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There are many reasons to travel. Some people travel to get new experiences. Others to discover the human condition is universal. Travel can be an expanding experience. It’s also possible to travel in a little “cocoon” which doesn’t move you out of your comfort zone and is merely entertainment. I appreciated the article 20 things…
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Maui is more touristy that I like. The culture (except around the eastern coast) feels more like California than Hawaiian: go-go, play hard, have lots of fun, rather than a more lay back and enjoy life as it comes to you. If you are looking for recreation rather than relaxation, Maui would be a great…
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I love the Big Island. You get a more more diverse experience than any of the other islands. General Hawaii Information Hawaii: Off the Beaten Path by Sean Pager is a bit dated now, but I have found it to be the best single guidebook which covers all the Hawaiian islands though hotels and restaurants are…
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Kauai is a the very definition of a lush tropical island. Several movies were made here. Life in Kauai runs on a Hawaiian schedule which is slower than a typical US location. Years ago a grant was given to widen the bridge between Princeville and Wainiha from one lane (cars have to take turns) to each direction…
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Part of Mark’s Backpacking Guide TL;DR One of my joys has been introducing people to backpacking and wilderness experiences. Some people love it, others just couldn’t adjust. They were too used to climate controlled environments, were scared of wild life, and wanted a modern bathroom. Other “city people” jump right in and get into the…
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The following are rather incomplete notes I have made at one time or another about being in the outdoors in the face of cold, snowy conditions, with a focus on backpacking. It is not as complete as most of my posts about backpacking, though it will likely slowly improve when I stumble across something I…
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In 2001 I created a list I called “Books that Changed Me.” That list was renamed “Books I Recommend“. While I believe the books in that list were worth reading, I can’t honestly say most of them have changed me. This list was inspired by a post by Peter Turnkey about books that aren’t just great, but…
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The post was corrupted and I haven’t been able to find a good archive of it. I pulled some text in from another page in May 2025 as a starting point, but this really needs a complete rewrite, updated references, and some corrections. I have run many tests, several of them better constructed since first…
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The following is my experience looking for a good language / environment for my daughter to lead how to create programs. TL;DR 2024 In 2024 I would recommend one of the following languages: TL;DR 2007 In 2007 my ten year old daughter asked me to help her learn to program. It’s not that she’s interested…
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Everyone would agree that carrying less weight is a good thing. So no matter whether you are a ultra-light or heavy weight packers, losing un-needed pounds is productive. There are a number of ways to reduce the weight of your pack. Here are a few ideas which have been very helpful to me: Ultralight Twist…
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The following recommendations I have given friends from outside northern California who were planning a vacation here. Northern California Best Places has a lot of other ideas, though it’s a out of date now. These days you can get a “look” at many places through Google Street View, and if it’s not, maybe the SF virtual tour will…
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Libby and I were recently talking about a women she sees each week. Last week the women noted that Libby’s life seems different from hers, and that when Libby prays it seems like God is right there. This women has faced a lot of difficult issues in the last year and is looking for peace.…
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Minor Updates Aug 2022 The hike from Big Sur Station to Hot Springs is a 20 mile in and back trip. Sykes Hot Springs is one of my favorite places to take first time backpackers who are reasonably fit. The destination has a natural hot springs and a trout filled stream. The hike is pretty.…
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Review Item: BalloonBed Original Sleeping PadManufacturer URL: http://www.balloonbed.com/Manufacture Year: 2005Listed weight: 100g (3.5 oz)Weight as delivered: 85 g (3oz) + .7g (.2 oz) for a night of balloonsMSRP: £18.95 GBP (~US$38 depending on exchange rate) Description Brownish green fabric holster to hold balloons, small sack made from the same light material to hold all the items, balloons,…
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The following was Patagonia’s response to some questions about materials and testing which was posted in 2005 to a public forum. Most of this article matches my personal experience and still seems valid today. Mark Verber Innovation, that steamroller of change, has, over the past five years completely redefined the way people dress for the mountains – to…
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I enjoyed the article The Cellular Church which takes a look at Saddleback Church and the small groups that power it. Gladwell s known for the books “Tipping Point” and “Blink”.
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For the last twenty years I have spent a portion of my time each week working with college students at my church. I have generally found the college students’ faith vital with a great interest in making a difference in the world. I have watched these young men and women invest time into serving their…
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Today I read a blog posting of my friend Ed on Positive Psychology and Authentic Happiness. His posting got me thinking. In the last few years it seems like a lot of clueful folks have concluded that the best way to improve human-kind’s lot is to work on understanding and enhancing the mind. A common…
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At the end of July I quit working for Tellme fulltime and starting consulting with a number of companies. The plan was the consulting to be a short term thing until I was able to get a company started with a friend. Long story short, the company didn’t look like it was going to come…
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This past weekend I attended a Renovare conference hosted by MPPC. The primary presenters were Dallas Willard, John Ortberg, and Richard Foster. It was a lot of fun to watch these three men teaching and interacting together. You could tell they held each other in great respect and are great friends. Renovare is an organization…