My Yosemite Ambassador Story By John P. DeGrazio 2016 marks the Centennial Anniversary of the National Park Service. When I first learned of the Yosemite Ambassador program to celebrate this anniversary, I was highly impressed with the group of athletes, musicians, and local personalities who … [Read more...]
#20 Finding Solitude in Wilderness
A Solo Half Dome Adventure By John P. DeGrazio Do we choose our adventures or do our adventures choose us?I moved to California two years after my first visit to Yosemite. On that trip, our group hiked to the top of Half Dome and were left craving more adventure, but not necessarily more … [Read more...]
#24 It’s Not How You Start
It's How You Finish By John P. DeGrazio I was up at the plate with a runner on second base and one out. I hit the ball pretty well but lined out to the right center fielder for the second out. Our cleanup hitter followed with a fly out to right. It was the first time all tournament we failed … [Read more...]
#50 Always Celebrate Achievements
Enjoy Every Milestone By John P. DeGrazio I was leading a group of explorers who were all close friends when one of the hikers looked at the others and said "Well, we all made it here, what's our next trip?" This seemed a bit odd since they were beginning the first day of a three day … [Read more...]
#48 The It Factor
This is What "It" is all About By John P. DeGrazio The "It" factor is a concept that there are certain intangible characteristics individuals possess that set them aside from other peers. It's a widely used phrase in our daily lexicon whose meaning is often implied, yet it is never fully … [Read more...]