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Welcome to PapaSmurf’s Adventures.

One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree. Which road do I take? she asked. Where do you want to go? was his response. I don't know, Alice answered. Then, said the cat, it doesn't matter.
Lewis Carroll (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, 1865)

My name is John Klebes.  On this blog I will share my trail journals from my quest to complete the triple-crown and other thru-hikes and adventures. Each of us at some point in our lives comes to turning point, a crossroads, where we must choose between the routine and the unknown. In 2001 after hearing from several friends (one passed away at a young age, another saved all his life for retirement and found his health failing, with another his spouse's health limiting his lifelong retirement plans); all disappointed with what they had accomplished and not accomplished in life when they had the chance.

The message was clear, start working on that Bucket List NOW and don’t put off what you really want in life because it, too easily, can be too late. I made myself a commitment to pick one new adventure that was on my life list to do each year. It didn’t need to be expensive, long, or difficult. Just get out and do one, at least, each year. That year I set the goal of hiking to the top of Mt Raineer in 2002. Each year since I have added another adventure: sometimes a visit to another country, scuba diving, skiing, etc. But mostly I find I have a love of hiking.

As we travel down life's path we come to choices that shape our destiny. I am choosing the path less traveled and enjoying every minute of it. Come join me.