I completed my first solo backpacking trip a month ago. I’m still flying high on the experience and the boost in confidence it gave me. I spent 3 days and 2 nights in the Grand Canyon, hiking from Hermit’s Rest to Hermit Creek to Hermit’s Rapids, then back up. It’s a 19.4 mile hike that…

“I just have one question,” she said, her face glowing over the song lyrics she had just written. “Is it always this much fun?” “Yes,” I smiled back. “It pretty much always is…” My young friend is inspiring in many ways. She has a beautiful zest for life. Her authenticity is encouraging to witness, especially…

There’s something magical and slightly intoxicating about music festivals. There’s literally music in the air, often accompanied by delicious smells of barbecue, roasted corn, kettle corn, turkey legs… Sometimes there are beautiful women gently swaying with hula hoops, kids blowing bubbles, and couples holding hands. There are impromptu jams under trees, under awnings, behind tents—where…