Book Signing Dates

We have a couple of book signings in the works!  One signing and presentation is all set for July 16th at the Alpine Shop in Kirkwood, MO.  We will be signing copies of our newest Falcon Guide, Best Easy Day Hikes St. Louis.  Check out this link with more info: https://alpineshop.webconnex.com/booksign

The second signing is just now in the works and looks like it will take place at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Show this summer.  We will be signing FREE copies of our Hiking Grand Staircase-Escalante & the Glen Canyon Region Falcon Guide.  Saturday August 6th is looking like the day!  VERY EXCITING! 

A Short Hiatus

After a quick knee surgery hiatus (JD'a 4th on the same knee, YIKES!), wrapping up a school year (Emily's 1st, DOUBLE YIKES!), and multiple trips to Provo Utah (nobody should be required to visit Provo 5 times in a year!) we are ready to hit the outdoors again!

We recently kicked off the summer with a three day float down the San Juan River in southern Utah.  We put in at Bluff, UT and rafted about 27 miles down to Mexican Hat, UT this last week.  Us and several staff that JD works with all hit the river for a laid back post Memorial Day celebration.  Check out a few pics:

Getting unloaded.

 JD and Emily at the River House Ruins.

 Desert life.

 Emily and Ashley at the Ruins.

 Willy Wonka's Chocolate River (AKA the San Juan River). We are still finding sand in our crevices!

Emily working the oars with the Mexican Hat in the background.

Mexico 2011

Here are a few photos from JD's mountaineering trip to Mexico last month.  Mexico was amazing and I cannot wait to go back on a personal trip with Emily and back with SJC in two years.

Enjoy!

North Carolina Highpoint

On May 29th, 2005 we made our way to the highest point in North Carolina.  Mount Mitchell towers above the Appalachian mountains in western North Carolina at 6,684 feet.  Located along the Blue Ridge Parkway and within Mount Mitchell State Park, this highpoint offers plenty of scenery.

The Drive: Take the Blue Ridge Parkway northeast out of Asheville, NC for about 30 miles to State Route 128 at mile marker 355.  Turn left at the well signed Mount Mitchell State Park entrance.  Continue for about 4.2 miles on SR 128 until you reach the parking area.

The Hike: Take the well signed path past the museum/visitor center up towards the stone lookout tower located at the summit (only a 5 to 10 minute hike).

Here we are at the summit.

Its on the Shelves!!!

Okay people.  It hit shelves yesterday!  Look for it in stores like Barnes & Noble, REI, Alpine Shop, etc.  Our first St. Louis book is also available online through stores like Barnes & Noble, Borders, Target and many others.

Our more comprehensive book, Best Hikes Near St. Louis, is going through the editing process right now and should hit shelves before the end of the year.

Keep checking back for a date when we will be in St. Louis SIGNING and giving away FREE ones!!!

A Busy Spring is Gonna Turn Into a Busy Summer

So, we are right in the middle of a busy spring.  Emily just got back from Missouri where she was working on wedding plans and a hiking guide, and JD just got back from Mexico where he conquered his first 17 thousand foot plus peak.  JD has an AMGA training and then a knee surgery in April along with a Challenge Course Practitioner Training in May.  Emily is sooo close to wrapping up her first year of teaching and cannot wait for the summer!  We are also expecting one new book contract soon from Falcon Guides for a Best Hikes Near Albuquerque book.

By the end of May we'll be heading to Springfield, MO to finish up a hiking guide there so we can turn right around and co-instruct an Expedition Backpacking class for San Juan College near Taos, NM.  Right after that class we'll head back to Missouri for our wedding (it only took 7.5 years!) and then we'll honeymoon in the Ozarks where we'll be wrapping up hiking guide NUMBER SIX.  While all of that is going on, we'll be spending weekends in and around Albuquerque working on guide number 7 and waiting to see if we get offered an 8th book which will be a rewrite of the Falcon Guides Leave No Trace pocket book.

Oh, did I mention we will probably be in Cody, WY in August?

One Out of Two Ain't Bad

Hello friends and family!  We arrived back in Mexico City on Saturday the 26th.  The afternoon was spent poolside at our hotel and our last dinner in Mexico was nothing short of spectacular!  Sunday morning we woke early, had a huge breakfast and hit the town.  Time was short, but we were able to visit both the historic district as well as a local marketplace.  We made it back stateside by 7:00PM MST on Sunday.  


I (JD) reached a new personal high at 17,159 feet above sea level on the top of Iztaccihuatl.  Unfortunately, I hurt my already injured knee on the way down Izta and didn't even get a chance to attempt Pico de Orizaba (18,490 feet).  Very frustrating considering I had absolutely no altitude issues at over 17,000 feet!  I shall return.

Pictures of the entire trip will be coming soon!

Thanks for all the support!