Bernie & Sonia's page

welcome

AND THIS IS COUCHSACHRAGA ( COUCHIE )

1980-1998

this is Jackie this is Blackie

jackie4.jpg (34335 bytes) blackie.jpg (16753 bytes)

Personal Interests

BIKING

Sonia and I have been biking for over 25 years. We have independently bike toured in England, Ireland, Denmark, and a group tour in Greece. We have also biked camped in Nova Scotia, Michigan, as well as Richmond to Valley Forge. Our stable of bicycles include his and hers BILL LEWIS custom touring bikes, a BURLEY DUET tandem, and a TREK 5500. For some interesting links to bicycling web sites click here.

HIKING

We have been active hikers for many year. Bernie is an member of the Adirondack 46's signifying he has climbed all of the peaks in the Adirondacks over 4000 feet. Bernie is also a member of the Catskill 3500 Club (climbing all the Catskill peaks over 3500 feet in summer and winter. He has also been a Winter Mountaineering instructor at the ADK-AMC Winter Mountaineering School. Sonia has also climbed a number of the Adirondack peaks. We have both been active in the Schenectady Chapter of the Adirondack Hiking Club as well as the Mohawk Valley Hiking Club. For some interesting links to hiking web sites click here.

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING

For many years we have been active cross country skiers. Our preference has been the back country of the Adirondacks. Bernie's premier skiing achievement was the completion of Roger's Rangers Run, a 32 mile trek down the length of Lake George. For some interesting links to xc skiing web sites click here.here.

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WHITEWATER CANOEING

For many years Sonia and Bernie were active whitewater canoeists. The highlight of this activity was the 400 mile (in two segments) trip down the Missinabi River terminating in the town of Moosonee on James Bay, Canada.

SHOOTING

Beginning as a youngster for many years Bernie competed in small bore rifle competition. Now he has retired to some non-competitive skeet shooting and is a Life Member of the Iroquois Rod & Gun Club as well as the National Rifle Association.

CELIAC SPRUE

Bernie has Celiac Sprue disease which is an intolerance to gluten contained in wheat, rye, barley, oats, and millet. By staying on a zero gluten diet he leads a completely normal life. Further information on Celiac Sprue Disease may be reached by clicking here.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Sonia was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in the early 1970's. Despite exacerbations she was able to keep up her very active life for many years. In 1986 she completed a Century(100 mile) ride. Increasing problems have limited her activities . Sonia attended a pool exercise program for MS people at a local YMCA. For more information on multiple sclerosis click here.

Note : unfortunately Sonia passed away in December 2004 after 3 years in a nursing home severely memory impaired from the MS.

FAMILY INFORMATION

Bernie retired from the General Electric Company after 38 years as a Mechanical Engineer. Sonia is a retired school teacher who taught secondary school, reading, special education and also worked for the New York State Division for youth.

We have one child, Robert Scott. Rob has a PhD in Medical Psychology and is the Director ,Regulatory CNS for the Alza corp.San Diego,Ca and is single except for two cats. Like his parents he is an avid outdoors person

PHOTOS

For more pictures of our activities click here.