Reginald Spittle's Blog: See my book blog

Andrew McCarthy: Was He Really a Brat?

Andrew McCarthy grew up searching for direction. He was plagued by anxiety, a lack of confidence, and bad grades in school. Through it all, though, he sensed that he possessed a gift. It surfaced one day when he was a teen-ager, uncharacteristically putting aside his jitters and walking into a rehearsal hall at New York … Continue reading Andrew McCarthy: Was He Really a Brat? →

Hoofin’ It is No. 1! Thank You, Readers!

My third adventure trekking book is a number-one best seller! I am so grateful to readers. Hoofin’ It on the John Muir Trail has hovered in the top ten in several categories, but today it made the leap to the top in the Kindle walking category. The actual sales remain modest, but Hoofin’ It has … Continue reading Hoofin’ It is No. 1! Thank You, Readers! →

Age, Race, and Altitude on a High Sierra Trail

Writing for Backpacker, Benje Williams chronicles a Sierra Nevada adventure, describing how he and his dad battled high-altitude fatigue and haunting memories of his parents’ miserable trek decades before. The son poses questions: Why don’t more blacks take up backpacking? Is fear of discrimination holding them back? Is age a barrier for people considering a … Continue reading Age, Race, and Altitude on a High Sierra Trail →

Ireland: A Big Move Back to Our Roots

Sue and I have journeyed to Ireland to help our son Andrew and daughter-in-law Charlotte settle into their new home in Dublin. We are excited by their adventurous spirit, but sad that they will be so far away. Andrew is bringing our family back to its roots. His grandmother was raised here and her Johnston … Continue reading Ireland: A Big Move Back to Our Roots →

Ageism: Does a Number Define You?

How does ageism affect your life? Do you witness discrimination based on numbers and appearances? The link will take you to a post in Section Hiker that weighs ageism and its impact on the lives of hikers older than 60. I would love to know what you think. As a teen-ager, I experienced ageism when … Continue reading Ageism: Does a Number Define You? →

My Book Is Featured in UCSB Magazine

Sue and I returned from our treks in Italy and England to find the latest University of California Santa Barbara alumni magazine in our post box. I was so pleased and grateful when I found this item in the Noteworthy section with Sue’s cover and an article about Hoofin’ It on the John Muir Trail.

The Cotswold Way: To the Hilltops We Go

Five days on England’s Cotswold Way and the trail has taken us to every hilltop in sight and some we didn’t see until we emerged from dark forests. Planners largely kept the path above the quaint villages we had expected would be daily features. The tradeoff? Fantastic views, crowds of day hikers, fierce winds, very … Continue reading The Cotswold Way: To the Hilltops We Go →

I’m Sorry, But Please Stop Apologizing

Are we too judgmental of ourselves and others? For Michael, a defining moment in his life comes on the Fourth of July when he is just seven years old. The event changes him forever and he will not see his parents for almost two decades. Skip forward to when Michael is 19, and he walks … Continue reading I’m Sorry, But Please Stop Apologizing →

An Italian Ending With a Twist

The final numbers: twenty-one days on the Via Francigena, 268 miles through Tuscany and Lazio, 29,000 feet of climbing. Yesterday, our final day brought us a unique view of St. Peter’s Basilica. When we arrived at the square an hour or so later, it still buzzed from the previous day’s announcement of the new American … Continue reading An Italian Ending With a Twist →

Hello Lazio, Your Color Abounds

Tuscany gets attention for its beauty, but its neighbor Lazio has adorned the Via Francigena with scenes like this one. The highway signs say “Roma” now and we are just four days away from arriving at St. Peter’s Square once again. It is sobering to think we have walked 209 miles. Long, challenging days remain. … Continue reading Hello Lazio, Your Color Abounds →