My long-awaited essay titled "Mardi Gras' 95," which won First Place for Nonfiction last fall in the 2025 SLO NightWriters Golden Quill Writing Contest, has now been published in the 2025-26 issue of The NightWriter Review. The NightWriter Review is the annual publication of the San Luis Obispo NightWriters, a writing community in Central California that provides … Continue reading Check out my award-winning essay “Mardi Gras ’95” in San Luis Obispo’s The NightWriter Review
Orlando Wetlands Park and Seminole Ranch Conservation Area Unite Swampy Marshes with Tranquil Forests
Most of us take for granted what happens to the water we flush down our toilets, and few would suspect that its destination would be a fun place to spend a Sunday morning. But one of Orlando’s most popular outdoor spots for seeing birds and alligators is actually doing double-duty as a wastewater treatment facility. … Continue reading Orlando Wetlands Park and Seminole Ranch Conservation Area Unite Swampy Marshes with Tranquil Forests
Seminole State Forest offers excellent backpacking and hiking just north of Orlando
The eastern corridor of the Florida National Scenic Trail has several excellent legs that are easy to reach from Orlando for short backpacking trips at charming backcountry campsites. Most are in flood plains for the St. John’s River and its tributaries. But as the Florida Trail bends northwest on its way to the Ocala National … Continue reading Seminole State Forest offers excellent backpacking and hiking just north of Orlando
Check out my latest essay in Montana’s Big Sky Journal (“The First Run of the Season”)
I was honored earlier this month to have my essay titled "The First Run of the Season" published in the Fly Fishing 2026 issue of Big Sky Journal, an outdoors and cultural magazine published in Bozeman, Montana. This piece has special significance because of the magazine's publication not far from the home of my wife's … Continue reading Check out my latest essay in Montana’s Big Sky Journal (“The First Run of the Season”)
The best of the Lake Wales Ridge can be found at the Arbuckle Tract of Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
I’ve raved in my book and on this blog about Tiger Creek Preserve, a special stretch of Central Florida’s Lake Wales Ridge near Frostproof maintained by the Nature Conservancy that remains one of my favorite places to hike. But Tiger Creek Preserve does not permit camping, and since the Florida Trail passes north of the … Continue reading The best of the Lake Wales Ridge can be found at the Arbuckle Tract of Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
If you love nature photography, check out Chris “Soda Pop” Littlefield’s work
I usually post here about places where I’ve backpacked alone, where I rarely camp with anyone. But this week, I’m thrilled to share about a backpacker I met at Green Swamp West during a one-nighter this past weekend, Chris “Soda Pop” Littlefield. Hopefully you’ll agree that his photos of nature on his Facebook page and … Continue reading If you love nature photography, check out Chris “Soda Pop” Littlefield’s work
Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area is the Florida Trail’s Gateway to Central Florida’s Woodlands
Tantalizingly close to Orlando and just south of Christmas sits a stretch of pine, live oak, and cypress forest that is treasured by northbound thru hikers taking the eastern corridor up the Florida National Scenic Trail. Just after they complete their 30-mile road walk north after Bull Creek WMA, Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area welcomes them … Continue reading Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area is the Florida Trail’s Gateway to Central Florida’s Woodlands
For a Quiet Riverside Hike in Little Big Econ State Forest, Try the Culpepper Trail
About a year ago, I posted about the Little Big Econ State Forest by describing a one-night backpacking trip I did through Little Big Econ along the Florida Trail from its crossing of Brumley Road to West Camp near the Barr Street parking area, and I suggested that the north bank of the river and … Continue reading For a Quiet Riverside Hike in Little Big Econ State Forest, Try the Culpepper Trail
Here’s how to find me at the Sunshine State Book Festival, and check out “Anger Sister” in The Gardan Journal
The Writers Alliance of Gainesville has now posted the location of each author at the Meet the Author Showcase at the Sunshine State Book Festival at the Santa Fee College Fine Arts Hall at 3000 N.W. 83rd Street in Gainesville tomorrow, January 24th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. As you'll see from the map … Continue reading Here’s how to find me at the Sunshine State Book Festival, and check out “Anger Sister” in The Gardan Journal
The Prairie Lakes Loops at Three Lakes WMA are Perfect for Hiking and Backpacking
Just an hour south of Orlando off the Florida Turnpike, you can find one of those special places in Florida that offers virtually everything an outdoor lover might seek—hiking for both moderate and longer distances, backpacking, a section of the Florida National Scenic Trail, birding, and even fishing and hunting, all in a vast landscape … Continue reading The Prairie Lakes Loops at Three Lakes WMA are Perfect for Hiking and Backpacking
