"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." -- John Muir
My Recent Photos
Billy Joe ShaverJanuary 18, 2012
Fitzgerald's - Billy Joe Shaver more or less invented Outlaw country and wrote a long string of timeless hits, including "I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal," "Black Rose," "(I've Been To) Georgia on a Fast Train," "Willy the Wandering Gypsy and Me," and many others. Shaver's 1973 album "Old Five and Dimers Like Me" is a classic in the outlaw country genre. On March 31, 2007, he shot a man in the face with a handgun at Papa Joe's Texas Saloon, the injuries were non life-threatening. He was acquitted in a Waco court on April 9, 2010 after testifying that he acted in self-defense. View Photos
Los StraitjacketsOctober 22, 2011
Fitzgerald's - Los Straitjackets is a Nashville-based indie band known for their Mexican wrestling masks and their love affair with retro-surf sounds. They have made a career out of being one of the most dynamic and skillful instrumental bands on the planet. Their renowned live show is filled with mind-bending guitar theatrics, group choreography and fuzzed-out experiments in high fidelity rock n' roll showmanship. Clad in their trademark Lucha Libre Mexican wrestling masks, they have delivered their trademark guitar licks to 10 albums, thousands of concerts and dozens of films and TV shows. View Photos
Indiana DunesOctober 3, 2011
Indiana - Biological diversity was a primary reason for the creation of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Because the national lakeshore is located in several ecological transition zones, the diversity is many times greater than most areas its size. Remnant species from past climatic changes have managed to survive in sheltered habitats. View Photos
Eilen Jewell
Eilen Jewell is a singer-songwriter based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Born in Boise, Idaho, Eilen has been performing her brand of roots, blues, jazz and country influenced music in the Boston area since 2003. In 2007, Jewell's first national release, "Letters From Sinners & Strangers", reached the Top 10 on the Americana weekly radio charts.
The Trails
Canyonlands National Park
The Desert
Canyonlands National Park is located near Moab, Utah. On May 4, 2008, I began a 52-mile, solo kayak trip down the Green River for five days. The first day I saw two poeple, the next two days I didn't see anybody, and on the fourth day I reached the Colorado River and saw several people preparing for the big rapids. On the fifth morning, the outfitter picked me up on the Colorado River in a jet boat for the 50 mile ride back to the closest paved road. One thing I learned is, never forget chapstick if you are going to spend five days in the desert wilderness. This is the view from where I pitched my tent on my second night on the river. Veiw Photos
The day before my trip down the Green River, I spent the afternoon at Arches National Park taking short hikes. View Photos
Canyonlands National Park is located near Moab, Utah. On May 4, 2008, I began a 52-mile, solo kayak trip down the Green River for five days. The first day I saw two poeple, the next two days I didn't see anybody, and on the fourth day I reached the Colorado River and saw several people preparing for the big rapids. On the fifth morning, the outfitter picked me up on the Colorado River in a jet boat for the 50 mile ride back to the closest paved road. One thing I learned is, never forget chapstick if you are going to spend five days in the desert wilderness. This is the view from where I pitched my tent on my second night on the river. Veiw Photos
The day before my trip down the Green River, I spent the afternoon at Arches National Park taking short hikes. View Photos
Everglades National Park
The Swamps
On January 22, 2007, I rented a canoe and camped for two nights alone in the mangrove swamp at Everglades National Park. This is the Chickee which I set up my tent on. Chickee means "house" in the language spoken by the Seminole and Miccosukees. It is a shelter supported by posts, with a raised floor, a roof and open sides. I navigated the watery maze of the mangrove swamp using a nautical map and compas. My biggest fear was getting lost. At this location I am about 10 miles from the canoe launch. View Photos
