2026-07-22: New (to me) motorcycle: 2016 BMW R1200 GSA (red). This is my third such bike

2026-05-08: I've just returned from Spain and Portuguese where I spent two weeks hiking the Camino Portuguese Litoral, and four weeks on the Camino De Norte. I made a couple of videos and will put them on YouTube. I'll put the links when available. Suffice it to say, I had a really good time.

YouTube Video: Ray's Camino Portugues Litoral & Espiritual 2026

My first video on YouTube

2025 Ray's Camino

2025-07 Moto-Alaska

Back home, after a really good time hiking in Europe.

This is our wild pet raven "Bonjour" sitting in the top of our Grandfather tree. The tree we estimate to be 800 years old. Its huge, and so is the bird. We have been feeding Bonjour and his mate pretty much every morning for the last six years. He's wild and untameable because the former owner of the property used to shoot at him. And these birds never forget. But here he is, waiting for his morning treat.

Here, I'm installing a new TPMS (Tire-Pressure Monitoring System) in the front tire. I've been working on the bike for a month, and it's just about ready to go.

2023 - The weather has turned cold so I have done a long fast. 32 days this time. It felt so good to be on this quest, knowing that it's helping the body. I wasn't quite ready to stop, but Jenny strongly suggested I quit the fast and get busy training for my upcoming hike. I resumed eating and put myself on a whole plant-based, SOS free diet, which I'm still on today. The fast was to clean out the body, and the diet was/is to keep it that way.

Ray's Iron Butt Rides

Riding a motorcycle, hiking, and working on the fence-line are all outdoor activities. We love them all. The fresh air and the freedom. And yes, sometimes the pouring rain, the freezing cold or baking hot days, and the bugs. Rubbing shoulders with nature in all her glory. A life lived.

Ray's Cannonball Run
Coast to Coast in 42.5 hrs

A Quick Rundown of Ray's Books

(2023-05, Still going strong after 30 years in business, Jenny takes another batch of packages to the PO. Thank you - one and all - for your support!

Northern Paddling Adventures

Tarp Pitching

"Hi Ray, You probably get emails like these all the time. I figured I'd share my thoughts regardless. In 1994, as a 20 yr. old and after an AT hike during the 1993 summer, I bought the PCT Hiker's Handbook at an outdoor store in Montreal. I remember being amazed by the content and also thinking how slightly crazy some of it seemed to be. It was such a contrast to the prevailing thoughts at the time. School, work, life, kids, and adventures marched on over the years, the book traveled in storage boxes and just a few weeks ago, I 'found' it again. I am amazed once again, but this time it's because I can see (in hindsight) how visionary and forward-thinking it is/was. The whole industry has adapted/adopted/co-opted many of those concepts. It's quite clear where they originated! The novelty, imagination, and pragmatic realism of this book is so clear. Many of these core concepts stand the test of time (even if you've improved on some of the execution details) and that's a real testament to its novelty and quality." - Jerome L., British Columbia