New Book Release

My most recent project was to lead the Castle Rock Writers’ Group in writing a new book, "Douglas County, Colorado: A Photographic Journey." The group has been on the road visiting Douglas County residents in their homes, scanning photographs from family albums and listening to stories passed down from one generation to the next to gather material for the book. The book was produced with assistance from the Douglas County Libraries Foundation and Douglas County Libraries. The groundbreaking new book is a pictorial history filled with hundreds of photographs (some in print for the first time) was released April 22, 2005.

Financed by the Douglas County Libraries Foundation and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, the book features vintage Douglas County photographs, journals and documents dating from 1861 through the end of World War II. The scanned photographs are divided into chapters based on the cities and towns of Douglas County, including Castle Rock, Deckers, Franktown, Greenland, Highlands Ranch, Larkspur, Louviers, Parker, Roxborough and Sedalia. The writers donated their time and talents to the project and proceeds will go back to the Foundation for future community projects.

The book is available at Douglas County Libaries and Denver area book stores.

Purleigh, Essex, England

Purleigh is a small hamlet in the heart of Essex, located between the rivers Crouch and Blackwater. Purleigh has strong ties to the United States. The Reverend Lawrence Washington, who was forced to resign as rector of the church here because of his royalist sympathies, is the great, great grandfather of the first U.S. President, George Washington. The exquisite little parish church where Lawrence Washington served sits quietly at the top of a hill to this day.



Purleigh is a sleepy village clustered around All Saints’ church that dates from the 13th century. Lawrence Washington, was the minister of this small church from 1633 until 1643. The Parliamentarians, who wanted to oust him from his parish, knew him as the “malignant royalist.” By all accounts, Washington was a good minister, but he was also known to enjoy a drink or two at the local inn. His daily “tippling” was noticed by the Parliamentarians who accused him of “… encouraging others in the same beastly vice.” The Parliamentarians succeeded in removing Washington from his beloved church, never to return. He died penniless in a neighboring village. Soon after his death, two of his sons John and Lawrence Washington left England to seek a fresh start in the New World.

First Post

I decided to start a blog so I could share not only my travel experiences, but also some of the interesting things I've learned along the way.

I've written four books about travel and travel/history related subjects and I've written about origins of words, phrases, customs, and superstitions -- all of which I intend to discuss in my blog. I'll also post information about travel destinations, issues, and maybe even some good deals!