ribbon of earth in a wave of green and gold vegetation. The Rio Grande Gorge, New Mexico.

The Persistence of Memory

Posted on Jun 11, 2011Jan 9, 2026 by Sandra Friend

I walked away from Pittsburgh 12 years ago to shut the door on the most painful chapter of my life, losing my sister to cancer. A flood of memories haunts my return.

Choosing the Light

Posted on May 28, 2011Jan 9, 2026 by Sandra Friend

I spent this week on the road in the typical whirlwind of updating a guidebook. As I drove home, I reached a fork in the road, a decision point. And I took it. Yogi Berra would be proud.

Busy city center with monuments, people, fountains, and pigeons

Finding Trafalgar Square

Posted on May 12, 2011Jan 10, 2026 by Sandra Friend

It was my first overnight in London, just 18 hours before I re-entered the United States after three months away. Without looking for it, I found Trafalgar Square.

A Million Micro-Decisions

Posted on May 6, 2011Jan 9, 2026 by Sandra Friend

Dealing with masses of files and papers? Coping with clutter means millions of micro-decisions. It’s that accumulata of life that gets in the way of living.

Bearfence Mountain

Posted on May 4, 2011Jan 9, 2026 by Sandra Friend

Bearfence Mountain was the first challenge I met while hiking the Appalachian Trail. I hung this photo up at work to keep my dream of thru-hiking the AT alive.

Bright red mushroom with broad top with white spots

Where Gnomes Roam

Posted on Apr 25, 2011Jan 10, 2026 by Sandra Friend

When you’re out for a hike and you see a mushroom like this, you immediately think of gnomes. Especially when you’re hiking through Germany’s Black Forest.