About Me
I’ve been lucky enough to earn a modest living spending the bulk of my career writing and editing newspapers and magazines — actually getting paid for what I love to do. It just doesn’t get any better than that.
I’ve hit the stage in my career where my glory days are behind me. I’ve never been hired by anyone younger than me and to be honest, it’s nearly impossible at this point to find someone older than me who is hiring.
The only jobs you can get at this age these days are football coach and President.
So I’ve decided look back and share my tales of a lifetime of outdoor escapades in short vignettes so you can enjoy a refreshing, brief break in your day, then get back to whatever you were doing.
Why so short? Well, if I have an hour or more to listen to a podcast or sit and scroll on my phone, I’ll head outside and hike or bike instead.
Why subscribe?
All my subscriptions are free. You’ll get full access to the newsletter that will be emailed directly to you when new content is available, giving you access to outdoor podcasts and posts.
A new podcast will be published on Tuesdays occasionally with a journal entry that only appears on my Substack page.
Enjoy all my content free of charge. I realize many people on Substack are new to writing and hope to cash in on it. I already cashed my checks, so here you go, free for all. It just feels like the creative world is becoming one huge paywall. I would feel selfish to ask to make more from my gift, my ability to write.
However, if you would like to make a contribution to my cause and help fund my outdoor adventures, feel free to Buy Me a Coffee my clicking on the link below
Why be Anonymous?
Let’s just say that I’m an old school journalist and a maverick at heart who doesn’t like to play by the rules, not to mention that I love a challenge.
I prefer to blaze my own trail. That’s why I’m offering short podcasts of 3 to 10 minutes instead of long-winded lectures.
When I left Social Media behind a funny thing happened. With more free time, my time became more precious. You might assume the opposite would happen: You know, less time makes every minute count. Not for me.
Let’s get to the point and move on! I’ve got things to do and places to go! I’m sure you do, too.
I’ve been around long enough to have my reputation precede me, and that helped drive my career as a writer. So I find it fascinating to wonder if I can rely simply on the value of my content without flooding Social Media, calling attention to myself and begging for recognition.
In fact, as my first year on Substack draws to a close and I see just a handful of loyal subscribers, I’m reminded of what made me successful and cut short my career at the same time: My insatiable desire to be different, take chances and be true to myself.
That drive and determination to stand out and find a unique angle helped make my writing for magazines and newspapers stand out and be applauded. Yet, when I attempted to venture into books and movies, I found myself rejected because I refused to fit the “formula for success” — that is water my creativity down to match everyone else. No thanks.
I’m inspired by the freedom to create whatever I want without having to consider if it fits in with my brand or my reputation.
I consider this content to be love letters to my wife and daughters — memories from a wonderful life we’ve experienced — that they will be able to share after I’m long gone. My rule has been if I like it, that’s all that matters to me. And I enjoy listening to these short breaks.
While you might not be able to put a face to this content, please know that any contribution of your time and energy is appreciated with full heartfelt gratitude and a wry grin knowing I’ve connected with a kindred spirit.
I never imagined racking up hundreds of subscribers or clicks of that little heart because being popular has never been my goal. Simply to sit at my desk and create is all I ever wanted. Well, that and the ability to get out into nature every change I get.
A note about the podcasts
So, yes, my podcasts might sound a little rough on the edges. Call me selfish. Instead of worrying about setting up a soundproof booth in my office, most of my podcasts have been recorded out in nature. Many at my various campsites, and others at inspiring places along a trail where the spirit to share moves me. So you’ll hear an occasional airplane flying over, or RV heading out of the campground, or more often my dog chewing on a stick bored to death that we’re not on the trail actually, you know, moving.
