"Private beach in a state park? In Florida? You must have gotten too much sun!" But if you venture to St. Joseph Peninsula State Park or St. Joseph Wilderness Preserve, you will find just that. Miles of white-sand beaches, towering sand dunes, wildlife, sunsets, and more...
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Some may think it’s hard to find signs of fall in Seattle. The towering pines, while pretty and representative of the PNW, don’t exactly find themselves the stars of fall foliage photos. However, if you know where to look, the vibrant yellow and orange leaves of fall...
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Florida is a tent camper’s paradise. From the northwestern Panhandle to the Everglades, there are natural areas, still wild, that have been developed enough to include campgrounds of high quality. So you can camp in an attractive setting and have plenty of nature nearby to enjoy. And with...
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Behind every great writer is usually a loyal four-legged coauthor, either curled up in a lap or snoozing under a desk. When your coauthor has actually accompanied you on fieldwork, she deserves even more praise (and pets and treats). The countdown is on for the release of Five-Star...
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We followed Jim Warnock, our author of Five-Star Trails: The Ozarks, throughout his John Muir Trail thru-hike this past summer. And while the gear has been cleaned and stored and the food has been eaten, Jim's advice about preparing for a thru-hike still rings true. If you're preparing for...
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The Columbia River Gorge just outside of Portland, Oregon, is known for its fairy tale-like trails and countless waterfalls. In photos, it's picturesque. In person, it's unbelievable. While living in the #YourLead van this past summer, Heidi and I made it a priority to add Tunnel...
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I've been back in my home without four wheels for a few weeks now, giving me time to reflect on the #YourLead van trip. Since my return to semi-real life, I have been bombarded with questions and comments about van life, ranging from "How did...
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Earlier this summer, we shared how Jim Warnock, author of our upcoming guide, Five-Star Trails: The Ozarks, packed for his John Muir Trail thru-hike. 21 days and 210 miles later, Jim has completed the journey. Follow along as he tells the story: Beginnings: We began our 21 days on the trail from Tuolumne...
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Long, sunny days that seamlessly transition into warm nights are ideal for two of America's beloved summer pastimes—swimming and camping. When you can combine both, you are essentially winning at summer. Maryland is bursting with campgrounds that offer an array of scenery and experiences, from the...
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There is nothing like the exhilaration of bagging a peak, whether it's your first time or your hundredth time: crating your neck to catch a glimpse of your destination, winding your way up countless switchbacks, finding yourself breathless at the summit from both the views...
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