Happy St. Patrick's Day! I grew up with a keen sense of my Irish heritage, where it wasn't a suggestion to wear green on March 17th but a requirement. And as I've traveled to the old sod many times over the years, I appreciate the connection kept alive between us in the "new world" and those who remained to keep the home fires burning. My Zoom-guided … [Read more...] about Where to stay to connect with the land in the Pacific Northwest
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How keeping present shapes a soulful nature experience in the desert.
I'm still beaming with desert vibes from my recent visit to see family near Tucson, Arizona. A highlight of the trip was accompanying my Aunt Georgia to Saguaro National Park. This is a favorite of hers, and I'd never been, so we jumped in her Prius, took open back roads, and headed for the park on a brilliant blue sky, 75-degree day. When we entered the park, I felt … [Read more...] about How keeping present shapes a soulful nature experience in the desert.
Why grounding in nature is essential to travel well.
In 1995, I worked in the lost luggage center for an airline at Portland International Airport (PDX). Eileen was a fiery redhead standing next to me, and we worked the swing shift — a time of day when baggage tended to go missing. Passengers weary from travel would burst into the office with unpredictable coping attitudes. One evening, a frequent traveler was so upset … [Read more...] about Why grounding in nature is essential to travel well.
How nature photography helps grounding in your own nature.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and I agree. But what goes into that collection of pixels is another story. Since I bought my first camera — a Kodak disc — at Hi-School Pharmacy in Scappoose, I've felt love with almost every shot. Now, at 10 years old, and with early technology, only about 3 of the 15 frames ever turned out to be noteworthy. And of those, … [Read more...] about How nature photography helps grounding in your own nature.
How grounding in nature reset my Derry, Ireland visit.
Happy Thanksgiving week! I'm thankful that you're reading this newsletter. And as always, I am grateful to the natural world for all the guidance, support, and enlightenment in 2023. With a recent trip to Europe on my mind, I'll share an experience that taught me gratitude — at the beginning of my Irish tour: After a two-hour delay, the woman at the Belfast … [Read more...] about How grounding in nature reset my Derry, Ireland visit.
