Black Mountain

 

We hiked Black Mountain after checking on the van. We need to climb some steep mountains since we'll be heading to the Blue Ridge Parkway around April 23rd. Black Mountain works. I've been spending time on GoogleMaps and on AI/Gemini to plan out the trip. I'm a bit worried about Maggie and the heat in Virginia and North Carolina even though it is spring. Time will tell. 

On Black Mountain we met up with three backcountry skiers.  The snow was fairly firm, and I only hit ice once. Maggie bounced around on the slopes of the mountain like she was at daycare party. On Monday, we did 4 miles on Whitecap. I'll combine some of those photos. Remember to click on photos to enlarge. 

Woods Trail

Woods trail 

Mt. Blue and Bald Mountains in Weld

Red Hill. 

Maggie on the top lift station 

Gus Schumacher's Olympic Silver (and his losses) Inspire Blog Post and then a NYT Article

I've been studying Gus's writing for the past 6 years. We've traded email about his blog (Gus Schumacher's Blog), and I've enjoyed watching his progress as a skit racer and a blogger. He's not a daily blogger, but when he writes, he offers insight that I believe racers, young and old, learn from.  I believe his words teach him. 

I took screen shots of the NYT's article and have posted them on my WritingAthlete's resource and research website: 

"I won an Olympic Medal for the US. To do it, I just had to stop caring about winning." (NYT, 030326) 

–by Gus Schumacher  

 

Finishing with a Silver Medal 

Snow Ghost on Whitecap... February 27, 2026

                                       

We struck out up Orange trail to visit Bailey's cairn. We haven't been up for a month or so due to bitter cold and the ease of staying on the lower trails to get in 3 miles - plus. Remember to click on photos to enlarge. 

 

A book review from author Lynn Plourde

 

 

This YA novel, SING ON, MAINE UNITED!, by Rich Kent surprised me in the best way. It truly was so much more than a soccer book. Soccer is...well, okay. But when a #Maine author/teacher/coach showcases Maine kids taking their Maine spirit, talents, humor, kindness, and resourcefulness to England in 1989, I was hooked. Well-developed characters, tragedies and triumphs, laugh-out-loud teen humor, and the engaging journey of how a divided team becomes a *united* team. p.s. for teens and their grown-ups. 

 

 

Pitching a friend’s book on Facebook

Hiking with Anna

 

Maggie’s license

 

I like this tag because it fills in a rescuer what sweet Maggie may need. 

Sing On, Maine United! Video ad

 

Book launch

 Finally…

Click on post to go to website.

Still hiking

 Maggie has anaplasmosis, a tick-borne illness. She has been sick for 7 days but feels a little better. Today, she started doxycycline… she’ll be on the drug for a month. Fun! 

Yesterday, we took a 4.5 mile hike and Maggie did well. It was our first hike in 6 days.  Today, we hiked Mystery Mountain. I was dragging but Maggie had good energy. Maybe I should try her drugs. 

Birthday Girl, October 8th

Maggie turned one. I ordered a pricy smoked bone ($28) and my house smells like a BBQ joint in Texas. But, the pup is happy... wicked happy. And that's all that matters. Happy Birthday, Sweetie.

Hiking Lollapalooza @ Sunday River

 We had a great fall day hiking. I couldn’t imagine a more glorious day.