The Vagabond Hiker

Hiking, trekking, and climbing the world

Travels with Clifford

As long-time followers of this blog may know, my youngest brother, Clifford, has both graced many photos and been behind the lens for quite a few more. Beginning with Maui in 1990, Clifford and I explored Belize in 1993, Wales with our dad in 2000, and coastal California and the Southwest US numerous times since 2007. More recently we traveled and hiked together in Tasmania and mainland Australia in 2017, Malta in 2018, Ireland in 2019, and Costa Rica in 2022. Clifford’s innate curiosity, far-reaching knowledge, boundless enthusiasm, and child-like sense of wonder for the natural world enriched my travels in so many ways. Here are some recent fond memories. . .

Posing with stringy bark eucalyptus, Franklin River Nature Trail, Tasmania, Australia, 2017
Scratching an alpha male Forester kangaroo, Tasmania
Smiling from inside a hollow eucalyptus, Notley Gorge, Tasmania
Investigating a termite mound, Bed Boyd National Park, New South Wales, Australia, 2017
Admiring the vista at Kalarranga Lookout, Finke Gorge National Park, Northern Territory, Australia, 2017
Enjoying the strata, Kings Canyon, Northern Territory
At a cliff-edge along the south coast of the island of Gozo, Malta, 2018
Kayaking on Dwejra Bay, Gozo
Admiring the cliffs from his kayak, Dwejra Bay
Looking up into the canopy from under a Dragon tree, San Diego Botanical Garden, 2022
Standing with an impressive yucca, San Diego Botanical Garden
Posing with an endangered Elephant tree at Torote Bowl, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California, 2022
Under California Fan Palms, Anza-Borrego
At the trailhead of the Domelands Loop, Coyote Mountains Wilderness, California, 2022
Making empanadas with Valerie, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, 2022
At Toroweap Overlook on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Arizona, 2023
Smiling with our brother, Mark (c), and me, the Dingle Peninsula, Ireland, 2019

Clifford Blizard

1970-2024

Carpe Diem!

Kent Blizard, the Vagabond Hiker

Comments

  1. Kent – My deepest condolences. You have posted a beautiful memorial of the special times you shared traveling with your brother Clifford.

  2. Really sorry for your loss. So fortunate to be able to have traveled with him.looks like you have many great memories.

  3. Wow, I’m really sorry to hear that! So hard to lose family and it seemed you two had a wonderful relationship and share many great memories. Hoping they sustain you for years to come. Sending over a big hug!

  4. I am shocked and so sadden by your loss. Michael and I send our deepest sympathies. You are blessed to have such fabulous memories. big hugs

  6. My condolences Kent. The picture with you three on the Dingle Peninsula says it all. Brothers are special people in our lives. Hold them dear.

  7. Thank you, Kent, for sharing these. Clifford’s smile had me smiling along with him the whole way through these recent years. And extra smiles for that very happy kangaroo!

  9. We were privileged to have dinner here just about 10 day before he suddenly left us, but we were reminded of his marvelous mind and personality- the same that we knew from 40 years ago. What a full life, though sadly too short. ….the McLaughlins

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