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Categories: My books, Reg’s Books, Scottish Highlands and beyond, South West Coast Path, The Way of Saint Francis, The Way of St Francis, Tour du Mont Blanc
Tags: adventure, Adventure/Memoir, Crater Lake National Park, England’s Longest National Trail, European long-distance trails, European trekking, hiking, Hiking in England, long distance trekking, South West Coast Path, The Way of Saint Francis, The Way of St Francis, The Way of St. Francis, Tour du Mont Blanc, trekking, Trekking Book, West Highland Way
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Maine or Bust: When will we arrive?
Winter decided to make a comeback (with overnight lows in the mid twenties…well below freezing) just days before our planned takeoff, causing us worry about the recently de-winterized water system in our trailer. In an effort to outsmart Mother Nature, we loaded up and headed south before the potentially freezing temps put an end to our trip before we could start.
We’ve made several unsuccessful attempts at planning a Maine trip, however this year is looking extremely promising. Reservations have been made, friends have been contacted and we are on the road. We are excited to reach the place that has adopted the moose as its state animal, but our June arrival date leaves plenty of time to pick and choose our route. After a scheduled two-week stop in Sedona, Arizona, the open road awaits. Where will it lead us?
Readers Respond
We love to hear from our readers!
Thank you all for your ongoing positive responses. Your Amazon reviews help keep Trippin’ Through My 60s at the top of the hiking books reading list.
Keep ’em coming!
Categories: Reg’s Books, Scottish Highlands and beyond, South West Coast Path, The Way of Saint Francis, The Way of St Francis, Tour du Mont Blanc
Tags: adventure, Adventure/Memoir, Author and Book, Camino Adventure/Memoir, distance trekking, England’s Longest National Trail, Long Distance Hiking, long distance trekking, South West Coast Path, The Way of Saint Francis, The Way of St Francis, The Way of St. Francis, Tour du Mont Blanc, Trekking Book, West Highland Way, whats a great book to read
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Readers Respond
We love to hear from our readers!
Thank you all for your ongoing positive responses. Your Amazon reviews help keep Trippin’ Through My 60s at the top of the hiking books reading list.
Keep ’em coming!
Categories: My books, Reg’s Books, Scottish Highlands and beyond, South West Coast Path, The Way of Saint Francis, The Way of St Francis, Tour du Mont Blanc
Tags: adventure, Adventure/Memoir, Amazon best-seller, Amazon Hiking and Walking books, Author and Book, book, European long-distance trails, European trekking, Long Distance Hiking, long distance trekking, sedona hiking, South West Coast Path, southwest, The Way of Saint Francis, The Way of St Francis, The Way of St. Francis, Tour du Mont Blanc, Trekking Book, West Highland Way
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European Trekking Adventures Await
Announcing the release of Reg’s new book.
“I needed a reality check. I was lost on the first day of the most challenging trek of my life.”
Reginald Spittle
Trippin’ Through My 60s
Leaving the working world behind, Reg closed his office door for the last time. Rejecting a life of golf and relaxation, he soon discovers his new passion where he least expects it. In Trippin’ Through My 60s, Reg and his wife Sue continue their adventures on four famed European long-distance trails:
- Scotland’s West Highland Way
- The Alps’ Tour du Mont Blanc
- Italy’s Way of St. Francis
- England’s South West Coast Path
Unexpected turns, humor and memories of life in the Sixties create the backdrop in this gripping story as Reg tackles backpacking escapades the push him to the edge.
Now available at Amazon.com
Categories: My books, Reg’s Books
Tags: adventure, Adventure/Memoir, Amazon Hiking and Walking books, Author and Book, backpacking, Backpacking Travel, European long-distance trails, European trekking, Long Distance Hiking, long distance trekking, South West Coast Path, The Way of St Francis, Tour du Mont Blanc, travel, Trekking Book, West Highland Way
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Coming Soon to Amazon!
John Muir Trail: Never say Never
Reg and I spent last year, stuck at home, watching every YouTube hiking video we could find, dreaming of the time we could get ourselves back on one of Europe’s long distance trails.
