Reginald Spittle's Blog: See my book blog, page 3

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? →

Childhood Numbers Reveal My Story

I have been drawn to young-adult books lately, moving away from my usual diet of non-fiction. Why? I have told myself it is because they are entertaining, compelling, and easy to read. But last week, after I finished yet another story about a boy who battled a long list of troubles no kid should have … Continue reading Childhood Numbers Reveal My Story →

Adventurer-Journalist Reviews Hoofin’ It

Reg’s note: Like other towns across America, our home of Ashland, Oregon lost its local newspaper several years ago, but our community has risen to support Ashland.news with an outpouring of interest and financial backing. I am honored that one of the site’s journalists, Lee Juillerat, read my latest book and posted this story and … Continue reading Adventurer-Journalist Reviews Hoofin’ It →

Barefoot Ken Conquers Paths Few Could Follow

Sue and I met Barefoot Ken on the John Muir Trail in 2021. I wrote about our encounter in my new book, Hoofin’ It on the John Muir Trail. You can read about his other astounding accomplishments and challenges in this post by clicking the link above. Feel free to comment here.

Gary Paulsen Pens a Masterpiece Adventure

There has been no better storyteller than the late Gary Paulsen, author of 200 books and best known for the adventure survival masterpiece Hatchet, the basis of a motion picture set in the Alaskan wilderness. Canyons may be his best book, though. It is a story of two youths’ paths to manhood, separated by more … Continue reading Gary Paulsen Pens a Masterpiece Adventure →

It’s Question Time With Canadian Author

Fellow Camino walker and author Kevin Craig, host of popular website, challenged me to a game of 20 questions. It really wasn’t a game, but there were 20 questions, many quite thought-provoking. You may not be able to resist coming up with your own answers. Share in comments if you would like. What was your … Continue reading It’s Question Time With Canadian Author →

Disappearance Turns Around Boy’s Life

Catherine Ryan Hyde, who authored the huge best seller Pay It Forward, is sneaky. I was an hour or so into Have You Seen Luis Velez? and wondered how her book would measure up to 10 others by Hyde that I had read. And then it happened. I was hooked, just as I have been … Continue reading Disappearance Turns Around Boy’s Life →