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Basically I am willing to try just about any outdoor activity, but sadly, there's never enough time to keep up with all of them all of the time (or I can't convince my wife and kids to join in.... ). Here are some things that I have been enjoying in the last few years:

Biking

I used to mountain bike a lot in California but now it's just commuting to work and the occasional ride through the western suburbs. It made a big difference to get myself a speedy road bike (Giant TCR2 via eBay - really!) I like to follow the grand Tours in Europe and check on the success of the US Postal Team. In 1999 and 2000 I was lucky enough to be in France in July to see Lance Armstrong's success in person - Number 6! Wow! ....Dang, those roadies ride fast....

You get pretty good coverage on the internet from VeloNews or CyclingNews

Soccer

I am a big soccer nut (ask my wife!) and still enjoy a game on the weekends. I am currently playing on the Natick FC o-30s team (D1) in the Over-the-Hill Soccer league (appropriate in my case!). I've even managed to get my daughter Kira and son Erik playing youth soccer. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten my wife back out onto the field. In between games, I also enjoy following the fortunes of various teams:

	Tottenham Hotspur (English Premiership) - This is one of those futile passions that ends up with "Wait 'til next year". I don't think they'll ever get their act together but yet I follow them each year....
	New England Revolution (MLS) - At least they are winning some titles now - US Open Cup and SuperLiga. Hopefully their window of opportunity for MLS Cup has not closed....
	US National Teams - Trying to earn some respect again after the poor showing in the Men's 2006 WC - At least the women are back on top...

Canoeing

I used to be a backpacker when I was growing up near the Smoky Mtns, but since I married into a canoeing family, I've spent more time on the water than on the trails. Highlight trips include a two-week family adventure in Quetico Provincial Park (Ontario, Canada) and a week doing the 100-mile Wilderness Waterway in the Everglades with my father-in-law. Our most recent trip was on the Allagash River in Maine in August 2008.

Paddling down the Allagash
On the lakes of Quetico
	Some of the sights from our Everglades trip. These photos are by my father-in-law, Richard Baker (except his picture)
	Algonquin Provincial Park

Last update: Sept 2008