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.  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 4B 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 historic Annapolis, Maryland. Founded in 1649, Annapolis is a beautiful sailing community on the Chesapeake Bay. Annapolis boasts some of the finest 17th and 18th Century buildings in the country. Maryland is now the only state in America in which the homes of all of its signers still exist, and all are preserved in Annapolis. Annapolis is the home of both the United States Naval Academy founded in 1845 and of St. John's College, founded in 1696 as King William's School and the third oldest institution of higher learning in the United States.

  St. Mary's church in the Historic District of Annapolis was built on the property of a Revolutionary patriot who cherished freedom of religion and nurtured it in his own community and beyond, to the nation. Attended by the fathers and brothers of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) and the School Sisters of Notre Dame*.

  Redemptorist Novices, seminarians, and brothers helped build the 7,000 square foot church between 1858 and 1860. It was designed by architect Louis L. Long. Frescoes of the Ascension and the Good Shepherd flank the high altar, which is made entirely of wood.
 

  Annapolis boasts that they are the sailing capital of the world and I believe it. I think there are more boats then there are residents. It is a great little town that is close to Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD. If you are ever in town, you must visit the one of many Irish pubs that dot the town. There is always a new one opening up. On Thursday night you probably can find the locals in McGarvey's Saloon having steamed mussels and a pint of Aviators. 

  I had the great opportunity to work for the Department of Defense as a Senior Test Director for 10 years. What the hell do they do… well we blew things up for a living for one. Ahhh…… the good ol' days. OK, to be serious for a moment, what we actually did was test military equipment to make it some of the finest in the world. I deployed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Emirate of Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm during my tenure with DoD. That was an experience. How does a 135 degrees on the desert floor strike you. The picture is of me in Saudi Arabia along some godforsaken stretch of desert highway. I was a technical advisor there (don't ask).  The beat goes on.

A few more thoughts to share………

"I believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail. He is immortal, not because he alone among creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance."

-William Faulkner as he accepted the 1950 Nobel Prize for literature

then again ………..

"Luge strategy? Lie flat and try not to die."

- Tim Steeves

Well, if you are ever in the area, stop by, chat awhile, and have a cold pint!

  * Reference St. Marys Church