Projected Schedule for AT Hike

Week #1 - March 15-21 — 80 miles.  (80 total)

Week #2 - March 22-28 — 85 miles (165 total)

Week #3 - March 29-Apr 4 — 90 miles (255 total)

Week #4 - Apr 5-11 — 95 miles (350 total)

Week #5 - Apr 12-18 — 100 miles (450 total)

Week #6 - Apr 19-25 — 105 miles (555 total)

Week #7 - Apr 26-May 2 — 110 miles (665 total)

Week #8 - May 3-9 — 110 miles (775 total)

Week #9 - May 10-16 — 110 miles (885 total)

Week #10 - May 17-23 — 110 miles (995 total)

Week #11 - May 24-30 — 110 miles (1105 total)

Week #12 - May 31-June 6 — 110 miles (1215 total)

Week #13 - June 7-13 — 110 miles (1325 total)

Week #14 - June 14-20 — 110 miles (1435 total)

Week #15 - June 21-27 — 110 miles (1545 total)

Week #16 - June 28-July 4 — 105 miles (1650 total)

Week #17 - July 5-July 11 — 100 miles (1750 total)

Week #18 - July 12-18 — 100 miles (1850 total)

Week #19 - July 19-25 — 95 miles (1945 total)

Week #20 - July 26-Aug 1 — 90 miles (2035 total)

Week #21 - Aug 2-8 — 85 miles (2120 total)

Week #22 - Aug 9-15 - 80 miles (2200 total)

Appalachian Trail Prep

Appalachian Trail Summary

On November 7th, 2019 I resigned from my job and began preparing to hike the Appalachian Trail on  March 14th, 2020.  The Appalachian Trail is 2,192 miles in length - passing through 14 states.  I’m going to summarize the states below - with highlight points along the way:

1). Georgia
-  78 total miles. (Miles 0 - 78)
-  Highest Point - 4,458 ft. Low Point 2,510ft
-  Blood Mountain - Mile #29
-  Mountain Crossings Outfitters @ Neel Gap - Mile #31

2) & 3). North Carolina/Tennessee
-  388 total miles (Miles 78 - 466)
-  Highest Point - 6,643 ft (highest pt on entire AT). Low Point -1,326ft
-  Smokey Mountain National Park - Miles #166 thru #239
-  Clingman’s Dome - Highest Point on AT (6,643 ft) - Mile #200
-  Max Patch - Mile #255
-  Hot Springs, NC - Mile #275
-  Roan Highlands - Mile #378
-  Roan High Knob Shelter - Highest Shelter on AT (6,285 ft) - Mile #378

4). Virginia
-  553 total miles (Miles 466 - 1,019)
-  Highest Point - 5,500ft. Low Point - 265ft
-  Damascus - Trail Days Party in mid-May - Mile #470
-  Grayson Highlands - Mile #501
-  Woodshole Hostal - Mile #625
-  Dragons Tooth (Mile #702), McAffee Knob (Mile #713), Tinker Cliff (Mile #719)
-  Shenandoah National Park - requires hiking permit - Miles #863 thru Mile #971

5). West Virginia
-  6 total miles (Miles 1,019 - 1,025)
-  Highest Point - 1,200ft.  Low Point 265ft
-  Harpers Ferry - Appalachian Trail Conservatory - Mile #1,024

6). Maryland
-  41 total miles (Miles 1,025 - 1,066)
-  Highest Point - 1,880ft.  Low Point - 230ft
-  Mason-Dixon Line - Mile #1,066

7). Pennsylvania
-  229 total miles (Miles 1,066 - 1,295)
-  Highest Point - 2,040 ft. Low Point - 320ft
-  Pine Grove Furnace State Park - Half gallon ice cream challenge - Mile #1,105
-  Doyle Hotel - Duncannon, PA - Mile #1,149
- The Pinnacle overlook - Mile #1,229

8). New Jersey
-  72 total miles (Miles 1,295 - 1,367)
-  Highest Point - 1,653ft. Low Point - 350ft
-  Sunfish Pond - Mile #1,301

9). New York
-  91 total miles (Miles 1,367 - 1,458)
-  Highest Point - 1,433ft. Low Point - 124ft
-  Bear Mountain - Lowest Point on AT (Mile #1,405)

10). Connecticut
-  50 total miles (Miles 1,458 - 1,508)
-  Highest Point - 2,316ft. Low Point - 260ft
-  Bulls Bridge rope swing - Mile #1,461

