Walk Across America – Training Day #1
First big training day – double digits with a pack! Continue reading Walk Across America – Training Day #1
Category: Life
My Brother’s Wedding
My youngest brother is getting married today. I am honored to be a big part of it. Continue reading My Brother’s Wedding
My Privilege to Walk
Thoreau writes in his essay, Walking, “I wish to speak a moment a word for nature.” I too wish to speak a moment, but not for nature, even if my topic is often mistaken for something natural. I want to recognize that embarking on a 7-month, non-work-related journey is a full-on exploitation of my individual privilege. This understanding makes my innate desire for travel and … Continue reading My Privilege to Walk
My New Everest
PRE-WALK, BLOG #1 I’ve got big dreams. Big goals. Always have. Probably goes back to when I was a kid and found my dad’s do-before-I die list. I don’t remember what it said exactly, but as soon as I read it I wrote one of my own. At 8 years old I hoped to one day run a marathon, ride a horse in the Mongolia … Continue reading My New Everest
A Short Week in Roma Norte, Again
When Katie booked her week-long bike trip through Arizona, I was like, “Hey, I wanna go somewhere too!” So I booked a trip to México. Big surprise. 2017 had been busy, work-wise. So a break was in order. I hadn’t revisited my book-in-progress since December and my lasting memories of it were largely self-critical. My internal dialogue: There’s no plot. The characters are undeveloped. Why … Continue reading A Short Week in Roma Norte, Again
Endurance
Last night, Katie and I sat down to watch Life in a Day, a documentary about four amazing women competing in the 2016 running of the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run. Within minutes of the opening credits, I was already getting misty. The snippets of familiar trail sections and footage of runners, crew members, race officials, and spectators brought me right back to 2007 when … Continue reading Endurance
Walking the Oregon Coast Trail, FINAL ENTRY
Ft. Stevens State Park to Astoria (actual date Saturday 6/14/14) It took me 21 days to walk 423 miles on (mostly) the Oregon Coast Trail and I planned on it taking taking 25. And though I was left with some time to kill, I wasn’t motivated to do too much. I stayed at Ft. Stevens for the 3-day state park max, then took a bus … Continue reading Walking the Oregon Coast Trail, FINAL ENTRY
Walking the Oregon Coast Trail, Day 21
Ft. Stevens South to the OCT North Trailhead/Columbia River (actual date 6/13/14) I am up at 5:30am and brave the cold rain en route to the public restroom where a young guy I met yesterday, Soren, is shaving. Today is also his final day and he wants to look good for it. I, however, have no such aspirations. We chat for a minute then continue … Continue reading Walking the Oregon Coast Trail, Day 21
Walking the Oregon Coast Trail, Day 20
Sea Ranch to Ft. Stevens State Park South (actual date Thursday 6/12/14) When I woke up this morning, my first thought was of the guy who checked me in at the Soul Vacation resort Hotel near Alsea Bay Bridge on day 12. After he asked me what I was doing with a backpack on he shook his head until I said, “What, man?” He responded, … Continue reading Walking the Oregon Coast Trail, Day 20
Walking the Oregon Coast Trail, Day 19
Cannon Beach Sea Ranch Zero Day (actual date Wednesday 6/11/14) In my dream, the distance I have to cover is overwhelming. I navigate mountainous dunes and ridiculously steep single-track trails. I need water. I’m exhausted and can barely lift my heavy legs. My throbbing feet wake me up often. I change my sleeping position, hoping the stressful dream will change. It doesn’t. Women from my … Continue reading Walking the Oregon Coast Trail, Day 19
Tom Griffen 
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