ACCESS ADVENTURE VOLUNTEER

I am an Access Adventure volunteer by marriage. My passion has always been running. After we moved to California the opportunities to explore nature step by running step were endless. The Orinda Roadrunners offered running at its best, and I began competing in races, eventually doing marathons, then ultra-marathons and endurance races.

Unlike many runners, my body hasn’t collapsed under the stress of the sport because I focus on trail running. That led to my efforts to open new trails while President of the East Bay Trail Council, Bay Area Ridge Trail Council board member, and consultant to the Regional Park District and East Bay Municipal Utility District. I was one of the four founding members of the American Discovery Trail Society and presently serve as Vice President and California Coordinator (www.discoverytrail.org). Each year I run across a different state to complete the 6380 mile American Discovery Trail from Delaware to California.

In 1984 when Mary Lou decided to buy a horse I remember saying, "Have fun riding around in circles", referring to her days of showing horses. Tahoe and I had an immediate connection - he had competed in the Tevis Cup Race. I too have traveled that 100 mile trail while running the Western States Race.

I hope to contribute to Access Adventure by working with trail organizations and political entities to make trails more accessible for horse drawn carriages. I now realize the importance of accessibility for everyone and will have a more informed case for my arguments.

If you see a runner and a hound preceding or following the carriages that is me, with my running partner T. J. (trail junkie) – unofficial outriders/runners for Access Adventure. We’ll be packing a camera.