The Perpetual Vagabond

Exploring the world near and far, mostly on foot.

  • The Next Adventure: Camino de Santiago (Via Podiensis—France) July 2023

    The Next Adventure: Camino de Santiago (Via Podiensis—France) July 2023

    Two months ago I bought plane tickets to Europe with plans to walk my second Camino, this time the Via Podiensis (also knows as the Chemin du Puy) in France. I walked my first Camino 11 years ago this summer (~175 miles total on the Camino Frances in Northern Spain); a decision that, at the…

  • A Long Saturday Walk Across Portland

    A Long Saturday Walk Across Portland

    The beauty of Portland during spring is best experienced through immersion. This weekend, I went for a seven mile walk from NE Portland to Sellwood so that I could soak up the perfect weather and admire the endless flowers in full bloom. Here is some of what I found: Dogwood, Rhododendrons, Cherry Blossoms, and Camas.…

  • Sunset on the Oregon Coast

    Sunset on the Oregon Coast

    Sunsets are often beautiful, but sometimes they take your breath away.

  • Spring on the Oregon Coast

    Spring on the Oregon Coast

    April 13, 2023 I spent the week on the Oregon Coast. It’s been years since I’ve written a blog post, but being out here has pushed me to start writing again. I’m also taking a social media break—at least trying to. I’m one of the people who love to be “in the know,” and I…

  • Siouxon Creek Trail

    Siouxon Creek Trail

    In late June, 2020, I emerged from months of sheltering in place, due to the coronavirus pandemic, and ventured out into the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, in SW Washington State. It was a beautiful, sunny, 80 degree day, with a light breeze. The forest service road to the trail head was mostly paved, but full…

  • My Very First Trail “Run”

    My Very First Trail “Run”

      About two years ago I decided that I wanted to start running. I was in my mid thirties and office work was keeping me more sedentary than I would have liked. I hated going to the gym, and was not a particularly athletic person, but I did love being outside, so running seemed like…

  • A Walk to North Portland: Poetry, Spring Flowers, and Empty Streets

    A Walk to North Portland: Poetry, Spring Flowers, and Empty Streets

    I always find it interesting how many people will drive long distances to go hiking, but many of those same people won’t walk long distances in their own cities. For me, most of inner Portland can be accessed on foot, and I think that a two, three, four, or even eight mile walk across the…

  • The Perpetual Vagabond is Back!

    The Perpetual Vagabond is Back!

    Hello Dear Readers! I began this blog in May of 2011, while reading Julia Cameron’s book, The Artist’s Way, a book about discovering or recovering our creativity. At that time, I was not only unaware of that fact that creativity was something I had lost, but I also came to understand how that loss was…

  • Grief, Love, and Remembrance

    Grief, Love, and Remembrance

    A few days ago I found myself standing in front of the memorial for the victims of the racist, violent attack that happened last week on a MAX train in Portland. I stood there and cried, while other people did the same. Portland has always been my home, but standing there made me feel like…

  • State Testing: A Poem

    State Testing: A Poem

    State Testing: A Poem When you make State Testing Two weeks long And feel like prison It becomes clear that a test Is more important than my learning Like something I deserve   Because I am not good enough already When I get detention for acting out Because I am sad My home is falling…