About

It’s been four years since I retired from a nearly forty year-long career as a commercial banker and leader of bankers. At age 65, it was time to start living my life outside an office and to make way for the next generation of young, dynamic leaders. Since that time, I’ve reinvented myself along numerous lines. Some are introspective, such as reading, mostly history and historical fiction. Others are physically active, playing lots of tennis or taking long walks. And some stir my creative juices. Photography and writing fall into this category.

I’m happily married to a fantastically supportive woman who is an intelligent, talented and dynamic person. She’s a university professor with a long resume’ of research publications and a legacy of grateful former students. We have two sons who are now young men, pursuing their own careers. I am a very lucky guy, blessed with family, friends and good health. My life has been full with diverse challenges such as a military experience in the Vietnam War, rich travels on four continents, living and working in several foreign countries, and knowing – as clients and friends – people who’ve helped to shape the world as we know it today.

I live in a stunning part of the U.S., Boise, Idaho. It’s one of the most remote cities in “the lower 48,” but its natural beauty, healthy quality of life, and energetic, creative economy make it highly attractive which has driven enormous growth. It’s the kind of place that makes even a 69 year old retiree feel young and energetic.

Energetic enough to have walked the 500 mile-long “Camino de Santiago” (the Camino Frances route) from Saint Jean Pied de Port (France) to Santiago de Compostela (Spain) in the fall of 2015. The Camino refers to an historic network of trails throughout Europe, all directed toward the Catherdal of Saint James (Santiago) in the northwest Spanish city that bears his name. People – pilgrims – have been walking there for nearly 1200 years. Bitten by the Camino bug two years ago, I’ll soon be off again, this time to walk the 400 mile-long Camino Portugues, starting in Lisbon and heading north toward Santiago.

As I did two years ago, I will share photos, stories and introspective thoughts about the Camino experience. Hence this blog: “Short Thoughts on Long Walks.” But after the Camino, I may continue to use this site to share more. I welcome any reader’s comments, criticism, thoughts and questions, and I’ll do my best to be responsive.

We live in uncertain times with far too much conflict disrupting our lives. This blog will neither fix that nor contribute to it, but rather I hope it’s a short diversion from it, for you and for me. As my favorite Algerian proverb says, “It is solved by walking.”