Blog
Running among the Spuds–Skagit Flats Half Marathon
The Skagit Valley has been my home since 2007. My wife and I were lured to the area by its natural beauty, rich agricultural heritage, and easy access to outdoor recreation. We had spent too much time in the big city (although we were both raised in smaller communities) and looked forward to becoming part…
267.7 Miles Hiked and Run and $10,092 Raised!
It was another great Hike-a-thon! Wow! As usual, come September 1st I am physically and emotionally drained after putting in some decent 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…
A Hot, Humid and Hilly Homecoming! The Mad Marathon
I left Vermont in April of 1989 and headed west to Washington State not knowing where my life would lead me. It was a woman that led me to the Green Mountain state—and it was because of her I left it. Our seven years together had a few highlights. But it was mostly a dysfunctional,…
Feeling the Burn — The Tillamook Burn 50K
I started running ultra-marathons six months before turning 50. My goal was to successfully run the White River 50 mile Endurance Run to celebrate my 50th birthday. What I thought would be a short lived phase has turned into a lifestyle. I absolutely love the challenge and excitement of pushing my body on 30-plus mile…
Cooper River Bridge Run — Getting over it in Charleston, South Carolina
We couldn’t have asked for a more convenient arrangement when it came to this year’s 47th annual Cooper River Bridge Run. Perhaps only the solar eclipse on April 8th was more perfectly aligned than how our travel plans fell into place on April 6th. I had booked a family vacation to Charleston, Columbia and Savannah…
Congress overwhelmingly passes massive funding bill to protect, expand and maintain our public parks and trails!
Conservationists, recreationists, hikers, bird watchers, campers, bicyclists, and recreationists of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life are beyond belief at the passage of this monumental bill. According to environmental reporter Ima Tyredowaetin, “I never ever thought I would ever see in my lifetime a time when the government finally started giving our public lands…
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…
Day Hiking Columbia River Gorge 2nd edition
Day Hiking Columbia River Gorge, 2nd Edition: Waterfalls * Vistas * State Parks * National Scenic Area Paperback – April 1, 2024 Now featuring 115 hikes including 35 new destinations many in areas not widely covered such as the Silver Star Scenic Area, Cottonwood Canyon State park and the Monte Cristo Monte Carlo Buck Creek…
Herman the Vancouver Island Marmot wishes you all a Happy Groundhog day!
Yes, they celebrate Groundhog Day in Canada too! And groundhogs, also known as woodchucks in Eastern North America are marmots. So that makes Vancouver Island marmots woodchucks, too! Sadly Herman passed away last year in the Toronto Zoo but he wanted to thank the US Postal Service for featuring him among 19 other Endangered species…
2,280.1 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…