A New Direction

Yesterday I made a decision to start blogging again, on a regular basis. I also decided that since I really know little about politics, I will quit trying to share my political opinions with the world. Having made that decision, I went into my blog and removed all political content. From now on my writing will be about my two favorite hobbies - backpacking and PC gaming.

This year has been an interesting time for me. After further injuring my already injured knee in January, and struggling with the fact that it wasn't getting better, I made the decision to have ACL reconstruction surgery. June 24th was a new beginning for me - and the start of a long process of rehabilitation. Through it all a constant theme has played out in my mind: simply put, I want to hike further and higher than ever before. For inspiration I constantly remind myself of the famous saying by Persius, Roman poet and satirist - "He conquers who endures." Certainly I have endured what anyone else has during my post-surgery recovery. And in the process I have taken a good look at myself, my life, and my future.

Recently I was far enough along in the recovery process that I felt comfortable testing my knee with an easy day hike. I chose a trail, and made plans to hike, but struggled to find someone who was willing to tag along with me. I decided that on my first trip out it would be prudent to buddy up with someone, if for no other reason than to have someone there to listen to my many long monologues. And for safety, of course.

Sadly, none of my family or friends were interested in a hike. But then I turned to a resource where I have found great inspiration - the Portland Hikers forum. One of the regular contributors on the forum, jessbee offered to tag along with me on a hike. After getting my wife's blessing, for both the hike and my choice of hiking partner, I made plans to hike the Cape Falcon trail on the Oregon Coast.

This was the start of something good! I find it hard to put into words how excited I was to lace up my hiking boots, adjust my trekking poles, toss a day pack on my back, and get out hiking. After nearly four months of hard work and suffering I was finally, really there, hiking!

I found my hiking partner to be a fun and interesting person. Jess apparently enjoys many forms of outdoor recreation, year round, and I found her attitude and enthusiasm contagious. Combine that with the emotional high of my first hike of the year (plus the first hike after surgery) and I found myself reaching levels of inspiration I hadn't attained in many years. So I owe a big 'thanks' to Jess for graciously offering to tag along with my on that hike.

Since then I have been on two more day hikes - a 7.5 mile romp through Forest Park and an 8.1 mile steep hike to Devil's Rest in the Columbia River Gorge.

I have also started pushing myself much harder, exercising every chance I get. I have found the 6-story parking structure across the street from my office to be my best source of quad-busting exercise during the work day, trekking up and down, up and down, several times a day (on my breaks, of course). I've also added strength training to the mix.

My next goal is to hit a moderately difficult trail, something in the 10-mile range, and see how that feels. If nothing else I plan to hit Forest Park again on some longer hikes. Hmmm... next year I may even give snowshoeing a try. Time to start budgeting for new gear.

Lately I have found that most of my family and friends have become must less interested in pounding boots on trails. So I find myself in need of an occasional hiking partner, well at least when I'm not in the mood for a solo trip. So here's an open invitation: if you are in the mood to hit the trail (and put up with my ramblings) just give me a shout! I'm always up for a hike these days.