№ 0: Here Begins Dryad
My name is Daniel Huffman, and I’m somewhat arboreal. I’ve been climbing trees for longer than I can remember. It’s a hobby, it’s exercise, and it’s something that brings me joy. Most Americans my age do not regularly climb trees, except professional arborists. But, I’ve admittedly always been drawn to doing things that set me apart from others.
At the moment, it’s a pretty solitary undertaking. Most people I know have declined invitations to join me. So, that’s where you come in. We live in a fascinating age, where anyone can take to the internet to share their passion—no matter how niche or mundane—and connect with others who find value in simply observing that passion.1 I am more than happy to chat about my tree experiences with anyone who finds it worth listening to.
I have a lot of thoughts about my hobby, and I’m going to document them here. And maybe you climb trees, too, or want to, and will find some value or inspiration in connecting with me over that topic.
What Comes Next
I’m aiming send out new letters a monthly basis. “Monthly letters'' is the exact opposite of the sort of content that gains attention on the internet in this day and age, but, I’m not looking for a big following. Writing content for Dryad offers a way for me to be more reflective about my hobby, so I’m going to get something out of it regardless of whether anyone’s listening. For several months of the year, the weather here in Wisconsin isn’t suitable for tree climbing; when I can’t climb, it will be nice to think about climbing.
If you want those letters (maybe with occasional photos, too) to make their way into your inbox, here’s a handy sign-up button for you:
About Me
I’m a nonbinary person who is at the cusp of what some people might call “middle aged.” In my daily life, I earn my living as a freelance mapmaker (yes, that’s a real thing), and maps may find their way into Dryad on occasion. I live in Madison, Wisconsin, an urban area with the usual scattering of public green spaces that are dotted with (mostly deciduous) trees. I’m not in terrible shape, nor am I particularly fit. Tree climbing forms one of my major sources of exercise.
My spare hours are occupied with gaming, cooking, and taking care of the occasional foster kitten (a subject which would make for a much more popular publication).
While I’ve been in and out of trees since childhood, I began “seriously” climbing in 2019, when I decided to pursue it as an intentional hobby and see where it took me.
Dryad
These are letters about the serious pursuit of an arguably childish activity. So, it needs a pretentious name to set the tone. Dryads are tree spirits in Greek mythology. They are also shy, and that’s definitely me. Climbing trees is a great way to hide from people.
Plus, the name was available on Substack. My first choice was going to be “Ascent,” but someone grabbed that URL already.
If all this sounds interesting to you, come aboard and we’ll see where this takes me.
For example, I run a Twitter account that merely posts quotes and graphics from a decades-old computer game, and hundreds of followers tune in.