Author Archives: mlgray

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About mlgray

Heading out on adventures, building community, eating delicious cuisines, supporting the local food movement and enjoying walks in the wild . . . grateful to be wandering in the world with you.

Summiting Seven Peaks of the San Jacinto Mountains

Posted on August 26, 2012 by mlgray

Different Modes of Exploration #12: Cross-country Hiking Photos Courtesy of Daniel Gray, © All Rights Reserved The guidebook warned of timber rattlesnakes lingering throughout the cienega (a hanging marsh high in the mountains). So as we step off the trail … Continue reading →

Posted in At Home in California, Different Modes of Exploration, Running, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Traveling with Others

Posted on August 20, 2012 by mlgray

On several occasions, I’ve heard the phrase “it’s not where we travel to but who we travel with that matters.” After a summer of visiting friends and family throughout the country, this saying has never rung so true. And I … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Conversations on Travel, Travel | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Departures

Posted on August 12, 2012 by mlgray

Though I fortunately have a back log of stories to post, this week’s focus is short and simple. We usually write about the great adventures of travel, the unforeseen challenges, the humorous difficulties, the chance encounters, the romanticized nostalgias.  But … Continue reading →

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Market Madness: When a Chicken Grabs You by the Shirt in Oaxaca

Posted on August 5, 2012 by mlgray

Something from the Vault: Volume #5 While living in Oaxaca for four months during the spring of 2008, I focused a good bit of my free time on travel writing.  Reading over the essays from my stay in Oaxaca revealed … Continue reading →

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Born to Run?

Posted on July 29, 2012 by mlgray

Different Modes of Exploration #11: Trail Running I wake up with the question, “am I born to run?” turning in my mind.  Christopher McDougall’s book doesn’t pose the phrase as a question but as a statement.  At the 5 am … Continue reading →

Posted in At Home in California, Different Modes of Exploration, Running, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Inspired Travel

Posted on July 22, 2012 by mlgray

Regardless of our attempts to act congenially, patient, happy, kind – you name the generous adjective – we are finicky, contentious, and easily frustrated creatures. And nothing highlights our irritability more than travel. Travel jerks us from our daily routines, … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Conversations on Travel, On the Road in America, Travel | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Road Music

Posted on July 16, 2012 by mlgray

Inspired by last week’s post about educator and dulcimer musician, Steve Hudson, I’ve been thinking a lot about music and the soundtracks we compile for road trips in the U.S. and adventures over seas. After The Doors self-titled album kept … Continue reading →

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Ode to the Teacher and Dulcimer Musician

Posted on July 8, 2012 by mlgray

Whenever I drive out onto the open highway, the inevitable question, “what is the road?” enters my mind. And every trip offers additional answers to the inquiry, prompting the question again and again. Most recently, while driving from my family’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Conversations on Travel, On the Road in America, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

A Glass Filled With Travel

Posted on July 1, 2012 by mlgray

Different Modes of Exploration #10: Wine My nose leans in towards the last sip of a Central California Pinot Noir, a grape varietal (one of my absolute favorites) described as “silky, complex, subtle and beautiful,” by the experienced wine enthusiast … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer & Wine, Community, Different Modes of Exploration | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Peruvian Heights: Walking in a Photograph

Posted on June 24, 2012 by mlgray

Something from the Vault: Volume #4 Dawn draws a glowing fog over the ruins of Manchu Pichu.  Alpaca wander the courtyards, chewing their grassy breakfast and paying little attention to the boisterous group of tourists racing across their grazing territory. … Continue reading →

Posted in Something from the Vault, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments