Robin McLean

From a favored campground the Custer Nat. Forest, take the gravel to 78, right to Red Lodge -- seems benign enough. Construction is heavy for such a tiny road. Writers should get a job like that. Stand in the sun, wave at cars, wonder at lives passing.

Beartooth Pass. It is south on 212, just a snaking red line in the atlas, nothing to fear -- such lines. Hurry. You don't have time for 11,000 ft passes.

10,947ft.

This is the second time, but the first from north to south, which is different, less knee-shaking, or maybe age brings courage for dizzy cliffs. Read More 

It is said (in my Atlas) that Sandpoint, Idaho is the prettiest town in America. If it's not #1, it's right up there. The train across the lake, just as Marilyn Robinson says.
ANYWAY, I had fun there thanks to my pal Christine Holbert of LOST HORSE PRESS -- who I met while teaching at U of Montana Western a few years back -- who is a literary bad-ass -- who is responsible or at least has her hands in all things cultural in Sandpoint, as well as many others literary fancy things in Idaho proper, as well as over in Spokane and Montana -- for inviting me to the Sandpoint Library to read with the fantastic poet and lake swimmer DEVIN BECKER winner of BOA's A. Poulin Jr Poetry Prize -- who drove up from Moscow -- and for summoning such a robust and interesting crowd despite the fact that all the bars  Read More 

Heading to Red Lodge to replace a hat.

Purple or red depending on who's looking.

It was supposed to be gray but when purchased the hat was inside out.

It's been that way ever since.

I don't remember which shop I got it in but here's hoping there will be recognition.

More soon...

Out of Seattle: Stampede Pass / Soap Lake / Ritzville

A little parade of black cows -- nose to tail, nose to tail

A billboard: "Wouldn't you be happier if your car was clean?"

Rathdam / Spirit Lake

Farrugut Campground: FULL / Round Lake Campground: FULL

The Ranger said, "Where you from?"

"How long you been driving? You tired?" Read More 

Reptile House is the week's #1 BEST SELLER in PALMER ALASKA.

Alaska has good taste.

The stack of books was huge.

Harper Lee has had more then her share already anyway.

I told Palmer to READ IT SLOW...

I took a lot a care with those lines.

See THE TOP 10 LIST here.

Thank you FIRESIDE BOOKS, David Cheezem, and readers of the Mat-Su.

xo Alaska... Read More 

On the Beach: whole cedars drowned and bleached.

Other sundry driftwood.

A single sandal, men's size 12..

A 20-foot whip of seaweed with a bulb as a float.

Patches of pebbles washed away leaving only sand.

A portly man who wanted a tour.

Forts made with driftwood.

Wind battered houses.

Another island. Another island. Another island.

A pirate ship. A skull and crossbones. A small cannon. A poop deck. A prow.

A "Play at your own risk" sign.


Has book tour has gotten lazy? Soft?

?

Next stop: Sandpoint Idaho Library with LOST HORSE PRESS on July 29th at 7 pm.

See you soon Christine at Lost Horse. There are a whispers that DEVIN BECKER winner of the A. Poulin Jr Poetry Prize-- might be joining me there as a surprise reader.  Read More 

Google Maps says one cannot get to Decatur Island, but that is not true:

1. No shops.

2. No restaurants.

3. No gas stations.

4. Several boats.

5. Docks. Seagulls.

6. Trees.

7. 50 residents.

8. One deer eating grass.

9. Nice moon.

10. At least one hot tub.

Here we go again... heading SOUTH...

Goodbye, Alaska for now!

Next stop. Sandpoint Idaho Library with LOST HORSE PRESS on July 29th at 7 pm.

See you soon Christine at Lost Horse. There are a whispers that DEVIN BECKER winner of the A. Poulin Jr Poetry Prize-- might be joining me there as a surprise reader.  Read More 

I don't know how I will ever have a book bash as great as the one I just had in my old stomping grounds in Sutton and Palmer, Alaska -- kind of overwhelmingly wonderful.

Thanks all of you for coming out at the new SUTTON LIBRARY, at Turkey Red last night for an awesome dinner, and at FIRESIDE BOOKS today for book signing that pretty much wiped out Fireside's originally HUGE pile of books. Thank for sharing my party for Reptile House.

THANK YOU Nancy Bertels at the Sutton Library for inviting me.

THANK YOU Mike Dunham of the Alaska Dispatch News for the fantastic article.

THANK YOU especially and most to David Cheezem at Fireside for having faith we could pull this off. And we did.  Read More 

Palmer was just the same as always

Though the mountains were taller now, 1000 feet taller at least. 3000.

New England has had this effect.

On the Glenn Highway, you never getting anywhere.

The mountains make your miles inches.

You try transit anyway.

Construction -- the same as always -- mud, dust.

Wait for the Pilot Car, turn off the engine, wait. Read More