Outdoor Spotlight: Summer Musings in Washington's High Country

North-Central Washington is an outdoor enthusiasts dream come true. Even the most pessimistic downer you know would have trouble denying this. Right on the cusp of the arid plains of the Columbia Plateau and the voluminous Cascade Mountains, the area is an Eden of sorts for skiers, mountain-bikers, kayakers-- so on and so forth. As a pretty impressive winter season now retreats into memory, a certain question comes into play: what's next?

From winter springs new life. Summer in Bavaria approaches. Carefully we plot our seasonal exploits, planning each hike, trip or ride in intimate detail. Here-- deep in the wilds of Cascadia-- snows are receding, flowers are blooming, and children painstakingly endure through their final weeks of school. Summer is coming...

Natural Escapism: Finding Peace at Icicle Creek

Everyone does something different to unwind-- to "reset." If you find solace in nature, Icicle Gorge is quite the offering. From the canyon floor and raging white-water, to jagged alpine peaks, from wildflowers to wild wolves, the Icicle offers some of the quickest access into true wilderness found anywhere in the lower 48 states.

The Cheapskate's Guide to Leavenworth, Washington

When you're on vacation, expenses can easily get out of hand. Some people are lucky enough to travel exclusively by way of private jet, and spend weeks on end lounging in thousand-dollar a night luxury suites. The rest of us however, travel on a somewhat tighter budget. Here's a few great things to do in Leavenworth-- without breaking the bank.

10 Things to Do in Leavenworth for Less Than 20 Dollars:

Residential Bliss: Your Ten Step Guide to Backyard Garden Design

You're sitting in your backyard on a comfortable springtime evening. Maybe you've just finished mowing the lawn, or barbecuing, or you're simply relaxing and watching the kids play. Staring off into the grass, you come to the realization that there is a part to your lawn that is seldom used for anything. It serves no true purpose. Planting a garden has always been an entertaining notion, but you've never quite gotten around to actually doing it. Perhaps the task seems daunting? Or you just don't know where to start? Introducing: Ten easy steps to designing your very own back yard garden.

The Ditch in the Desert

Arizona: Beyond the Desert

“Life is a great adventure—accept it in such a spirit.” – Theodore Roosevelt

A century ago, America was well on her way to irreparably destroying the very earth on which she sat. In a matter of decades, the young nation had carved a triumphant swathe across the virgin continent, leaving a path of death and destruction in its wake. Displacement and mass-extinction—the results of “progress.” Whatever the sins of our past, there is no denying that without this period of wild expansionism—“manifest destiny” we call it, America may never have grown into the great nation she is today.

Hippie Pow with Friends

This winter, in correlation with some academic work, I learned how to edit video. Completing a variety of projects, I gained a level of proficiency with Adobe Premiere. This is my personal favorite:

If you enjoyed this edit, feel free to check out my other videos on YouTube: HERE