ROAD TEST: SAFE RIDES FOR PASSENGER PUPS
The Washington Post | July 1, 2007
After two months of being hauled around town and across the country testing out dog seats, harnesses and even goggles, Darwin the beagle is, frankly, so over road trips for now.
PHILADELPHIA: YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO FAR FOR A VEGAN TREAT
The Washington Post | February 18, 2011 | PDF
When my sweet tooth heard about Vegan Treats, a Pennsylvania bakery that ships its award-winning desserts to restaurants up and down the East Coast, I dicided that a vegan road trip--to theland of cheese steaks--was in order.
ARCHIVES
SONG, DANCE + ART
National Parks | Winter 2013 | PDF
As Civil War sites continue to mark 150 years since America's most important conflict, Harpers Ferry, Antietam and Gettysburg tell old stories in a new light.
SMALL-TOWN VIRGINIA, STRAIGHT FROM THE MOVIES
The Washington Post | January 11, 2015 | PDF
Lexington is a destinaton known for its farm-to-table restaurants, where hard-core kayakers paddle on the Maury River year-round and the Christmas parade features tractors and goats.
The Washington Post | January 18, 2015 | PDF
At first blush, it’s understandable that you might gravitate toward the sparkly, colorful side of the desert--the music festival, 24-hour casinos, golf courses nad mid-century modern architecture. After all, those of us from the East tend to associate green with life. Brown is easy to dismiss. But you’d be forgiven.
The Washington Post | July 15, 2018 | PDF
Also published in The Chicago Tribune and The Oklahoman
"So Boulder." I heard it first from friends who had moved there, as in, "The woman swimming in the lane next to me today was an Olympian. So Boulder." Or: "Our grocery store is offering goat yoga. So Boulder."
National Parks | Summer 2018 | PDF
In this divisive political era, is it possible for the Park Service to support contemporary art that grapples with hot-button issues, from immigration to climate change? At these parks, the answer is yes.
CAMPING WITHOUT THE HASSLE: NEW SERVICE RENTS ALL THE GEAR
The Washington Post | May 20, 2018 | PDF
Also published in Miami Herald and The Chicago Tribune
One day in April, I returned from a camping trip - a quick 24 out of the city - and ran a load of laundry. What’s more telling is what I didn’t do.
A GRAND TOUR OF NEW ENGLAND--BY BIKE
The Washington Post | May 6, 2018 | PDF
Also published in the New Haven Register
Everything we love about New England is better by bike. When you’re on two wheels, the air is crisper, the small towns lovelier, the coast a bit more like heaven, and the wild blueberries may even be sweeter.
The Washington Post | April 22, 2018 | PDF
Also published in The Philly Inquirer and the New Haven Register
I owe Richmond an apology. Countless times, I’ve zipped past the exits for this capital city, a place not quite far enough from Washington for a pit stop on a road trip, and not quite close enough for a meal. Last month, I ran out of excuses. I pulled off Interstate 95 and entered Richmond for the first time.
A CULINARY ROAD TRIP THROUGH APPALACHIA
The Wall Street Journal | October 18, 2014
Also featured in High Country Press
Skip the fried-squirrel jokes—this region could be the next big dining destination. And a multistate road trip is the way to explore it.
National Parks | Winter 2018 | PDF
Could they ever understand what their ancestors endured? They biked hundreds of miles along the Trail of Tears to find out.
The Washington Post | November 25, 2017 | PDF
It's easy to pack running shoes or goggles and a swimsuit for a vacation workout. But what if you're footloose and gear-free? What if you — gasp!— end up overnighting somewhere without a gym? Here are 10 gear-free ways to exercise while traveling
CAN YOU PLAN A 2017 VACATION WITH A 40-YEAR-OLD TRAVEL GUIDE?
The Washington Post | September 17, 2017 | PDF
On my family vacations in the late 1970s, my father usually drove the speed limit or below. And my mother, with time to kill and a family to entertain, pulled out the "AAA Mid-Atlantic TourBook" and began to read.
I VACATIONED AT THE EAST COAST'S QUINTESSENTIAL REST STOP. IT'S MORE INVITING THAN IT LOOKS.
The Washington Post | September 17, 2017 | PDF
Also published in The Philly Inquirer
I expected to live my entire life without price-shopping for truck-stop showers. Then I spent the night in Breezewood.
