Deserts

#BlackLivesMatter, Black In National Parks Week, Black Lives Matter, Capitol Christmas Tree, Deserts, Diversity, National Forests, National Geographic, National Monuments, National Parks, On Assignment, Public Land, Unhidden, Yosemite / 27.12.2021

A few weeks ago, I received a detailed message from my friend and colleague Shelton Johnson. As an interpretive ranger at Yosemite National Park, he expressed to me his concern for the continued preservation of the stories he shares about the U.S. citizens of African descent who protected and patrolled these public lands more than a century ago, the famed Buffalo Soldiers.“I'll be retiring in a few years, and I'm currently the only permanent African American National Park Ranger in the Sierra Nevada which includes both Yosemite and...

Commentary, Deserts, National Parks / 10.08.2018

It’s a rare travel day when I can sleep past 6AM. On this particular occasion I had more than four hours to kill before my flight was scheduled to depart. As the dogs padded circles around our bed I heard the click, click, clicking of their nails on the hardwood floors. Mekela, our blond Great Pyrenees, leaped up on to the bed between us, snuggling her face close to mine, licking at my nose until I rubbed her furry belly. “That was your last night in a bed for...

Banff, Climbing, Cycling, Deserts, Film Festival, Film Review / 05.12.2014

Audiences at the 2014 Banff Mountain Film Festival cheered loudest for a short feature that was nothing short of painful. SufferFest 2: Desert Alpine starring climbers Cedar Wright and Alex Honnold pulled off a stunning victory to win the Radical Reels People’s Choice Award. By pegging the needle on the ol’ Applause-o-Meter they earned another coveted spot on BMFF World Tour and the enthusiastic delight of an inspired crowd. SufferFest 2 is now available for download at Vimeo-on-Demand. The second in a series of hilarious adventure films produced and...

Deserts, Recipes / 09.08.2009

Don't let anyone tell you that cooking at home is hard. I discovered this recipe for muffins with the help of my friend Erin Luken. Not only is she one of the most talented amateur bakers I have ever met, but she and her husband Jason Beren are avid sailors. While visiting their home for an interview on sailing for an upcoming magazine feature, Erin pulled these delicious raspberry muffins fresh from the oven. The recipe for "Campton Place Muffins" appears in Deserts By The Yard by Sherry Yard executive pastry chef of Spago restaurant in Beverly Hills photo by James Edward Mills
Deserts, Pies, Recipes / 29.06.2009

A recent Joy Trip to Door County Wisconsin prompted me to try my hand again at making pie. Several days of light hiking, biking and kayaking through this agrarian tourist community on the shores of Lake Michigan inspired reflection upon the practical use of fresh local produce in the preparation fun and tasty food. I had the pleasure seeing a cooking demonstration at the Washington Hotel & Culinary School on Washington Island. A short ferry ride from Gills Rock delivered me with a small contingent of travel writers to...