March 20, 2013
by David Ryan
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Bataan Memorial Death March

The jungles of the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippine Islands are a long way from the U.S. Army’s White Sands Missile Range in the northern reaches of the Chihuahuan Desert in southern New Mexico.  Yet there is a strong connection between the two.

Just prior to World War II units from the New Mexico National Guard were deployed to the Philippines.  After Pearl Harbor they were in the middle of the battles fought in the Philippines and were eventually part of the infamous Bataan Death March.

To honor their sacrifice and the sacrifice of all those who have suffered in war, the U.S. Army base at White Sand Missile Range has hosted the Bataan Memorial Death March for the past 24 years. The road leading to the base (U.S. 70) is now called the Bataan Death March Highway.

The Bataan Memorial Death March is a full 26.2 mile marathon. Most of the participants march or walk the route rather than run it. I had the privilege of marching in it this past weekend.

This year’s march had over 5600 participants. Most were in uniform and were from all branches of the service. Some were even from foreign countries. For those not in the military it is a tremendous opportunity to intermingle with those who serve. You will find that our military is composed of a select group of very friendly and amazing young men and women.

If you would like to include the Bataan Memorial Death March among your walking experiences, you can learn more at http://www.bataanmarch.com/.  In the meantime if you would like to see what the march is like, here are some pictures and impressions from this year’s march. Continue Reading →

March 9, 2013
by David Ryan
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Climbing the Stairs of Mount Taishan

Mount Taishan in Shandong Province is one of China’s five sacred Taoist peaks. My wife Claudia and I had the opportunity to climb Taishan in November 1996.

The gateway to Taishan, the town of Tai’an, is a nine-hour train ride from Beijing. When we visited it was well off the normal tourist track. We did not see another Westerner on the train ride to Tai’an, in the town, on Mount Taishan, or on the train ride out of town. It was great.

The route to the top of Taishan begins right in the town of Tai’an. By the time you get back to town you will have walked well over ten miles and climbed over 4000 feet.

A typical street scene in Tai’an, or for that matter any Chinese town, in 1996.

Continue Reading →

February 19, 2013
by David Ryan
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Wandering in a Quiet Place

A couple of days ago the dogs and I went wandering in a very quiet area of the New Mexico backcountry. When we pulled off the dirt road and got out of the car, the air was still; the sky was clear; there wasn’t even a contrail. It was absolutely silent.

I was starting to think that maybe I had found a place where there is no noise. But before I could strut too much, hubris brought me back to earth as an airplane flew high overhead. Except for the faint sounds of an occasional airplane, the only sounds we heard on our walk were our steps and our breathing.

A walk in a silent place is an amazing experience. You’ll find yourself actually listening to the silence. It will even heighten your awareness of everything else that is around. You’ll soon be able to hear the flapping wings of a bird flying overhead. Continue Reading →