— The second full week in July is National Forest Week in the United States. The event was created by the National Forest Foundation (NFF) in 2019. The NFF is an organization that works “on behalf of the American public … Read More

— I truly believe there is not a place near Austin where I can find such tranquil scenes as in Lake Bastrop South Shore Park. During the COVID lockdown in 2020, I used to go to this park to hike … Read More

— Whenever the weather gets too hot in Austin, Texas, there is not much one can do but stay indoors or near air conditioning. We have been lucky in 2021 with somewhat milder and wetter conditions. All around we are … Read More

— After the hard week-long freeze and snow fall that hit Texas in February 2021, a lot of local shrubs and trees suffered devastating effects. Throughout the city, it was evident to see the damage caused. Most noticeable were palms. … Read More

— June 21-27, 2021, was pollinator week. Taking advantage of one day of cooler weather, I revisited the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. It was a very productive visit for a number of reasons. While walking the grounds of the … Read More

— As you drive U.S. Route 101 approaching the historic Lake Crescent Lodge, you will likely stop several times to admire the brilliant blue waters of Lake Crescent in Olympic NP. In some areas, you will see striking Madrones trees by the … Read More

— When we visited Mesa Verde NP back in 2007, we were dismayed at the fire devastation when entering the park. Luckily, none of that had affected the historic cliff dwellings in the park such as Spruce Tree House and … Read More

— When in Fortaleza (Brazil), sunset worshipping is a way of living. People flock to the beaches to enjoy the Atlantic warm currents and also to wait for the sun to set, especially in locations such as Icaraí and Cumbuco, … Read More

— Located in southwest Austin, Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve is an oasis in the middle of the city. Just minutes from downtown, this preserve can make you feel like you are miles from traffic. When you couple that with recent … Read More

— The Amazon rainforest (or Amazonia) covers most of the Amazon River basin in South America and is distributed across nine nations. Brazil contains the largest portion of that rainforest with nearly 60% of its entirety. Not only is the … Read More

— Located just about 1.5 hours from Austin, Texas, the Longhorn Cavern State Park is a cave that offers tours and hiking opportunities to anyone interested in the geology of Texas. The cave facilities are another example of the Civilian … Read More

— On June 8 we celebrate World Oceans Day. The United Nations (UN) proclaimed this year’s theme as “The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods.” To call attention to what covers 70% of the planet is evident in present times. Sometimes people … Read More