When backpacking it’s really nice to have a towel along to dry off after that refreshing dip in a chilly stream. Anything bigger than a hand towel is too big and heavy to be carrying in a backpack. Always on the search for something effective, light and inexpensive, I gave the Handy Shammy a try. […]

Edward O. Wilson defined biophilia as “the urge to affiliate with other forms of life”.  He suggested that people are born with an instinctive bond with other living systems.  Most kids love animals – Wilson says that’s instinctive.  We like to think of biophilia as finding the joy in nature – ‘affiliating with other forms of life’ sounds […]

I came across a great website that explores Ireland.  Jason, the creator of the website, is the chief explorer. He says, “I just love my country’s history and love exploring places of interest. I also take time to listen to the older generations stories about the more modern history of the 1900’s and tales that have […]

  Since 1938 the Western National Parks Association (WNPA) has been supporting the National Parks of the western U.S. as a partner in education.  You may have seen their stores at your favorite National Park where they raise funds to support the parks.  They also operate the National Parks Store at their Tucson, Arizona offices […]

I seem to be continually finding outdoor activities I didn’t know existed.  Tightwire walking is common in the circus, but becomes an extreme sport when practiced between skyscrapers.  We hear about these events from time to time, but slacklining is new to me, although I suspected it was just walking on a not-so-tight wire.  Not  quite. […]

Extreme Ironing (EI) is an outdoor sport that adds the complication of ironing clothing to the outdoor activities many of us already enjoy.  EI affectionados have combined their laundry efforts with hiking, caving, rock climbing, bouldering, scuba and free diving, surfing, wake boarding, hang gliding, bungee jumping and more. The sport was started by Phil Shaw […]

The term ‘wildways’ is used in its broadest sense by the Wildlands Network in its efforts to build interconnecting habitats for the benefit of migrating wildlife.  The concept, however, is not new. For decades the U.S. Forest Service has been developing land use plans around the notion of core habitats with connecting wildlife corridors.   […]

Susan G. Solomon has written a book titled The Science of Play: How to Build Playgrounds That Enhance Children’s Development. In her own words: “I have been frustrated by recent discussions about play. These have been well-meaning but not very effective in improving venues for kids and their families. I have tried to shift the debate […]

Reports indicate that black bears are coming out of hibernation early this year in the northwestern states and as far east as Yellowstone National Park.  This is probably due to the relatively mild winter and what is shaping up as an early spring.  There even seems to be enough food available in some places that […]

Born to Explore by Richard Wiese I wrote a full review of this book in the eMagazine, but wanted to mention it here for those that missed the article.  I summarized my review this way: “Overall, this book brought back memories from around age ten or twelve when I made bread-on-a-stick, built an iglo0, learned […]