YOU'RE GOING WHERE? CHARLESTON, WV
The Washington Post | July 9, 2017 | PDF
A city that has time for you is a win. In Charleston, W.Va., you can park your car all day for $3, catch free live music almost every night and be seated right away — sans reservations — at the city’s best restaurant.
National Parks | Summer 2016 | PDF
Among the musicians who have found inspiration at Joshua Tree National Park, it is Gram Parsons whose connection to the park is possibly the most legendary. Curious about his short life, his time in in the park and his death at the Joshua Tree Inn, I drove across the country to explore.
BASECAMP: AIRSTEAM MYSTIQUE, PACKED LIGHT
The Washington Post | May 7, 2017 | PDF
The object of my desire was silver and riveted.
National Parks | Spring 2017 | PDF
The day I set out to climb the tallest sand dune in North America began with a gift from above. As I slithered from my warm sleeping bag before daybreak, a light suddenly shone onto my tent. . A faraway owl cried, “Hoo-hoo!” Outside, the dark dunes stretched out, inviting me closer. The moon lit my path. It was going to be a good day.
WHAT ROAD TRIP MOVIES TELL US ABOUT TRAVEL--AND OURSELVES
The Washington Post | March 5, 2017 | PDF
This winter, homebound with writing deadlines, I devoured more than 30 road films. Somewhere during my binge, I realized that the on-screen dramas enhanced my own relationship with the open road. I saw parts of myself in the characters, and the pictures whet my appetite for the next journey.
AT L.L. BEAN'S FLAGSHIP STORE, LEARN TO SNOWSHOE IN MAINE
The Washington Post | February 1, 2017 | PDF
I forgot about the metal contraptions and concentrated on my breath. I thought about how easy it had been to get out in the snow. No lift lines, no crazy gear, no adrenaline junkies, just me and nature, quiet and white.
SIX WHEELS WILL TRAVEL: CROSSING THE U.S. WITH A BIKE IN THE CAR
The Washington Post | July 3, 2016 | PDF
Some folks cross the country on a bike. I prefer to drive with a bike in my car. I’ve learned some lessons on my six-wheel adventures. Here are 10 of them.
SHINDIGS, JAMBOREES & JUBILEES
National Parks | December 2015 | PDF
Traveling along the Blue Ridge Parkway for some fast dancing, sweet music and old-fashioned fun.
EVER WANTED TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN A GIANT BEAGLE? YOU CAN.
The Washington Post | May 1, 2016 | PDF
For years, friends had urged me to visit Dog Bark Park Inn, a whimsical beagle-shaped bed and breakfast. Given my adoration of beagles and appetite for road trips, the suggestion was understandable.
AT FARGO'S HOTEL DONALDSON, AN INTRO TO THE CITY'S ARTSY SIDE
The Washington Post | January 17, 2016 | PDF
Some people say Fargo is in the middle of nowhere. Like that’s a bad thing. The city, which sits on North Dakota’s eastern border, shone like a beacon on my GPS this past summer as I drove west from the East Coast. Fargo may be out of the way, but I’d argue that remoteness is one of its charms.
TRY 120 SF OF LIVING SPACE ON FOR SIZE AT TINY HOUSE HOTEL
The Washington Post | November 1, 2015 | PDF
Also published in St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Montreal Gazette and The Province
The lure of the tiny house is huge. These small homes, less than 200 square feet and often on wheels, appeal to the minimalist, the environmentalist and the frugalist. Plenty of people offer tiny houses as vacation rentals, but leave it to progressive Portland to introduce the first tiny-house hotel, Caravan.
STEP RIGHT UP: BOOT-SCOOTIN' BOOGIE NIGHTS IN TX DANCE HALLS
The Washington Post | March 10, 2013 | PDF
When it comes to the act of facing a partner and stepping in unison — which Texans do so well—the venue, the music and the atmosphere are all secondary. In this state, people just dance.
WITH DOG AS MY CO-PILOT: A X-COUNTRY DRIVE IS A WALK IN THE PARK
The Washington Post | March 15, 2009 | PDF
Also published in The San Diego Union-Tribune
On a cold December morning hours before sunrise, I stood in the doorway to my bedroom, where my beagle, Darwin, was curled up on a pillow. “Want to go for a ride?” I asked. She tilted her head, and her ears flexed out like an elephant’s. “By the way,” I added, “we’re going to California.”
