The West Coast Trail (originally the “Dominion Lifesaving Trail”) runs nearly 50 miles along Vancouver Island’s rugged southwest coast. Built in the early 1900s to help shipwrecked sailors survive—wrecks were common along this stretch of coast. While it’s a popular trail today (you have to book in advance), I saw almost no one when Misty and I hiked it. (1973)
Louisa and I started cycle-touring in Europe in 1986, never booking ahead (no iPhones or booking.com in those days!), always finding somewhere safe and warm at the end of the day. Here we are in southern France, one of our favorite areas. (1997)
A decade later we headed to southwest Spain on our new Dahon folding bikes (--much easier to fly with!). Here we’re near Ciudad Rodrigo, five miles east of the Portuguese border, after cycling through la Sierra de Gredos. (2008)
