“And you, you will come too, young brother; for the days pass, and never return, the South still waits for you. Take the Adventure, heed the call, now ere the irrevocable moment passes! ‘Tis but a banging of the door behind you, a blithesome step forward, and you are out of the old life and into the new! Then some day, some day long hence, jog home here if you will, when the cup has been drained and the play has been played, and sit down by your quiet river with a store of goodly memories for company.” ~Kenneth Grahame, The Wind In The Willows

OK. Here’s the deal. I’m about to embark on an adventure across the United States (and possibly Canada) to run/hike/walk as many trails as I can in as many National and State Parks as possible over the next year. As I approach my 55th birthday in May 2017 this could be a case of a “late onset mid-life crisis” or more likely my genuine gratitude to living a sober life for some years now that allows me the opportunity to appreciate how fortunate I am to experience this wonderful, and I’m sure at times challenging, journey. So, there’s the sober running theme.

My intention is not to preach or offer advice in this forum, but rather to share my adventures, experiences, humorous mishaps and encounters as well as any other note worthy incidences along the way. I will be traveling in my newly purchased R-Pod (which shall be named “Hobbes” as a tribute to the cartoonist Bill Watterson’s classic comic strip character) along with my little sidekick and lovable companion Friday (my 3 legged rescue dog from St. John,USVI).

Friday  St. John Animal Care Center

My journey will begin in Surf City, NC where my wife Cindy and I currently reside with our furry 4 legged (except for Friday) family of rescue animals. I have a roughly outlined itinerary, but as my loving and extremely patient wife will attest to, I often make it up as I go along. The plan, as I currently envision it, will take me first to the North Carolina Mountains, through Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. From there I might keep heading west into California or make a hard right and explore Nevada, Utah and Colorado for a few months. As we get into the middle of summer I plan to head north toward Wyoming, Idaho, Montana and Alaska. By late August, if Friday and I are still going strong, we’ll turn south to Washington State and Oregon before heading east. North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan might be the chosen route or a dip down into Nebraska and Iowa could be calling me as I have never visited these two states (along with Alaska). I fear I will not arrive in New England in time for the Fall foliage, but none the less will explore the many wonderful mountainous trails this territory offers to the avid trail runner/hiker. Finally, it will be time to turn south and head for home. But not without a jaunt through the woods of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and back to one of my favorite spots in North Carolina, the Linville Gorge. I’m certain by this point my heart will be missing my wonderful wife Cindy and my body will be crying out for our cozy and comfortable home.

One last and important note. As I travel across this magnificent landscape, I will be doing my best to be an ambassador of goodwill, kindness and compassion to ALL the people, creatures, flora and fauna I encounter. I have been inspired by so many others throughout my life and this adventure and my journal recording it will allow me the gift to give back. If I only inspire one person, pick up a few pieces of trash, make someone laugh or smile, or do some small good deeds (without telling another about doing it) then all the time, expense and effort will be worth it. For this personal experience means nothing if it’s all about me. I am just the vehicle which hopefully will convey a message of hope, inspiration and joy. Sharing a spirited adventure with others who dream of living a life fueled only by a desire to achieve their potential, a grateful and joyous heart and the willingness to step outside their comfort zone is my ultimate objective.

HAPPY TRAILS!