Creative input from author:

TonyDasilva

I’ve thought about how to start this for some time and what it came down to was simply putting my fingers to the keyboard and just seeing what poured out.

I’ve been with Trailblazer for a few years now and have seen people come, go, mature, as well as witness goals come to fruition. Along the way I’ve been managing the blog and social media channels, plus helping to bring some fun events to life within our stores.

Though I grew up in Connecticut my whole life, I had a career in my 20′s as a skateboarder. This allowed me to travel the world and even take up residence in California for about two years.

In that time frame I chose to go back to school after a lengthy ankle injury. This brought me back to Connecticut to get my journalism degree and transitioned me into my role at Trailblazer. I knew I would end up back in California one day, so instead of waiting for that day to come to me, which it might have never done, I sought it out and am now making that transition.

So, yes, I’m now a Los Angeles resident, again.

The decision I made to move my life to California was a tough one. Leaving my family and close friends was not an easy choice, but I think sometimes the hardest decisions to make in life are the ones I’ve always looked back on to appreciate the most.

So, yes, I’m in California, it’s sunny, I’m happy, and am handing over the keys to our newest member of the team this week, Amy Parulis. She comes to Trailblazer with a great background in the outdoors and I’m looking forward to seeing the direction she takes at the healm.

So, please look for my guest posts in the near future, welcome Amy, and I’ll talk to you soon!

Signing off… Tony DaSilva

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The Greenest Green Schools Around the World

by TonyDasilva March 12, 2013 Camp
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I’m a big fan of people and organizations that back up their talk with actions and create tangible movements, with not only their words, but actual know how. Here is an example of what I mean. – Tony Sustainability is on the rise worldwide, and schools are no exception. Curriculums in the U.S. and abroad are [...]

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Connecticut to California: Part 6 – Zion National Park, Utah

by TonyDasilva March 11, 2013 Hike

So, this is it… My final stop on this cross-country traveling extravaganza. Last time I checked in with you I took an awesome, but scary mountain bike ride in Page, AZ. That was an afternoon stop on our way to Zion National Park, in Utah. I’d heard about Zion for years, but never thought I [...]

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Connecticut to California: Part 5 – Page, AZ Mountain Biking

by TonyDasilva March 8, 2013 Hike
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If you’ve been following my cross-country road trip thus far, then you know the last stop I made I reached out to you from The Painted Desert and Petrified Forest. From that point on, we met a random knowledgable bartender in Sante Fe that suggested Page, AZ. He showed us some pics of some of [...]

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Connecticut to California: Part 4 – The Painted Desert and Petrified Forest

by TonyDasilva March 6, 2013 Hike

If you caught my last post about my cross-country trip, then you know the awesome Carlsbad Caverns experience I came into by chance, in New Mexico. Let me tell you, there’s still some great things to come from this second leg of my trip. The next location for awesomeness took place at The Painted Desert and [...]

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Connecticut to California: Part 3 – Carlsbad Caverns

by TonyDasilva March 5, 2013 Hike

On my last update from this cross-counry trip of mine, I said I was going to tell you al about Tennessee. Well, I lied. It’s not that I don’t want to talk about it, it’s just that I have a few destinations that I’m much more excited about to show you this week. So, after [...]

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Man survives 300 days with knife and a pig

by TonyDasilva March 4, 2013 Camp
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But unlike Robinson Crusoe, the young Swiss adventurer made a choice to isolate himself totally, surviving on food and shelter got by his own hand to challenge the modern way of life. “It was hard, yes, very hard,” Mr Rosset said, freshly arrived back in Europe after ending his 10-month stint in Tonga. His island [...]

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Connecticut to California: Part 2 – ASHEVILLE, NC!

by TonyDasilva February 28, 2013 Staff

Okay, we’re back. If you missed my first post from the first leg of the CT to LA cross-country road trip, check that out first in order to bring you up to speed. BOOM -> Connecticut to California: Part 1 – DRIVE! So, we left off somewhere in between me almost burning down the Mountaineer [...]

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CAN DOGS GET ‘RUNNER’S HIGH’?

by TonyDasilva February 27, 2013 Run

You know how good you feel after a run? Can my dog get that, too? Answer: “Runner’s high” is often described as a state of euphoria, peace, or serenity experienced after a bout of endurance exercise. Researchers believe it’s related to an exercise-induced release of neurotransmitters including endorphins and endocannabinoids, chemicals in the brain thought [...]

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Connecticut to California: Part 1 – DRIVE!

by TonyDasilva February 26, 2013 Hike

It’s been about a week since my first post introducing my current trip and filling in some blanks on my new direction in life, as well as the trip I’m taking to get to it. Yup, I’m currently in middle America, specifically in Jefferson, Texas, putting together a little something from my first leg so [...]

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How to Prevent Common Running Injuries

by TonyDasilva February 25, 2013 Run
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Cheers to Ralph from MYRun.com for this informative and engaging article. – Tony Running is no different from other sports. There can be injuries from over-training, poor technique, or poor equipment. Any injury can compromise your program, that’s why you want to avoid injuries in the first place. The key to avoiding injury is to [...]

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The Top Ten Backpacking Meals

by TonyDasilva February 22, 2013 Camp
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Making your own meals can be an easy, cost effective way to enjoy the outdoors, your favorite foods, and learn new skills. The main challenge that overwhelms some backpackers is balancing weight, easy preparation, nutrition, and perish-ability with great taste. Discover 10 favorite backpacking recipes. 1. Oatmeal and Blueberries for Breakfast Why I like it: [...]

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Bishop California: A True Bouldering Paradise

by TonyDasilva February 21, 2013 Climb

By: Charlie Kelly This winter, just when the slushy wet of the East Coast became too much to handle, my friend Emily called to invite me to Bishop, CA. It’s the true American bouldering paradise. I obviously went. Here are our exploits, most related to (and a few distinctly separate from) the wonderful sport of [...]

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CT Hike Spotlight: Bear Mountain

by TonyDasilva February 20, 2013 Hike
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Bear Mountain is the tallest “mountain” entirely within the state of Connecticut, located in Mt. Riga State Park. However, the tallest point in Connecticut is actually on the shoulder of Mt. Frissell. It is a fairly popular hike in Connecticut, and gives easy access to the Appalachian Trail. While not a strenuous climb by any [...]

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The Jellyfish Lake in the Miocene Reef

by TonyDasilva February 19, 2013 Travel
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Jellyfish Lake is connected to the ocean through fissures and tunnels in the limestone of ancient Miocene reef. However, the lake is sufficiently isolated and the conditions are different enough that the diversity of species in the lake is greatly reduced from the nearby lagoon. The golden jellyfish, Mastigias cf. papua etpisoni, and possibly other [...]

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My Cross Country Trip Starts This Week! Join Me!

by TonyDasilva February 18, 2013 Hike

Follow the trip and everything Trailblazer on our Facebook page! This week marks the beginning of my cross country drive, starting in this lovely state I grew up in, Connecticut, and ending up in, Los Angeles, California. It’s exciting, scary, sad, and joyous all at the same time. For those of you who’ve moved away [...]

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High-Heel Hiking Boots: Friend or Foe? (UPDATE)

by TonyDasilva February 15, 2013 Hike
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If you want to see the term “hiking” used loosely, take a peek at a trend that has taken the high-fashion world by storm. It all began last fall when Tory Burch launched a line of stilt-like footwear that mimicked a rugged outdoor feel. However, these shoes are a far cry from the boots built to [...]

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