TRAVEL + CITIES | TOP
EASTON, MD: MUSIC SCENE LIVENS UP THE ONCE-SLEEPY TOWN
The Washington Post | July 16, 2010 | PDF
When a friend suggested that I check out the music scene in Easton, Md., I had reservations. And not of the lodging variety. But if taking a risk with Easton meant suffering through two great concerts, this was a hardship I was willing to endure.
DRIVE-IN MOVIES THRIVE IN A STREAMING WORLD
USA TODAY | June 17, 2017 | PDF
Moviegoers who long for nostalgia and low-cost fun are in luck. A few hundred drive-ins still exist, and here are a few favorites. Remember two things: Use your parking lights when entering and exiting, and please take a moment to enjoy the stars on the ceiling.
THE MYSTERIES OF THE PANAMA HOTEL
National Parks | December 2015
What treasures did Japanese-Americans abandon when they left for internment camps?
HOW TO TRAVEL AND BE KIND TO ANIMALS
The Washington Post | August 2, 2015 | PDF
The lure of the tiny house is huge. These small homes, less than 200 square feet and often on wheels, appeal to the minimalist, the environmentalist and the frugalist. Plenty of people offer tiny houses as vacation rentals, but leave it to progressive Portland to introduce the first tiny-house hotel, Caravan.
D.C. BY WHEELCHAIR: PUTTING ADA TO THE TEST
USA Today | July 31, 2015 | PDF
Anne Thomas has been in a wheelchair since 1976. Since it’s the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, she suggested we play tourists for a couple days in Washington, where the law was enacted. What’s it like today for a tourist in a wheelchair in the nation’s capital?
THINK THE LOGISTICS OF FAMILY TRAVEL ARE TOUGH? TRY TWO WEEKS IN CHINA FOR 100 SINGERS
The Washington Post | July 12, 2015 | PDF
Some members of the Choral Arts Society voiced concerns about China’s air quality; others worried about Internet access, traffic, long lines and crowds.
BIKING ACROSS PHILLY: INDEPENDENCE FROM THE TRODDEN PATH
The Washington Post | June 14, 2015 | PDF
The week before I arrived in Philadelphia, the city launched its new bike-share. I thought this would be a groovy way to check out a few new city parks and public spaces along the Delaware River to the est, the Schuylkill River to the west and the 30-block Center City in between.
AT PAYNES PRAIRIE PRESERVE IN FLORIDA, ALLIGATORS COME WITH THE TERRITORY
The Washington Post | February 22, 2015 | PDF
Gainesville is perhaps best known for the University of Florida Gators. I don’t generally make detours for mascots, but nose-to-snout encounters with wildlife? Sign me up.
HEAVY-TREAD MAKES LIGHT OF SNOWED-OVER ROADS
The Washington Post | December 7, 2014 | PDF
Silly-looking, comfortable and a childhood throwback, wide-tire two-wheelers let you cruise through winter.
PEDAL TO THE METAL ALONG THE CUYAHOGA
The Washington Post | August 31, 2014 | PDF
In Ohio's Cuyahoga River Valley, I discovered a place where it's cool to board a trail wearing a bicycle helmet.
IN BUFFALO, A NEW VITALITY GIVES THE ONCE-GRITTY CITY WINGS
The Washington Post | July 27, 2014 | PDF
Also featured in Buffalo News and on WIVB
Last month, I shuffled up to the city that brought us hydraulic power, the grain elevator and spicy wings. And over four days in this Great Lakes city, only once did I hear someone mention the body part that chickens use for flapping, that beloved spicy bar food the city loves to claim.
National Parks | Summer 2014 | PDF
Fracking adjacent to North Dakota's Theodore Roosevelt National Park is changing the landscape. And a whole lot more.
SEEING THE FOREST FOR THE TREES
National Parks | Spring 2014
There is something a little Oz-like about Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park. But despite the park’s ability to surprise and delight, the experience at the park had lost its sheen. Then park staff decided a new attitude was in order. And here’s what happened.
HOSTELS, CLEANING UP THEIR IMAGE AND GROWING LIKE GANGBUSTERS
The Washington Post | January 23, 2014 | PDF
On my first night in Cleveland last year, I fell asleep spooning my backpack. I maneuvered my laptop beneath my pillow and leaned my favorite red boots against the wall by my feet. For the first time in more than a decade, I was overnighting in a hostel, and I didn’t know what to expect.
