By Mark
Best of 2011
I’ve started trying to pick through my favorite photographs on a monthly basis. This is an attempt to cull through those monthly favorites for a best of 2011. You can watch a slideshow here. Click through each photo for more information about when and where. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. … Continue reading
2011 Griffith Family Christmas Letter
What a wonderful busy busy year its been for everyone. This news letter recaps the family happenings, mostly written by Mark in the 3rd person. January This year began with us celebrating the New Year in Utah with the Zollingers. After the long drive back to Issaquah we frantically began cleaning out the house and … Continue reading
The 1000 Missed
This year (2011) I missed hitting my 1000 mile goal.  Why?  Several reasons…. We moved to China.   I lived on the 29th floor of a high rise on on Cougar Mountain two minute walk to trails;  But we did live right across from Chao Yang Park which had kilometers of trails and I did run there … Continue reading
A Winter Visit to the Wall
When I lived in Issaquah (just outside Seattle) I could easily visit the mountains almost at anytime; a meeting free morning at work and a late arrival combined with an extra early Dawn Patrol would enable me to spend a few precious hours racing up and down the mountain trails of the Cascades. The Great … Continue reading
Best of November 2011
Another month living in China, another best of, this month being Movember it begins and ends with the mustache. Click through on any photo to comment or for more details. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.
A Chinese Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving was further experience in the surreal given the differences in timezone and holiday practices. In China, as you’d expect, Thanksgiving is just any other working day. So Thanksgiving can’t be celebrated on its usual Thursday, this shifts everything your used to experiencing. The concept of syncrhony : simultaneous occurrence is a modern notion that … Continue reading
A Birthday Hike
Every year I like to take the morning off and hike up to the summit of Mailbox Peak. This year in China that wouldn’t be possible so I opted to take the entire day and go for a solo backpacking trip and hike to the Great Wall. This is my story. There is something surreal … Continue reading
A Chinese Wedding
I had the opportunity to attend a co-workers wedding this past weekend. As the boss I was asked to be a special guest and to make a small speech of congratulations. I was honored to be invited and to be asked to participate; I was also excited to see a Chinese wedding. My observations should … Continue reading
Best of October 2011
October during China’s Golden Week we visited Vietnam. Click through on any photo to comment or for more details. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29.
JianKou – The Middle Path
I returned to Jiankou for my fifth visit in October with Miles and some workmates John Rodgers and John Darrow, who were visiting from Seattle. We stayed at the Zhao’s Hostel and arose in the dark. We took the main concrete path past the parking lot heading south to the Wall just to the east … Continue reading