Hiking, camping, trails, backpacking, cycling, travel, nature, weather and the seasons.
160 posts · page 3 of 7
Recent reports describe a surge of owl incidents in Michigan, with locals scrambling for protection as these birds allegedly attack people. The author portrays the Michigan owl…
A quirky narrator recounts spending months off‑grid in Michigan’s woods, living simply, befriending a forest creature called Friday, and sharing hot‑dog buns while enjoying…
Hiking and camping are presented as a simple yet powerful antidote to the overwork‑driven cycle that plagues modern life; by stepping away from the daily grind, one can breathe,…
The post explains how to begin a simple camping experience at home—setting up a small tent in the backyard or even a room, playing nature sounds, and adding comforts like a boom…
Snow falls again over Michigan’s mitten-shaped state, bringing a 60‑degree drop that surprises everyone but leaves the author cheerfully counting winters. The weather brings more…
The post recounts a bewildering stretch of Michigan weather that has seen multiple winters, springs, and finally the first true summer day, all within just a few months. The…
Walking the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide Trails—together with listening to audiobooks of biographies, philosophy, science, and adventure—is presented as an…
The post argues that personal growth is driven by a delicate mechanism—an ancient mythic “adventure” that lifts us up—and that this mechanism can be strengthened or weakened by…
Whimsically describing spring in Michigan, the author recounts the arrival of various birds—including ducks, sparrows, crows, pigeons, and geese—along with skunks and squirrels,…
In the early spring described in the post, the narrator recounts feeling cold and amused by groundhogs’ weather predictions, enjoying a few pleasant days before snow and wind…
On a crisp Monday morning I left early for a four‑hour drive to Nordhouse, listening to music along the way. After arriving in Ludington at 6 AM, I stocked up and headed to the…
I recount my early solo hiking adventures, beginning as a child who packed simple supplies like sweet cherry juice and various snacks, along with an assortment of knives—folding,…
In this whimsical post, the author reflects on how a trail guide can help us reconnect with nature and ourselves by simplifying hiking and camping tasks. They describe the…
With 45 days until spring, this post encourages making 2024 the year of bicycling by highlighting the adventure and freedom it offers. The author notes that bicycle trails are…
This post is an informal guide to the joys and practicalities of camping and hiking, illustrating how stepping away from everyday life can relieve stress and foster personal…
Camping is presented as the perfect gateway to hiking, offering a simple way to escape city life and reconnect with nature; it encourages choosing safe sites—away from flash…
This whimsical guide explains how hikers can effectively deter bears by combining proper timing, sound cues, and body language with bear spray. It stresses that carrying spray is…
The poem opens with the speaker’s delight at spotting a lone bird flying in wet, cold morning air, then muses on the bird’s rare intelligence and its perception of humans—seeing…
Her love for humans is unmatched, and she is deeply attached. She lives atop a ladi‑da modernist light, watching us even at night. From great heights or in flight, in all her…
The author describes life in quiet Michigan lake towns—named “land of Never Again”—where little activity keeps people feeling blue, but the yearly arrival of Canadian geese turns…
For several days I felt an odd mental itch as winter’s chill swept my local birds away, leaving only silence and grayness; after months of emptiness a sudden warm spell returned…
The post explains how to approach bears by first understanding their mindset and reversing roles—imagining yourself as a bear with hair full of food scraps, then seeing the…
On a frigid 22‑degree morning, while everyone else shivers, the geese are visibly angry and impatient—waiting for a hamburger bun as they thaw in the sun. The narrator notes that…
The poem celebrates geese as shadow‑masters who evolved from ancient lizards, noting their long necks, watchful nature, and ability to halt a bus. It describes how they observe…