PUMPED UP ABOUT MOUNTAIN BIKING IN NC
The Washington Post | October 6, 2013 | PDF
I’ve probably been on a mountain bike a couple of times in my life, but I’ve certainly never biked any mountains, and my only bike-related bragging rights involve a recent 50 miles on the C&O Canal towpath — arguably as flat as they come. But I was overdue for a visit to one of my favorite Carolina towns, so I packed my car and headed to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
WANT AN OLD BRIDGE? MANY CITIES SAY YES.
SmartPlanet/CBS Interactive | October 5, 2013
Communities find a second life for obsolete train and vehicle bridges as linear parks. In Washington, the 11th Street Bridge Park will bring new energy to an old bridge and divided neighborhoods.
National Parks | Fall 2013 | PDF
From bike paths to contra dances to fresh, local fare, Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers a quintessential Midwest experience.
National Parks | Summer 2013 | PDF
There's no place like Big Bend National Park to slow down, grab a pair of binoculars and reconnect with your inner birder.
SHOPPING WITH THE LOCAL CURRENCY IN ITHACA, N.Y.
The Washington Post | September 23, 2012 | PDF
Also featured in The Week
It’s only fitting that this town — as dense with brainpower as it is with composting bins — would have a quirky alternative currency system. I took my notes adorned with images of dead presidents, replaced them with playful bills with pictures of salamanders, and I went shopping.
PHILADELPHIA IN MIDWEEK IS SUCH A DEAL
The Washington Post | August 19, 2012 | PDF
In summer, the lines between weekdays and -ends become blurry, and we have a pass for making any day of the week a play day. It was with this in mind that I decided to do something wacky: I planned a weekend getaway to Philadelphia smack in the middle of the week.
REBUILDING MARYLAND'S WILD ISLANDS
The Washington Post | June 24, 2012 | PDF
What to do with all the material Maryland dredges from the Chesapeake Bay to make it deeper for giant cargo ships? Turn it into islands, of course.
RIDING A TRAIN CROSS-COUNTRY: A UNIQUE VIEW OF AMERICA
The Washington Post | March 4, 2012 | PDF
In the last five years, I had crossed the country four times by car wth my beagle Darwin, But as I approached the one-year anniversary of her death, I sought a new mode of transportation and adventure.
Washington Flyer | May/June 2012
Frankfurt now offers lots of surprises, including restaurants that could fit easily in cities like London or MAdrid.
A LITTLE LLAMA LOVE IN LEXINGTON, VA
The Washington Post | December 30, 2011 | PDF
Spunky’s face was about level with mine, and he moved in so close that I could feel his breath on my cheek. I seemed to pass muster, because after some intense sniffing, he let me lead him into the field, and with that, our trek began.
S'MORE, S'IL VOUS PLAIT? A FRENCH COMPANY OPENS ITS FIRST 'GLAMPGROUND' IN THE U.S.
The Washington Post | August 19, 2018 | PDF
Affordable glamping: Huttopia’s concept — which features well-designed, Ikea-like tent kits imported from France — is more of an elegant KOA than a rustic Ritz-Carlton.
The Washington Post | August 19, 2018 | PDF
Also published in The Chicago Tribune and The Oklahoman
Forget “Fargo.” Don’t get me wrong — I loved the Coen brothers’ dark crime comedy. But 22 years later, if you’re still thinking only about the movie when you hear that word, it’s time to rewire your brain.
WOODS HOLE: THE SCIENCE OF VACATION
The Washington Post | September 9, 2011 | PDF
In another life, I used to vacation on Martha’s Vineyard. My guy and I would fill the car with bags and beagle, and we’d drive to Woods Hole— singularly focused on catching our ferry to the Vineyard. But today, I forgo the ferry and enjoy the port town I once bypassed. .
Washington Flyer | November/December 2010
In another life, I used to vacation on Martha’s Vineyard. My guy and I would fill the car with bags and beagle, and we’d drive to Woods Hole— singularly focused on catching our ferry to the Vineyard. But today, I forgo the ferry and enjoy the port town I once bypassed. .
TILGHMAN ISLAND: IN SEARCH OF DOING NOTHING
The Washington Post | January 15, 2010 | PDF
Several times a year, I grab an overnight bag, a book and an eager beagle and head east to Tilghman Island, Md., nestled between the Chesapeake Bay and the Choptank River. In every other season, I look forward to kayaking, biking and eating crabs. In the winter, I fantasize about doing absolutely nothing.
