Ralph Tripod only works at home or close to the car. His weight---an advantage for stillness during photos---is a hindrance on hikes. Here he is helping me document one of those "gone but not forgotten" items.

Ralph used to go by his middle name ("Jonathan") but got tired of snide remarks it generated. After being called "baby" and "girl" and "sweetie pie" he decided to use just his first name. As a rugged individualist, he has a certain reputation to maintain.