An Internet journal of my interests and travels has been invaluable in sharing with family and friends.   The center of my vision of this site has been my rekindled interest in backpacking.  This interest has grown over the years and is reflected in this ever expanding website.  Although the site will eventually expand into other areas, the main topic remains as thus. 

I was raised in the state of New Jersey (and don't hold that against me) in the little town of Whitehouse Station. Exit 4 for those who really want to know. I was actually raised in the country of New Jersey. Yes, that's right folks, the “country” of New Jersey. It's called the Garden State for a reason. I actually lived on a dirt road with horse pastures, soy and cornfields (and no I didn't walk to school in the snow bare foot, uphill, both ways).  It was here that I began early interests with the outdoors; exploring new fields, woods and streams.  I would usually return home by dinnertime looking a little worse for wear.

I attended Hunterdon Central Regional High School then went on to graduate from Syracuse University with a BS in Aerospace Engineering (yeah, a regular rocket scientist). I eventually completed my Masters in Engineering Management from The George Washington University (at the US Naval Academy campus in Annapolis). 

Currently I live in sunny Southern California.  My friends always use to say I should move west since that is where I usually head for my backpacking trips.  Since I have been out here, the amount of hiking and backpacking I have done has about tripled.  Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Sequoia and King Canyon National Parks are all within an easy day’s drive.  Looking at the map, the entire area is surrounded by national forests, national parks, state parks, and recreational areas.  So many places to hike, so little annual leave.  It is not uncommon to be hiking about twice a week (either by myself or with a hiking club).  In my backyard I have a national forest and a 5600 foot mountain (small by CA standards).  Care to guess what I did the first month here……..