To Mark the adventurer and traveler on his 60th birthday.

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page.” ~ St. Augustine

Probably no one in the family has been part of Mark’s many (some may say ill-fated) adventures as me.

Just a few below:

Mark tried to drive our VW Rabbit (manual transmission) out of a gas station in Atlanta GA onto I75. He somehow forgot to tell us that he did not know how to drive a stick.

Mark and I backpacking the Florida trail and ending up in redneck haven instead of a quiet camp spot. We opted for a Pizza Hut and a drive home that night.

Getting lost on a section of the AT near Fontana dam and asking an older lady if we were going the right direction: her response “Oh no honey, you’re on your way to Georgia.” Of course her pronunciation of Georgia required several syllables.

Sliding off an icy Pikes Peak mountain road in one of Mark’s many vehicles.

Trying to tow Mark’s car from Pikes Peak with only a rope. I

The 10th Mountain Hut hikes almost need their own category.

Of course the hikes that included mom were always just short of an Everest expedition.

But then Marks enthusiasm never wanes for taking us all out on the newest adventure even though we should know better.

It is this same passion that Mark brings to everything that he touches whether it is hiking, biking, or his Christian mission. Dad was one of the first to notice this.

It is for these reasons and many more that we love Mark.

Happy Birthday to the adventurer and I, for one, am waiting for the next one.