Connard Hogan

Did you know that there are more camels in Australia than in Egypt? So many that Australia exports camels to Saudi Arabia. You might ask, how did camles get to Australia? Before the arrival of motorized vehicles, camels were used to haul cargo across Australia’s outback. When motorized vehicles replaced them, some camels were set free to roam. Since then, they've multiplied in the desert like rabbits, I take it.

And in my quest to resolve my previous, and recurrent, foot-blister problem, I planned to lubricate my feet—I’d purchased and brought several types to use—wear only one pair of well-fitted socks, and lace my boots tightly at the ankles. Fingers crossed!

Though slow, I slogged on towards Fobes Ranch Trail Junction, at mile-marker 166.5 and 12.9 miles south of Saddle Junction. We had expectations to reach my car before the heaviest portion of Hurricane Hillary would reach us. It came down to a matter of time. Could we out run … er, out hike Hillary?

My second published memoir, you ask? Yes, and since memories are only "a slice of life,"an author can have more than one!

... Ever wonder where the term breakfast originated? Try this. Break fast, as in breaking a fast, which Muslims do every day during Ramadan when they eat their first meal of the day after sunset! ... Ever wonder where the term, Holy cow, came from? The ancient Egyptians considered cows sacred, or at least some of them did.

My story follows my wallow in the deep history of Hadrian's Wall, and including the more recent developments along it, as well as the beauty of English countryside.

Mescal and Tequila 1. It' s believed that mescal evolved from an fermented Aztec drink. 2. All tequila is mescal, but not all mescal is tequila. 3. Mescal can be made from any type of agave, 4. while, tequila can only be made with blue agave and, 5. under strict guidelines. 6. Tequila’s color and flavor is affected by its aging in oak barrels or vats, 7. which have often been used in prior fermentation of other spirits, such as whiskey, cognac and wine. ...

We wanted to backtrack on the PCT and hike a section skipped earlier this year due to snow conditions. Though I’m not a purist, by any means, I’d told Mark I preferred to hike every mile of the PCT, within reason, to which he concurred, as we have the opportunity. Consider it a personal challenge, and paint me stubborn and a glutton for punishment. Most through-hikers, taking one shot at hiking the entire trail, choose one direction and “go for it.”

Tourists swarmed the streets and popular sites of Venice like ants at a picnic. As a result of the multitude of visitors, Venice is implementing a tourist surcharge starting January, 2023.

... we discussed my process writing this memoir, which is about my navigation of dysfunctional family abuse and how I found healing during my childhood visits to my maternal grandparents’ farm in rural Kentucky.