The Florida landscape includes more than sandy beaches. I spend a fair bit of time hiking in Central Florida, and some of my favorite landscapes are Florida wetlands. This photo was taken in the Orlando Wetlands Park this February, and I feel it epitomizes beauty of my favorite Florida scene. On this hike/walk we saw dozens of alligators, birds and …
Photo of the day: A thought for your weekend
This photo of my pack and poles was taken on the Appalachian Trail. What adventures do you have planned this weekend ?
Photo of the day: A steep approach to Albert Mountain
On a solo Appalachian Trail backpacking trip, I came upon these stairs leading up…way up. I was approaching Albert Mountain in North Carolina, and the last third of a mile to the summit climbed nearly 500 feet. Part of the climb had stairs, while other parts were a rocky grab-the-tree-branches scramble. Sadly, this photo doesn’t give a good perspective on …
Photo of the day: Why I hike
Yes, a car ride to the mall would be an easier outing, but I’m more interested in epic views, tranquil lakes and nature. My sister shot this photo of me next to Dardanelles Lake south of Lake Tahoe. It captured my contemplative mood as I took in our surroundings and asked, “how did I get so lucky?” Did you enjoy …
Photo of the Day: Where boots go to die
The first thirty miles of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) north of Springer Mountain acts as a shake down for many hikers. Even as an experienced backpacker, with well broken-in boots, I lost a couple of toenails thanks to this section. At Neels Gap, the trail literally passes through Mountain Crossings, an outfitter that has made its reputation helping A.T. hikers …
Photos of the day: Paddling the Chattooga River
Over the last 11 years, I’ve rafted, kayaked and backpacked along the Chattooga River in northern Georgia and South Carolina. The Chattooga is known for its whitewater and for its role in the movie Deliverance filmed along the river in the 1970s. In 1974, the 57-mile Chattooga River was declared a National Wild and Scenic River. No motorized vehicles are …
Photo of the day: Two Medicine Lake, Glacier National Park
When I returned recently from three weeks of traveling, preceded by two other trips to Mexico, a friend posted on my Facebook wall that it must be nice to be home. I didn’t reply because I’m not one to be negative, but I wasn’t happy. I wanted to keep going. Don’t get me wrong, I looooved the places I visited, …
Caption this adventure photo
Okay gang, I chuckle every time I look at this photo of my son taken during a kayaking lesson. I can’t imagine what he must of been feeling at that moment! How about YOU give me a caption? Just leave a comment below. For the record, I didn’t take the photo. There are some things a mom doesn’t want to …
Peaceful paddle
Sometimes I find a place I can only call meditative. It’s where I just want to sit down and ponder life or journal in one of my (too) many notebooks. This photo, taken near Wekiwa Springs, Florida, shows one of those places. When I look at it I just want to see what is around the bend.
St. Nicholas Cathedral, Tarpon Springs, Fla.
Tarpon Springs, Florida, has the highest concentration of Greek immigrants in the United States. St. Nicholas Cathedral is beautifully decorated with illustrations of the Greek Orthodox faith. My camera didn’t do it justice.To learn more about the area, read my Examiner.com article: Tarpon Springs, Florida: On and off the beaten track.