Walk this Way - On the trail with Wayfarer Glen Sullivan

Photos by Ellen Barone

We caught up with Wayfarer, Glen Sullivan, recently returned from his 15th trip, to find out what keeps him coming back!

The Wayfarers: Can you tell me a bit about yourself, how and when you first heard about The WAyfarers and what was special about your first walk?

Glen Sullivan: In college, I'd done a semester abroad in England, and really wanted to go back, but didn't have the chance until I was in my mid-30's. Just as was planning my return, I saw an article in the Travel section of the L.A. Times that talked about The Wayfarers -- this was way back in 1985, The Wayfarers second season in business. The description sounded delightful, and I signed up. I found that The Wayfarers walks were a wonderful combination of nature, landscape, culture, and exercise. What I specifically remember is Founder Chris Hague telling us all week that on Friday we'd have an amazing hilltop view down onto Salisbury and the magnificent 800 ft. spire of Salisbury Cathedral. Of course, on Friday it was raining cats & dogs and you couldn't see 100 yards in front of yourself. They eventually rescued us from the exposed ridgeline and drove us into Salisbury in the van .

TW: What is your favorite Walk and why?

Glen: I hesitate to "rank" Walks -- I've done 15 and never had a bad one. But the Cornwall walk does stand out for its natural beauty. The coastal path is stunning, especially if you like seacoast scenes, and on my walk we had wonderful sunny days that really added to the views.

TW: What is the funniest thing that has ever happened on a Walk?

Glen: Well, there was the high-powered lawyer from Washington, walking right in front of me, who thought he could leap over a big puddle, but had his feet slide out in front of him and did a classic solid backdive into the big puddle. Caked in mud. Then there was Alan Pinkney crouched down, running through a field of mature crop, sticking his head up from time to time, so only his head was all you could see across a sea of green (and that's how the photo came out).

TW: How have the Walks enriched your understanding and appreciation of the places you've visited?


Glen: You get to see "up close and personal" a lot of the traditional aspects of life in other countries, especially countryside living. Like the Dartmoor/Exmoor walk I did this June, when we visited the workshop of two women who make traditional Devon mud bricks and build things with them -- and also use this craft to create modern artwork.
TW: Where do you want to Walk next and why?

Glen: I'm not sure. I thought I had conquered the world and could die happy the day in 2009 when I put my toes in the North Sea, having walked every step of the challenging Coast-to-Coast Walk. But life goes on, and so does the fun. Maybe Loch Lomond and the Western Isles are on my wish list because I've never been to that bit of Britain, although I've been to a lot of places in Britain.