The Okefenokee Swamp is a wonderful cyppress swamp, and home to many alligators. On May 8, 2007, I rented a kayak at the Stephen C. Foster State Park in Georgia, and for three hours, I paddled alone in an alligator infested swamp. Everywhere I looked there were alligators. View Photos
In South Carolina, I hiked for 5 hours in the Congaree Swamp on October 8, 2010. The Congaree National Park preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the United States. The backcountry is inhabited by wild boars, bobcats and venomous snakes. View Photos
In Florida, I visited the scenic Corkscrew Swamp on January 9, 2008. The sanctuary is owned and operated by the National Audubon Society. View Photos
On January 22, 2007, I rented a canoe and camped for two nights alone in the mangrove swamp at Everglades National Park. This is the Chickee which I set up my tent on. Chickee means "house" in the language spoken by the Seminole and Miccosukees. It is a shelter supported by posts, with a raised floor, a roof and open sides. I navigated the watery maze of the mangrove swamp using a nautical map and compas. My biggest fear was getting lost. At this location I am about 10 miles from the canoe launch. View Photos
The Okefenokee Swamp is a wonderful cyppress swamp, and home to many alligators. On May 8, 2007, I rented a kayak at the Stephen C. Foster State Park in Georgia, and for three hours, I paddled alone in an alligator infested swamp. Everywhere I looked there were alligators. View Photos
In South Carolina, I hiked for 5 hours in the Congaree Swamp on October 8, 2010. The Congaree National Park preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the United States. The backcountry is inhabited by wild boars, bobcats and venomous snakes. View Photos
In Florida, I visited the scenic Corkscrew Swamp on January 9, 2008. The sanctuary is owned and operated by the National Audubon Society. View Photos
Rocky Mountain National Park
The Mountains
My cousin Dave and I hiked for five days in Rocky Mountain National Park. On the third day we reached an elevation of 12,300 feet, and followed the continental divide for about three miles. Then we hiked down to about 10,000 feet and camped for the night. Our six mile hike above the timber line was extremely exhausting. I was always short of breath, and felt sick. View Photos
Rich Lounsbury and I, hiked 8-miles to the summit of Mt. LeConte at Great Smoky Mountain National Park on October 6, 2010. Mt. LeConte is the third highest mountain in the park at an elevation of 6,593 feet. View Photos
The upper peninsula of Michigan is home to the Porcupine Mountains. The state park offers incredible views of Lake Superior. It is 92 square miles big, with virgin forest, scenic waterfalls, rugged Lake Superior shore line, remote rustic cabins, 87 miles of hiking trails, and virtually no roads. View Photos
My cousin Dave and I hiked for five days in Rocky Mountain National Park. On the third day we reached an elevation of 12,300 feet, and followed the continental divide for about three miles. Then we hiked down to about 10,000 feet and camped for the night. Our six mile hike above the timber line was extremely exhausting. I was always short of breath, and felt sick. View Photos
Rich Lounsbury and I, hiked 8-miles to the summit of Mt. LeConte at Great Smoky Mountain National Park on October 6, 2010. Mt. LeConte is the third highest mountain in the park at an elevation of 6,593 feet. View Photos
The upper peninsula of Michigan is home to the Porcupine Mountains. The state park offers incredible views of Lake Superior. It is 92 square miles big, with virgin forest, scenic waterfalls, rugged Lake Superior shore line, remote rustic cabins, 87 miles of hiking trails, and virtually no roads. View Photos
Incredible Pit - Ellison's Cave
The Caves
After 14 hours in Ellison's Cave, Rich Lounsbury took this photo of me ascending the 440 foot deep Incredible Pit at 1am. To exit the cave there is still an 80 foot pit and a 60 foot pit to ascend, and a mile hike back to the car. The cave is located in Georgia. View Photos
I have been caving for 20 years with the Windy City Grotto of the National Speleological Society. I have explored caves in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa. View Photos
After 14 hours in Ellison's Cave, Rich Lounsbury took this photo of me ascending the 440 foot deep Incredible Pit at 1am. To exit the cave there is still an 80 foot pit and a 60 foot pit to ascend, and a mile hike back to the car. The cave is located in Georgia. View Photos
