In biology, determination is the process of matching a specimen of an organism to a known taxon. Two native species, one common across the state of Illinois, the other seldom […]

I had brought a secret flask of bourbon – which we didn’t touch. I had insisted on bringing the wool blanket – which we used both nights, which I didn’t […]

The light show, the thunder bumpers, and 100% precip. As we make our way toward the distant Rocky Mountains on Hwy 2, a codger’s voice on eastern Montana’s local radio […]

Running on a trail, that’s really all there is to it. More to it once you’re out there, but that’s for you to find out. My first taste of this […]

There are trout in South Dakota. Also bison and mountain pine beetles. In the second week of May 2017, there were few people. Empty, but for a few early season […]

Second Breakfast Conversation We were sharing spicy Virginia peanuts and dried mango slices, our second breakfast, with a couple of hikers at Upper Two Medicine Lake. Dennis’s peanuts went quickly, […]

Within the Daniel Boone National Forest located in eastern Kentucky, the Red River Gorge Geological Area, as its name notes, is an area of unique geological formations. Natural stone arches, sandstone […]

A new look as I anticipate lots of new content in the upcoming months. Thank you to all cairn-builders for the idea. Fun note: The slope of the stone in a constructed cairn […]

A thought from Montana historian K. Ross Toole: “So when the land and its infinite abundance suddenly (and in a very real sense it was sudden, or at least the comprehension of […]

Songbirds, turtles, and kames were highlights of an early evening visit to Glacial Park Nature Preserve near Richmond, Illinois. While many spent the sunny Sunday of Memorial Day weekend cruising on […]