Outdoor Reflections
Personal essays on family, faith, gratitude, philosophy, service, and the meaning of life outdoors.
The Black Bag in Every Kayak
A Maine island, a Scout troop, and the ordinary work of being a good guest. Reflections on stewardship, shared meals, and the responsibilities we carry home.
Paddling Through Story: A Guide to Film, Water, and Outdoor Life
Where to begin with my film writing: specific essays on competence, environmental responsibility, fear, Florida folklore, and the paddling community.
The Summit: A Chronicle of Stones to Serenity | Looking Beyond the Equipment
Why a Japanese mountain film keeps bringing me back to old equipment, local knowledge, and the judgments we make about who belongs outdoors.
It Is OK to Say No: Keeping the Welcome Honest
Turning guests away from an unsuitable kayak crossing taught a lasting lesson about judgment, hospitality, and offering a better place to begin.
👨👩👦Perspective of an Outdoor Dad
The Crossroads Between Adventure and Family Originally published May 11, 2013. Revisited as a reflection on parenthood and the outdoors. There are moments when the pull of the next expedition competes with…
Halloween Survival Thriller Movies: When the Landscape Refuses Our Plans
Six frightening films become a reflection on exploration, environmental responsibility, dependence, and the control we expect when we enter wild places.
🧗I drove my son to climb the walls…
…at Vertical Ventures in Saint Petersburg Florida.
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
