Snowshoeing in Truckee
by John Cooper After four years of draught conditions, we’re finally seeing the return of significant snowfall in the mountains of Northern California. I’ll leave the specific details on the…
The Presidential Election, a Border Crossing, and Why You’re Not Moving to Canada
Journey-man’s Journey by John cooper There has been a lot of chatter following the recent Presidential election, and with the inauguration just weeks away, I’ve heard some celebrities stating that…
Cuba is Rich….in Culture
– by Kelly Hedgecock Kelly Hedgecock ,25, grew up in Walnut Creek, is the daughter of our own Diablo Gazette’s Bookends columnist Jill Hedgecock and works at a San Francisco…
A Modern Day Explorer – Concord to Canada
Journey-man’s Journal by John Cooper Too much work and not enough play I thought to myself as I sat at my desk. The window of opportunity was closing on any…
A Day on the Bay
by John cooper Not all adventures require substantial time off, expensive equipment, and logistics. In fact, some of the best adventures are right before us, here locally. At a recent…
Cabo San Lucas – “Dad,This is Going to Be the Best Family Vacation Ever”
Journey-Man’s Journal by John Cooper My family and I, consisting of my wife, teenage son and daughter plus two of their friends just returned from a week at Cabo San…
Call of the Wild (West Saloon)
Journey-man’s Journal Genoa, Nevada by John Cooper I heard the calling one early Sunday morning recently; the call for adventure. I phoned my good mate (that’s Australian for “friend”) who…
Hitchhiking from Clayton to Dartmouth! Are You Crazy?
By David King Having your children move out to go to college is nerve-wracking. As they begin their life’s journey, you just hope and pray for the best. Fortunately, few…
ARE RHINOS TOO VALUABLE TO SAVE?
By Jill Hedgecock Jill Hedgecock, the Diablo Gazette Bookends columnist, became passionate about the fate of rhinos during an African safari vacation last October. After learning that three of these…
To China with Mom
by John Cooper May, the month of Mother’s Day, and lest we forget the importance of our relationships with our Mothers, allow me to tell of an adventure trip that…
journey-man’s journal: Why Arizona
by John Cooper My wife recently sent me a quote written by Paul Coelho that I liked. It read, “I refuse to walk carefully through life only to arrive safely…
Journey-Man’s Journal: Wandering to Westport
It’s the dead of winter and El Nino is delivering much needed rain to the Bay Area, but rather than hunker down like Punxsutawney Phil, I’ve decided to take advantage…