BACKTRACKING 2025 -- TURNING THE PAGE

 2025 was a year for making tough decisions and ultimately deciding to turn the page to something new.  For personal reasons I made the tough and decisive decision to quit mountain biking… something that has defined who I am for the past 30 years.  In the process, I sold three of my bikes and purchased a new Specialized Diverge and bike rack for my truck, committing to riding as many rail trails and gravel roads as possible.  I feel good about this knowing that I can still bike and explore new parts of the country… just in a different way.  I’ve discovered that rail trails are kind of like riding Amtrak allowing me to see different towns from a new perspective.  What follows are my favorite hikes and bike rides of 2025 (in no particular order).  I appreciate my friends who’ve supported me, accepted my new limitations,  and agreed to accommodate me on these rides.  I hope to see you out on the trails in 2026!

Matt took this picture of me while we were mountain biking in Mount Carmel, PA in 2022.  I was walking away from my mountain bike to get something on the trail.  Little did I know, that within a span of 2 years, I would have to walk away from my mountain bike forever.  

HIKING FIRE RAVAGED MICHAUX WITH MIKE & VICTOR

MAY 18, 2025

Michaux State forest was set ablaze in April and the fire ravaged for nearly two weeks.  One of the fires consumed the Hammond Rocks area of the forest… an area that I am extremely familiar with.  In May, Mike, Victor, and I drove over to hike the trails that were, just weeks prior, on fire.  What we found was a blackened landscape with signs of nature already beginning to reclaim the forest. 

Mike, Dave, and Victor hiking the fire ravaged Hammond's Rocks area of Michaux State Forets -- May 18, 2025

Michaux State Forest -- May 18, 2025

D&L TRAIL WITH MIA

JULY 28, 2025

I rode my bike on the Delaware & Lehigh Trail three times in 2025, but my favorite ride was with my daughter, Mia.  We parked 14 miles north of iconic Jim Thorpe, PA and pedaled down the mountain to town.  It was an all downhill ride, great company, and a lot of fun!

Biking the D&L Trail with my daughter, Mia.  This picture was taken just north of Jim Thorpe, PA -- July 28, 2025

MICHAUX STATE FOREST HIKE WITH DONOVAN

DECEMBER 30, 2025

With the air temperature hovering around 29 degrees and the winds gusting up to 30 miles an hour, this nearly 8 mile hike with my good friend Donovan was invigorating (to say the least).  It included sections of the AT, Dead Woman’s Hollow Road (and Trail), and Blueberry Trail.  This hike included a 750 foot climb in just half a mile… but the payoff at the top was worth it!

Dave Raymond and Donovan Wetzel at the summit on top of Blueberry Trail in a very windy and cold Michaux State Forest. -- December 30, 2025

PATAPSCO VALLEY STATE PARK HIKE

APRIL 5, 2025

Patapsco Valley State Park, near Baltimore, Maryland, can be breathtaking.  Its proximity to BWI Airport and Baltimore make the heavily forested park so unique.  Patapsco has a myriad of trails for hiking and mountain biking.  I decided to park in an area of the park that I don’t usually frequent and ultimately came across a trail that was completely turned into a miniature troll village!  Super cool!

Hiking Patapsco Valley State Park -- April 5, 2025

One entire section of the trail was converted into a half mile stretch of a troll city! -- April 5, 2025

UGLY SWEATER RIDE WITH MATT & TIM

DECEMBER 20, 2025

I look forward to the annual Ugly Sweater Ride each year!  When Matt, Tim, and I began this tradition it was a mountain bike ride.  Matt and Tim have accommodated me and we’ve now turned it into an annual ride on the Capital Area Green Belt in Harrisburg, PA.  This year, we rode the entire 20+ mile loop around Pennsylvania’s Capital city.

The 2025 Annual Ugly Sweater Ride.  This picture was taken on City Island across the river from Harrisburg, PA. -- December 20, 2025

On the steps of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building. -- December 20, 2025

Showing off our ugly sweaters! -- December 20, 2025

GETTYSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK WITH MATT & TIM

JULY 8, 2025

The absolutely best way to see the Gettysburg National Military Park is by bicycle.  In July, I took Matt and Tim on a nerdy 8th grade field trip through the Battlefield.  Our tour highlighted Culp’s Hill, the Eternal Peace Light Memorial, Little Round Top, Devil’s Den, Seminary Ridge, and Cemetery Ridge.

Matt, Tim, and Dave on Culp's Hill. -- July 8, 2025

Tim, Dave, & Matt near the Pennsylvania State Memorial on the Gettysburg battlefield. -- July 8, 2025

KING’S GAP HIKE WITH ROBIN

OCTOBER 4, 2025

King’s Gap is amazing.  It technically is part of Michaux State Forest… but this northern section of the forest is set aside as a nature preserve.  Because it is “foot traffic only” King’s Gap is a spectacular place to hike and see the best of Michaux.  Hiking it with Robin on my birthday weekend made this short 3 mile hike really special.

Hiking King's Gap with Robin. -- October 4, 2025

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS

JUNE 18, 2025

What can I possibly say about being in the Great Smoky Mountains?  It was awesome. It was scenic.  It was absolutely beautiful.  I’m so happy I had the opportunity to ride my bike there.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park. -- June 18, 2025

PHILADELPHIA RIDE WITH MATT

NOVEMBER 8, 2025

Matt and I started our ride in Conshohocken, PA and rode to the Liberty Bell and back via the Schuylkill River Trail.  I love this ride because it has a little bit of everything… paved bike trail, cinder trail, boardwalk, and city streets.  We saw everything we wanted to see except the Rocky Statue.  It just so happened that we arrived at the Philadelphia Museum of Art at the same time 30,000 people were finishing the 2025 Rocky Run.  

