Dr. Chuck
Dr. Chuck joined Norma and I for an easy 6.4 mile hike on the Monroe Run Trail in Big Run State Park. That was a fun-filled weekend comprised of a cookout, a banjo and fiddle competition, good food, great weather, and hiking. For more information, see my July 19, 2009 trip report.
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Suzanne F.
I can't remember exactly when I first met Suzanne but I think it might have been May 19-21, 2006 at Pocomoke River State Forest and Park. That was a fun weekend filled with good people.

Suzanne is an avid kayaker who organizes and leads trips with the Chesapeake Paddlers Association. You may find her paddling a Wilderness Systems Tempest 165 with a full carbon fiber Epic Mid Wing wing paddle (good choice).

In the photo at the left, Suzanne and I are paddling up Nassawango Creek on June 20, 2009.

She is a fun person who throws great parties and is always willing to try out one of my boats.
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Mike B.
Few things pull men closer than combat. Mike B. was my squad leader during the Gulf War back in 1991. From December 1990 through April 1991, 8 of us, led by Sergeant Mike, lived in close quarters 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. About 3 months of this was out in the field, away from mess halls, buildings, showers, or toilets. He took fantastic care of us, make sure our needs were met, and kept our morale high. For details about our experience during the war, see Gulf War Memories.

Since Mike and I left the Marines, we've managed to keep in touch. On March 6, 2009, Mike, Will C. (another member of our platoon) and I met at Fogo de Chao in Baltimore. There, we talked about putting together a reunion for Second Battalion, Second Marines, Weapons Company, 81mm Mortar Platoon. The next day, I took Mike to the National Marine Corps Museum. In the photo at the left, we pose by an old mortar...very similar to ones we shot.
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Ralph H.
To say Ralph does more than his fair share of the work would be an understatement. He has led numerous kayaking and hiking trips, both for adults and Boy Scouts. He volunteers his time to pick up trash on the Patuxent River and he also helps keep the hiking trails clear. Ralph is one of the three most knowledgeable people I know when it comes to the great outdoors in Maryland (can you guess the others?). I am always excited to be invited to an outdoor event led by Ralph because I know it will be well organized and enjoyable.

I have participated in numerous events with Ralph including the following:

Lisa A.
Lisa is a very social and outgoing person who enjoys performing in improvisational comedy and kayaking. What I like most about her is her excellent track record for attending my parties.

I believe I met Lisa in 2005 at the Chesapeake Paddlers Association (CPA) SK102 kayak training weekend at Lake Anna, Virginia. Since then, I've paddled with her a few times including Nassawango Creek (a tributary of the Pocomoke River on the eastern shore of Maryland) and Marley Creek near Glen Burnie. In the photo at left, she is waiting for the others to put their boats into the Nassawango as she patiently waits in her Red Prijon Catalina kayak. For more information, see May 19-21, 2006.
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Jenn and friends, 2009
If you had to ask me who my best friend is, I definitely know that Jenn would be in the running. If you asked me which of my friends knows me the best, she would again come to mind. I mention her at August 10, 2002 and Jenn's family so I'll just tell you about the photo, taken in either late 2008 or early 2009.

From left to right are Chaos (border collie), Tater Tot (beagle mix), Jenn (human), and Meg (collie, not miniature). I am amazed that Jenn's brother managed to get everyone to look and pose for the photo. I have taken plenty of dog photos and it is difficult enough to get one dog to look at the camera.
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Todd M.
I met Todd in the autumn of 2001. I remember this well because he interviewed me for a job. I wasn't a good fit for the position but it all worked out for the best. Several years later, we ran into each other at a Maryland Outdoor Club picnic at Quiet Waters Park. We found that we had one very important thing in common: kayaking. Since then, we've paddled together several times.

Todd is also a really great nature photographer, yet another thing we have in common...not that I'm a great photographer, but I am a nature photographer.

In the photo at the left, Todd takes a break on a bridge over the Northwest Branch stream. It was still a little cold for kayaking on January 4, 2009 but it was a great day for a hike.
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David T.
I first met David on September 21, 2007. We have a few things in common. We're both friends of Susan Justice, we're both pretty fast on a kayak (but he's faster), we're close to the same age, but what is most interesting is that we both own Futura C4 surf skis...they're event the same color!

I've paddled with David a few times now and I have to say he is the fastest non-racer I know. Someday, I hope to be as fast as him.
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Ken D.
Ken is without a doubt, the friend I have had the longest. I think we met in the second grade. Eventually, we both studied Kenpo Karate under the same sensei. In high school, we played hackysack. Then we lost contact for several years and reconnected after I moved to Maryland. I make time to visit Ken when I am back in Sacramento. He is the only friend I have kept from my school days.

The photo on the left was taken August 2, 2008 at my parents' house. Ken visited me along with many of my relatives on one of my bi-annual visits.
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Chris R.
I met Chris R. at the Pax Tri-Event, 2007. Since then, he has participated in numerous events with Norma and I, especially those related to bicycling. On May 4, 2008, he joined us for a New York City 5 boro bike tour...a most memorable event.
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Jennifer S.
I met Jennifer on some Howard County Sierra Club hike. Not sure exactly which one. She has a certain quiet serenity and inner peace about her that I find unique.