“If only we were willing to camp with our backpacks -tents, sleeping bags, the whole bit,” we’d say. “Then we could hike some of the gorgeous trails in our own backyard.”
It was after a visit from friends Kathy and Doug early last spring that our plan quickly (impulsively) took shape. Their suggestion to my joking, offhand remark about needing a Sherpa if I was ever to backpack the John Muir Trail, was to look into one of the mule supported pack station trips available in the Eastern Sierra.
And that’s how we’ve found ourselves packed and ready to set off August 2 on a mule-assisted, 30-day, northbound backpacking trip along the John Muir Trail…and no, the mules are not for us to ride.
Distance: 243 miles, beginning at Horseshoe Meadow and traveling north, finishing at Happy Isle in Yosemite Valley.
46,800’ total elevation gain and 52,700’ elevation loss over the course of the trip.
There are seven of us in our group, plus the staff who will tend to all the details of transporting everything needed via mules, plus large bags of our stuff – including our tents, sleeping bags and pads, clothing and whatever other necessities we choose to bring. We will all carry individual packs with water and water filters, rain gear and whatever else we want to have at our fingertips.
There will be no end of day hot shower or comfy bed that we’ve enjoyed on previous treks. We’ll have to set up and take down our tents, roll up our sleeping bags etc. There will be a decent amount of roughing it. The good news is we will have three meals/day provided by the staff cook.
Should be an interesting trek. We’ll return with a full report once we’re back in civilization.
A Mammoth Walk in California
Full disclosure: We did not walk up the mountain. Our intention was to wander around up top to get a feel for the altitude, so we chose the gondola for a quick and easy ascent. We were met with gorgeous 360 degree views from what felt like the top of the world.
Reg struck up a conversation with a couple who had made the walk up from the main lodge, claiming to have completed the 2,000 foot climb in about 2 hours. They seemed a little surprised that we had taken the easy way to the top. Feeling a bit wimpy and wanting to salvage our pride, we decided to walk back down the mountain.
It turned out to be a great decision. The hike was well marked, not too steep and filled with jaw-dropping scenery. The trail filled our morning, depositing us back at the lodge right about noon…just in time for lunch!
Travels With Minnie: Up High in the Rocky Mountains
A few miles outside of Breckenridge, Colorado, at just over 10,000 feet, lies the trailhead for three lakes; Mayflower and the Upper and Lower Mohawk Lakes. Our plan was to try to make it to Mayflower, the lowest of the trio. It was tough going at first, but we wanted to test ourselves with some high altitude hiking while here.
It’s not large, but Mayflower Lake (above) sits in a pretty spectacular setting. Given the overflowing parking area, we were surprised to find we had the place to ourselves. After a rest and a quick snack, we decided to push on towards Lower Mohawk Lake, just under a mile up the trail.
The trail markers were few and far between. A dreaded water crossing bisected the trail, a true test of balance. Graceful…we were not, but we made it across the rushing stream without incident. An old cabin appeared, a sort of hut with benches and what looked like an operable wood burning stove. From there the trail all but disappeared, and as we ate lunch (at 11,400 feet) groups scrambled their way up and down the steep rocky hillside in front of us. We decided we’d had enough.
We returned via the Spruce Creek Trail, a beautiful, shaded walk through trees and open meadows (above) with views up the mountains. All in all, a successful day up high in the Rocky Mountains.
Travels With Minnie: A Biking Paradise
We arrived in Fort Collins, Colorado two days ago, eager to discover if the bike trails were as incredible as we’d heard they were.
Our Friday outing began in the small community of Laporte, just north of Fort Collins. The Poudre (pronounced poo-der) River Trail would lead us 9 1/2 miles downstream along a beautifully maintained concrete trail, eventually reaching Fort Collins.
Saturday we rode a different segment of the Poudre River Trail, joining it just south of Windsor, Colorado and aiming ourselves toward the town of Greeley, roughly 12 miles away.
This was another easy ride for Reg, but for someone who hasn’t really ridden a bike much in the last 30+ years (like me), things were beginning to feel a little sore. We turned around after about 10 miles, found a spot for a picnic lunch, then returned to our starting point, convinced that the area bike trails are some of the best we’ve ever seen!
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