Killing the Blues in Karpacz

– A Remedy For What Ails You – In a world where politicians and media conspire to overwhelm us with the blues, I turn off the news and find happiness by chasing adventure. It’s my way of rebelling… that, and writing this blog where you will always find good vibes. Here’s a great example of how we escaped the heaviness of Big Media without spending … Continue reading Killing the Blues in Karpacz

Texas Yeti Above the B-C Ranch

Triggered By a Butterfly

– Letting Little Things Make Me Happy – Maybe I told you this story…  about living at the B-C Ranch deep in the Idaho backcountry. For three years, I served as the full-time caretaker of the ranch. It was a wilderness getaway for a wealthy Washington farmer & empty most of the time, but it was too nice a place to leave unguarded. You could … Continue reading Triggered By a Butterfly

Learning the Hard Way to Be a Packer

Learning the Hard Way

– Wild Moments I Haven’t Shared Until Now – I returned to Middle Fork Outfitters in May 2015 to help Ron prepare for the fall hunting season. He was already at Simplot irrigating the pastures, provisioning the ranch, and getting the stock used to working again. A pile of gear and supplies awaited my arrival at the B-C Ranch; I was to sort it into … Continue reading Learning the Hard Way

Being Optimistic is a Choice

Being Optimistic is Best

– 5 Reasons to Embrace Positive Thinking – Superheroes in the 1960s weren’t as impressive as they are today. There were no computers, no CGI; Superman couldn’t really fly and Batman was funnier than he was fearsome. Instead, we had heroes with whom we could relate; men of substance stacked just a little bit higher than most. They might be stronger or faster or smarter … Continue reading Being Optimistic is Best

Eastern Edge of Europe

The Eastern Edge of Europe

– Experiencing the Mystery of Poland’s Frontier – Poland’s border with Belarus and Ukraine is the eastern edge of Europe. It is a sparsely populated wonderland of lakes, forests, and open skies. Geopolitically, however, it is a place of great tension and turmoil… a territory that has been brutally disputed for hundreds of years. Our plan was to travel along the border from the top … Continue reading The Eastern Edge of Europe

Living off-the-grid with Patrick Taylor the Texas Yeti

How Living Off-the-Grid Changed My Life

– What I Couldn’t Learn in the City – I didn’t just ‘up and disappear’. Before I left the city to begin living off-the-grid, I spent a year trying to save my marriage and a couple more trying to save my career but failed in both endeavors. It happens to everyone, more or less… and when I exhausted the possibilities of improving those chapters of … Continue reading How Living Off-the-Grid Changed My Life

Day Hikes

What to Do When the Week Ends

– Little Adventures for Longer Lives – Ela and I want to stay fit and interested in life, so we take recreation regularly. Not vacations: we enjoy those when we can, but they’re big chunks of time that require lots of money and planning. As a supplement, we take recreation every week or two; it’s more spontaneous and easier to budget than a big vacation. … Continue reading What to Do When the Week Ends

Old Dog Learns New Trick

– Still Relies on Experience – Sixty-eight isn’t old, but I can see old age from here…  and I’m mindful to keep my distance. My body moves well but sometimes complains; it might be a little past its prime. Definitely past roped climbs and long winters alone, but I’m still excited to visit wild places and see things seldom seen. My recent trip to Austria … Continue reading Old Dog Learns New Trick