I continue to resent the fact that if I had pitched the last 10 years as the background to a contemporary fantasy novel, my editor would’ve laughed me out out of the building and told me that it was too heavy-handed and ridiculous for anyone to believe.

There's this episode of Star Trek where Captain Picard is captured and tortured, and the main way that the torturer tries to break him is by showing him four lights, and telling him that there are five. There are four lights. This is not a post about Star Trek.

So, not just me, it really has been warmer on the Peninsula this season….

Grateful to be starting off 2026 in a remote place, sharing stories and helping people experience the beauty and wildness found at some of the furthest corners of the map. Sending love to all who are looking forward to 2026 with guarded optimism.

Merry Christmas from a boat in Antarctica! The weather has been calm and the penguin chicks are hatching. Beautiful time of the year. Photo by John Shedwick.

Visiting Deception Island in the South Shetlands during our most recent Antarctica trip. The work is intense but boy does it bring me to some incredible places.

Difficult to comparison shop for health care when my town has ONE HOSPITAL.

Today is a great day to yell at your elected representatives.

One of my kids used to work at a Major Grocery Store deli, and they all rang up hot foods as cold for SNAP recipients. If you work in a deli and can do this without losing your job, please do so.

This house in Staunton Virginia is next level Halloween.

Hiking the boardwalk through the sandstone formations at Beartown State Park in West Virginia.

Some photos from Charleston WV today. Mom and I and an estimated 200 people marched 2 miles from the federal courthouse to the state capitol, and joined an estimated 2000 people at the rally there. Fewer people in the square due to the heat but the shade trees were standing room only.

Baranof island.

Did a short term foster for a local shelter for this lovely senior dog. His favorite thing was snoozing on the porch while wrapped in a blanket. Shelters are still really full in a lot of places; please visit your local one if you feel like there is room in your life for a critter.

Packed theatre tonight in the tiny fishing town of Seward Alaska - all to watch a showing of David Attenborough’s Oceans. Great documentary - and it talks about Papahanaumokuakea Natl Sanctuary and spillover effects in yellowfin tuna populations!

Hiking in Kenai Fjords National Park today. Support your parks.

listen the world is a mess but a judge ordered the Florida migrant prison closed, California passed their "fuck around, find out" redistricting, and James Dobson is dead this is the best net good news day in awhile, I really do think

Hiked up a mountain in Kachemak bay state park. Great weekend with wonderful friends.

Massive and growing protest in Anchorage against President Trump and Putin meeting tomorrow on Ukraine without Ukraine.

Every time I turn my back these bushes are popping out more blueberries. Some of these things are the size of grapes. Smoothies for days…

Any takers on whether he is going to TACO out of this?

Dog sitting my cousins antique golden retriever. She took a nap in the moss while I picked blueberries. Such a good girl.

The blueberries in my yard are having a wonderful summer.

Anchorage organizers estimate over 4,000 people attended the No Kings rally today. Photos submitted by Michael Conti

Between 1,500 and 2,000 people attended Juneau, Alaska’s #NoKings rally today under clear skies. That’s based on a series of clickers used by organizers. There were 6-10 silent counterprotesters on the bridge above.

No Kings protest in Seward, Alaska. Over 200 people, which us a big turnout for something that doesn’t involve fishing… #nokings #flagday

Harvesting rhubarb out of the garden.

One last sunset from Molokai.

Last visit to Kaloko Honokohau National Historic Site until next winter. Winding down the season and heading north soon.

A beautiful sky as we were coming into Kona today. Sometimes my life feels exhausting but I feel incredibly lucky to be able to do what I do.

Ohia lehua blooming on Lana’i. Getting to the end of another week of adventures in Hawaii.

Morning at Kaloko Honokohau National HistoricSite.

Kilauea last night from the Crater Rim drive overlook last night around 8pm. Volcanos National Park, thanks to the rangers who were out there directing traffic late last night and cleaning early outhouses this morning. I appreciate you. @resistancerangers.bsky.social

A dollop of good news!

UPDATE SINCE POSTING: The Park Service is now authorized to reinstate ALL 1,000 probationary park staff who were terminated on February 14. The Park Service was originally authorized to reinstate approximately 400 previously terminated probationary employees. www.npca.org/articles/753...

Turnagain Arm sunset.

Great spring day of skiing! Crust was very solid and fast!

A group of locals protesting outside the Kenai Fjords National Park visitor center in Seward Alaska. @resistancerangers.bsky.social

@transequality.bsky.social has some suggested language! transequality.org/news/freedom...

Happy pi day to all who celebrate. Trying to use up some of the frozen cherries from last summer.

Neighbor Dog came by, haven’t seen her in a couple months (she gets offended when I dog sit other dogs). Because what better thing in the Alaskan wilderness than the sound of an unknown large animal enthusiastically trying to scratch through the front door?

125 workers fired so far, and more cuts coming. DOGE mass firings are devastating places like Parkersburg, WV where federal jobs impact the entire community. www.reuters.com/world/us/dog...

America’s worst idea, according to Katie Bausler, in a commentary for @alaskabeacon.com alaskabeacon.com/2025/03/03/a...

Heading out to Galena to volunteer for the long distance love song to Alaska winter, the Iditarod sled dog race! Winter has been scarce on the Kenai, hoping I will find it on the Yukon.

A packed room at the town hall meeting with AK state legislator Jesse Bjorkman. Heartened to hear so much support for education and the Moose Pass School.

Only 2 employees left at famous Mendenhall Glacier Visitor’s Center in Alaska. The site supports a local tourism economy. 19 employees were set to work there this summer including: 10 rangers for tourism 3 other rangers 1 director A skeletal maintenance staff remains.

My yard. In Alaska. In February. This is a ridiculously low snow year and doesn’t bode well for our fire season or for water levels in salmon streams by end of summer. Great time to fire a bunch of Forest Service people with Wildland fire training…

Here is a sign-on letter for individual scientists and other experts to speak out and protect NOAA. I signed it and I encourage you to sign it as well. secure.ucsusa.org/a/2025-prote... 🌎🧪🦑🐠

Oreo is here to cheer up your scrolling.

Lovely weekend learning about indigenous Hawaiian culture on Molokai with my cruise ship guests. Here’s to celebrating differences.