DRY TIMES (SORT OF) IN THIS N.J. TOWN
The Washington Post | November 4, 2009 | PDF
There is one bar in Haddonfield, N.J. It looks like a wooden ticket booth, and if you peer through the window, you see barrels for storing alcohol and pewter mugs of various sizes for measuring it. A menu lists drink prices: a “gill of brandy,” 6 pence; a “quart of egg punch,” 8 pence; and a “quart of cyder royal,” 1 shiling.
SPIN CONTROL: HEAVE-HO, MOTION SICKNESS
The Washington Post | September 6, 2009 | PDF
I have turned green riding over giant sand dunes in Qatar, become queasy kayaking between the Virgin Islands and puked on a flight to Peru. There are few places I can travel, including across the dance floor via pirouette, where I don't risk feeling some symptoms of motion sickness.
The Washington Post | October 4, 2009 | PDF
I arrive at the Marathon gas station in Stuart, Va., just above the North Carolina border, to find a man eating beans out of a can and a collection of animal heads peering down at an understocked convenience store. I am at my first stop on the Crooked Road: Virginia’s Music Heritage Trail — and I don’t see anything that resembles the jam session I expected.
Washington Flyer | March/April 2010
After 72 hours in Vienna, you'll be gastronomically spellbound by the café scene and the chocolate, but new twists in design will keep you dreaming about Austria deep into the summer.
Washington Flyer | September/October 2009
Munich might be the biggest small town on the planet, with cozy cafés, impeccably clean neighborhoods and a cycling culture to match its Bavarian spirit.
The Washington Post | May 31, 2006 | PDF
Before the maximum-security facility closed in 1995, it recorded 85 hangings and nine electrocutions. Add suicides, stabbings and other deaths, and the toll is 998, which means lots of potential paranormal activity.
VA'S BAY CROSSING: HARDLY A BRIDGE TO NOWHERE
The Washington Post | November 16, 2008 | PDF
The traffic was behind us, and we rejoiced by opening the windows and sniffing/inhaling (respectively) the ocean air. Seat belts fastened, arms and floppy ears secured in the vehicle, we began the mother of all East Coast rides — across the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.
Washington Flyer | November/December 2008
Panama offers more than a famous canal. Try rainforests, beaches, eco-attractions, great restaurants and, yes, cold cerveza.
Washington Flyer | November/December 2007
Doha makes its opening salvo as the next big travel thing, looking to prove that big bankrolls for education, science and art can bring forth many happy returns.
IN ELKINS, WV, STAGE IS SET FOR A REVIVAL
The Washington Post | May 21, 2008 | PDF
When you watch Kenny Sexton on-stage singing a song that’s three-quarters staccato laughter, it’s hard not to laugh with him. It’s also hard to imagine a time when he earned his living as an accountant. Today, he’s one of the headliners of the American Mountain Theater in Elkins, W.Va.
The Washington Post | November 4, 2007
Show some esprit de corps for Veterans Day.
The Washington Post | March 28, 2007
Now’s the time to watch the Navy’s next crew of leaders in Annapolis.
Washington Flyer | November/December 2006
Shopping in Tokyo, where street corners double as catwalks and the daring flaunt their color-clashing individuality in a kind of live theater, is not for the fainthearted. Or fans of the Gap.
Washington Flyer | November/December 2004
Aching to escape hectic urbanity? Montevideo is warm, slow and sweet—even if the locals do socialize all night long.
GET YOUR CRAFT ON: A WEST VIRGINIA FOUNDATION KEEPS CRAFTS ALIVE
The Washington Post | March 1, 2006 | PDF
In Thomas, W.Va., home of the Purple Fiddle, I sign up for a craft class and end up making--what else--a needle-felted beagle.
THE MOTHER OF ALL ROAD TRIPS: CAMEL TROPHY PATAGOINIA PART I
Salon | August 18, 1998
U.S. team members bounce, ski, climb and kayak through South America on a bid to win the Camel Trophy.
SEX, DEATH AND BEAUTY IN SOUTH AMERICA: CAMEL TROPHY PATAGOINIA PART II
Salon | August 24, 1998
Near-sex and near-death experiences on Week Two of the craziest road trip on the planet: the Camel Trophy in South America.
THE GRAND FINALE: CAMEL TROPHY PATAGOINIA PART III
Salon | September 1, 1998
The last leg of the craziest road trip on earth, the Camel Trophy, which takes competing teams through the wilds of South America for three weeks.
USA Weekend | October 26, 2003
Director Peter C. Marzio made Houston's art museum the hottest ticket in town. Now his innovations are imitated nationwide.