11). Massachusetts
-  90 total miles (Miles 1,508 - 1,598)
-  Highest Point - 3,491ft. Low Point - 650ft
-  Mt Everett - Mile #1,513
-  Upper Goose Pond Shelter - take canoes out - Mile #1,550
-  Mt Greylock - said to have inspired Herman Melville to write “Moby Dick” - Mile #1,588

12). Vermont
-  151 total miles (Miles 1,598 - 1,749)
-  Highest Point - 3,908ft. Low Point - 400ft
-  Stratton Mountain- Mile #1,639
-  Mt Bromley - gondola- Mile #1,655
-  Mt Killington - Mile #1,706

13). New Hampshire
-  161 total miles (Miles 1,749 - 1,910)
-  Highest Point - 6,288ft. Low Point - 400ft
-  Hanover (Dartmouth Univ) - Mile #1,749
-  Franconia Ridge - Mile #1,821
-  Mt Washington - Mile #1,859

14). Maine
-  282 total miles (Miles 1,910 - 2,192)
-  Highest Point - 5,268ft. Low Point - 490ft
-  Mahoosuc Notch - hardest mile on AT - Mile #1,917
-  Kennebec River - canoe crossing - 9am-2pm from July 1-Sept 30 - Mile #2,041
-  Monson, ME - AT Visitor Center - Mile #2,078
-  100-mile Wilderness (Miles 2,077 thru 2,177)
-  Baxter State Park - must obtain hiking permit in person to climb Mt Katahdin
-  Mt Katahdin- end of AT - Mile #2,192

Hawaii Marathon Trip Dec 6-17, 2019

Hawaii Marathon Trip 2019

Maui - Road to Hana - Ke’anae Peninsula

Maui- Kaanapali Beach

O’ahu - Lanikai Pillbox Hike

O’ahu - Ocean drive views

Kauai - Napali Coast

Maui - Haleakala National Park

Maui - Haleakala National Park

Kauai - Waimea Canyon

Kauai - Waimea Canyon

O’ahu - Northshore Bonzai Pipeline

Maui - Road to Hana

Kauai - Kalalau Trail

O’ahu - Diamondhead Hike

Maui - Kapalua Beach

Maui - Road to Hana - Black Beach

O’ahu - sunset on Waikiki 

Maui - Road to Hana - Hike to Waimoku Falls

O’ahu - Puu O Hulu Pillbox Hike

Kauai - sunrise

O’ahu - Pearl Harbor

Maui - Road to Hana

Maui - Road to Hana

Maui - Road to Hana - Hike to Waimoku Falls

Maui - Road to Hana

Kauai - Fantasy Island Waterfall

O’ahu - Pearl Harbor

Maui - Road to Hana - Waimoku Falls

O’ahu - Sunrise on Waikiki 

Maui - Haleakala National Park

Friday, Dec 6th
⁃ Flew from Denver to O’ahu (connected through Sacramento) - arriving around 3pm. 3 hr time difference
⁃ Got rental and checked into hotel - Imperial Hawaii Resort at Waikiki
⁃ Got marathon packet and Hard Rock shot glass
⁃ Dinner at Yard House (forgot packet and had to go back)

Saturday, Dec 7th
⁃ Hiked 3 miles on Waikiki to watch sunrise
⁃ Drove to North Shore. Visited Turtle Bay and Bonzai Pipeline
⁃ Drove the east side of island
⁃ Picked up Herm at airport
⁃ Walked around Waikiki
⁃ Dinner at Aracino Italian Restaurant

Sunday, Dec 8th
⁃ Ran Honolulu Marathon
⁃ Randy/Herm drove to North Shore. Visited Bonzai Pipeline. Lunch at Romys
⁃ Kyle rested at hotel until 2pm. Finished marathon in 5:08
⁃ Drove together after 2pm to west side of island
⁃ We did a 1.8 mile PillBox hike at Puu O Hulu
⁃ Dinner at Paia Fish Market

Monday, Dec 9th
⁃ Pearl Harbor Day.  Did the audio guide, visited Arizona Memorial and toured Missouri Battleship
⁃ Drinks on the beach at Edge of Waikiki at sunset
⁃ Ate dinner at Dukes (Hula Pie)

Tuesday, Dec 10th
⁃ Hiked Diamondhead
⁃ Hiked Lanikai pillbox hike and drank Lanikai juice
⁃ Saw the Pipeline Masters Surfing Competition at Bonzai Pipeline
⁃ Ate schrimp scampi at Giavannis Shrimp Truck and ate Shaved Ice
⁃ Dinner at Maui Brewing Company

