I have been blogging for five years this month and enjoying it a lot! And boy have those five years gone by quickly! I was still working back in 2007. And I was playing Lord of the Rings Online, drinking vodka and getting fat!
Things certainly have changed a lot since then! Now I walk 8-10 miles every morning. And I don’t drink the Devil’s brew although a beer or two is definitely still in the pipeline. I’ve joined some meetup groups and spend much less time in Middle Earth with the hobbits and their friends. I’ve lost 50 pounds and am looking around for camping equipment that is superior in quality and price!
The old blog crashed last year while I was still drinking and playing in the Cpanel (something that you should NEVER do!) but somehow it made it through (just like the old blogger!) and it is plugging along!
It’s all part of the adventure of being retired, getting older and living in America where is there is technically better way of doing just about everything! Walking, for example, requires footwear that won’t mess up your toes, your ankles or other areas of your body. I discovered this after “running” in the half-marathon here in town last November. Only now, after seven months is the blackened toenail down below showing signs of leaving. One of the things I really admire about young people is their desire to find the best equipment for the job. And so their are companies that make great shoes and lots of information, online, about them.
Here’s some I bought today after venturing out to a local sports store.

I’ve been spending a lot of time trying to come up with some equally viable hiking gear and plan to go out into the wilds soon! But not without the right equipment! And this would definitely include something that would discourage a bear from eating the tender parts of the Virginia blogger whilst he moves along the wooded path.
What could that be? Maybe this?
My mind is going in so many directions it’s difficult to focus on blogging but I did want to post today in recognition of the 5 mile mark and let my fabulous and faithful moron readers (whoever you are? Try commenting once in awhile!!) why I’m not so regular as some might hope.
So I’m going to take the Nikon and the video camera out there to Tick City and post about that as soon as all the equipment lines up. It should be hilarious especially if something wild shows up.
There’s just so much to do. And I’m not sitting in front of the computer 12 hours a day anymore. But my goal is to take some good photos and video of stuff out there! In the mountains and rivers and streams of Virginia! I want to be John Muir’s little buddy!
It’s going to be fun. So stick around and let’s make the next five years more interesting than the previous five years. Let’s do it right! And let’s not get eaten by a bear! But if we do and someone posts it on Youtube… Enjoy!
The post Happy Birthday! / The Blog Is Five Years Old! appeared first on Virginia Photos.







































I am thrilled to read your blog entry and I am so happy to hear that you were successful in achieving the weight loss. I wish I had half the determination you seem to display. Your writing is encouraging and thank you for sharing. Congratulations also on the milestone with your blog. May there be many more years of happiness for you with all your endeavors.