Journal Entry: What was my life like before I met Julia? Full of adventure, yes! But there was something missing.

May 1

May 1 Journal Entry: What was my life like before I met Julia? Full of adventure, yes! But there was something missing.

What does a fellow do after surviving a heart attack and heart break?

The answer to that question is multi-faceted and complex. You …

Re-discover travel — Going on long walks and solo hikes in the backcountry. You go sailing with an old Army buddy. You find again that sense of adventure that once fueled you.
Read — Focusing on books you’ve been wanting to read but hadn’t yet gotten around to. Or you pick up books that have meant something to you to get grounded again.
Re-Tool — Going back to school to prepare for a new job and new direction in your career.
Write — Posting to a journal or to Facebook. You discover Instagram. You publish that book you’ve been working on for the past ten years.
Re-Connect — Visiting with family & friends. Sometimes calling them up or you surprise them.
Buy a cabin in the woods — Chopping and splitting a lot of wood to heat and re-heat your soul.

Then a good friend told me of his positive experience with on-line dating. So I signed up, created a profile, and started to look for someone who shared my values and had a love of the outdoors.

Julia’s profile showed her hiking and scuba-diving and mentioned that she lived her life guided by the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Hmmm … The rest of this story has yet to be written but here we are drafting Our Adventure Book.

MSR Mess Kit & Backpacking Stove

Picked up this MSR mess kit and backpacking stove at REI. Found the espresso at my local grocery store.

Ruck Up

My old Yucca pack has been carried all about Europe and now is used as I visit our National Parks.

A small tent for two

Love the REI brand. This tent is light-weight and sets up in minutes. Camped at two state parks: Franconia Notch, NH, and Smugglers’ Notch, VT.

Section hiking the AT

Completed a Dirty Dozen challenge in various treks accessible from the Appalachian Trail — 12 hikes of 10 miles or more in the backcountry.

Hello, Boo Boo!

Yes, there are black bear near where I live. This young juvenile left his paw prints on my front door.

Hello, deer!

Love my mountain cabin that’s located just 1/2 mile from the AT just north of the SNP. Deer can be found all over “my” mountain.

Not all boardwalks are along the beach

If memory serves me, this boardwalk runs thru the Manassas National Battlefield Park.

Great Falls, VA

Kayakers brave the Potomac white waters at Great Falls National Park.

Took as trip to New England

DC Arboretum

My pal's Cape Dory sailboat

"Yeah, I'll be your Gilligan."

“Captain” Pete Janker and I have been on several adventures together. We’ve been mountain climbing, skiing, sailing, and flown an airplane. I’ve literally trusted this guy with my life.