I was honored to have my book, Finding My Way Home: Fighting Depression Backpacking in Central Florida, included in the "Bookshelf" section (page 28) of Outdoors Unlimited magazine's Summer 2025 issue. Outdoors Unlimited is the official magazine of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, which I joined earlier this year and which includes as members … Continue reading Thank you, Outdoors Unlimited, for featuring my book
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park near Gainesville is great for history, hiking, and horses
Anyone driving past Gainesville on I-75 will be familiar with Paynes Prairie, the huge savannah north of Micanopy that offers a panoramic break from the surrounding forests. But the state park that includes Paynes Prairie and lies just south of the University of Florida is worth a closer look. Beyond providing a sanctuary for gators … Continue reading Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park near Gainesville is great for history, hiking, and horses
If you’ve thought about paddleboarding or kayaking in Central Florida, check out King’s Landing
With summer in full blast, I’m reminded that there are no better places to cool off in Central Florida than in our region’s spring-fed rivers. My family purchased our first paddleboard two years ago for that purpose (we now own two), and our go-to spot for kayaking and paddleboarding is King’s Landing on Rock Springs … Continue reading If you’ve thought about paddleboarding or kayaking in Central Florida, check out King’s Landing
Going to Grand Teton National Park? You must hike in Cascade Canyon
Cascade Canyon Trail My family and I returned last weekend from a vacation in Montana and Wyoming and had the privilege to do several day hikes in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. If you’re lucky enough to hike in Grand Teton, you’ll likely try the popular trail to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point near … Continue reading Going to Grand Teton National Park? You must hike in Cascade Canyon
Check out my latest essay in Wilderness House Literary Review
I was honored to have an essay of mine titled "A Suburban Desk Jockey’s Weekend Adventure in the Green Swamp" published today in the summer issue of Wilderness House Literary Review. In this essay, I describe my first point-to-point backpacking trip last June in the Green Swamp West Tract and the Richloam Tract of the … Continue reading Check out my latest essay in Wilderness House Literary Review
If you’re looking to sail near Disney, check out Orlando Sailing
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
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