On December 2, 2006, she helped Norma and I scout the trails at Patuxent River Park. Here she poses next to a sifting device at Mount Calvert Historical and Archaeological Park.
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Cindy
I met Cindy on my first Maryland Outdoor Club hike back on May 7, 2006. Since then, we've participated in a variety of other outdoor activities together.

In the photo at the left, we're scouting Catoctin Mountain Park on Feburary 9, 2008 for an upcoming group hike that we led together, along with Norma. This superfantastic tri-leader hike took place on March 1, 2008. Norma took this photo of us at Wolf Rock near a big crevice.
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Joe
I met Joe on June 3, 2006. Joe, Norma, Sarah, and I carpooled in Joe's truck to a car camping event with a hike at Old Rag. Since then, Joe and I have kept in touch and gone on many hikes together. On October 13-14, 2007 he led a car camping event at Signal Knob. Joe is an adventurous, strong, and outgoing person.

In the photo at left, Joe (who bears a resemblance to Bam Bam), is a participant on my March 1, 2008 Catoctin Mountain Tri-Leader Hike. Here, he explores the crevices at Wolf Rock.
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Yvonne
I'm guessing I met Yvonne around 2004 but I didn't get to know her well until much later. She paddles a Mystic sea kayak like a pro. She taught Recon Jimmy to roll his kayak after a 5 minute lesson. She has traveled to more places and done more fascinating things than just about any person I've ever known. I can say without a doubt that Yvonne is one of the most interesting people I know. Part of the reason is because she lives life to the fullest and does so with a positive attitude.

In the photo at left, Yvonne is paddling with me in Mallows Bay on September 23, 2007 to see the ship graveyard.
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Susan Justice
I met Susan around 2003 on a kayak car camping event. She completed in Dragon Boat racing back then. Now she completes in kayak racing. In 2006, she paddled over 1000 miles. As of July 2007, she's won far too many races to mention. Her biggest accomplishment was finishing the General Clinton 70 mile kayak race on Memorial Day 2007.

In the photo at the left, she is paddling her Epic V10 Sport surfski on Marley Creek, using an Epic carbon fiber wing paddle.

Be sure to check out Susan's personal web page.
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Mike J.
I met Mike on a backpacking scouting trip on April 15-17, 2006. Since then, I have gone on numerous backpacking and hiking trips with him, including one trail maintenance trip. If there was an award for outing leader of the decade, it would certainly go to Mike, who leads about 16 backpacking trips per year with several other day hikes. I don't know of anyone else who even comes close to this. Over the years, he has introduced countless people into backpacking.

Be sure to check out Mike's personal web page which holds a plethora of information for hikers and backpackers.
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Brian, Norma, and KC
Brian, Norma, KC, and I spent the day exploring the area around Jug Bay on March 4, 2007. Here, Brian, Norma, and KC stand in front of what was once an active beaver dam at Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary. For more information, see Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Critical Area Driving Tour, and Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary.
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Stacy and Dave
Dave and Stacy (no, they're not a couple) went with Norma and me to the National Museum of the Marine Corps on December 3, 2006. What we have in common is that we all served in the Marines and all are active members of the Howard County Sierra Club. Dave was a radioman in the Marines whereas Stacy was an air traffic controller in the Marines. Stacy has swum across the Chesapeake Bay twice! Oohrah Stacy!!!
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Norma
Norma is a fun, exciting, multi-lingual friend, and activity partner. She's a good bicyclist, hiker, and trip planner who has lived in Japan and Germany. Norma has helped make my summer of 2006 the best and busiest summer of my life!

In the first photo at the left, she's at a wedding in June 2004. In the second photo at left, she's at a baby shower in August 2006.
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Twenty mile Patuxent River paddle with Brian
On Memorial Day, May 29, 2006, Brian and I paddled a meandering 20 miles from Clyde Watson Boating Area (Magruders Ferry) to Hallowing Point. The day was warm, a little humid, hazy in the morning, and clear around the middle of the day. We began paddling around 0830 and explored part of the east side of the Patuxent River using a float plan that involved a car shuttle so we could take advantage of the 1235 low tide.

After finding two small tributaries that ended quickly, we found two beautiful creeks that went on for a good ways into natural, wooded parts of Patuxent River Natural Resources Management Area (NRMA). This included Chew Creek and Cocktown Creek (I love that name). After exploring the latter, we stopped for a quick lunch at the mouth of the creek on the north side (see photo on left). The scenic creeks were meandering, clean, and loaded with a variety of vegetation, including some wild flowers. A small fish jumped over the bow of my surf ski.

