Mt Baker from Ptarmigan Ridge Trail

Took advantage of a weather window to hike this high traverse on Mount Baker, the third highest peak in Washington State at 10,781 ft. Just south of the Canadian border and east of Bellingham, the mountain is a heavily glaciated volcano visible from Seattle.

Mt Shuksan, Mt Baker Wilderness

Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris

Bertrada, queen of the Franks, and mother of Charlemagne, future king. Eighth century.

Bourgogne

Grapevines located in the most valuable soil in the Burgundy region produce wine that can sell for several hundred euros a bottle.

Olives at Saturday market, Beaune (Burgundy Region)

Hotél de Vogüé, Dijon

Viewed from the Tower is the Hotél de Vogüé, a prototypical parliamentary house built in 1614 for the administration of the Burgundy region by the French monarchy.

Tower of Philip le Bon, Dijon

After the trek, we traveled by train to France, and climbed Philip the Good's Tower built in a trapezoid shape in 1450 during the period of the Valois Dukes.

View from Sols-Lobhorn Hut

Last night on the Tour of Jungfrau Region trek, the views of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau are amazing.

Schilthorn Summit 9,744 ft

After a fairly solitary 4-hour climb, we traversed the narrow rocky ridge to meet the throngs of tourists who road the gondola to the summit station and sight of a James Bond movie from late '60s. Grand views of Eiger, Monch and Jungrau and the entire range. Skip this hike if you have vertigo!

Climb to Schilthorn Summit

Rigorous climb from Rockstock Hut up the steep valley on mountainous terrain fortunately supported by cables and ladders in tenuous places.

Rotstock Hut Alpenkasen

Next to the hut is an alps dairy operation providing fresh milk, yogurt and cheese. This horse and donkey live there too. They seem to be the best of friends following each other around the large mountainous pasture and into the barn.

Rotstock-hutte

Another steep up and down trail to get to this old but quaint hut managed by the local ski club. This hut puts us into position to climb another 3000+ft tomorrow for the Schiltorn Summit.

Berghotel Obersteinberg

Steep walk from Stechelberg to this charming chalet surrounded by peaks and glaciers. No electricity, rooms lit by candlelight, unfinished pine furniture, and goose down blankets. Delicious pork sausage wrapped in prosciutto (or thin sliced bacon) with spaetzli (swiss noodles) for dinner.

Sunshine in Alps

Steep and deep Lauterbrunnen Valley

Tour of Jungfrau Region trek next leads down Lauterbrunnen Valley through the popular village of Wengen. Gondolas and trains are also available as an option to dropping over 4k ft on the day's
walk from Kleine Scheidegg to the tiny town of Stechelberg.

Stechelberg marks the beginning of the last five days of the trek, back up the other side of the ridge through more remote areas as we complete the loop back to Interlaken.

Kleine Scheidegg and Jungfrau Mtn

Last night's lodging, Restaurant Grindelwaldblick, is seen on the ridge with views toward both Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen Valley peaks on other side. Panoramic ridgeline trail leads to Mannilichen and gondolas bringing in lots of hikers. Popular area in winter too with ski resort.

Glacier view from Jungfraujoch, 11,782 ft

The Eiger Trail

Alpiglen to Eigergletscher. Fabulous three hour walk traversing under the North Face of the Eiger. Craning your neck, you can see the famous climbing routes to the summit, and the mountain windows from the Jungfraujoch Railway tunnel. Trail gains some 2,300 ft. Afterward, board the train at Eigergletscher Station to the saddle between the Jungfrau and the Mönch at over 11k ft. Europe's highest train station!

Alpiglen, North Face of Eiger

Trail to Berghaus Baregg, by Grindelwald Glacier

The steep trail hugs the side of a gorge carved by glacial melting. With views of Grindelwald far below, this relatively new hut situated on a rocky precipice serves a three-course dinner and has comfortable dormitories. The ice periodically breaks off the glacier above and across from the hut with staggering snow and rock fall.

Swiss Miss

View toward Murren

Interlaken at sunset

Above Interlaken at Schynige Platte, a 4-day weather system moving in just time for start of trek. Rain gear ready. 

Cog train to Schynige Platte

Gaining elevation before start of hike.

