Freeman, Rich 1949–

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Freeman, Rich 1949–

PERSONAL: Born March 13, 1949, in Rochester, NY; son of Richard and Virginia Freeman; married August 13, 1983; wife's name Susan J. (a publisher and writer, under the name Sue Freeman). Education: Attended Rochester Institute of Technology, 1977. Hobbies and other interests: Hiking, backpacking, bicycling, skiing.

ADDRESSES: Home—Englewood, FL. Office—Footprint Press, Inc., 303 Pine Glen Ct., Englewood, FL 34223. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER: Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, NY, photographer and customer service manager, 1972–96; Footprint Press, Inc., Englewood, FL, publisher and writer, 1996–. WXXI Public Television, member of volunteer board, 1989–95; Victor Hiking Trails, treasurer, 1991–96, and member; Fairport-Derinton Merchant's Association, board member, 2002–05.

MEMBER: Appalachian Mountain Club, Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association, Finger Lakes Trail Association, Florida Trail Association, Coastal Cruisers.

WRITINGS:

WITH WIFE, SUE FREEMAN

Take a Hike! Family Walks in the Rochester (NY) Area, Footprint Press (Englewood, FL), 1997, 2nd edition, 2000.

Take Your Bike! Family Rides in the Rochester (NY) Area, Footprint Press (Englewood, FL), 1998, 2nd edition, 2003.

Bruce Trail: An Adventure along the Niagara Escarpment (Ontario, Canada), Footprint Press (Englewood, FL), 1998.

Take a Hike! Family Walks in the Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley Region (NY), Footprint Press (Englewood, FL), 1999.

Take Your Bike! Family Rides in the Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley Region (NY), Footprint Press (Englewood, FL), 1999.

Snow Trails: Cross-Country Ski and Snowshoe in Central and Western New York, Footprint Press (Englewood, FL), 2001.

200 Waterfalls in Western and Central New York: A Finders' Guide, Footprint Press (Englewood, FL), 2002.

Take a Paddle: Finger Lakes: New York Quiet Water for Canoes & Kayaks, Footprint Press (Englewood, FL), 2004.

Take a Paddle: Western New York: Quiet Water for Canoes and Kayaks, Footprint Press (Englewood, FL), 2004.

Cobblestone Quest: Road Tours of New York's Historic Buildings, Footprint Press (Englewood, FL), 2005.

Take a Hike: Family Walks in New York's Finger Lakes Region, Footprint Press (Englewood, FL), 2006.

Take Your Bike: Family Rids in New York's Finger Lakes Region, Footprint Press (Englewood, FL), 2006.

SIDELIGHTS: Rich and Sue Freeman once told CA: "We decided to make our living from what we love—hiking and bicycling. In 1996 we left corporate jobs to spend six months hiking 22-hundred miles on the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. That adventure deepened our love of the outdoors and inspired us to share this love by introducing others to the joys of hiking. Since most people don't have the option (let alone the desire) to undertake a six-month trek, we decided to focus on short hikes, near home. The result was the first version of Take a Hike! Family Walks in the Rochester (NY) Area. We continued to explore additional trails and outdoor recreation options throughout the central and western New York state region.

"We have been active members of Victor Hiking Trails since its inception. We continue to do trail work and participate with other local trail groups as well. In addition, our passion for long-distance hiking continues. In 1997 we 'thru-hiked' the 500-mile-long Bruce Trail in Ontario, Canada. In 1998 we bicycled across New York state, following the Erie Canalway Trail, and 1999 found us hiking a segment of the Florida Trail. We've also hiked across Spain and England and hiked up Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa.

"Since beginning our new career of writing and publishing books, we have pared down our living expenses and are enjoying a simpler lifestyle. We now have control of our own destiny and the freedom to head into the woods for a refreshing respite when the urge strikes. Still, our life is infinitely more cluttered than when we carried all our worldly needs on our backs for six months on the Appalachian Trail. The love of trails and a passion for sharing them with others now guides our lives."