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)

So Much to be Thankful for!

Okay. Yep, I know the past year has been tough for many of you. Believe me, this self-employed writer is feeling the current economic downturn too. But you know what? There is a silver lining to this economy. Perhaps now, we Americans can begin rediscovering just what makes our country so great. And it has little to do with accumulating material objects. It has everything to do with our families, friends, communities, nation, and freedom.

Happiness is not measured by nor gained by consumption. Happiness is attained by strong bonds to family, friends, community and the natural world. Tough economic times? Yep, but we have so much to be thankful for here in America. We're resourceful people who etched out a great nation from wilderness- survived civil war-fought the Nazis and Imperial Japan, and persevered through the Great Depression that lasted for over a decade. We're better off as a people and a nation because of all of these challenges. Sometimes we don't really see our true selves and real nature until a crisis. Look at 9/11. It didn't destroy us. It brought us together. No one can take away our freedom and way of life if we don't take it for granted.

This is a great time to reflect on what is truly important and to be thankful for all that we have. And we as a people and a nation have so much! That's worth celebrating over. We've come a long way since Jamestown and Plymouth were founded in the early 1600s. The colonists then survived great odds. They were thankful for their bounties, the help of others (especially Indigenous people who had little to gain by helping them) and for Providence's divine hand. Amen. Happy Thanksgiving everyone for we have so much here to be thankful for!