Niederhorn Ridge Walk, above Interlaken

Nice warm-up hike before Jungfrau. Take gondola to Niederhorn summit for scenic ridge walk before walking down. 

Interlaken West train station eight minutes past the hour:  Take the 101 Bus to Beatenberg Station. Hop on the gondola up to Niederhorn. Walk up to Niederhorn Summit then high traverse Gummenalphorn Ridge. Then walk down to Waldegg and catch 101 bus back. Hiking time 3-4 hours.

Dipsea Trail: Mill Valley CA to Stinson Beach

Take the famous Dipsea Steps starting behind the library in downtown Mill Valley. Up and over the ridge, down to Muir Woods.  Then progress up and over the next long ridge before heading down to Stinson Beach. Wonderful seven miles one-way. Take the local beach bus back about 20 min to the unmarked "Bayview" stop (tell the driver). It's basically on the highway on the first ridge, above the road at the top of the Dipsea Steps. In about 15 minutes, you'll be at your car.

Famous Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, Oregon

Quite a drive along 101 in northern Oregon.

Nehalem Bay, Manzanita Oregon

Beach and coastal mountain walking. Fabulous seafood like fresh razor clams, oysters and salmon when you're done.

Walk to Golden Gate Bridge from Marina Green

This two hour walk may qualify as the best urban walk in the world. Walk all the way to the bridge and touch the runner's hands on the fence (or the dog paws below if you are canine.) Return with the wind at your back.

Tennessee Valley trailhead, Marin County

Fabulous 2-4 hour walks in all directions from Tennessee Valley trailhead in southern Marin off 101. A favorite is the Fox Trail up a steep trail to jaw-dropping views of the Pacific. Rare cougar sighting reported by fellow hikers.

Elliot Bay: Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park to Salmon Bay

Fantastic start on this urban walk with view of Olympic Mtns. However in a couple of miles you'll be walking right next to active railroad tracks to progress north. Great, if you like trains up close.

Walk San Francisco to Sausalito & Ferry Back

Approx seven delightful miles depending on where you start and end.

Dog Mountain, Columbia River Gorge

Walk 2800 ft up a steep pine needle trail to emerge amongst wildflowers with jaw-dropping views. 7.8 miles, this day hike is a must-do in the quaint southwest corner of Washington State.

Boundary trail, Mt St Helens

Depart from Johnston Ridge Observatory along the ridge line toward Spirit Lake for increasing views of the tremendous crater.

Hummocks Trail, Mt St Helens

Short moderate trail through the hummocks or mounds of the mountain carried down by the enormous volcanic eruption in 1980.

Wombat, Cradle Mountain

Wombats, wallabies (small kangaroos) and echidna (porcupine-like ant-eaters) are seen at dawn and dusk. The endangered Tasmanian Devil, the last marsupial carnivore on the island, is nocturnal and hard to spot. We did not see one though heard some screeching in the middle of the night. Its population has declined rapidly due to a rare disease among its species.

Cradle Mountain, Tasmania

This national park represents the start of the Overland Track, a 65 km bush-walk over six nights. Currently, there is a total fire ban across all of Tasmania due to unusually hot temperatures and high wind. But bush fires in the dry eucalyptus forests have already led to evacuations in parts of the state.

"Tassie" lifeguard, Cataract Gorge

Lifeguard at the ready at a huge ice cold and pristine swimming pool at First Basin in Launceston's gorge just outside town. Set amidst "Victorian Pleasure Gardens" from late 1800s, it's complete with gardens, tea house and meandering peacocks.

Black swan, Esk river, Tasmania

While the black swan was hunted to extinction in New Zealand, it survives in SW and SE regions of Australia.

Launceston, Tasmania

Launceston, the second largest city in Tasmania, was built in the early 1800s at the confluence of three rivers, and has lots of character with original municipal buildings, breweries and hotels.

Tasmania became an island 10,000 years ago due to rising sea levels. European explorers came to the island in 1700s and later the island became a colony of England. About 70,000 convicts were sent to Tasmania, but only about 10k were housed at Port Arthur, a brutal prison outside Hobart. The rest of the convicts and military guards settled the island and established agriculture, leading to redemption and freedom for many individuals. 37% of the island is national parks and reserves due to its natural beauty.