With so much insanity in the world and the news highlighting TOO much of it, I encourage each of you to think about what you are grateful for every day. Here is my short list. My wife, family, my friends, Will Keim who has so far kept his cancer at bay-keep it up my friend, my cousins who I love and cherish deeply for the memories and for what lies ahead, my health as I continue to play hockey, backpack, kayak, fish, play guitar, and for my memories of my mom who I miss. There are many more. … [Read more...]

Sunday, July 12 My calendar pops up, "depart for Sacramento / PCT hike". Rees, Howard, and I have been picking away at the Pacific Crest Trail (2650 miles) since 1981 when we hike 400 miles of the stretch in Washington state. Since then, we've done mostly 110-130 mile hikes over the years. In 2012 we hiked 200 miles where the John Muir trail combines with PCT in California. I broke my ankle in March and had to cancel. … [Read more...]

My niece's daughter, Kate, who lives in Minnesota had a class project after reading Flat Stanley to draw herself on a piece of paper and mail herself to Maine.  My job was to introduce her to the great state of Maine taking pictures, purchasing artifacts / memorabilia and generally showing her around. Well..... I got into it. Taking her to my Career Development Facilitator (CDF) class one day for presentations, showing her the State Capital, letting her ride some lobsters, and stopping by the … [Read more...]

A special "shout out" to the Wagar Middle School in Carleton Michigan learning about Mt. St. Helens. I had just moved to Seattle in January of 1980 and that summer Mt. St. Helens was in the news all the time.  It was becoming active and the geologists were predicting it could blow anytime.   I lived in Seattle about 90 north of the mountain.  On a clear day I could see it from my apartment window.. I was hiking in the Cascade Mountains roughly 110-120  miles north of St. Helens when it … [Read more...]