Paddling downstream, Brian pointed out Kings Landing Pier, where he's launched in the past. Back in deeper water, we often maintained a steady pace between 6.2 and 7.2 miles per hour. After looking for new launch sites at Eagle Harbor (and not finding any), we paddled 0.9 miles south on a channel that led to a nuclear power plant. The water was noticeably warmer because it is used to cool the reactor. We saw fishermen catching glowing catfish in the channel. Not sure if the channel went all the way through to Swanson Creek but it was barricaded and closed to boat traffic near the reactor.

I enjoy paddling with Brian because he is nice to talk to and always pushes me, physically. With his Epic 18 sea kayak, he was fast but now that he has an Epic V10 surf ski (see photo on left), he's definitely faster than me...but just by a little bit.
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Junkyard Jimmy
This is one of my best friends, Junkyard Jimmy, on May 22, 2006. He was voted best heavy metal guitarist in Jonestown, Pennsylvania two years in a row and also inducted into the martial art instructor's hall of fame. Jimmy is one of those rare individuals who is capable of excelling at anything he sets his mind on. Fortunately his high-achieving spirit has been passed onto his three children.
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Dr. Chuck at Great Falls
On April 29 and 30, 2006, Dr. Chuck and I went on a little hike. He flew out from California the day prior to attend a conference. On the weekend before the conference, we spent time together, hiking, dining, bulls**tting and catching up on old times. In the first photo on the left, Dr. Chuck is seen at Great Falls Overlook in Maryland on April 29. The next day, he got a chance to help me explore Great Falls Park in Virginia (see second photo on left). After having run a marathon in days past, he barely broke a sweat, even on the steepest parts of the trail. Of all my friends, Dr. Chuck probably knows me best. We all need a special friend we can talk to about almost anything and for me, that is him. If you were wondering, he's not a medical doctor...though he has been known to say, "Trust me, I'm a doctor" to pretty women. His Ph.D. is in computer science.
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Commandant Kevin
On April 26, 2006, Kevin was sworn in as Commandant of the Marine Corps League SSgt Karl G. Taylor, Sr. Detachment 1084. This is Kevin's second consecutive year serving as detachment Commandant. In addition to this position, he also served in numerous other positions in the detachment during years past. As of 2006, he is also serving as Paymaster for the Department of Maryland, Marine Corps League. When Kevin isn't devoting his time to helping with the League, he can be found riding his Aprilia motorcycle. A clean shaven Kevin appears at the very top of this page in the left corner.
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Bob and Saki, February 26, 2006
This is my old friend "fast twitch" Bob. Bob is full of fast twitch muscles. Hence, in a fight, he'll always score the first punch or kick because he's lightning fast. Bob runs his own business where he makes training knives, makes martial art training videos, and designs martial art websites. Go to Training Blades for more information. Bob has great taste in food, music, movies...and friends.
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Neil with Outrigger Canoe, June 18, 2005
This is my paddling buddy, Neil. Like me, he appreciates fast boats. Sometimes, he paddles a surf ski. Today, he used his 24 foot long Futura Sea Horse outrigger canoe in the Second Annual Paddle for the Cure on June 18, 2005. He placed third overall in a 7.9 mile race.
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Party, August 21, 2004
I would often host a cookout in the summer.  In 2004, we had about 30 people show up throughout the day.  I grilled a variety of burgers including buffalo, turkey, beef, and veggie.  We finished off the evening watching the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Left to right: Jason, Jesse, Kevin, Tita Batista, Steve, Dr. Greg, Andy, and Jimmy.
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Rick and Me, June 5, 2004
In 2004, I was staying at some Army barracks during the Marine Corps League Department of Pennsylvania pistol match weekend.  Coincidentally, (Slick) Rick was also staying in the same building.  Rick is currently serving in the Army National Guard.
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Armed Forces Ball, May 16, 2003
In the back are Junkyard Jimmy, Kevin, and me.  Up front are Donna and Sande. You are more likely to see all the planets line up than see us all dressed up so nicely.
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Jenn and Chaos, August 10, 2002
After Babe passed away, Jenn got a new hairdo and a new dog, Chaos, a border collie.
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Lynn, December 2001
In 2000, I met Lynn.  After I got to know her better, I figured she'd make a good boss so in 2001, I quit my job and started working for her and haven't regretted it since.
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Dr. Chuck, August 2000
I met Dr. Chuck around 1997.  Then I worked for him in 1999 and 2000 until he moved back to California (where he is from).  In addition to being a great supervisor, he was also a good running and kayaking partner.
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Rick, August 2000
When living in my first apartment in Odenton, Maryland, I met Rick in 1995.  He has since moved to Virginia but we still keep in touch.  Here he explains the finer points of Jenga.
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Babe, May 1999
Along with the lovely house in Gambrills came Jenn's female dog, Babe.  Babe is half Samoyed and half Cocker Spaniel.  YAWN!!!
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September 18, 1999
From 1997 to 2001, I rented a room from Jenn S. in Gambrills, Maryland.  I got along just great with her and her family. Without a doubt, she is the closest thing I've ever had to a sister and though we don't see each other very often anymore, she is one of the finest people I have ever met.

Left to right: Doug (Jenn's brother), Karen (the short one; Doug's wife), and Jenn.
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