The Regenerating Properties of the Beach

Second day of riding in the Outer Hebrides: From somewhere atop Clisham, to Horgabost, South (or West?) Harris. What is it about the beach that regenerates? A beach, regardless of the climate, seems to soothes the soul. The ride down (with several more ups) the mountain resulted in a late breakfast (thank you AGAIN for… Read More

Hands-on with the Shimoda Design Explore 60 Backpack

I had an opportunity to spend some quality time up on the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park with this beauty of a camera backpack.  It has the structure and volume to also carry camping gear needed for a night or two sleeping trailside.  Check out the full review here: http://www.p3newsreviews.com/2018/07/hands-on-with-shimoda-designs-explore-60.html… Read More

Mountains and Midges and Destinations not Reached

  Adventures from Day one in the Outer Hebrides, 9 June, 2018 When embarking on an adventure never yet undertaken, always expect the unexpected.  My first day on the bike, starting from Stornaway, my goal was a 46 mile ride south to Horgabost campground on South Harris.  But the unexpected happened.  I underestimated the effect… Read More

The Boots

Excerpt from Wales Trip, 6-14-2017 The Boots.  For reasons having nothing to do with feet, and everything to do with sopping wet Welsh vegetation, they reek to high heaven.  Cotswold in Cardiff.  I will go there.   By way of update, I bought new boots, binned these and developed some glorious blisters from hiking miles… Read More

Some Thoughts on New Friends Made

Another excerpt from the Wales journal June 14, 2017 When you meet wonderful people, spend time with them, bond over challenges, share stories about families, then part ways, without names, emails nothing.  I remember a Jill? David?  But I will never forget the group of you I helped off that mountain, scouted ways across the… Read More

While Hiking the Brecon Beacons

As I get ready to embark on another adventure (bike-packing and backpacking in the Outer Hebrides, Skye, and the Orkneys) I have been going through my travel journal from my adventure in Wales, and came across this bit.  It was really meaningful to me as I have a long family history (from long long ago)… Read More

How it all went . . .

When trying something different, far from home, learning how to deal with equipment is part of the fun. It can be a challenge to figure out how to carry camera gear AND the stuff you need for a couple weeks away from home.  In these articles I recount the challenges of dealing with high-end photography… Read More

Full Circle

When my family on my father’s side, the Awbreys, came to America in the mid1600s, they landed and resided in Virginia for several generations.  One was even a sheriff of the county in which I currently reside. They eventually picked up and made their way west as many early arrivers to this country did and… Read More