trekking | Books and my backpack

It began as a routine hiking day during our campout along the Illinois River about 80 miles south of Chicago. We headed to nearby Starved Rock State Park to walk a loop trail.

The parking lot at the trailhead made it clear this was an extraordinary place. We arrived mid-morning, but hundreds of cars already filled most of the main lot. Cars were turning toward the overflow lots too.

Then we walked toward the network of trails, where we joined a crowd that reminded me of the Mist Trail in Yosemite National Park.

Just as Sue predicted, the crowd thinned as we explored and climbed the many stairs to trails through the mostly deciduous forest and views of spectacular rock formations. We paused at harrowing viewpoints looking down where Sue later stood.

Starved Rock attracts two million-plus visitors a year, more than many national parks. Our verdict? Get there early if you can. And visit Wildcat Canyon, from above, and below.

When I set out to catalogue my top ten retirement adventures, the easiest choice was number one. As great as the other nine adventures have been, the John Muir Trail had them beat. By way more than a mile.

Talk about the improbable. I never imagined I would spend 30 days in California’s Sierra Nevada wilderness, sleeping in a tent. No toilets. No showers. No going back. Another out-of-character feature: I would travel with nine others, giving up my treasured privacy and my need to recharge by myself, or with just Sue.

Through seven distance treks, I have learned important lessons: Take chances, seek discomfort, be vulnerable. None is easy for me.

The John Muir Trail was the hardest adventure of them all. Sure, we were fortunate to have had a mule train and four dedicated packers that eased the physical challenges. I will be forever grateful for their efforts that allowed me to experience a trek I’m not sure I could do on my own. But, still, we walked 246 miles, conquered 100,000 feet of elevation, and answered numerous unexpected obstacles. The mountain passes tested our resolve; one of them was Muir Pass, where we paused at Muir Hut (photo above). Also, I overcame my fear of heights and climbed Mount Whitney.

The people. I will hold close my nine fellow trekkers and four packers for the rest of my life. And I was so fortunate to behold one of Earth’s most spectacular places up close.

Since our JMT in August 2021, I have been reliving my experience through my MacBook Air’s keys. I can’t wait to share the story later this year in the form of my third adventure trekking book.

Sue and I will soon embark on one of our most ambitious journeys. We will walk, but in the form of day hikes as we explore lands afar. Lead Foot (our truck) will lead the way, pulling our third Minnie, aka Mini. For the first time, we plan to take our travel trailer to another country.

We are not done distance trekking, though.

Here’s to the next top ten adventures!