Even though Black Bear Wilderness Area near Sanford is among the most popular places in Central Florida to hike, I’ve hesitated to post about it before now because of my reluctance to rain on those who love it. Truth be told, I was not particularly smitten with Black Bear when I first hiked there almost … Continue reading Although often crowded, Black Bear Wilderness Area is a spectacular place to see wildlife
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“Morning Coffee,” my latest essay, has been nominated by Ponder Review for a Pushcart Prize
My latest essay (and likely the final one to be published in 2025) has now made it into print, as “Morning Coffee” has now been published in Volume 9, Issue 2 of Ponder Review. Ponder Review is the student-run literary journal of the MFA program at Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, Mississippi and publishes … Continue reading “Morning Coffee,” my latest essay, has been nominated by Ponder Review for a Pushcart Prize
Moses Creek Conservation Area Offers Pleasant Hiking Near St. Augustine—But Don’t Count on Backcountry Camping There
With hunting season limiting my access to many of my favorite stretches of the Florida Trail last weekend, I tried to make up for the opportunity I lost last spring to camp beside the intracoastal at St. George Island State Park and booked a reservation at the Murat Point campsite at the Moses Creek Conservation … Continue reading Moses Creek Conservation Area Offers Pleasant Hiking Near St. Augustine—But Don’t Count on Backcountry Camping There
Barr Hammock near Gainesville is Ideal for Family-Friendly Hiking Through Pretty Old Growth Forest
Many University of Florida students are familiar with the hiking trails at Payne’s Prairie Preserve State Park. But another collection of trails through a beautiful forest of tall live oaks and longleaf pines can be found not far south of Gainesville, and it’s free and easier to reach from I-75. Barr Hammock Preserve is definitely … Continue reading Barr Hammock near Gainesville is Ideal for Family-Friendly Hiking Through Pretty Old Growth Forest
Tips for Backpacking During Breaks on Business Trips or Family Vacations
Over the last two years while discovering weekend backpacking near my home in Central Florida, some of my most thrilling experiences have been one-night adventures far from home that I’ve added to family vacations and road trips to college football games. In fact, I now consider backpacking options when deciding where to travel. As fun … Continue reading Tips for Backpacking During Breaks on Business Trips or Family Vacations
Labor of Love: My first trail maintenance work party with the Florida Trail Association
I finally got around last Saturday to joining my local Florida Trail Association chapter for a trail maintenance work party, one of the most popular activities the FTA chapters host. If you’re looking for a great way to get acquainted with some of the most beautiful sections of trail in Florida and the people who … Continue reading Labor of Love: My first trail maintenance work party with the Florida Trail Association
My Book Has Received Another Award, and Also Check Out My Latest Essay, “Boynton Canyon”
I was thrilled to learn this morning that my book, Finding My Way Home: Fighting Depression Backpacking in Central Florida, has received another award, this time from the 12th Annual Independent Author Network (IAN) Book of the Year Awards. My book was named as Finalist in the IAN Book of the Year Awards category for Nonfiction: Mind/Body/Spirit. … Continue reading My Book Has Received Another Award, and Also Check Out My Latest Essay, “Boynton Canyon”
Shenandoah National Park is a special place to backpack in October and November
After several weeks of not posting here, I am thrilled to return by raving about a recent once-in-a-season chance I had to backpack for a night in one of the most beautiful national parks east of the Mississippi River. Shenandoah National Park is the Hope Diamond of Virginia and a magical place to spend a … Continue reading Shenandoah National Park is a special place to backpack in October and November
Check out my article on backpacking in Outdoors Unlimited (“Backpacking Beside the Baltic Sea”) and my essay in The Florida Writer (“Anger Sister”)
I was thrilled to have two different pieces published in two different publications today, one creative and one an outdoor travel article. Today's Fall 2025 issue of Outdoors Unlimited includes my article titled "Backpacking Beside the Baltic Sea," a travel piece about a great national preserve near Stockholm, Sweden for hiking, camping, and backpacking. Outdoors … Continue reading Check out my article on backpacking in Outdoors Unlimited (“Backpacking Beside the Baltic Sea”) and my essay in The Florida Writer (“Anger Sister”)
Hunting Dates for Central Florida’s Eastern and Western Corridors of the Florida Trail
With November now only a month away and temperatures (hopefully) beginning to cool, we are finally approaching backpacking season in Central Florida. But as most Florida Trail lovers know, many of the great places to backpack here, including most of the forested sections of the Florida National Scenic Trail, are on land that we’ll have … Continue reading Hunting Dates for Central Florida’s Eastern and Western Corridors of the Florida Trail
