I shot these two pictures with my iPhone from the deck of my friend Roger’s house on the island of Kauai. It’s a magical spot on a magical island – 6 ½ miles past the last town on the north side of the island and only 2 miles from the end of the road, Na Pali State Park, and the coast that Michelin calls “arguably one of the most beautiful natural spots on earth.”

Leaving Seattle on a wet and cold January morning and arriving here six hours later was a heavenly gift. Roger and his wife, Marilyn, were welcoming and generous. We were here 6 years ago and loved it then. This is one of the great ways to “Survive Seattle” in the winter. read more

This is the real Cheryl Strayed (and the pack she nicknamed “The Monster”). She is the author of Wild, the memoir she wrote about her cathartic adventure hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. I haven’t met her (yet) but I have huge admiration for her courage, honesty, and for her writing.

In 2012 Reese Witherspoon purchased the film rights to Wild, hired novelist and screenwriter Nick Hornby (High Fidelity) to adapt it for the screen, and Jean-Marc Vallee to direct. Ms. Witherspoon produced and stars in what has become one of the biggest films of 2014 – garnering Golden Globe nominations for Best Film and Best Actress. read more

Today’s the day and I’ve been getting messages and phone calls from all over the world. I’m grateful to have so many friends and to have shared time, books, good food, powder turns, long runs, sunny beaches, exotic locations, funny stories, political arguments and much much more with them over the years. It feels great and I feel great. I’m happy to be alive and well even though the world outside a mess and smart men and women who should know better are bickering over insignificant things while the planet melts down under the pressure of climate change, fracking, ISIS, Ebola, HIV, grinding poverty, greed and racist bullshit I’m optimistic that we and it will endure. read more