Last drops

THE WORLD MAY LOOK BACK on the year 2016 as the best one we’ll get for awhile, the deaths of my idols and ruin of our republic notwithstanding. Ours was abundant, at least by the measure of how many photos I shot and shared. Here are a few of the blessings I’m counting in panoramic splendor (click for a big ole view).

Sarah contemplates the Blue Ridge Mountains after narrowly escaping Hurricane Matthew

Adventuring on the Superior Hiking Trail with Lucas

Green Line LRT iPhone experiments on University Ave SE (an homage to Ed Ruscha)

Downtown and South Minneapolis from atop the Witch’s Tower with Jo’s school in the foreground

Waterfall at Temperance River State Park, a reward for a cold, wet slog in the woods

Dangling above Minnesota’s “mountains” with ski buddies

Drinks with Craig and Matt at Track’s Bar, St. Paul’s least-charming dive

Next to zero visibility on the Appalachian Trail outside Hot Springs, North Carolina

Ferrying to Washington’s San Juan Islands for a rare reunion of my dad’s five kids

The late-night shuffle

Porch view from our rustic Blue Ridge cabin (roving pit bulls and land yacht are cropped out)

Exploring Peak DC on spring break with our hosts Marc and Viv

Prospect Park Business Center in ruins before its 17-story redevelopment in 2017