Welcome to Breakfast in America

I’m a Brit who unexpectedly emigrated to the USA in 2008, and this is my photo journal.

It’s an eclectic mix of things; there’s no guiding theme or topic. It is whatever catches my attention, what I’ve been thinking, doing, or piques my interest. Currently that’s mainly backpacking and clearing some of the backlog on my ‘honey-do’ list.

Memories

A dozen pictures, picked at random from my favorite memories. You can see my portfolio here.

Twin Trunks

Twin Trunks – I loved the way the light caught these two trees on either side of the creek bed.
Gary Allman sitting in a plastic garden cair waiting for the trash man to arrive. Color photograph.

Waiting for the trash man (365:292)

Waiting for the trash man (365:292) – The plan was to get the work finished on the house, get the work inspected, have all the rubbish taken away, hire a trailer for the pick-up, load everything to go back to Springfield, and drive home – a day early.

Empty Chair

Empty Chair — I’d planned on taking a picture of Ginger sitting enjoying the view, which would have been a great silhouette. But Ginger got up as I grabbed my phone.

Bath time

Bath time — I’m looking pleased with myself. That’s probably because I have warmed up after my wilderness bath.

Recent Posts

  • Bad Decisions Make Good Stories

    Bad Decisions Make Good Stories. The Berryman Trail, December 2024. Copyright © 2024 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    It’s coming up on midday, and I’m packed, ready for the last six miles back to the trailhead. It turns out my ‘Bad Decision’ to carry on with my hike on Day Two was a good decision after all.

    I’ve managed to keep my hiking pace down the last couple of days, and I’ve stopped frequently. My heart rate has remained below 115 BPM most of the time. Now, I need to get back to the car without bringing on my AFIB, and everything will be good.

  • Breakfast treat, a Pop-Tart

    Breakfast treat, a Pop-Tart. The Berryman Trail, December 2024. Copyright © 2024 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.
  • View from my hammock. The Berryman Trail, December 2024

    View from my hammock. The Berryman Trail, December 2024. Copyright © 2024 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.
  • Day Four — Making breakfast

    Day Four — Making breakfast. The Berryman Trail, December 2024. Copyright © 2024 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    It was quite cold last night — 36 Degrees — and it’s pretty damp, too, so it feels colder than it is. A Pop-Tart, ginger and orange tea, with biscuits and gravy will soon warm things up.

  • Berryman Trail — Day Three stats

  • Camped at sunset

    Camped at sunset. The colors were glorious. The Berryman Trail, December 2024. Copyright © 2024 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    And the ATV/Side-by-side convoy? They moved on at around six O’clock.

  • Camped at sunset

    Camped at sunset. The colors were glorious. The Berryman Trail, December 2024. Copyright © 2024 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.
  • Setting up camp

    Setting up camp. I camped here in 2020. It’s a good spot on a ridge above the trail. The Berryman Trail, December 2024. Copyright © 2024 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    I don’t believe it, but I can hear it, so it must be true 🙂 The ATV/Side-by-Side convoy has stopped on a Forest Road along a ridge to the west of me — probably Smith Mill Hollow Road. Engines, loud voices, and music are wafting over the air.

    I’m hoping they don’t decide to drive along the disused roads that run along Smith Mill Hollow. There’s an unmarked Forest Road twenty yards from where I’m camped!

    For the first time ever, I’ve seen water flowing in the creek in Smith Mill Hollow, and the spring below my campsite has water, too. So much for carrying all that water from Brazil Creek for the last few hours.

  • Trail-side pretties

    Trail-side pretties — unfortunately my cell phone camera couldn’t do it justice. The Berryman Trail, December 2024. Copyright © 2024 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.
  • Gary crossing Floyd Tower Road

    Gary crossing Floyd Tower Road. The Berryman Trail, December 2024. Copyright © 2024 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    Now it really feels like I’m on the last lap. I arrived at Floyd Tower Road just before three p.m. only a couple of hours of daylight left, and I have still got to get to my campsite and set up camp.

    In other news, I can hear the distinctive sound of the ATV/Side-by-side convoy getting closer. Are they chasing me?!

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