R. Wayne Gray

Lake Willoughby, Winter Edition

On March 6, 2021

Location: Lake Willoughby, Vermont

Date: 2/22/21

We headed out to hike the Burke Mountain Overlook, but they close the road in the winter, and there wasn’t an easy way to access it. Short hike, with the plus that it overlooks Lake Willoughby. Sooo, we went to the lake instead. Just as photogenic in the winter, with ice shacks instead of boats. Hit up St. J’s Locally Social Coffee for Dirty Chais and Mocha Lattes on the way back through… it was a good day.

: Lake Willoughby in the winter

: Lake Willoughby

: Ice fishing on Lake Willoughby

Owl’s Head Mountain

By richgray

On March 6, 2021

In Photos

Location: Owl’s Head Mountain, Groton VT

Date: 2/20/21

Finally getting these online from a couple of weeks ago. The access road to Owl’s Head Mountain in the Groton State Forest is closed in the winter, making this a bit of a trek. 3.2 miles, just under 500 feet in elevation (much of it right at the end), it’s a bit high on the easy end for a hike, but nice and uncrowded. Bonus: bobcat tracks criss-crossed the trail all the way up.

: Owl’s Head Mountain

: Owl’s Head Mountain

Future Ex-President Impeachment Schemes Fuel Latest GOP Schism

By richgray

On February 13, 2021

In Satire

(PenrosePapers.com) Rand Paul wants a crack at Jimmy Carter.

For Ted Cruz, only JFK will do.

And Lindsey Graham – perhaps channeling a certain golfing buddy – thinks Clinton should be given a second go-round.

Even before Trump’s second impeachment has ended, a fresh schism has broken out in Republican Senate ranks over which past Democratic ex-President should be impeached first. And if history is any, uh… wait. What?

-You can read the complete article at:
https://www.penrosepapers.com/future-ex-president-impeachment-schemes-fuel-latest-gop-schism/

Mount Willard

By richgray

On February 4, 2021

In Photos

Location: Bretton Woods, NH

Date: 1/25/21

Got out a few times last week, but this was the best, as always. Located in Bretton Woods, Mount Willard is a moderate, 3.2 out and back hike. There’s a bit of elevation, hence moderate, and it can be fairly heavily trafficked on the weekends. The view is just amazing. You have to pass the Omni Mount Washington to get there, which on a clear day…

: Omni Mount Washington. Its namesake is furthest right.

: From Mount Willard, looking down 302.

: Mt. Field, from Mt. Willard.

: Mt. Jackson, from Mt. Willard.

Apocalyptic Monsters Anthology

By richgray

On February 3, 2021

In Fiction & Scripts

Based on spotty email delivery on my part (never let a writer set up your tech), I’m just realizing that a short of mine will be in the upcoming Apocalyptic Monsters by Wicked Taxidermy Press. Very excited to be a part of what should be a great anthology!

Trump to Depart DC in Golf Cart One

By richgray

On January 20, 2021

In Satire

It’s not just any golf cart, but a tricked-out cart with a cooler, hi-fi stereo system, Trump flag, and deactivated Twitter access that is rumored to reach speeds in excess of 25 miles per hour. It even has a name: Golf Cart One.

https://www.penrosepapers.com/trump-to-depart-dc-in-golf-cart-one/

Sabbaday Falls

By richgray

On January 18, 2021

In Photos

Location: Conway, NH

Date: 1/18/21

Located on the Kancamagus Highway in NH, this is an easy .7 out and back trail that leads to a waterfall. There’s also a longer loop trail you can take. Crampons are recommended for the winter, and note that part of the trail is closed off over the falls. The fourth shot is of the Pemigewasset Overlook, a few miles to the east.

: Trail leading up to Sabbaday Falls

: Sabbaday Falls pool

: Sabbaday Falls

: Pemigewasset Overlook

Serenity, Locomotion, Vast and #6 Trail Loop

By richgray

On January 17, 2021

In Photos

Location: Barre, VT

Date: 1/18/21

A great loop in Barre that goes by a variety of quarries. We didn’t get far on this one based on the amount of snow… looking forward to doing it again when it is a little clearer.

: Hiking in fresh snow in Barre

: Barre hiking – an old steamer

Kilburn Crags

By richgray

On January 16, 2021

In Photos

Location: Littleton, NH

Date: 1/16/21

A decent 1.8 mile hike that starts out a bit steep but becomes easier as you go. The payoff here is an absolutely stunning overlook of Littleton, NH and the distant White Mountains.

“The Suggestion Box” – The Drabble, 1/10/22

By richgray

On January 10, 2021

In Fiction & Scripts

Very happy to have a very short story — 100 words, in fact — up at The Drabble… and on my birthday! I am grateful to be included in this publication, which is the leading one for the drabble form.

You can read it here:

The Suggestion Box