Tucked away in the trees, just out of sight of one of the busiest commuter corridors in the US (along US 301 and US 50 east of Washington, DC), you can still find a spot of wild refuge. The Patuxent River is the longest river wholly contained within the borders of Maryland, and along its…Read more Patuxent River, Bowie, MD
Trip
Sailing Intro, Under Harsh Conditions
We had the opportunity this weekend to get some boys out on a Pearson 37 sailboat, the designation 37 referring to its overall length, in feet. Weather was not great - 20 knots sustained, heavy rain which came at you horizontally, and 3-foot swells. Despite that, we went sailing! Two reefs in the main, a…Read more Sailing Intro, Under Harsh Conditions
Cranberry Sunfish
This looks like a regular sunfish sailboat on a regular lake - but it's sailing on a cranberry bog, or at least the remnants of one. The lake is one of five, separated by small earthen dams, strung together in the Pine Barrens of eastern New Jersey. Cranberries are now long gone, and the lakes…Read more Cranberry Sunfish
Fishing Fun
Ah... the joys of fishing!
Six Easy Ways to “Get Out There” This Summer
We all suffer from a lack of time, and perhaps priorities, that keep us away from experiencing certain things in life. If enjoying the outdoors is one of those things that appeal to you (and I assume it is, since you're reading this), take heart! Outdoor adventure doesn't need to take time, money, or even…Read more Six Easy Ways to “Get Out There” This Summer
Boundaries
You can't have a true adventure without a little bit of risk. It's the exploration of something new and getting out of your comfort zone that builds memories! Don't turn back because something is a challenge - just understand and make sure you can accept the consequences of failure (like getting everything wet during a…Read more Boundaries
Pond Run (or… What Happened to Those New Backpackers)
It started off a little ominously. The morning was dreary, with a foggy overcast that threatened rain. We had assembled a team of 6 new backpackers, one with a few trips under his belt, and three experienced leaders, including myself. One of the crew lost a split ring off a cotter pin on his older…Read more Pond Run (or… What Happened to Those New Backpackers)
A Group of First-Time Backpackers
It's been a while since I've done a full-on backpacking plan for a group of more than, say, four. This weekend, I've got 10 people headed out, many first-timers hitting the trail for the first time. It's a whole different dynamic when you can't rely on singles or pairs being self-sufficient and just sharing the…Read more A Group of First-Time Backpackers
Pif… Pif…
April 7. I know the view of the river, the marsh and the forest beyond is remarkable. I could see it a few hours ago. Geese maneuvered through the remnants of last fall's cattails, and the air was filled with calls from a pair of recently returned ospreys getting reacquainted. Now, I can't see more…Read more Pif… Pif…
My Favorite Place
One of my favorite places in the world is the one I carry with me. My tent, and the rest of my backpacking setup, allow me to escape to almost anywhere. This particular spot was a great one - 20 miles from the nearest pavement, high in the Colorado Rockies, easily one of the quietest…Read more My Favorite Place
No Place I’d Rather Be…
Taken on day six of eleven along the Appalachian Trail in Virginia, this was atop Stony Man Mountain in Shenandoah National Park. Though I was tired, run-down, and smelled even worse than I looked - there's no place I'd rather be! This was posted in response to the Daily Post's Weekly Photo Challenge - I'd…Read more No Place I’d Rather Be…
Good Morning Campers!
Lucky enough to spend the weekend with a great group of youth at an otherwise inaccessible part of Calvert Cliffs SP along the Chesapeake. A bit chilly, but a beautiful weekend in a beautiful place!
Battling Mother Nature
Mid-Atlantic ski resorts have had a challenging winter. Started cold, but for the last few weeks we've seen late spring 60's and rain. Then shortly after I took this, snow, sleet and fog. At least the trails are obvious!
Flying Squirrel Outdoors 