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LAWYER
Bruce Matson recently retired from practicing law in Richmond, Virginia. He is looking forward to more time with his family as well as some new adventures and new writing projects.
Born and raised in Connecticut, Bruce is a graduate of the College of William & Mary (B.A. - History/English) and of the Marshall-Wythe School of Law, College of William & Mary (J.D.). Bruce has been selected as a "Leader in the Law" for Virginia and was annually included in the "Best Lawyers in America."
HIKER
Bruce - trail name "RTK" - hiked the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail in 2018, a thru-hike year known for a severe March in the south, an unusually wet time through the mid-Atlantic, and an unseasonably warm summer in New England. RTK's hike was memorialized on a podcast, YouTube channel, and website - all under the name "Returning to Katahdin."
Since completing his AT thru-hike, Bruce has published three books about the Appalachian Trail:
-- "Platinum-Blazing the Appalachian Trail: How to Thru-hike in Three-Star Luxury" (written with fellow thru-hiker Michael "Sharkbait" Neiman, this book is a guide to the best off-trail experiences along the AT, including the best hostel, the best breakfast, the best trail town, and numerous other "must stop" spots)
-- "Thinking About a Thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail: Some Observations and Recommendations" (a collection of miscellaneous tips and suggestions for those planning their own thru-hike). [All proceeds from the sale of this book are donated to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.]
-- "Returning to Katahdin: A Thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail" (the author's memoir of his 2018 northbound thru-hike).
All 44 episodes of the podcast (called, "Returning to Katahdin") covering Bruce's sojourn on the Appalachian Trail are still available wherever podcasts are generally available (such as "Apple Podcasts") as well as at Steve Adams' "Hiking Radio Network" - www.hikingradionetwork.com.
In 2017 Bruce completed the Milford Track in New Zealand and in 2015 he hiked the Overland Track in Tasmania. And, in April 2014, Bruce hiked the 800-kilometer, ancient pilgrimage route in northern Spain known as the Camino de Santiago. One of his books, "The Road to Find Out: A Modern Pilgrim & the Camino de Santiago" captures this adventure.
RUNNER/CHRISTIAN
Before heading out on long walks, Bruce spent a decade running, including completing marathons in Richmond, Charlottesville, Boston, New York, Chicago, and Edinburgh (Scotland). During this running journey, Bruce deeply and deliberately examined his faith - leading to a renewed commitment as a Christian. The story of examining his faith and the reasons ("apologetics") for that recommitment, as well as learning to run long distances, is captured in his book - "The Race Before Us: A Journey of Running & Faith." (Available at Amazon in print, ebook, and audio). Bruce is passionate about Veritas School and its role as a place of classical, Christian education. He currently serves at Veritas as Special Assistant to the Head of school and as Chairman of its Advisory Council.
GOLFER
Bruce has been active in golf, serving as President of the Virginia State Golf Association, rating golf courses for Golfweek's Top 100, and writing golf history and architecture articles as well as a regular column ("Great Holes") in the Virginia Golfer. Bruce has also published three books on golf history:
-- "The History of Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club"
-- "Golf in the Commonwealth: A History of the Royal & Ancient Game in Virginia"
-- "Hermitage Country Club: A History of the First 100 Years."
Bruce's golf books are sold out and generally available only from used or rare booksellers. (However, please contact Bruce if you have a strong interest in these golf books.)
