Easing Back into Backpacking (In a Mostly Manly Way)

My friend Brian and I have been talking a lot lately about backpacking. Most of that conversation takes place, though, inside our cushy campsites at East Fork State Park. It’s fun to reminisce about former trips, and even make some vague plans for new ones, especially while sitting in our cozy camper chairs, sipping a Keurig-brewed coffee and munching a plate full of assorted fire-grilled meat products. But who really wants to hoist their entire camp onto their backs, hike for who knows how many miles and mountains, and then set it up every night, …

Looking for a Thumbs-Up

Most of my friends like my classic truck. Even people who have no idea whether I’m good friend material give me a thumbs-up when I drive by. You may already be feeling the urge to click the like icon at the end of this blog. Please feel free to do that now. Sometimes I forget I’m in my old truck, and for a moment the smiles and thumbs are for me. If only. Which leads me to the essence of this blog. I am a recovering approval seeker. There, I’ve said it. (I hope you …

Jogging Childhood Memories

I’m up early and feelin’ good. So good that I’ve decided to go for a two-mile run. What inspires this plodding hiker to speed up his pace today? There’s just something magic about the trails in the woods of Highland Hills Park. My wife and I discovered these trails a couple weeks ago, hiding right under our noses at the end of our street. We’ve already walked the trails four or five times since. On a solo trek last week, I surprised myself—and my doctors—when I broke into a jog. It’s not that I am …

K-Cup Kindness

Dad never pressured me, but I know he hoped his son, like him, would become an ordained minister. But it wasn’t meant to be. I did, however, volunteer with Campers for Christ in 1980. Dad’s dream wasn’t totally fulfilled, but he was a man who’d learned to be happy with whatever he got. Campers for Christ still holds church services at two local state parks. When my turn comes up, I lead the singing (iffy, I admit) and do a devotional. It’s been a great experience. Campers are kind folks who always tell me they …

Deer Friends

June 10, 2020 I sent a photo of a very young fawn to my brother-in-law. He noted that it appeared very happy and relaxed. That seems to be the general attitude of the deer in this section of town. He could see that all the way from Costa Rica. After she bedded down her offspring, Mom probably went out walking in the neighborhood with some of her BFFs, most likely catching up on the other births and all the latest gossip. While doing that, it just so happens that she takes her scent far away …

My New Workout Plan at 70

May 20, 2020 Sunday was birthday number 70. Bonnie baked me a giant dark chocolate cake. It took me two tries to blow out the candles. There were only two, a seven and a zero. This might be funny if I was making it up. My friends—mostly ones younger than me—say 70 is not old. I could train to do a marathon or thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. People my age even compete in the Ironman Triathlon. I chewed on my cake and considered those options for cardiovascular training. Glamorous, but they are probably not going …