A freelance writer based in Austin, Texas, I specialize in writing about science, nature, and travel - primarily outdoor-oriented and eco-travel; destinations in the Southwest US, Mexico and the Caribbean; and activities such as camping, hiking, kayaking, and scuba diving. I've published articles in Family Fun, Men's Journal, Wildflower, Nature, Scientific American, StarDate, Texas Highways, Smithsonian, Texas Co-op Power Magazine, San Antonio Express News, Woman's Day, and Virtuoso Life. I'm a contributing writer at Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine, and a Field Correspondent for Backpacker. I wrote a weekly newspaper column for six years, and a column for a local monthly for two years. I'm the author of Best Hikes with Dogs: Texas Hill Country and Gulf Coast (Mountaineers Books, 2005, 2nd printing 2011), and co-author of Lacrosse: A Guide for Parents and Players, with UT men's lacrosse coach Noah Fink (Mansion Grove House, 2005).
Researchers, including a University of Texas physicist, have developed a smaller, less expensive Raman spectrometer with a host of potential uses. My short piece on it in Scientific American's February issue.
Austin, Texas is considering a partial ban on single-use plastic bags. One argument for the ban: plastic in the environment and the problems it causes. More on that in my piece for Austin Culture Map.