Meet Joe the Real Deal
I’ve spent decades exploring trails, testing gear, and guiding friends. As a master naturalist, I appreciate exploring the natural world. As a (former) marathon runner, I appreciate athletic challenges on the trail. As an engineer, I appreciate cool product designs, but I only recommend what I trust. I started blogging while at Good Wolf Gear, and I hope this site will continue the spirit of that adventurous community.
My motto is “Go. Be smart. Have fun.”
So… what makes me the Real Deal? I always say that adventure is in the eye of the beholder adventurer, whether your adventure is hiking the Chisos Mountains to see a Colima Warbler, swimming around Manhattan Island, bikepacking on an e-bike, a weekend of car camping, or a drive along Skyline Drive. But my personal adventures include over a dozen marathons – which have evolved to shorter trail runs, almost as many 5k open water swims, section hiking the Appalachian Trail in 3 1/2 years, hiking across France on the GR65 Chemin de Saint Jacques (aka Camino de Santiago), Canada’s infamous West Coast Trail, and more. And just in case the picture of me summiting Katahdin is too subtle, I am a Texan, and that is as real as it gets.
Check my YouTube channel for additional content.
Joe the Real Deal 