Tell us about your outdoors experience. How much do you like participating in outdoor activities?

I’ve been hiking nearly 20 years.  Mostly in Maine and New Hampshire but have also done a good number of the national parks.  I love to bike ride - road, rail & carriage trails.  Most of my biking has been in New England and a bit in Canada.  I also like Kayaking – prefer quiet water because I feel you can get closer to nature and wildlife.  I’m a walker – I can just walk aimlessly & endlessly.  In winter I snowshoe and cross country ski.

If you knew someone who was thinking of starting to hike, what advice would you give them?

Find a mentor who can teach you the do's and dont's.  Regardless of activity try to get the best equipment you can afford  - it’ll last longer and you’ll be happier with it (especially footwear for hiking).  Take your time learning the activity – go at your own pace not someone else’s.   Most of all just enjoy yourself – if it’s not fun you’re not doing to do it for long.

What was your first GO excursion? How did it turn out?

It was hiking Whiteface/Passaconaway.  I loved it – it was a great hike with a great bunch of guys.  Shep5 (Stephen) was the hike lead – he’s a great guy.  

What do you like about GayOutdoors?

I like hanging with like-minded outdoorsy guys.  I like the smaller groups.  Everyone I’ve meet has been very friendly and welcoming.  I have hiked with several meetup groups but GO easily tops them all.   

Describe Maine to our outdoorzy members who’ve never been there? Is there a lot to do if you are an outdoor enthusiast?

To me Maine is all about the outdoors.  It’s surrounded by ocean on the east and mountains on the west with parks, wilderness and lakes in between.  If it’s an outdoor activity you can find it in Maine (ok – maybe it’s not know for surfing – if that’s your thing).    

What changes have you made to better our environment?

I try to be environmentally conscious - always trying to lighten my footprint on this earth.   From the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) to planet friendly hobbies/activities to “eating lower on the food chain” .

What is your earliest outdoor adventure memory? Who did you go with?

.As a kid, growing up in central Maine, we lived near a wooded area and along a river.   I was always outside in all 4 seasons with my brothers and friends.

What is your favorite thing to do a perfect summer day?

It’s a tossup between hiking & biking – the best would be to do both in the same day.

If you could spend the day on the trail with one person, living or dead, it would be…

The Dalai Lama (outdoors or indoors).  How enlightening and zenful that would be.  WOW!!! 

What is your favorite post-adventure meal?

“Dinner” – it’s a double IPA locally brewed by Maine Beer Company (I guess if it was just a morning adventure I would have their “Lunch” IPA).   DISCLAIMER:   I am not an employee or  in any way affiliated with Maine Beer Company – just a fan.