October 1, 2021
Costa Mesa, Ca.
Greetings Family & Friends:
I hope you had a great Summer and your Fall has started with great promise for the future.
My last post was in May of this year. The time seems right for an update.
My last big adventure was a through-paddle of the Mississippi River in late 2019 from its source in Lake Itasca, Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. I had great plans for 2020. Then, Covid-19 struck and those plans were dashed. As conditions improved, I scheduled two trips in 2021: a through-paddle of the Missouri River in the Spring of 2021 and a pilgrimage walk on the Camino de Santiago in the Fall of 2021. Those plans were also interrupted when Sharon encountered some health issues requiring surgery in June of 2021. She faces another surgery in the late Fall of this year. Your prayers will be appreciated.
Here is a list of adventures I am considering, not necessarily in order of time or priority:
Retrace the Lewis & Clark expedition in reverse by solo canoeing the Missouri River from its source in Three Forks, Montana to its convergence with the Mississippi River near St. Louis. The distance is 2,321 miles. Once I reach the Big Muddy, I’ll ride on her back (for the second time) to the Gulf of Mexico.
Walk the Camino de Santiago on the Camino Frances route https://caminoways.com/camino-de-santiago. The Camino Frances starts in France and proceeds across northern Spain to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, which is said to contain the remains of the Apostle Saint James the Great. I will then walk from Santiago to the Atlantic Coast, first to Finisterre and then Muxia. The total distance of this pilgrimage is over 600 miles.
Ride the rugged TransAmerica Trail, cross country, on an off-road motorcycle.https://www.transamtrail.com
Take Ollie on a road trip in a motorhome to visit national parks in the Western United States and visit special needs families along the way. Film the trip and produce a documentary to bring awareness of the challenges faced by special needs children and their families.
Participate in the Great Pacific Ocean Rowing Race from San Francisco to Hawaii-2,400 nautical miles. https://greatpacificrace.com
Serve as a deckhand on a Mississippi River tow boat.
Join the Highpointers Club by climbing the highest mountain in every state. https://highpointers.org. I have already summitted the most difficult peaks on the list: Denali in Alaska, Mt. Rainier in Washington, Mt. Whitney in California (19 times) and Gannett Peak in Wyoming.
Climb Mt. Everest after my 80th birthday (I turn 80 in March of 2022).
Jen Murphy writes two wonderful columns for the Wall Street Journal. They are titled “What’s Your Workout?” and “Anatomy of a Workout.” Here is her What’s Your Workout? column (featuring yours truly) published on September 28, 2021. I am especially pleased that Ollie’s photo made it into the Wall Street Journal.
God is good.
Bill
I Miss You All. Prayers for Mrs Burke’s Health🙏🏾 Looking Good Ollie!!!! Stay Safe Mr Burke❤️
You are many people’s hero..mine especially. I share your stories to others you may never meet but know we all need inspiration and you are full of it. Thank you for being YOU
Nice post, Bill.
Enjoyed hiking up Mt. San Antonio, aka Mt. Baldy (10,064ft), with you this week.
https://tinyurl.com/yk58mxp6
Keep up the positive spirit of adventure!
k;-)
Bill
Great that you’re still planning adventures down the line.
It keeps us young. Prayers for Sharon and her complete
recovery.
Steve
You’re a rock star! I read my son, Peter Dana, your post… he asked me “when was the last time he had a beer and relaxed on the couch?’
All of the adventures sound absolutely amazing! Can’t wait to hear all about them!!
Prayers , blessings and love to you and Mrs. Burke
The whole idea here is not too admire Bill it’s to be like Bill. You can do the exact same thing and push the limits of your perceived limitations. The key is compassion and focusing on others rather than your – self then you also can have the “Ollie” power. There are Ollie’s all over the world that need support and admiration for the challenges they overcome every day which far exceeds what a pro athlete achieves by light years. Thank you for the inspiration and enlightening the mainstream folks about what is possible Bill Burke.
Good to hear from you! The motor home trip to the national parks and documentary is such a great idea! Prayers going up for Sharon.
Wonderful&ThankUuBill&Sharon💕great”to Share with Bill&his adVvs>my BesT Surprise”this Summer*Was*Your PhoneCall🤳to hear Yur Voice&good Report on Yur 💓Surgery!! My Run&Bofkex WorkOut eachday is keeping my mind &SpiRiTs Up”&Teach children in PreSchool””is my lifeTime”)
Therapy””
Hi Bill,
Can you tell me what make kayak/canoe was used on the Mississippi River trip? Also, can you let me know more about the logistics of the trip. How far did you go per day and where did you stay at night. You achievements are inspirational, and I’d like to follow in your path.
Prayers for Sharon – may God give you both of you strength, comfort, and peace.
You forgot Chili John’s in your food group.
Greetings Bill, love reading about the new adventures that you are engaging– really intrigued about the deck hand on a Mississippi River tow boat (a different kind of adventure). You will love the people connections on the Camino– a highlight. Blessings
Daer Bill,
Warm greeting from Nepal.
May all your dreams turn into reality and all your efforts into great achievements.
C’om on Bill. You can do better than that. Up the ante! LOL
What a guy.
Good Luck in all future endeavors.
Prayers sent for Sharon..
Lloyd
Inspiring !
Good to see you & Ollie.
And, Prayers for Sharon………….
You have to do Everest and I presume you’d become the oldest in the world to climb it??
Huge thoughts and prayers to Sharon. She can overcome.
Yes.
Hello Bill from Harold Graham. I am confused if you are the son of the Bill who was the business partner of My childhood friend Gene Ashwill. I was privileged to be many times invited to attend a invited to Cabo for Gene and Bills company anniversary celebration. But I did not recall Bill was that much older than my now 87 years to have his names key son now 80 years old!
Your “to-do” list is amazing, and I truly appreciate that we are all able to virtually travel along with you~~ thank you for sharing for all these years! I look forward to your upcoming adventures.
Please add my prayers and healing thoughts for
Sharon ~~
MJ
Bill,
Praying for Sharon. The only event I would add to this list is a ride with the Blue Angels!
Hi Bill, I will keep Sharon in my prayers <3 Wonderful to see Ollie! Thank you for posting and excited to hear about your next adventures…What a wonderful world…
Maria