Living Vicariously Through Dave

If nothing else I must say 2011 has been a year of non trips. Because of my schedule and family life, any trips I wanted to take this year had to be rigidly planned. Anything that interfered with that schedule effectively cancelled the outing. A breakdown, a hurricane named Irene, and a couple of illnesses all have one thing in common - zero miles of backpacking. That's not to say I haven't gotten out. It's just that the ratio is tipped the wrong way. That's where Dave comes in.

Dave and I attend the same church, and until recently we both were involved in the same ministry. We also share a common love of the outdoors (especially all things involving hiking in Maine) and I think of him as a brother and friend.  I haven't been to Maine in about 5 years (I will get back soon I hope) but Dave manages to get there two or three times a season. Each time he gets out, Dave sends me a photo of the latest peak he has climbed. Unfortunately I'm somewhat technically challenged, so I haven't figured how to get the first few off my phone, but here are some of the latest offerings from Arcadia:

One day we'll share a peak together, and I'll get to pass the pics on to someone else in need of an "outdoors fix".

And the winner is.......

Brian Swain! Congratulations to Brian, and thanks to all (91 of you) who entered.