Bill's Adventures
I have had many wonderful opportunities both for travel and outdoor recreation
both with my family and alone. This page gives a quick view of some
of my adventures. It is sort of a snapshot. Many wonderful
places and people are omitted, mostly by accident. I have broken
the adventures up roughly chronologically and by activity. Would
love to chat via ICQ (1884995) or email (bill@billperson.org) about any of them.
Exciting things for the future are much desired.
My adventures include:
Boundary Waters Canoe Area
My first wilderness adventure was in 1959 with the Explorer Scouts at the
Region Ten Canoe Base in northern Minnesota, near Ely. We went on
a long loop, like the scout song, “From Lake Agnes to Louisa to Kannippi
we will go, to see the loon and hear its plaintive wail.” Still remember
Whole Rye, smashed bread, very cold water and the bugs. June 21 is
not the perfect time for the trip. Son Eric attended Carleton College
in MN, so we have two family trips in 1992 and 94. Each of those
times we used Tom and Woods as our outfitter, entering from Moose Lake
as we did on the scout trip. The first trip was US only. The
other we got a Canadian permit. The Canadian journey is much nicer.
We will do that again.
The Appalachian Trail.
In 1968, our friend Henry Beale introduced us in words to the Appalachian
Trail. What an important event that turned out to be. The thru-hiker
bug bit me hard. Never got over it. In 1969, we made
a fall trip from NYC to the Great Smokey Mountains to hike the north half
of the park. A wonderful healing time.
While we were in New York, we visited the White Mountains and the famous
AMC Huts. We have been to the Whites at least four times, Molly and
I in 69 or 70, with the AMC range hike a year later, on a six week hike
at the end of our New York stay, and then in 96 as a part of my Appalachian
Trail thru-hike.
The Pacific Crest
and John Muir Trails
In 88 or 89, I did my first thru-hike, from Meek’s Bay at Tahoe to Mt.
Whitney. It was a wonderful six week adventure. I shared each
part with a family member or good friend. Molly or a friend met me
for each re-supply. It was the year of the big Yosemite fire so the
views from the High Sierra were obscured. I had to come back.
Did a partial Muir several years later. Another thing to be repeated.
Bicycle Adventures.
In 1989, I went on my first bicycle tour. First Grand Tour North,
from Sacramento through the wine country to San Francisco. I was
so sore I nearly died. The next year, I went to Alberta for two one-week
journeys, Banff to Jasper on the Icefields Highway (with Molly) and
the Going to the Sun Highway through Glacier National Park. Both
of these trips were with Can-Am tours, run by a guy named “Pete”.
Low budget tours aimed at largely Canadian teachers, nurses, etc.
Good experience. Good company. I also went on Cycle Oregon
II covering the state from Pullman to the coast.
The next year, I went on for Cycle America’s Park-to-Park tour, an all
summer adventure. We started in Flagstaff, visiting Grand Canyon,
Zion, Bryce, Capital Reef, Escalante and Mesa Verde all in the first
week or so. We proceeded through Colorado, Wyoming and Montana, crossing
the Continental Divide seven times. We rode from Jasper to Banff
and on to Vancouver. Then south through Washington and Oregon.
I dropped off the tour at the CA border. The trip continued to Lassen,
Tahoe and ended in San Francisco. The bike trip through southern
Utah is the best trip anywhere, I think.
On that adventure, I met up with the OFC—The Olympic Federation of Cyclists
(Or Old Fart’s Corps), a group of retired folks who pursue long distance
cycling and cheap beer with equal vigor. Almost all of them have
ridden across the country multiple times. One woman get a bicycle
for her retirement gift and has never failed to ride 10,000 miles a year
since then. I have joined them most years since then, riding various
parts of the coast to coast trip, the Natchez Trace (twice) and the then
MOOSA, a week in Maine and Quebec.
Ski Patrol and Snow Camping
In 1993, I joined a backcountry unit of the National Ski Patrol.
Shortly after, affiliated with the Boreal Ski Patrol as well. This
has become my winter “religion.” I have taught Ski Patrol First Aid
course a number of times and got Region Outstanding Teacher of the Year
last year. This is the thing I love to do most. About that
same time, I took the Sierra Club snow camping training. As a part
of those two things, I have had winter adventures including two ski trips
through the Yosemite High Country. How glorious it is when it is
not overcrowded with people. Ski patrol events also take me to Yosemite
each year. Have fitted in two trips to Alta for recreational skiing
as well.
THE HIKE
In March of 1996, I declared my computer project management days to be
over, grabbed my pack, and headed for Springer Mountain to begin my hike
of the Appalachian Trail. I completed about two thirds of the trail,
hiking four out of five months, ending up in the AMC Huts with Molly, Tom,
and Gabe. I could write forever about the hike. I met
so many wonderful people, had so many adventures and found a real sense
of peace and happiness. Decided to throw in the job (mostly) and
follow those pursuits full time. It was here that I got the trail
name of Pooh. I will return to Maine in August to complete the Maine
portion of the AT, hiking with a group including Gabe and some of the folks
I hiked with in 96. Hope to see many more.
Pooh Corner
When I hiked the Appalachian Trail in 96, I was overwhelmed by the generosity
and kindness of Trail Angels who reached out to thru-hikers and provided
what they needed or merely wanted. The Pacific Crest Trail runs a
few miles from our Sierra cabin, so we decided to become Trail Angels here.
We spend July at our cabin meeting thru-hikers and providing a home away
from home for them. Also get a chance for a lot of hiking.
The Future
Ski Patrol
Both patrolling and teaching, as well as recreational skiing will have
a big role in the future. Next winter we expect to live in the mountains.
I will try to pass the senior level examination for the backcountry patrol.
Also hope to do Sr. Avalanche training or the National Avalanche School.
Someday I want to be a part of a hike of the 10th Mountain Division Huts
in Colorado, between Aspen and Vail.
Pooh Corner/Thru-hiking
Providing thru-hiker hospitality and doing thru-hikes will also be a big
part of my life as well as local hikes in the Sierra. A Himalayan
trek, mountain hiking in the Alps, the Milford Trek and a long distance
walk in England might be a part of the future. I am sure I will return
to the AT again and again.
Bicycling
Both local and distance cycling will be a part of the future. I want
to do a major bike trip in Europe in the near future. A trans-America
ride beckons to me but I resist the fixed schedule of such a group trip
and don’t want to spend that much time without community.
Water
A major raft trip down the Grand Canyon or Salmon is likely as is a sea
kayak trip to Baja.
General Travel
Alaska is my number one travel destination. Another trip to Europe
is probably in the cards, maybe London Theater or Greek Islands.
I would like to go to Costa Rica on a nature trip. I would like to
return to the Four Corners area. A New England fall colors trip is
also likely. Also another canoe trip to Boundary Waters or Algonquin.
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