Archive | 2015

I’m Going to Every U.S. National Park During 2016…

59 parks in 52 weeks  –  that’s fewer than one per week  —  and it’s all happening by road, save a few plane rides to reach island destinations. Everybody I’ve told seems genuinely excited for me. I am excited for me. And I am excited for Jon, my sig-O and better half, with whom I’ve […]

Continue Reading

What To Do With A Few Days In Santiago, Chile

I didn’t do a whole lot of research of what to do in Santiago before I got on a plane to go there because I didn’t have a whole lot of time to spend—just 2-and-a-half days and 2 nights. I showed up with a multitude of devices loaded with apps that I rely heavily upon when I travel (e.g. TripAdvisor); […]

Continue Reading

An Insider’s Guide to Rock Creek Park: The Largest and Oldest Urban Park in America

First Published on RootsRated.com You don’t need to venture far from DC proper to escape the urban environs and instantly become absorbed with nature. If you want to stay within the city limits, you can hit up Rock Creek Park, a 32-mile trail system weaving its way through the woods of Washington and on to Montgomery County, […]

Continue Reading

Pablo Neruda’s House in Santiago, Chile

On the way to Easter Island I stopped off in Santiago, Chile, and happily found my way to the eccentric house of artful poet great, Pablo Neruda. He has three homes in and near the Chilean capital. I got lost inside his home, now a museum, in Santiago. It is a series of houses actually–each dedicated to […]

Continue Reading

‘Die Slowly’ by Pablo Neruda

I just don’t want to lose the enchanted as it finds its way to me so I am going to start archiving beautiful writing on this site…    Die Slowly   He who becomes the slave of habit, who follows the same routes every day, who never changes pace, who does not risk and change the […]

Continue Reading

‘A Clear Midnight’ by Walt Whitman

A Clear Midnight by Walt Whitman THIS is thy hour O Soul, thy free flight into the wordless, Away from books, away from art, the day erased, the lesson done, Thee fully forth emerging, silent, gazing, pondering the themes thou lovest best. Night, sleep, death and the stars.

Continue Reading

National Geographic Photographer, Jeff Mauritzen, Divulges Best Spots for Photos in DC

First Published on RootsRated.com Walking around Washington at any time of year, you will find no lack of cameras, tripods, and smartphones all vying to capture the experience of the nation’s capitol through a lens. Whether you’re a professional photographer or social shutterbug, everyone is looking for that one great picture, the perfect light in the perfect […]

Continue Reading

DC’s Best Day Hike: Billy Goat Trail

Published First on RootsRated.com The Billy Goat Trail near Great Falls is easily one of the best nature hikes near DC. It’s especially worthwhile if you’re looking to get a half-day dose of the outdoors and some exercise without the commitment of driving too far outside of DC, northern Virginia, or southern Maryland. There are three main trails—A, […]

Continue Reading

8 Awesome Green Spaces Within DC City Limits

First Published on RootsRated.com Living the city life doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to forgo outdoor green space—it may even make you crave it more. But, when you live in the city, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of everyday life, skyscrapers, and pavement, pavement, and more pavement, it can sometimes be easy to let slip from […]

Continue Reading