August 9 marked another milestone. Forty-one years ago, after dating four years and a 14-month engagement, my bride and I said “I do” to one another at about 1:20 p.m. at a church in the Chicago suburb of Lombard. Thankfully the process leading up to the wedding day wasn’t nearly…
A gardener I am not. Not even a hobbyist gardener. More like a dabbler. Several years ago, I read somewhere that pastors ought to have a garden. I can’t remember why, but surely the writer gave a bunch of good reasons—enough, at least, to convince me it was a good…
I grew up thinking I was one of those “Heinz 57” people with a genetic makeup that spans the globe. Well, not the globe, but the European continent, anyway. When asked my nationality, my family name, I’d have to answer, “Well….it’s complicated.” Until a few years ago, I had no…
Nineteen years ago this month, my better half and I had the wonderful opportunity to go on a two-week Alaskan land and sea tour—and it cost us next to nothing! I should also mention that Chris and I were co-hosts on this cruise-tour with another couple. Our presence was expected….
For plenty of hikers, the unusual rock was a destination. Honestly, it wasn’t even on our radar screen. On our recent trip to Devil’s Lake State Park in Wisconsin, we spent a full day hiking. The plan was head out from our campsite along the Ice Age Trail, which follows…
Ever tried sleeping on a hard-as-a-rock pillow and thought you’d never get to sleep? My better half has never been backpacking before. Done many a day hike with me through the years, but never with a 25 lb. pack on her back. Never setting up a tiny, lightweight tent at…
“Don’t count your days. Make your days count!” I get the sentiment. We easily fall into the trap of day counting. Counting how many days until the weekend. Counting how many days since our last fun experience. Counting how many days until our vacation. Counting how many days left in…
As I write today, I’m sitting outside a Panera restaurant in one of the Chicago burbs, using the few hours between visits to the chiropractor. Looking up from the screen, looking out on the scene before me, I’m trying to listen with my eyes. Not an easy thing. Just above…
Aside from a couple multi-day backpacking trips, almost all the hikes I’ve done have been with my bride of almost 41 years. We’ve been on day-hike trails in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Arizona, Utah, California, Alaska, Costa Rica, and Malaysia. Surely, I’m…
For the most part, traveling east from Hoover Dam at the Arizona/Nevada border to Phoenix along US 93 doesn’t really rank as particularly “pretty.” To be sure, some scenic views catch your attention. There’s an overlook or two worth stopping to take in the vista. But brown gets a bit…
