2010 Milestones

It's that time of the year again when I spend much time planning for the future (present year) and reflecting on the past year. While 2010 was definitely a challenging year for our country and many of her citizens--for me it was a good year overall. I spent the brunt of it working on two books which had me on the trail an inordinate amount of time. In all I recorded just shy of 1,200 miles of hiking (200 miles more than last year). And while hiking took up most of my time, I did manage to still enjoy my other passion, running too. While I was not able to participate in any marathons last year, I did run in a few good races and recorded just shy of 750 miles (100 miles less than last year. This year I will be shifting my priorities with running over hiking as my book workload consists of just one book (so far) and I will be training for something entirely new (details later).

But before I jump into 2011, one last look at 2010. For hiking, it was a great albeit challenging year getting to so many places in so little time. I never hiked so many 25 one day trips in my life than last year. And where did I hike to last year?

• All over the Columbia River Gorge


• The Olympic Coast from the Hoh River to Lake Ozette


• Image lake in the Glacier Peak Wilderness


• Lake LaCrosse in the heart of the Olympics


• Devils Dome, Desolation Peak and Copper Ridge in the North Cascades National Park


• Chain and Doelle Lakes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness


• The Kettle Crest

And so many other great places. I relish the memories of those places and the great folks I hiked with as I reread the manuscripts accounting those adventures.

And while I didn't run in any marathons last year, I take with me a cherished memory of almost winning my first race! In tiny Pomeroy, Washington I came in second place in the little Dash for Cash 5K-but had the pleasure and excitement of actually leading the race for about one mile. Ultimately I lost to a young contender who was overcome with joy-and that made me happy too. A medal is meaningless. A warm memory however of someone else overjoyed and glowing is priceless and everlasting.

How about you? What are your warmest memories of hiking and/or running in 2010? And I hope that you, like me, look forward to a wonderful 2011 as well!

(photo-Dash for Cash Awards Ceremony, Pomeroy WA- John Hastings photographer)

Flour Power!

If you find yourself heading out to the Blue Mountains sometime soon, you absolutely have to check out the Pataha Flour Mill just east of Pomeroy. The mill operated from the 1880s to the 1940s supplying flour for various staples, among them macaroni for my paesoni in San Francisco! There's not much else in Pataha these days, even though it was briefly the county seat of Garfield County. The US Congress helped the seat go to Pomeroy. Never before or since has the US Congress declared a county seat. Damn Arthur administration meddling with state's rights! Anyhow Garfield county is a fascinating place. Washington's least populated county-only 2,350 residents-1,500 of them in Pomeroy-I love this place. In 1910 the county had over 4,500 residents. Now, if only King County could shrug 50% of its populations it too would be fun to visit!