Wednesday, Dec 11th
⁃ Flew from O’ahu to Kauai
⁃ Checked into Kauai Coast Resort at the Beach Boy
⁃ Went to Waimea Canyon
⁃ Viewpoints of Napali Coast
⁃ 4 mile Canyon Trail hike
⁃ Drove over 3-mile bumpy road to Polihale Beach
⁃ Dinner at Dukes Restaurant

Thursday, Dec 12
⁃ Hanapepe Swinging Bridge and Chicolate Company
⁃ Poipu spouting horn and beach. Pictures of chickens.
⁃ Kalapaki Beach - by Dukes Restaurant
⁃ Helicopter Tour - went into volcano
⁃ Saw Wailua Falls (Fantasy Island Falls)
⁃ Saw Opaekaa Falls
⁃ Dinner at Lava Lava Beach Club - walked to from apartment

Friday, Dec 13th
⁃ Hiked the Kalalau Trail (first 2 miles until the trail was closed)
⁃ Lunch at Fish Taco spot in Hanalei
⁃ Toured wet cave
⁃ Tunnels Beach (where soul surfer Bethany Hamilton was attacked by tiger shark)
⁃ Kīlauea Lighthouse
⁃ Beers at apartment while discussing Maui plans
⁃ Dinner at Bobby Vs pizza near our breakfast grocery store

Saturday, Dec 14th
⁃ Flew from Kauai to Maui
⁃ Drove to Haleakala - audio tour
⁃ Went to Hookipa Lookout (near Jaws surf break in Pe’ahi)
⁃ Checked into Aston Kaanapali Shores
⁃ Dinner at Fish Market
⁃ Drinks at pool

Sunday, Dec 15th
⁃ Drove the Road to Hana (59 bridges - 46 are 1-way)
⁃ 5 must see places on Rd are *
⁃ (A). Kaumahina State Wayside Park
⁃ *(B) Ke’anae Arboretum (eucalyptus trees)
⁃ *(C). Ke’anae Peninsula (coconuts)
⁃ (D). Upper Waikani Falls (the 3 bears)
⁃ *(E) Wai’anapanapa State Park (black rock beach)
⁃ - (F) Koki Beach
⁃ *(G) Wailua Falls (the “perfect falls”)
⁃ *(H). Haleakala National Park - 4 mile loop to Waimoku Falls and 0.5 loop to Oheo Pools      (7 sacred pools)
⁃ Drove back side of Hana Loop
⁃ Dinner at Maui Brewing Company

Monday, Dec 16th
⁃ Breakfast at Island Vintage Coffee
⁃ Drove to Wailea
⁃ Walked the beaches - Wailea and Polo
⁃ Stopped by Maui What a Wonderful World Bed & Breakfast
⁃ Drove by Big Beach, Little Beach  and Makena Cove
⁃ Ate lunch at Leoda’s Pie Shop
⁃ Walked around Lahaina - getting some Christmas gifts
⁃ Drove to Kapalua - walked to Kapalua Bay
⁃ Shower at Aston Kannapali Resort
⁃ Drove to airport for return flight at 9:10pm. (6 hr 30 minute direct flight to Denver)

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Asian Sabbatical - Summary Video (Complete Trip)

I spent some time this weekend to complete the summary video of my Asian Sabbatical.  There's a lot of effort that goes into these videos -- but I know in the future, watching these will bring back a ton of great memories.

Until the next journey --- go do something that makes a positive difference in the world!

Asian Sabbatical - Summary Video (Japan-China)

I'm posting a video of the first part of my Asian Sabbatical ---- Japan-China.  This includes the first 2 weeks while I travelled with my friends Randy & Wendy.  I'm still working on the complete video -- to be posted next weekend.

https://vimeo.com/179701452

Asian Sabbatical - Day #33 - Travel

Monday, August 1st
I have to write down the travel times involved on these trips - as it's truly amazing what it takes to get to certain places in the world.

So - unlike my arriving flight into Tokyo 4-weeks ago when I lost most of 1-day, my return flight involved a marathon day of travel.  Monday, Aug 1st was about 38 hours long for me.

I boarded my international flight on time and departed Bangkok for Tokyo at 12:30am.  We arrived into Tokyo around 8:30am local time (but Tokyo was 2 hours ahead - so roughly a 6 hour flight).  I got through the international transfers check-in area to my gate for the next flight - Tokyo-Chicago-O'Hare.  This flight was set to leave around 10:20am locally.  I didn't have much time when I arrived into Tokyo to make it to the gate.  All good.  The flight to Chicago boarded on-time and I was off to the USA.

