Category: The Ultimate Journey

El Paso, Texas Running Community Rocks!

Posted on by JAdRunning

My legs are officially trashed from the last couple of days, but well worth it

Did 8.5 miles at Guadalupe Mountains NP. That same day I drove to El Paso and knocked out 9.5 miles with Tommy up to Mundy’s Gap at Franklin Mountains SP. The next morning Tommy and Meike let me crash their hike to North Franklin Peak (never made it up there last time I was here). That was another 8ish miles of climbing. Although, I think I was only invited so Meike could meet the fluffy Pup! 😉

To end the day I’m thankful that Rick opted to meet for beers and some food instead of a run. He’s a buff El Paso Police officer and a beast of a runner so my legs might have fallen off if I ran anymore…haha. It was great to meet Ricks friend Scott too, who just recently completed his first full marathon – The Battalion. Awesome catching up with you Rick and hearing some more cool stories!

Again El Paso showing love! Thanks everyone…see y’all on the next time

Texas Hidden Gem – Palo Duro State Park

Posted on by JAdRunning


When you get a recommendations for a possible hidden gem to check out, you check it out!

No lie, Palo Duro State Park is definitely a hidden gem for Texas!

If you’re near the panhandle of TX stop by and check out the Lighthouse trail. It’s a 6 mile round trip trail that is pretty easy. What may get you is the Texas heat! I was lucky and had perfect weather conditions today in the mid 60s.

Don’t have time for the whole 6 miles? Then there’s a sweet view spot that’s fluffy Pup approved! About a 1/4 mile in you’ll get a closer look of beautiful color formation of Capital Peak.

Reflecting on 2016

Posted on by JAdRunning

Reflecting on 2016 at a spot that makes my Top 5, the Buffalo National River.I’ve now been to all Lower 48 states and Hawaii. Finally got my passport stamped with trips to Nicaragua for an epic trail race and the Netherlands for some family ancestry searching.

But if I’m honest, 2017 scares me a lot. How can it compete to the journey I’ve had over the last two years? I guess the only thing I can do it wait and see where my path leads.

Pearl Harbor – Never Forget

Posted on by JAdRunning

75 years ago today on December 7, 1941 — “a date which will live in infamy”.Describing my visit to Pearl Harbor this last month is not possible. Everyone will have different emotions. Everyone will be effected in different ways. I watched peoples faces of sadness as they looked down to see “the tears” of the fallen. I witnessed a kid, about 13-15 years old, crying after the tour to the USS Arizona.It’s hard to comprehend the tragedy that took place that day. One thing we can do is never forget, no matter how many years go by.

So today take a moment to remember and honor the men and women of a generation that rose up and did make America Great.

Albatross at Kaena Point – Hawaii

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Watching Albatross in flight was pretty spectacular!

There were hundreds of them at Kaena Point the afternoon I set out for the hike. Some of the Albatross seemed to be showing off their skills by gliding around like speeding bullets with the ocean wind. You probably can’t tell in the photos, but these beauties have the largest wingspan of any bird – up to 11 ft.Beginning to hunker down for mating season soon, I got to watch one male try to start a courtship with s female. I’m not sure if the female was having any of his strutting and wing flapping since she blooped down to only watch him swagger around.
There’s a semi funny story about the natural reserve area, Kaena Point, these Albatross are living. The reason there is a fence around the area is to keep out bird predators like the mongoose. Funny part about the mongoose, they are an invasive species brought to Hawaii in the late 1800’s by sugar cane plantation owners to help control the rat population. Problem with that idea was rats are nocturnal while mongoose are active during the day. Bad move by humans…haha. The albatross began to take a small dip in numbers before eventually being put on list for conservation.

I’m just happy I got a couple good flight photographs of these big birds!

Moanalua Valley Trail Run

Posted on by JAdRunning

Today I had the honor of getting to run with Brandon on an epic run to the top of Moanalua Valley. We had clear sky’s and views of both sides of the island!Not only is Brandon part of the Orange Mud Team but he proudly serves this great country of ours. Grateful to have spent the morning getting to know you on the trail on Veterans Day and to meet your family afterwards for lunch…or as his son Asher corrected us brunch.Also, thank you to all the Veteran’s for your service to this country which allows me the freedom to explore this beautiful land of ours! Happy Veterans Day!

Kuliouou Ridge Trail

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Aloha from Hawaii!

Officially checked off state #49 with a beautiful run on Kuliouou Ridge Trail!The view was pretty legit from the top but the different vegetation you wonder through on the way up made the trail even better.The bar was set pretty high for trails on Oahu after this run. Lets see what else Hawaii has to offer!

Hawaii here I come – State 49 of 50!

Posted on by JAdRunning

How many of you want to see pictures from Hawaii? Or more so, who wants to see photos from one of the top 20 most dangerous hikes in the world?

November 7th I’ll be flying to Hawaii for three weeks to explore three of the islands. For two of the three weeks I’ll have Michelle from Restless Wanderess to help check off state #49 for both of us. For those that don’t remember I met Michelle and her kids in Wyoming for a hike as they were headed to the Pacific Northwest. We’ve both finished the lower 48 this year so I’m grateful to have her with me to experience the epic Kalulua Trail as well as a few others in state 49.
I should be packing for my trip but I stumbled across these gems! Here’s a taste of what National Parks I’ve visited the last two years in the lower 48 and I’ll for sure be checking off another one at Volcanos NP in Hawaii.

No Finish Line Ribbon

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There was no finish line ribbon as I drove into the city limits. No streets filled with cheering people gesturing for a high five.
Driving into my hometown I could not help but smile. With each passing car I thought to myself “they have no clue where this dirty green van has been or what I have just personally accomplished.” After one year, seven months and 14 days of traveling 50,382.9 miles across the lower 48 states and a spontaneous trip to Nicaragua for trail race, I am done. What a way to wake up from a dream.

Stay tuned for the next adventure…

Terry Badlands Wilderness Area – Montana

Posted on by JAdRunning

What you don’t see when you’re driving along Interstate 94 in Southeastern Montana is the beauty! Natural Bridges, Chimney Rock and most of all solitude.

Of course to see it all there is only one way there, across a sketchy old train bridge. The old train tracks that once traveled through the area is what gives this trails its name, the Calypso Trail. Let’s say you brave the sketchy bridge you’re next obstacle is the gumbo mud back roads if it’s previously rained. Google search Terry Badlands Wilderness and you won’t find much. Especially on how to get to the actual trailhead location.Lucky me (not) it rained the day I got to Terry Badlands. I then opted to park in the grass off the maintained gravel road for the night so I could run early morning. The couple pages I did manage to find on the area gave only a vague descriptions on the trail length to the natural bridges. I don’t run with a gps watch so I normally go off mileages from maps and my phone. With no map to help I base the run off my phone data. I ended up with 19 miles round trip from where I parked. *Remember I am not near the trailhead due to bad roads. It’s not a difficult trail what so ever. Basically an old road that wanders through the designated wilderness area.If you’re ever in Eastern Montana and looking to hike or run let me know, I’ll gladly point you in the right direction of this cool hidden gem.