In this episode of “The Journey of My Mother’s Son” podcast, I sit down to talk with my dear old friend, Ray Schell.

Ray and I have known each other since high school.  He graduated a year before me.  After graduation, he was a part of a small group of friends that all became very close for a few years.  Our little tribe did just about everything together.

Ray went off to work in Alaska in 1990 and never returned to Pennsylvania.  Thankfully we have been able to stay connected through social media.

Sandy and I were able to visit with Ray and his wife, Judy Rae in Decker, Montana at the state park in which he runs, Tongue River Reservoir State Park.  After not seeing each other for almost 30 years, we had a lot of catching up to do, but it seemed as though we were able to pick up right where we left off.

He has had some incredible life experiences which include hiking over 700 miles of the Appalachian Trail when he was only 10 years old.  Then, in his early twenties, he hiked through Mexico and into South America.

His passion for nature and the outdoors has never been tamed and he has been able to turn that passion into his life’s vocation by working in multiple parks systems.

It’s the experiences like these that Sandy and I have cherished the most throughout our journey.  We thank God every day that He has allowed us to reconnect with so many people who are truly near and dear to our hearts.

Click on either of the links below to listen to the conversation.