31 articles tagged with outdoor recreation
The first time I laid eyes on the Front Range from Lakewood, I was reminded of my father's woodworking—how he'd often say that the grain of the wood tells you where to carve next. The Rocky Mountains rising beyond this...
As someone who's tracked disease patterns across five continents, I've developed a knack for spotting valuable resources in unexpected places. Iowa City—a modest Midwestern college town with an outsized cultural footprint—exemplifies this principle perfectly. During a recent academic conference at...
As someone who's explored wildlife sanctuaries across three continents, I never expected to find such a delightful family destination tucked away in Illinois. Elgin might not have South Africa's dramatic safaris or New Zealand's whale watching opportunities, but this charming...
I've traversed prairies across three continents, but there's something special about Idaho's agricultural heartland that keeps drawing me back. Last summer, while documenting small-town America for a technical writing project, I stumbled upon Caldwell – a place where farm-to-table isn't...
New York City presents two faces to the world: the postcard version with its iconic skyline and Broadway marquees, and then there's *my* New York—the one that pulses with unexpected thrills tucked between architectural marvels. As someone who studies urban...
There's something deeply therapeutic about immersing yourself in a place rather than simply passing through. After 25 years of dispatching emergency services—sending others to crises while anchored to my headset—I've learned that genuine travel means slowing down enough to hear...
Gaithersburg, Maryland isn't typically on the radar for extreme weather chasers like myself, but after visiting my former engineering colleague who relocated there, I discovered a surprising network of green spaces worth documenting. The city's microclimate, influenced by its position...
Olá, amigos! When my tax advisory work brought me to Michigan last autumn, I expected spreadsheets and client meetings—not the kaleidoscope of fall colors that would captivate this Brazilian soul. Livonia surprised me with its abundant green spaces tucked between...
There's something about wide-open spaces that speaks to my soul in the same way free-falling through the sky does. North Dakota might not have the elevation for skydiving that I typically chase, but what it lacks in vertical drop, it...
As an education administrator who has traversed five continents researching place-based learning, I've discovered that sometimes the most profound cultural immersions happen just beyond metropolitan boundaries. Plymouth, Minnesota—a mere 15-minute drive from Minneapolis—embodies this principle perfectly. This lakeside community reveals...
The forecast for Independence, Missouri: 100% chance of family fun with historical thunderclaps that'll rumble through your kids' imagination. As someone who traded spreadsheets for cloud patterns at 25, I've found that places with deep historical roots often have the...
When most folks think of Salt Lake City, their minds immediately jump to world-class skiing and the 2002 Winter Olympics. But let me tell you something—after visiting this mountain gem five times in different seasons, I've discovered there's so much...
When most travelers plot their summer getaways, North Dakota rarely tops the list—and that's precisely why it should be on yours. As someone who's spent years documenting the subtle mechanics of seasonal changes across America's landscapes, I've developed a special...
As someone who spends most workdays presiding over environmental cases in Richmond's courtrooms, I've developed a profound appreciation for accessible urban green spaces. St. Peters, Missouri might not appear on typical outdoor adventure lists, but this modest Midwestern suburb harbors...
Growing up between Scotland's rugged coastlines and my mother's stories of Japan's island shores, I've developed quite the affinity for water's edge—no matter where it may be found. While Oklahoma might not spring to mind when you think 'beach holiday,'...
