Musings
Putting My Condition into Remission
Today marks two weeks since I have been off prednisone. I had been on the medication for just over three years starting when I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR), an auto immune inflammatory disorder. My symptoms began in the spring of 2020 shortly after the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak—and they grew progressively worst that by…
Read More2,280.1 miles!
2023 was an excellent year for me on the trail! I ended up tallying just under 2300 running and hiking miles which included some pretty memorable experiences. And despite that I upped my game when it came to ultra-running, I actually ran 41 miles less this year than last! I must be slowing down! I…
Read MoreSkagit Flats Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K
Running the short distance for a long return I’ve been regularly participating in the Skagit Flats Marathon since I moved to the Skagit Valley in 2007. As a distance runner, I’ve signed up over the years to participate in the half marathon (13.1 miles) or full marathon (26.2) race. But this year I decided to…
Read More300.5 Miles Hiked and Run and $10,124 Raised
It was another great Hike-a-thon! Wow! I’m always so physically and emotionally drained come September 1 after putting some serious miles on the trail in August and spending two months trying to convince you all why you should make a donation to my Hike-a-thon benefiting the Washington Trails Association. Since 2012 I have participated in…
Read MoreFamous Idaho Potato Marathon
A spudtastic good time in Boise Idaho and potatoes are synonymous. The Gem State is the number one producer of potatoes in America, responsible for growing one third of the country’s crop. But Washington’s production is no small potatoes. The Evergreen State ranks second in the US growing more than 20% of the nation’s spuds.…
Read MoreCalifornians blame influx of Washingtonians for Trail Crowding
Throughout the Golden State from the Redwoods to the Sierra to the Mojave Desert, Californians are growing tired of the influx of out-of-staters, particularly folks from Washington State on their trails. In fact, increasing numbers of Californians are blaming many of the state’s trail problems and park incidents on these out-of-staters. “They compete with us…
Read MoreDown but not out in the Desert
Life happens. I’ve been looking forward to the Mesa Marathon in Mesa Arizona for months. Its fast downhill start and generally flat course along with its excellent support and vibes had me hooked. I trained hard and felt confident that Mesa would be my fastest marathon in sometime. Possibly even a Boston Qualifier. It turned…
Read More2,321.1 miles!
Last year was a good year for me on the trail! I ended up amassing more than 2300 running and hiking miles which included some pretty memorable experiences. While I got hit with Covid (who hasn’t at this point?) in May, I thankfully was able to recover fairly fast and get back on the trail.…
Read MoreHappy Halloween! Looking for a hiking haunt to set the mood?
Thank the Ancient Celts for giving us this holiday—Irish and Scottish immigrants for bringing it to America—and Madison Avenue for helping to make it so bloody commercial! What used to be day of general mischief, scary tales, and warding off evil spirits has since been replaced with an excuse for adults to tap into an…
Read MoreWant Peace and Quiet at the Grand Canyon? Be Part of the One Percent!
With more than 5 million annual visitors, the Grand Canyon is our 4th most visited national park. And if you’ve ever experienced the grandeur of this amazing landmark, it’s not hard to understand why. Folks come from all over the country and world to see this stunning geological feature on the Colorado Plateau. The canyon…
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