I love the lyrics to the song “Glorious” by Mamuse. So even though I’ve used them before at the beginning of a different post, I’m going to share them again.

I’ve got good friends to the left of me
And good friends to my right
Got the open sky above me
And the earth beneath my feet
Got a feeling in my heart That’s singin’
All in life is sweet – Oh what a day!

If you’ve read the ‘welcome’ page, you know that the genesis for this blog was a moving experience I had as a young man in the mountains. More precisely, it was the realization that the experience was somewhat diminished by not having anyone with whom to share it. To say that has changed would perhaps rank as the most colossal understatement of the ages. The quantity and quality of friends who have shared adventures since then almost defies description. In fact, as I gathered photos for this post, I realized there are so many friends, and so many adventures – they realistically won’t fit in one post. This, then, will be just the first in a series of photo essays to celebrate those whom I am privileged to call friend – and just a few of the adventures we’ve shared.

Boundary Waters (early 80’s)…I met the Backer boys in high school. We forged bonds of friendship doing what any self-respecting mountaineer wannabe living in the Midwest would do – we camped in the middle of winter – in northern Minnesota – in weather cold enough to freeze solid a bottle of Peppermint Schnapps. Thus was born the concept of “stupid fun.”

Neatly organized pack…Check! Broken ski pole splint…Check! Wool knickers…Check! Practically ready for a trip to Everest.

Aftermath of a Warren face plant. BTW…skis were my idea. Everyone else wanted snow shoes. Thanks guys!

Mike, Dave, Dan, Phil, Warren…successful south to north crossing of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area!

1985 Mt Robson… By the time we set our sights on Robson, Dan and Warren had already climbed Rainier as teenagers (what were their parents thinking?). I had lived close to lots of mountains in Alaska. We had several BWCA trips under our belts. Yep – we were ready for the big time.

It’s all fun and games until one of those beasts jumps on your back!

Warren, Dave, Tim and Dan sporting the latest in climbing gear and clothing.

Mt Robson from our climb to the top of Mt. Resplendant. Unsuccessful summit attempt on Robson, but super successful climbing adventure.

Studly Noob climbers. We didn’t even know what we didn’t know – and we still had fun.

The journey – and the views along the way – are just as important as the destination.

A New Life (1985)…Two weeks after Robson I said “I do” to an amazing new chapter in life with my best friend and adventure partner. One of our first (and still favorite) adventures was a seven week long, 2,500 mile bike ride up the east coast and into the maritime provinces of Canada.

The bike trip was a microcosm of marriage…lots of figuring things out.

For those who know me now, there was a time when MY hair was longer than Sharon’s.

Lots of miles and smiles that summer.

One of our less successful dinner experiments – a true gastronomic nightmare!

Somehow this captures what life would be like living in the inner city of Milwaukee, working, raising three boys, you know…life!

Boundary Waters…Again (2002)…Life in Milwaukee was fun, challenging and filled with lots of good times with many, many dear friends. We watched our children grow from infants to teens and were fully immersed in that world. A new century seemed like a good time for a fresh start though. In 2001 we moved to a mountain town in northern AZ and were suddenly confronted with a whole new world – a world filled with new friends and opportunities for new adventures. Interesting that I kicked off this new chapter in early 2002 with an old adventure with old friends.

Can’t remember exactly, but I think that was a brochure for a beach front time share.

Seems like Dan keeps popping up in all these posts involving snow and puffy jackets.

Yep…still snows in the Boundary Waters.

The gear had improved considerably in 20 years. Much more comfortable than I remember.

Warren, Tim, Phil, Dave and Dan Boss after another successful trip.

Collectively, the four trips presented here amount to less than three months out of the 57 years I’ve spent on the planet so far. Only seven people are pictured in these photos. Seven people out of the hundreds, perhaps thousands of people I’ve met in the course of my life. A tiny fraction.  And yet, when I look at these pictures, the flood gates open, the memories come pouring out and fill my heart. They make me smile and laugh. They make me grateful. And they inspire me. They inspire me to call, or text, or email a friend – to talk, to reminisce – and to plan another adventure!

The end…so far!