Annecy Press (2024)

10/05/2023

LOST MYSELF FOR A MINUTE IS NOW AVAILABLE!!!! (See link in bio)
My latest novel has been a lifetime in the making. I’ve always wanted to write a story that shares what I’ve learned over the years—from my teenage years—to decades behind a desk—to my travels in the U.S.—and my treks across abroad.

In Lost Myself for a Minute, the protagonist, Jack, age 19, is like many of today’s younger generation … unsure of where his life is headed. After he’s able to eliminate the distractions from his life, he finds himself walking across Europe, where he confronts his fears and insecurities; ultimately coming to terms with the person he is and the person he wants to become.

This poignant coming-of-age story is a celebration of self-discovery, resilience, and the power of human connection. It will leave you feeling inspired to take on your own adventure and live life to the fullest. I hope you enjoy it:)

16/03/2023

Coming soon :)

07/10/2022

My Camino has come to an end…far too soon. I spent three days off my feet…hoping for a rapid recovery from shin splints. To no avail.
But as always the Camino had lessons to teach me…
- Don’t take my health for granted…I did.
- Ease into a long walk…I didn’t.
- A new version of the same shoe…isn’t the same shoe (I miss my last pair of Altra Lone Peak 3.5’s)
- I’m more myself on the Camino than anywhere else.
And it reinforced the lesson I’ve learned on each long walk…that people are good. Like Anne Frank said, “In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”

I am grateful for my time on the Camino and the people I’ve met. The moments of connection along the Camino are what I enjoy most…as these moments are far too infrequent in my normal life.

Goodbye for now
I’ll be back next year:)

01/10/2022

Day 9:
Headlamp guiding
Miles walking
Turning…I see the sun’s first glow
Stomach growling…a crowd is gathered at the first
Remembering a tip from my premiere
I walk on…the second does the trick…and in a jiff
A face appears…one I haven’t seen since day three
Chatting, we move, but my pace is too slow…we part
A gait out of kilter, a pain in my shin
Still walking of course, there is no choice
In my mind…the racing begins…

01/10/2022

Day 8:
Walking a familiar Cypress lined path
A remembered stop…is no more
Now walking in La Rioja
Yesterday’s empty fields replaced…
Vines heavy with tomorrow’s wine.
Breakfast…a bunch of illicit sweetness
The clouds threaten…but only spit
As the sun, hidden, reaches its peak…the wind blows…and blows
Rocky terrain…a strain
Destination reached
Celebrate…A pint with the Celtic three alongside the Najerilla.

27/09/2022

Day 7:
Now…in the rhythm of my days
It takes time to feel it
Waking, then walking, a stop for fuel
Always a new horizon to chase
Two years have passed since my last long walk
Relieved to be back…moving, moving
Today to Logroño
Another shared meal…
An evening reflection
My prayer…to be that person I seek.

26/09/2022

Day 6:

Reaching the fountain, I pass
Gravel crunching
Shadow leading
Flanked by freshly harvested fields
Stacks of hay climb skyward
The sun continues its climb behind me
My first layer comes off
Water…water…water
The church plaza in Los Arcos…my oasis
A leisurely hour before my final push to…
Sansol’s Palace…exquisite
Dinner together…many lands represented
Matthias…a “camino” conversation, deep
Sleep

24/09/2022

Day 5:
A small communal breakfast at the Albergue to start my day.
Elevation gained and lost repeatedly as the clouds rolled in.
Arrived early in Estrella…the village I served time for my crime of drinking too much wine at the complimentary wine fountain…you’ll need to have read my book to get that reference.
I’ll be walking by the fountain in the morning.
A drizzly afternoon…The washing machine at Albergue Parroquail Saint Miguel was put to use.
I’m still not feeling great…as I for my meds to really kick in.
My diet today consisted of toast, bananas and Ensaladilla Rusa (Spanish potato salad).
I Hope to be back at 100% tomorrow!

