Sorry to all my MW friends for the long absence from this board.It has been a dynamic 2 years. Although I have had some serious health issues I am happy to report that my health is the best it has been in many years. I have had my first grandchild born July 22 ,2013 and Addison Grace Haag is the joy of my life.I was watching the Badwater Ultra marathon on TV and was so inspired by this crazy 135 mile race from the lowest point of Death Valley to the Whitney Portal. The amazing views of the Mount Whitney, the place of my deepest inspiration, and greatest physical accomplishment that I just had to reach out and say Hi.I have just really restricted my computer and social media usage the past few years. I found out that being on the computer so much was an addiction that interfered with real life. MW and this board have been such an important part of my life for many years. The friends I have met here are some of my treasured relationships. My knee surgery in May this year have really hindered my attempts to hike and run the stairs. I really want to get back in hiking shape and make a Mount Whitney summit this year. Many of you know that my first attempt of MW in 2007 was a metaphor for surviving cancer. I had a tremendous initial outcome of my prostate cancer surgery 1 month after summiting Mount Whitney in 2007, for 4 years. Since late 2010 I have been fighting recurrences of that cancer. I am so glad to report that I have found a cure. I will become a regular contributor to my favorite message board.I am proud to be one of the charter first members of this outstanding site. Talk to you all soon.
