Reginald Spittle's Blog: See my book blog, page 2

The City of Towers and a Trail Surprise

San Gimignano was quite a sight from afar and continued to impress as Sue and I wandered the narrow streets and alleys. The more-than-1,000-years-old Via Francigena was instrumental to the birth and growth of San Gimignano and so many other places we visit on this journey. San Gimignano once boasted 72 towers during a time … Continue reading The City of Towers and a Trail Surprise →

Root for Ivan the Gorilla and Cap the Nerd

My only complaint about each of these books is that they are too short. The endings are great, but I longed to continue following the charming and clever characters’ lives. In Schooled, by Gordon Korman, one of my favorite authors, Capricorn Anderson (Cap for short) is a teenager who has been raised and taught by … Continue reading Root for Ivan the Gorilla and Cap the Nerd →

Italy Shines Despite Rain, Roads, and Mud

Our third day on the Via Francigena took us up, up, up to San Miniato on another mixed-weather walk. However, Tuscany did not require sunshine to display its natural Italian charm. Thirty miles into our planned 250-mile stroll to Vatican City, the “trail” has been mostly ho-hum, marked by roads, mud, and tall, wet grasses … Continue reading Italy Shines Despite Rain, Roads, and Mud →

Via Francigena Trekking Adventure Begins

Sue and I bought our pilgrim passports today at the cathedral in the walled city of Lucca, Italy, which greeted us with a light rain. We begin the Via Francigena here Friday and, fingers crossed, will arrive at Vatican City on May 9. Rain, pasta, and pizza are forecast!

Boy’s Last Wishes Become an Old Man’s Destiny

Murray McBridge, 100, meets Jason Cashman, 10, who is dying of heart disease. Their fast-forming friendship takes the boy and the lonely, retired major league baseball player on a journey revolving around Jason’s Post-It list of five wishes. The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBridge, by Joe Siple, is a unique and heartwarming adventure story. … Continue reading Boy’s Last Wishes Become an Old Man’s Destiny →

Paths to Adventure and Writing Began in Santiago

A roomful of adventurers joined me the other night at the Phoenix, Oregon library for my talk, All Paths Begin in Santiago. I led listeners on Sue’s and my journeys on eight distance paths, capped by California’s John Muir Trail, the subject of my third trekking book, Hoofin’ It on the John Muir Trail. I … Continue reading Paths to Adventure and Writing Began in Santiago →

Reg and Sue Take to the Airwaves

It may be too early to save places on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for us, but Sue and I have made our television debut. Stephen Long, host of The Writing Life, a series that airs on a McMinnville (near Portland) Comcast community station, invited us to his show. He had read Camino Sunrise: Walking … Continue reading Reg and Sue Take to the Airwaves →

Two Clever Words Headline This Story

Branton Middle School bans cell phones, confident it will curb many problems caused by words. Words that bully, humiliate, and distract students from learning. Reacting to the ban and hyped by a teacher’s assignment, students post sticky notes around the school with an eye to aphorisms, phrases stating important truths. Like “Actions speak louder than … Continue reading Two Clever Words Headline This Story →

Dolomites Hike Is ‘A Risk Not Worth Taking’

His first words had me hooked. “Somewhere in Switzerland, there is a hike known as one of the most dangerous in the world,” with “some of the most insane features I’ve ever seen on a hike.” That is how Bernardo Bacalhau introduced his YouTube post. (Link coming below.) Like his video that kicked off his … Continue reading Dolomites Hike Is ‘A Risk Not Worth Taking’ →

Try This: What Really Matters?

In the end, what really matters most? What’s your answer? I’ll share mine—at the end. No fair skipping ahead. As Sue and I prepare for two more distance treks in Europe, we’re nervous. As with each of our previous eight adventures, we wonder what we will discover on the Via Francigena in Italy. It will … Continue reading Try This: What Really Matters? →