Dave & Matt in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA. -- November 8, 2025

The board walk section of the trail paralleling a canal headed into Philadelphia. -- November 8, 2025

Matt and Dave. -- November 8, 2025

Matt took this picture of me in the bike lanes headed towards City Hall in downtown Philadelphia. -- November 8, 2025

The steps fo the art museum were packed for spectators to see the finish line of the 2025 Rocky Run! -- November 8, 2025

NIXON NATURE CENTER

JUNE 6, 2025

In June, my niece, Jackie, and I took my grandkids to Nixon Nature Center in York County. Even though I was in flip-flops, I'm counting this as a hike... because the grandkids said that they were "on a hike with PapPap!" We walked around the turtle pond at least five times!

Nixon Nature Center with Jackie and the grandkids! -- June 6, 2025

Nixon Nature Center with Jackie and the grandkids! - June 6, 2025

MUSIC CITY BIKEWAY

JUNE 23, 24, & 25, 2025

I had three hot, humid, steamy June days in Nashville, Tennessee all to myself and I spent them exploring Nashville’s Music City Bikeway.  I 90 miles over the three days exploring the scenic Cumberland River, downtown Nashville, and even the grave of president James K. Polk.

Music City Bikeway. -- June 23, 2025

The air was hot and moist... and so was the robin along the Music City Bikeway! -- June 23, 2025

The grave of president James K. Polk. -- June 24, 2025

I stopped drinking years ago, but I love visiting AJ's Good Time Bar in Nashville! -- June 24, 2025

Fort Nashville. -- June 25, 2025

The Music City. -- June 25, 2025

SWATARA RAIL TRAIL

JULY 1, 2025

Swatara State Park is one of those hidden gems in central Pennsylvania. For years, Matt, Tim, & I have mountain biked here in 2015. As a matter of fact, this is where Tim and I met Matt for the very first time. Swatara also has an amazing rail trail that runs though the park. Matt, Tim, and I kicked off the month of July with a 20+ mile ride that paralleled Swatara Creek. Happy 10 year "friend-versay" Matt!

Swatara State Park. -- July 1, 2025

HUNTINGTON & BROAD TOP TRAIL

OCTOBER 25, 2025

A few years ago, my Dad and Mary Jane purchased ebikes and have been riding bike trails in their area.  They told me about their favorite… the H&BT Trail.  So naturally, I needed to check it out for myself.  Starting just north of Everett, PA, the tail parallels the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River headed north to Saxton, PA and through Warrior’s Path State Park.  Dad and Mary Jane were right…. This one is really nice.

Huntington & Broad Top Trail. -- October 25, 2025

TURKEY HILL HIKE WITH ROBIN

NOVEMBER 2, 2025

The Turkey Hill trail is located at the trailhead of the Enola Low Grade River Bike Trail in Manor Township.  Robin hiked the first half of the trail in November just as the foliage was at its peak.  I’ve biked the Enola Low Grade dozens of times (including 3 times in 2025) but this was my first time hiking this super cool trail that traversed the ridge above the Susquehanna River in Lancaster County.  Ultimately, we made our way to an overlook that had a spectacular view of the Susquehanna River and the Conejohela Flats.  

Turkey Hill Trail. -- November 2, 2025

C&O CANAL TRAIL

JULY 23, 2025

Any time I ride the C&O Canal Trail it will make my list!  I just love the area in Maryland along the Potomac River.  I love the scenery.  I love the history.  This half century ride started in Brunswick, Maryland headed south before turning back and reaching Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.  The day was also memorable because, with just 100 yards to go to get to my truck, I was stopped for an hour by a train blocking my path that was hitching and unhitching train cars!

C&O Canal Trail near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. -- July 23, 2025

Just yards from my truck, I was stopped on the asphalt for nearly an hour! -- July 23, 2025

ROCK CREEK PARK TO THE NATIONAL MALL

SEPTEMBER 28, 2025

I recently read a biography of Teddy Roosevelt by my favorite author, H.W. Brands.  President Roosevelt loved hiking in Rock Creek Park just outside of Washington, D.C. and so, being the nerd that I am, I had to check out the bike trail.  This 50 mile ride took me through incredibly scenic and hilly areas and then eventually to the National Mall where I visited the Lincoln Memorial, WWII Memorial, and Washington Monument.  So much fun!

The National Mall with the Lincoln Memorial in the background.  -- September 28, 2025

The National Mall with the Washington Monument in the background. -- September 28, 2025

SUSQUEHANNA WARRIOR TRAIL

JULY 29, 2025

The Susquehanna Warrior trail began south of Shickshinny, Pennsylvania and paralleled the Susquehanna River north.  It was my first time doing this ride through Northeastern Pennsylvania’s coal country… ultimately making it as far at Nanticoke, PA before heading back.

Susquehanna Warrior Trail. -- July 29, 2025

PA GRAND CANYON via PINE CREEK TRAIL

SEPTEMBER 13, 2025

I have always wanted to visit the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon and the opportunity for me to do so came just a few days after I purchased my new 2025 Specialized Diverge.  With my new bike (and new helmet) in tow I drove the 3 hours and 2 minutes north to Tioga County (near Ansonia, Pa just miles from the PA/NY border) and baptised my new bike with a 50 mile ride through an incredibly scenic landscape along Pine Creek. 

Pine Creek Trail at the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon!  My first ride on my new 2025 Specialized Diverge! -- September 13, 20205

David A. Raymond – December 31, 2025

April 4, 2025... the opening day of the Bobcat Creamery.  Sadly, after 10 year in the community, the Creamy closed it's doors for good in the Fall.  Time to turn the page.

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