The Duffel Bag

Where the spirit leads the feet will follow.

Down distant paths for unmapped miles.

Heads forget but hearts remember:

The art of living knows no bounds.

"The best journeys answer questions that in the beginning you didn't even think to ask." - Jeff Johnson, 180 Degrees South

"The best way out is always through" - Robert Frost

"The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way". - Marcus Aurelius

Saturday, September 19, 2026

20 Lakes Basin Hike

I hiked into the 20 Lakes Basin in Northern Yosemite for a little fishing. Caught a few dinks in the high lakes before the wind started, then headed back down and around Saddlebag Lake.

I stopped at a nice looking spot on the Norteast corner of Saddlebag and probably hooked about 30 trout and landed around 25ish (not positive on the fish totals...I wasn't counting at the time). The biggest was the last of the day at about 18 inches. I was using a variety of Spoon lures and the action was non-stop for about 3 hours. Fishing barbless hooks and all fish caught were released alive.

No photos of Saddlebag. I need to start clipping my GoPro to me when fishing so I can get more pictures. My main concern is always getting the fish back in the water ASAP, so I rarely bother with pictures. I usually have a nice mirror-less camera with me, but it's not near the water.

Mount Conness distant left, North Peak right center.

Hummingbird lake.

Friday, September 4, 2026

Camino de Sonoma: 75x75x75 - Stage 2 Group

We celebrated one of the founding members 75th birthday today by having all 6 stages walked by groups on the same day.

Milo was sweep guide for stage 2 with a small group of strong walkers.

Kenwood, CA to Santa Rosa, CA. 14 miles.

Saturday, August 22, 2026

Relax

Thursday, August 20, 2026

Cat Distribution System

Ummmm...I would have to agree. 😁

Nidalee

Friday, July 24, 2026

Mount Lassen Climb

Four hours round trip.

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Roaming NorCal

“Still, round the corner, there may wait, a new road or a secret gate.” - J. R. R. Tolkien

We spent several day roaming around Northern California camping, SUPing, fishing, and just exploring. Lots of people EVERYWHERE so we didn't get the fishing in I wanted, but it's always fun to get up there.

Looking north from a ridge above Antelope Lake.

Dispersed camping near Butte Lake, but outside Lassen Park boundary.

Sunday, July 5, 2026

New SUP

I finally joined the SUP Club. Mainly looking for another fishing option that is more easily stored/transported in our current truck/camper set-up. This can go most places a freshwater kayak can take me but is a lot more compact.

Saturday, July 4, 2026

Sonoma Magazine - The Outdoors Issue

The July/August issue of Sonoma Magazine is out! It contains an article on the Sonoma de Camino, and it happens to be the Camino we walked in May (starts on page 77).

The cover photo is Milo's, as well as the two pictures on the last page.

Anyway, it's a nice article and was fun to be a part of.

Here is the link to Sonoma Magazine... https://www.sonomamag.com/

Here is the link to the E-edition... https://enewspaper.sonomamag.com/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&pubid=d554eaa5-210f-4b32-9701-6c3c08534ae1