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Wild Horses: Rural Road Trips Missouri

I’ve heard the saying, “Wild horses couldn’t keep me away.” A few weeks ago, I heard an old song that proclaimed that the secret to life was, “faster horses, younger women, and more money.” This week I had several encounters with the wild horses of the Ozark Scenic Riverways. As we were arriving at Echo…
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Teachers

Yesterday many area schools had opening day sessions for teachers. It is the first time in 33 years that I wasn’t at one of them. I hope their day was a celebration and that school leadership reminded them how important they are. Teachers are important to society, to communities, and to individuals. Teachers have impact.…
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Most People

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The Power Of Community: Travel Goals Iceland

I love gatherings. But most of all I love gatherings that foster a sense of community. Gatherings that promote unity, coming together, and connections. These are hard to come by in modern American life. Sure, there are plenty of things to do and places to go. But intentional community wide celebrations are almost relics of…
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Labors of Love

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Of Outhouses and Other Surprises When Nature Calls

Bathrooms. Lavatories. Loos. Water Closets. Toilets. Powder Rooms. Out Houses. Johns. Ladies Rooms. Mens Rooms. Cans. So many names and none of them exactly topics for polite company. This morning, however, I find myself thinking of bathrooms. When I was a kid, my brother used to throw a fit to use the bathroom everywhere we…
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Perspective

This photo, taken recently, is a favorite precisely because I was startled at the beauty of the bloom. I generally find cacti ugly, horrible little plants. They are designed to take in water and air while keeping everything else away. It is easy to be injured if you are not careful where you tread. Hiking…
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Scottsbluff, A Lesson in Life: Rural Road Trips Nebraska

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Stress Test: Rural Road Trips Nebraska

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Echoes: Rural Road Trips Nebraska

Central Nebraska. Corn and tractors. Tractors and corn. At Homestead National Park, hopefulness and despair were on full display. The settlers who came by the thousands to homestead persisted out of stubborn hope for a better life. They came with almost nothing and built a life out of hostile soil. Cutting sod for houses. Using…