Last week I posted about our family’s awe-inspiring hike in the Fiery Furnace at Arches National Park during our spring break trip to Utah. Although that hike may have been our favorite of the trip, a very close second would be our hike in the Needles district of Canyonlands National Park. For being so close … Continue reading For Spectacular Backcountry Hiking Near Moab, the Needles District in Canyonlands National Park Should Not Be Missed
Come Join Me This Saturday at Lake Louisa State Park for Nature Fest, or Virtually, for a Live Reading of My Next Essay, “Campfire Beside the Prairie”
This Saturday, March 28th, I'll be appearing at a live event at Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont, Florida, and then later at a virtual event to read my next essay to be published in Thorn & Bloom magazine. Both will cater to nature lovers. First will be Nature Fest at Lake Louisa State Park, … Continue reading Come Join Me This Saturday at Lake Louisa State Park for Nature Fest, or Virtually, for a Live Reading of My Next Essay, “Campfire Beside the Prairie”
If You Visit Utah’s Arches National Park, You Must Hike in the Fiery Furnace
Arches National Park in southeastern Utah is most famous for its monumental sandstone arches, carved over millions of years from the high desert by rain, wind, and ice. Most of these arches are accessible by short hikes or nature walks from parking lots that often crowd to capacity. But if you love to hike in … Continue reading If You Visit Utah’s Arches National Park, You Must Hike in the Fiery Furnace
Check out my award-winning essay “Mardi Gras ’95” in San Luis Obispo’s The NightWriter Review
My long-awaited essay titled "Mardi Gras' 95," which won First Place for Nonfiction last fall in the 2025 SLO NightWriters Golden Quill Writing Contest, has now been published in the 2025-26 issue of The NightWriter Review. The NightWriter Review is the annual publication of the San Luis Obispo NightWriters, a writing community in Central California that provides … Continue reading Check out my award-winning essay “Mardi Gras ’95” in San Luis Obispo’s The NightWriter Review
Orlando Wetlands Park and Seminole Ranch Conservation Area Unite Swampy Marshes with Tranquil Forests
Most of us take for granted what happens to the water we flush down our toilets, and few would suspect that its destination would be a fun place to spend a Sunday morning. But one of Orlando’s most popular outdoor spots for seeing birds and alligators is actually doing double-duty as a wastewater treatment facility. … Continue reading Orlando Wetlands Park and Seminole Ranch Conservation Area Unite Swampy Marshes with Tranquil Forests
Seminole State Forest offers excellent backpacking and hiking just north of Orlando
The eastern corridor of the Florida National Scenic Trail has several excellent legs that are easy to reach from Orlando for short backpacking trips at charming backcountry campsites. Most are in flood plains for the St. John’s River and its tributaries. But as the Florida Trail bends northwest on its way to the Ocala National … Continue reading Seminole State Forest offers excellent backpacking and hiking just north of Orlando
Check out my latest essay in Montana’s Big Sky Journal (“The First Run of the Season”)
I was honored earlier this month to have my essay titled "The First Run of the Season" published in the Fly Fishing 2026 issue of Big Sky Journal, an outdoors and cultural magazine published in Bozeman, Montana. This piece has special significance because of the magazine's publication not far from the home of my wife's … Continue reading Check out my latest essay in Montana’s Big Sky Journal (“The First Run of the Season”)
The best of the Lake Wales Ridge can be found at the Arbuckle Tract of Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
I’ve raved in my book and on this blog about Tiger Creek Preserve, a special stretch of Central Florida’s Lake Wales Ridge near Frostproof maintained by the Nature Conservancy that remains one of my favorite places to hike. But Tiger Creek Preserve does not permit camping, and since the Florida Trail passes north of the … Continue reading The best of the Lake Wales Ridge can be found at the Arbuckle Tract of Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
If you love nature photography, check out Chris “Soda Pop” Littlefield’s work
I usually post here about places where I’ve backpacked alone, where I rarely camp with anyone. But this week, I’m thrilled to share about a backpacker I met at Green Swamp West during a one-nighter this past weekend, Chris “Soda Pop” Littlefield. Hopefully you’ll agree that his photos of nature on his Facebook page and … Continue reading If you love nature photography, check out Chris “Soda Pop” Littlefield’s work
Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area is the Florida Trail’s Gateway to Central Florida’s Woodlands
Tantalizingly close to Orlando and just south of Christmas sits a stretch of pine, live oak, and cypress forest that is treasured by northbound thru hikers taking the eastern corridor up the Florida National Scenic Trail. Just after they complete their 30-mile road walk north after Bull Creek WMA, Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area welcomes them … Continue reading Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area is the Florida Trail’s Gateway to Central Florida’s Woodlands
