Field Notes
Stories from the waterways, the backcountry kitchen, and the places that stay with us.
Are You Ready for Hurricanes? An Archive Introduction
Archive introduction. Updated October 25, 2026. The practical guidance from this page has been consolidated into the main FloridaOATS hurricane preparedness guide. Read Florida Hurricane Preparedness: Home, Travel, and Knowing When to…
Why SUP? Forty Five Minutes, Family, and Room to Explore
A short paddle with our children becomes a reflection on trust, family, packed lunches, and how a love of the outdoors passes between generations.
🧗I drove my son to climb the walls…
…at Vertical Ventures in Saint Petersburg Florida.
🛶Trade in your Hiking boots for a kayak
I grew up in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountains, where muddy hiking boots, a well packed rucksack, and a winding forest trail were my introduction to wilderness adventure. When I moved to Florida, I…
🥾Trail Review – J.B. Starkey Wilderness Park
Address: 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd, New Port Richey, FL 34655 “J.B. Starkey Wilderness Park covers over 8,300 acres of land and is a cooperative venture between the Southwest Florida Water Management District…
Jeff’s Favorite First Aid Essentials
The best first aid is prevention. The second best is training. The third best is the basic first aid essentials that I always carry in Florida
You Ate What?
Yes, this past weekend I treated guests to three yummy meals: I am working with a friend to compose a cooking book and YouTube segment. So, presently I am keeping the recipes…
I Can not Believe…
…that a person I met never washed their sleeping bag. Their belief was that the material would be damaged and the stuffing would loose it’s insulating properties. Where they got indoctrinated to…
🎒What type of Turtle are you?
Like a turtle backpackers carry their home on their back
🔪Does the size of your Tang matter?
There is an ongoing debate among Bush Crafters about a fixed blade knife’s tang size. “A tang or shank is the back portion of the blade component of a tool where it extends into stock material…