23/09/2022

Day 4:
Slept horribly…digestion issues.
LPT: Don’t ween yourself off a medicine while on physical journey.
My hardest day of walking in years…painful to swallow, and blisters from yesterdays push to get to the “closed” Albergue.
Today was 30k+ of way more ups and downs than I remembered.
Finally…I reach Puenta la Reina.
Finally…I can rest my feet.
Farmacia provides relief.
A Beautiful dinner with two ladies I met at my albergue.
One from Amsterdam, the other Alaska.
Stories shared…not surprisingly, similar tales and we’re each at similar places in our lives.
Yesterday’s hospitalero offer…still in limbo.
A challenging day…but every day the Camino provides.

22/09/2022

Day 3:
My new friend Sam and I walk the majority of today together…at a hasty pace.
I continue past his stopping point…eager for another communal meal.
I’m welcomed by a sign that says closed today.
Disappointment…no communal meal AND I must walk another 4k.
The hospitalero has been ill.
Michele from France, who speaks no English, and I walk together under a blazing sun to the next Albergue.
Beds available…relief.
Michele, two Swedes and I enjoy dinner at a Pizzeria…only after being turned away from a pilgrims menu because we were not staying the restaurants own Albergue.
At dinner a thought occurs to me…as a newly Certified hospitalero I may be able to volunteer at the Albergue that was closed.
E-mails sent…Now waiting on a response.
Every day on the camino brings something unexpected.

21/09/2022

Day2:
Off at dawn…a solitary soul on the mountain.
12k of uphill walking to start my day.
Beautiful vistas abound.
Walking past a variety animals throughout the morning…sheep, cows, horses…all a bit wary as I stroll by.
At the high point, a break before a descent that tests my knees…they pass.
It’s interesting walking through familiar scenes from a hike 3 years past.
I pass through Roncesvalles…despite an urge to stop and repeat my first ever night on the Camino.
Playing with the mileage in my head in order to reach another communal meal two nights hence.
I continue on to a quiet village, Espinal.
I am the lone pilgrim in my Albergue until a Brit named Sam arrives long after I.
Over a late dinner we share our stories at the only place to eat.
Back now, ready for bed….as always…excited for yet another day on the Camino.

20/09/2022

Day 1:
The train reaches the end of its line.
A quick bite and I’m off.
I walk under Blue skies, uphill.
Passing green fields…and fresh, but untested pilgrims.
The temperature ideal on this mid-September day.
I’ve travelled here before, but the sights and sounds are not the same.
Four years ago I walked under a pouring sky, as lighting flashed and thunder rolled.
Today was quiet, and my mind stilled.
My day ends at a refuge…Orisson.
Sharing a meal with those from across the globe, communal…community.
It’s exciting to be walking again, my first extended trek since the world paused.
The start of any journey brings excitement…not knowing what tomorrow will bring.

18/09/2022

My bag is fully packed and weighs in at 16.5 lbs. New additions…a hiking pole (1), waterproof 🧦 , a hipbelt (aka F***y pack), a collapsible cup, and clothespins(I always forgot those). I’ll be arriving in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in two days to start my walk to Leon, where I’ll head north to Oviedo and then continue west to Santiago.

09/09/2022

Just climbed 2744 steps! I am in Colorado Springs for a weekend training to become a Hospitalero…couldn’t imagine a better place to spend a few days. AND I fly out in 9 days to walk another Camino…my legs are ready:)

18/08/2022

The mountains were calling…specifically the Grand Tetons. An amazing day…8 hours on trail with 2.5k in elevation gain, a mountain lake and a moose.

16/08/2022

The PNW…one of my favorites and no better place to prepare for the ups and downs of next months and
Plus I got to hang with one of my favorite hiking partners…my daughter:)

03/03/2022

The audiobook version of Finding Myself Along the Way is now available. If you’d like get a free copy in Audible to listen to…and to review, send me a DM and I’ll send the first 10 an Audible code to redeem the audiobook (US and UK only).

24/01/2022

Morning walk on

Annecy Press

10/05/2023

16/03/2023

07/10/2022

01/10/2022

01/10/2022

27/09/2022

26/09/2022

24/09/2022

23/09/2022

22/09/2022

21/09/2022

20/09/2022

18/09/2022

09/09/2022

18/08/2022

16/08/2022

03/03/2022

24/01/2022

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share