Life's Secret Sauce
Airstream life and field notes from the road.

Latest

25
Sep
Eroded Pine Ridge buttes rising above a trail at Fort Robinson State Park in Nebraska.

Fort Robinson State Park

A quick stop turned into a deeper look at military history, Native conflict, and the strange buttes rising above Nebraska’s plains
6 min read
15
Sep
Appalachian Trail | Southern & Central Maine

Appalachian Trail | Southern & Central Maine

Approx. Mileage 1,910–2,079 | Maine State Line to Shaw's Hiker Hostel
8 min read
10
Sep
Appalachian Trail | VT & NH

Appalachian Trail | VT & NH

Approx. Mileage 1,593–1,910 | Vermont to the Maine state line
9 min read
31
Aug
Appalachian Trail | CT & MA

Appalachian Trail | CT & MA

Approx. Mileage 1,450–1,593 | Connecticut to the Vermont state line
6 min read
13
Aug
Nokhu Crags rising above the forested Never Summer Mountains in State Forest State Park, Colorado.

State Forest State Park

A remote mountain stay with huge campsites, rugged mountain terrain, alpine lakes, and enough space to disappear for a few days.
6 min read
11
Aug
Wetlands and winding water channels stretching across North Park beneath distant mountains at Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge.

Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge

An unexpected roadside stop in North Park led to a look at open wetlands, wildlife, and the landscape being protected beneath the Continental Divide
4 min read
08
Aug
Samantha hiking with one of the dogs on a rocky pine-forest trail near Buena Vista, Colorado.

Buena Vista, Colorado

A two-week base for the Collegiate Loop, the Sawatch Range, and a summit day on Mount Elbert
7 min read
03
Aug
High alpine basin and mountain ponds glowing in morning light along Collegiate West in Colorado's Sawatch Range.

Collegiate West | Four Days Above Treeline

Four days across high alpine basins, exposed passes, and camps near 12,000 feet. The West delivered bigger miles, exceptional wildlife, and some of the strongest backpacking terrain of the entire trip
10 min read
31
Jul
Appalachian Trail | NJ & NY

Appalachian Trail | NJ & NY

Approx. Mileage 1,295–1,450 | Delaware Water Gap to Connecticut
6 min read
28
Jul
Rocky Sawatch Range peaks rising above dense evergreen forest along Collegiate East.

Collegiate East | Five Days in the Green Tunnel

Five days through pine, aspen, burned forest, and rain on the lower, sheltered side of the Sawatch Range. The East offered solid trail and steady climbing, but few sustained views
8 min read