I have been caving for 20 years with the Windy City Grotto of the National Speleological Society. I have explored caves in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa. View Photos
The Mississippi Delta
Clarksdale, Mississippi
Big Jack Johnson
Big Jack Johnson "The Oilman" at Red's blues club in Clarksdale, on August 6, 2010. Big Jack died on March 14, 2011. He was 70 years old. Johnson played with a fiery and gritty intensity, which made him one of the most popular and influential Delta bluesmen in the last 20 years. View Photos
Big Jack Johnson "The Oilman" at Red's blues club in Clarksdale, on August 6, 2010. Big Jack died on March 14, 2011. He was 70 years old. Johnson played with a fiery and gritty intensity, which made him one of the most popular and influential Delta bluesmen in the last 20 years. View Photos
Clarksdale, Mississippi
Red's Blues Club
Red's is located in Clarksdale, across the street from a graveyard, and behind Red's, flows the muddy Sunflower River. It is one of the few old school, juke joints left in Mississippi. I saw Big Jack Johnson play here. All night long they barbecue on the smoker in front of the blues club. View Photos
Red's is located in Clarksdale, across the street from a graveyard, and behind Red's, flows the muddy Sunflower River. It is one of the few old school, juke joints left in Mississippi. I saw Big Jack Johnson play here. All night long they barbecue on the smoker in front of the blues club. View Photos
Clarksdale, Mississippi
The Crossroads
The junction of Highway 61 and Highway 49 in Clarksdale is designated as the famous crossroads where, according to legend, Robert Johnson supposedly sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for mastery of the blues. Tommy Johnson also claimed to have met a tall black man here. He tuned Johnson's guitar so he could play better than everyone else, but this man was the devil, and the price for this talent was his soul. View Photos
The junction of Highway 61 and Highway 49 in Clarksdale is designated as the famous crossroads where, according to legend, Robert Johnson supposedly sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for mastery of the blues. Tommy Johnson also claimed to have met a tall black man here. He tuned Johnson's guitar so he could play better than everyone else, but this man was the devil, and the price for this talent was his soul. View Photos
Clarksdale, Mississippi
Mr. Tater
Foster Wiley, better known as Mr. Tater, may have been the last true Delta blues street performer. He was a familiar site in downtown Clarksdale, Mississippi, playing his guitar in front of local businesses. Through the years, Mr. Tater performed in local blues festivals and Clarksdale-area venues like Ground Zero Blues Club and Red's Lounge. Neither wealthy nor educated, Wiley developed a worldwide following with the advent of the Internet. The photo was taken on August 6, 2010, in front of Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art. Mr. Tater passed away on Spetember 10, 2010. View Photos
Foster Wiley, better known as Mr. Tater, may have been the last true Delta blues street performer. He was a familiar site in downtown Clarksdale, Mississippi, playing his guitar in front of local businesses. Through the years, Mr. Tater performed in local blues festivals and Clarksdale-area venues like Ground Zero Blues Club and Red's Lounge. Neither wealthy nor educated, Wiley developed a worldwide following with the advent of the Internet. The photo was taken on August 6, 2010, in front of Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art. Mr. Tater passed away on Spetember 10, 2010. View Photos
Greenwood, Mississippi
Tallahatchie Flats
For the Delta blues experience, I stayed in this authentic, plantation shack at a place called Tallahatchie Flats on the banks of the Tallahatchie River in Greenwood. The shacks were upgraded with plumbing and air conditioning. It also had a wonderful view of endless fields of cotton. View Photos
For the Delta blues experience, I stayed in this authentic, plantation shack at a place called Tallahatchie Flats on the banks of the Tallahatchie River in Greenwood. The shacks were upgraded with plumbing and air conditioning. It also had a wonderful view of endless fields of cotton. View Photos
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Created by Prairie Path Web Site Design • Ken Redeker • Tel: (630)803-4884
Created by Prairie Path Web Site Design • Ken Redeker • Tel: (630)803-4884