Everest 2021

Everest 2021

Costa Mesa, California May 15, 2021 Dear Family & Friends: The 2021 Everest season is in full swing. Covid 19 dominated the early news because of the fresh outbreak of the deadly virus in India, Nepal and even Everest Base Camp. Most teams have elected to hunker...
Ode to a High School Sweetheart

Ode to a High School Sweetheart

Costa Mesa, Ca. May 4, 2021 Dear Family & Friends: Sharon Smestad Burke is the love of my life. We met at Burbank High School in 1960. I was a senior and she was a junior. We married in my first year of college. In June, we will celebrate our 60th wedding...
Detouring Down Memory Lane

Detouring Down Memory Lane

Costa Mesa, California April 15, 2021 Dear Family & Friends: Have you ever wondered how cases are argued in the United States Supreme Court?  I didn’t think so, but I’ll continue anyway with this off-topic post. The Supreme Court has been in the news recently and...
Finding Your Summit

Finding Your Summit

Costa Mesa, California March 26, 2021 Dear Family & Friends: Mark Pattison is a former NFL Player, philanthropist, successful entrepreneur and current executive at Sports Illustrated. He hosts a highly acclaimed podcast called “Finding Your Summit.”...
Mt. Everest, Circa 2021

Mt. Everest, Circa 2021

Costa Mesa, California March 15, 2021 Dear Family & Friends: The Everest climbing season is about to begin. The season opens in early April and ends with the arrival of the Monsoons in early June. For those of you who follow the teams, or are just interested in...
The Jerry Schemmel Show

The Jerry Schemmel Show

Costa Mesa, Ca. January 15, 2021 Dear Family & Friends: Jerry Schemmel is a sportscaster who hosts a very popular radio show in Denver, Colorado called “Amazing Americans.” Jerry was formerly the play-by-play voice of Major League Baseball’s...
My Annual New Year’s Message

My Annual New Year’s Message

Costa Mesa, Ca. January 1, 2021 Dear Family & Friends: As we gratefully wave goodby to 2020 and welcome 2021, my Annual New Year’s message has special significance. Bill Burke _______________ During the darkest days of World War II, King George VI came to...
My New Website

My New Website

Costa Mesa, California December 19, 2020 Dear Family & Friends: I have completely revised and updated my website. https://eightsummits.com Please take some time and browse the new content and layout, starting with the new Home page. I hope you like it....
Pacifica Presentation

Pacifica Presentation

Costa Mesa, California November 10, 2020 Dear Family & Friends: My Everest presentations usually take 60 to 90 minutes. I was asked by a Christian high school attended by my grandchildren to deliver a presentation no longer than 10 minutes. I have never done this...
Change of Plans

Change of Plans

Costa Mesa, Ca. October 1, 2020 Dear Family & Friends: Covid-19 has changed everything. I have cancelled my plan to walk the Camino de Santiago next month. The United States and Spain have been hit hard by the virus, and Spain is not allowing flights into the...