The Writer’s Craft – Don’t Be Afraid to Delete!

(Niceville, Florida – 4 June 2021) – I’ve begun polishing book 3 of The Accidental Detective series, And So It Begins, for release early next year while I’m taking the long way ‘round in my move to Tennessee. I drafted And So It Begins back in 2018. That’s not quite three years ago, but a … Continue reading The Writer’s Craft – Don’t Be Afraid to Delete!

Memorial Day 2021

BIVOUAC OF THE DEAD The muffled drum's sad roll has beatThe soldier's last tattoo;No more on life's parade shall meetThat brave and fallen few.On Fame's eternal camping-groundTheir silent tents are spread,And Glory guards, with solemn round,The bivouac of the dead. No rumor of the foe's advanceNow swells upon the wind;Nor troubled thought at midnight hauntsOf … Continue reading Memorial Day 2021

Travel Log: I’m not Kidding Around!

(Niceville, Florida; May 28, 2021) – Spending a day aboard the USS Kidd (DD 661) will transport you back to the hot, sweltering days when our sailors fought and won World War II with hard steel, heavy munitions, and zero air conditioning. World War II is receding further into our collective rear-view mirror. Although my … Continue reading Travel Log: I’m not Kidding Around!

Travel Log: Ghost Towns to Ghost Cars

(Liberty Hill, Texas; May 23, 2021) – I love real-life dead ghost towns. I also love real-life dead ghost cars. I mean, come on! Ghost towns and ghost cars are just the liveliest, intriguing-est, and simply most fabulous places to go! The term ‘ghost town’ often brings to mind tattered, forgotten Old West-era wooden buildings … Continue reading Travel Log: Ghost Towns to Ghost Cars

Travel Log: Whiling Away the Hours in Williams

(Albuquerque, New Mexico; May 18, 2021) – Williams and the Grand Canyon are now far in my rearview mirror as I steadily make my way east to Florida. Williams is a charming little town that found some creative ways to survive the blow of being bypassed by Interstate 40 in 1984 and the decommissioning of … Continue reading Travel Log: Whiling Away the Hours in Williams

Travel Log: Back to the Canyon

(Williams, Arizona; May 16, 2021) –I’ve come back to the Grand Canyon. I first laid eyes on this unbelievable place in October 2018 during the Grand Tour USA. Once my decision was made last year to depart Washington State and repair to Tennessee, the Grand Canyon was the first place on my list of places … Continue reading Travel Log: Back to the Canyon

Travel Log: Mystery of the Ruins

(Fallon, Nevada; May 12, 2021) – La Plata was founded in 1863 and served as the county seat for Nevada’s Churchill County from 1864 - 1869. La Plata was dead before the 19th century died, fading from the map after the local silver mines played out and the mining boom moved elsewhere. Located up in … Continue reading Travel Log: Mystery of the Ruins

Travel Log: Volcanoes Under Our Noses

(Fallon, Nevada; May 11, 2021) – I’ve departed Washington State and begun Cross Country 2021 on my way to settling in Tennessee! If you’ve followed this blog for a bit, you’ll know I’m fascinated by volcanoes. I’d have been a happy vulcanologist if my math skills were better. These systems are amazing examples of natural … Continue reading Travel Log: Volcanoes Under Our Noses

Photo Finish – Washington State Memories!

I officially have no domicile! The moving crew was amazing and finished quickly Tuesday, allowing me to clean the house and turn in my keys 48 hours early! However, I'm still sticking around until Saturday anyway so I can enjoy a final dinner with my good friends Friday night. I've focused my lens on our … Continue reading Photo Finish – Washington State Memories!

Travel Log: Falling for Water – the Forgotten Falls!

(Silverdale, Washington; May 4, 2021) – I was sitting down to film my video on waterfalls when I was struck by a thought! Seriously, you can see the bruise on the side of my head. I wrote eloquently earlier today about the six waterfalls I visited here in Washington State. Straight up, I goofed. I … Continue reading Travel Log: Falling for Water – the Forgotten Falls!