Ok, so know we know that 20 miles per day with 30-lb. packs isn't too difficult. How about we try much lighter packs but longer distance next? How about a one-day 40-miler with 5 lbs. of gear plus water? We'd stick to the C&O, so we could do the whole thing with day packs and running shoes. If all goes well, we could try for a 62-miler later in the ( Read more... )

Why don't we have an afternoon or evening get together for everyone who's going on the Santiago pilgrimage?  How about late in June (just a year out from our departure ( Read more... )

My, but there's a lot coming up in the next couple months ( Read more... )

Well, the hike went quite well, all things considered.  I had a blast being out on the trail with everyone, the gear got a decent test, and I learned a lot about just what three long days of walking in a row feel s like.  (Pretty good, actually, except for some blister pain, mostly on the bottoms of my little toes-go figure ( Read more... )

Good night, but a lot has been going on over the last couple of weeks!  I'll have to run to catch up, so I'll just throw out  some scattered thoughts:

Retreat and Regroup
The weekend with the brothers of  the Carthusian Order of the Strict Observance (Trappist monks) was a blast!  I rolled on down to Our Lady of the Holy Cross Abbey in Berryville ( Read more... )

Here's one of those narcissistic online quizzes that are catnip for compulsive fanboys and Myers-Briggs junkies like me.  Let's see how I did...

I Am A: Lawful Good Human Sorcerer (6th Level)

(Like ASS...Sorcerer?  SORCERER?  give it a rest!  I cleave a bloody path through those "the blood of dragon kings runs through my veins" wankers.  Sixth level ( Read more... )

Prayer to Saint Michael
Saint Michael, Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host,
by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and
all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. ( Read more... )

Well, things are moving ahead on the housing front.  We had the inspection yesterday, and although there are some structural issues in the roof supports which we will ask the seller to have repaired,  there seems to be nothing standing in the way of our closing date (knock termite-free wood).  Radon tests are ongoing, and should be completed by ( Read more... )

Well, the house hunting is making good progress.  We've made an offer on a place we like, and negotiated a price we like with the seller.  We'll have the inspection done this week (including appliances, heating/cooling, roof, radon, mold, bug damage, etc.).  If it goes well, we could be moving over late April and May (we'll do it in stages); if not ( Read more... )

Am rolling along through another blessed Friday at work. I'm transitioning the kids from The Crucible to To Kill a Mockingbird, with a healthy dose of the American Gothic tradition in short stories ("A Rose for Emily," "The Yellow Wallpaper,' etc.), so life is pretty sweet in the classroom right now.

I'm getting set to go off for a weekend retreat ( Read more... )