I wrote earlier this year about a great place in Sanford to learn to sail boats longer than 22 feet. But if you’re looking to try sailing on smaller boats that don’t require experience, especially if you’re looking for a place not far from Disney, I recommend checking out Orlando Sailing. I found Orlando Sailing … Continue reading If you’re looking to sail near Disney, check out Orlando Sailing
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Check out my article on Go World Travel
My first-ever article in a travel magazine was published this morning in Go World Travel. Titled "Bogesundslandet Nature Reserve: Backpacking Paradise Minutes from Stockholm," it gives practical details about the nature preserve in Sweden where I backpacked last summer. This was the place also described in Chapter 12 of my book and in my recent … Continue reading Check out my article on Go World Travel
With more than just springs, Wekiwa Springs State Park offers some of Central Florida’s best hiking trails
Long before I began backpacking last year, I rekindled a love of hiking on the Volksmarch Loop at Wekiwa Springs State Park. Wekiwa Springs is one of Florida’s most popular state parks, particularly because of the large swimming hole surrounding its spring head and the terraced hill above it full of sunbathing and picnic areas. … Continue reading With more than just springs, Wekiwa Springs State Park offers some of Central Florida’s best hiking trails
For hiking with a taste of history and old school soda, check out the Richloam Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest
Anyone who has read my book or my most recent essay on FloridaHikes.com knows I am enamored with the Green Swamp, a huge stretch of forest about an hour west of Orlando. But perhaps equally as beautiful is the adjacent Richloam Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest that lies directly north of the Green Swamp … Continue reading For hiking with a taste of history and old school soda, check out the Richloam Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest
Check out my latest essay in Still Point Arts Quarterly
I was thrilled to have an essay of mine titled "Rebirth Beside the Baltic Sea" published today in the summer issue of Still Point Arts Quarterly (on pages 16 through 25). In this essay, I describe backpacking I did in Sweden during a family vacation last summer, which I also describe in Chapter 12 of … Continue reading Check out my latest essay in Still Point Arts Quarterly
My essay “Coining Out” has won Honorable Mention in Four Tulips’ New Beginnings Writing Contest
I was honored to learn last week that an essay of mine titled "Coining Out" was chosen as an Honorable Mention for creative nonfiction in the New Beginnings Writing Contest hosted by Four Tulips, an online literary magazine. "Coining Out" describes the goodbyes I had to say at the conclusion of my partial hospitalization for … Continue reading My essay “Coining Out” has won Honorable Mention in Four Tulips’ New Beginnings Writing Contest
Finding My Way Home will be receiving a 2025 FAPA President’s Book Award
I was thrilled to learn earlier this week that my book, Finding My Way Home: Fighting Depression Backpacking in Central Florida, will be winning a 2025 FAPA (Florida Authors and Publishers Association) President's Book Award. Winners are selected in several categories and receive either gold, silver, or bronze medals. I've been selected to receive a medal … Continue reading Finding My Way Home will be receiving a 2025 FAPA President’s Book Award
Primeval day-hiking paradise awaits at Tiger Creek Preserve
Highlands Loop Trail at Tiger Creek Preserve As the heat of summer approaches and my attention shifts to Florida’s springs and beaches, perhaps my biggest regret from the spring and winter is having not yet hiked this year at my favorite day-hiking destination in Central Florida, the Nature Conservancy’s treasure trove of trails at Tiger … Continue reading Primeval day-hiking paradise awaits at Tiger Creek Preserve
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park: Home of Big Sky and an Ocean of Stars
When I rediscovered backpacking last winter, I made my first one-night trip on an unfamiliar trail to Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, on the 5.5-mile Kissimmee Prairie Loop that is a favorite trail for Florida families. I described Kissimmee Prairie Preserve in my book with reverence and awe, as I still do today. A huge … Continue reading Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park: Home of Big Sky and an Ocean of Stars
I can’t wait to return one day to Adirondack Park
Baxter Mountain Earlier this week I posted about my week at the Craigardan Spring Writers Retreat, at a working farm and artists community nestled in the eastern Adirondack Mountains just outside Elizabethtown, New York. But I did not share any details or many photos from the hiking I did there or about how the entire … Continue reading I can’t wait to return one day to Adirondack Park
