Ode to a Writer's Retreat

A week at Madroño Ranch turned into a real gift for this busy writer, and one tiny part of the legacy of Heather Kohout. Read my tribute here.

Comfort Food - and Pie!

Bever's Restaurant in Chappell Hill serves fresh, homemade dishes like chicken and dumplings, enchiladas, and chicken-fried steak. You'll also find dozens of kinds of pies. Read about it here.

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

The oldest bakery in Texas, Naegelin's in New Braunfels, has everything you could possibly want of a baked nature. Opened in 1868 by the Naegelin family, now owned by the Granzin family. Read about it in the December issue of Texas Highways.

Life Advice from Her Deepness

The first female chief scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Sylvia Earle continues to dive as a National Geographic Society Explorer-in-Residence and has spent more than 7,000 hours underwater. Read her advice here.

Sleep Beneath the Sea

Reef Environmental Education Foundation and Florida International University teamed up to offer four divers a night in Aquarius Reef Base, a science lab 60 feet beneath the surface in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Fewer than 400 people -- including Sylvia Earle, Fabian Cousteau and Ian Somerhalder - have ever slept in the base. Read how to snag a bunk here.

Palo Duro Wraps Year of Parks

My last feature for Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine's Year of Parks covers beautiful Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Fantastic hiking, incredible scenery, great wildlife.

Year of Parks - Ray Roberts Lake

The next installment in my series on Texas State Parks. Ray Roberts Lake is a fishing mecca close to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Hiking, biking, swimming, picnicking and camping, too! Read more here.