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A Last Great Place — Block Island
 Located
just 12 miles out to sea from the Rhode Island coast lies a trip back
in time, where life depends upon the pace of your footsteps or the
pedals of your bicycle, along with the schedule of the mainland ferry.
Originally named "Manisses" or "Isle of the Little God" by the Indians
who originally ... (more)
The
Gulf Islands National Seashore
 This
past February I took a road trip to the Gulf of Mexico, Pensacola,
Florida to be exact. What I found was that although I was sixteen
or so hours from home, there were remnants of the Northeast which
also made the long journey south - only they had done so hundreds
of years before my own trip. ... (more)
The
National Aquarium in Baltimore
 Baltimore,
Maryland is well known to tourists for a variety of reasons. If you've
ever visited this enchanting city for a taste of fresh seafood, a
trip to the Hard Rock Café, for a sporting adventure to Camden
Yards and the ESPN Zone, or just for a shopping spree in the very
'hip' Fells Point, than you may already know about the true jewel
of this port city... (more)
Wekiwa
Springs State Park, Apopka, Florida
 Florida
is well known for its beaches and, of course, the corporate sponsor
of the state, Disney World. I'm down south for my best friend's wedding
at Disney's Grand Floridian resort. But after days of park hopping
and celebrating, I'm exhausted and I need an escape to one of Florida's
unassuming nature retreats. My trusty companion is a forever friend
from my youth in small town Pennsylvania who is also feeling the need
to find some woods and find it fast.... (more)
Balancing
Nature and Urban Life at the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge at Tinnicum
 On
the way to the Philadelphia International Airport, I have seen brownish
marshes and grasses right next to Interstate 95 several times. "Marshes
in the middle of developed land!?" I am sorry; I just cannot
stop asking myself that question. When I visited the John Heinz National
Wildlife Refuge at Tinnicum (means 'marsh' in Native American language)
for the first time, again, I felt that it was strange to see Canada
Geese lounging... (more)
Seven
Tubs
 I
have a heavy heart as I head to the Seven Tubs Natural area. The state
of the world has me fleeing to one of the only places where I can
truly escape - the woods. The area, also known as Whirlpool Valley,
is a place of solitude that has served me so many times as a place
to recharge and focus. As the great writer Thoreau so aptly put so
many years ago, we go to the woods "to live deliberately."
... (more)
Fairmount
WaterWorks
 I
am swept away as my guide, Ed Grusheski, quickly moves from room to
room in the underground of the Fairmount Water Works. His arms outstretched
and animated, he tells me in a dynamic fashion the process that took
place here only a century ago. It is a complicated system of boilers
and machines that leaves me dizzy, but intrigued... (more)
Beyond
Butterflies
 If
you think that the Academy of Natural Sciences on Benjamin Franklin
Parkway is just about dinosaurs and butterflies, you're not alone.
I was right in that boat beside you. But a recent trip to check out
the academy's new Living Downstream exhibit changed all that... (more)
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