I arrived into Chicago-O'Hare around 8:30am local time - about a 12-hr flight.  (Actually arriving earlier than when I left). It went really well.  I dosed off on a couple occasions - probably getting 4 hours of sleep.  The rest of the time was spent reading and watching movies.

Upon arriving into Chicago-O'Hare, it only took me about 20 minutes to get through customs, passport control, and pick up my checked bag.  I then took a 2-train connection over to Midway Airport.  The transfer was smooth and took about 1-hour.  I have a return flight to St. Louis at 2:45pm - arriving into St. Louis at 3:50pm.

I'm writing this at the gate in Midway waiting my flight departure.  I'm just trying to stay awake a little bit longer.

Hopefully a good flight and a 1-hour drive -- I'll be in Ste. Genevieve early evening tonight.

LATER - coming live from Ste. Genevieve, MO.  The final portion of my travel went well.  I stepped into moms house right at 6pm.  Exhausted -- thankful!

Asian Sabbatical - Day #32 - Phuket, Thailand

Sunday, July 31st

I'm currently sitting at a Starbucks at the Bangkok, Thailand international airport on Sunday, July 31st at 6pm local time.  I have a return flight to the states this evening just after midnight.  I have another 6 hours of downtime.  All good - this time has offered me the ability to do plenty of things.

The day started for me around 8:30am in Phuket.  (I slept in preparing for what I'm about to encounter over the next 24 hours).  I packed up and then took a taxi to the airport.  I flew from Phuket to Bangkok.  I will spend the day mostly in the Bangkok airport today awaiting my international flight to the states

I thought I would take this time to hit the high points on this trip.  See below:

The peak of Mt. Fuji

 

Tokyo Dome - Baseball Game

 

Torii Gates in Kyoto

 

Hiroshima

 

Bamboo Forest - Kyoto

 

Korean War Memorial - Seoul, South Korea

 

Olympic Venue - Beijing, China

 

Great Wall of China

 

Terra Cotta Warriors - Xi'an, China

 

Shanghai, China - night river cruise

 

Hong Kong - sky view

 

Taipei 101 - Taipei, Taiwan

 

Manila, Philippines - American Cemetery on Day Tour

 

Summer Palace - Bangkok, Thailand

 

Angor Wat - Siem Reap, Cambodia

 

Patong Beach, Phuket, Thailand

 

James Bond Beach - Phuket, Thailand

 

I feel very blessed to have the ability to travel and see new sites.  It's amazing to me to see the world and understand the sheer depth of everything that is out there.  Look at the list below - the US is only a fraction of the world's population. 





 

Largest Continents in Population

1. Asia - 4,055,000,000 (Over 4 billion)
2. Africa - 1,108,500,000 (Over 1 billion)
3. Europe - 729,871,042 (including all of Russia)
4. North America - 522,807,432
5. South America - 379,919,602
6. Australia - 20,434,176
7. Antarctica - No permanent residents but up to 4000 researcher in summer and 1000 in winter.

So I'm prepared to take a 3-flight connection to hopefully get me back to St. Louis, MO on Monday, Aug 1st around 4pm local time.  I'm crossing my fingers that all goes well.  This will be my 15th flight (one-way) experienced on this trip  (Denver-Chicago, Chicago-Tokyo, Osaka-Seoul, Seoul-Beijing, Beijing-Xi'an, Xi'an-Shanghai, Shanghai-Hong Kong, Hong Kong-Taipei, Taipei-Manila, Manila-Bangkok, Bangkok-Siem Reap, Siem Reap-Bangkok, Bangkok-Phuket, Phuket-Bangkok, Bangkok-Tokyo, Tokyo-Chicago, Chicago-St. Louis, St. Louis-Denver).  My total will be 18 flight legs before I get back to Denver.  That's 1 key difference between Asia and Europe -- the train system is not nearly as good (or non-existent) for the most part.  Flights are inexpensive however - it just takes a bit longer.

I'm going to sign off for now.  I'll be working on a little video over the next couple weeks I'll post as a highlight summary of the trip.  My sabbatical will continue in the states when my mom visits Denver with me.  I'll be back at work the following Monday - and again looking to bring with me some of that peace/inspiration found on this trip.

Here's to an amazing continent.  A place of vast diversity.  A place that makes up over half the world's population.  Here's to my 2016 Asian Sabbatical!!