Warming the Essentials

Warming the Essentials, originally uploaded by Tall Pines Lodge.

You really can't hike in or out of Tall Pines without getting pretty sloppy, so when you do get into the house and get one roaring in the fireplace, it's best to get everything drying. Like the boots and jeans, pictured here.

You can't see this in the photos, but when you put wet clothes in front of the fire like this, they start steaming after a few minutes. The boots, too -- the steam comes right out the top of the boot like a smoke stack.