I am now back in the United States. I first left North Carolina on June 13, 2025 and returned on June 7, 2026. In one year I have: · Seen a volcano eruption · Bungee jumped · Backpacked all 11 Great Walks, plus five other world-class multi-day hikes · Visited all 13 national parks in New Zealand And so much more!

Another year, another rounding up of literature. While during the first half of the year, my reading fell off, upon my arrival in New Zealand, it picked back up, and I found 5 books that stood apart.