RESCUE FARMS IN MD: A LITTLE TLC GOES A LONG WAY
The Washington Post | September 3, 2010 | PDF
The first thing I learned upon arriving at Star Gazing Farm, a rescue farm in Boyds, Md., is that roosters don't save their cock-a-doodle-doos for daybreak.
WebMD | March/April 2014 | PDF
West Wing’s Allison Janney’s puppies pooped all over her director's house when she was filming The Help, she doesn't trust people who don't like dogs, and her canine crew gets freaked out when she rehearses her lines out loud. more dishes for her dogs than she does for herself.
PETS ON TRAINS A HIT FOR AMTRAK AND RIDERS
USA Today | May 18, 2016 | PDF
Now available nationwide: tails on rails.
EVER WANTED TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN A GIANT BEAGLE? YOU CAN.
The Washington Post | May 1, 2016 | PDF
For years, friends had urged me to visit Dog Bark Park Inn, a whimsical beagle-shaped bed and breakfast. Given my adoration of beagles and appetite for road trips, the suggestion was understandable.
Washingtonian | October 2016 | PDF
The most senior employee at this Virginia vineyard is a dog named Settler.
Bethesda Magazine | September/October 2017 | PDF
Since 1997, Terry Cummings and Dave Hoerauf, founders of Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary, have cared for thousands of animals who had been neglacted, abused or abandoned.
DC COMFORT DOG TEAMS ARE BUSIER THAN EVER
Washingtonian | March 2018 | PDF
Because these days, it's not so easy to be a human
WebMD | January/February 2016 | PDF
The "Kitten Bowl" host opens up about how she's saving one feline at a time and how her husband, Howard Stern, names their foster cats.
SOPHIA BUSH IS A 'CRAZY DOG LADY'
WebMD | November/December 2015 | PDF
The "Chicago P.D." actress discusses her lifelong love of rescue dogs.
Washingtonian | March 2017 | PDF
The city isn't built for extra-large dogs--but they're definitely built for the city.
DC'S BADASS RESCUE DOGS WILL SAVE YOU ANYWHERE, ANYTIME
Washingtonian | March 2017 | PDF
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue's Virginia Task Force 1 is the nation's largest canine search-and-rescue team
Washingtonian | July 2016 | PDF
Parents aren't the only ones who will miss their high school gradutes come fall. The change can ge tough on pets, too.
Washingtonian | January 2016 | PDF
When Mark Ferrante took the train from Union Station to Philadelphia in November, he brought along an extra bag, and every so often a scruffy, black-and-white head popped out of the top. Amtrak had recently begun an East Coast pilot program to let animals onboard, and Lucky—a Maltese-Yorkie mix—was out for his maiden voyage.
PET TRAVEL ACCESSORIES FOR KEEPING FIDO SAFE ON THEROAD
The Washington Post | December 13, 2015 | PDF
Most of us know not to drive with an animal loose in the back of a pick-up truck or in a carrier on the roof, Mitt Romney-style; and we know that a dog on the driver’s lap is a recipe for disaster. But in an accident, would Hammy be as well protected as I am in my seat belt? Probably not.
MORE THAN 70,000 DOGS LIVE IN AMERICA'S RESEARCH LABS. I RESCUED ONE OF THEM
Reader's Digest | October 2015
I told Hammy that if I adopted him, every day would be an adventure. “You’ll have to be very brave,” I said. He looked at me with quiet brown eyes.
HOW TO TRAVEL AND BE KIND TO ANIMALS
The Washington Post | August 2, 2015 | PDF
In a bygone era, the general public didn’t think twice about bullfighting, bear baiting or octopus wrestling. Today, travelers not only are questioning these scenarios, but making choices that reflect their discomfort with using animals for entertainment. Ingrid Newkirk, President of PETA, shares compassionate travel tips.
Washingtonian | July 2015 | PDF
Linus was a barker, leash-yanker, and overall pain. It turned out we both needed the same cure.
WebMD | March/April 2015 | PDF
The fashion designer may rule the runways, but his three dogs rule the roost.
WHAT HORSES CAN TEACH US ABOUT LEADERSHIP
Fortune.com | January 6, 2015
Fear vs. respect, going with the flow and being in the zone are just some of the life lessons at this equestrian farm outside Washington, D.C.
Washingtonian | September 2014 | PDF
My beagle, rescued from an animal testing lab a year ago, isn't the only one who has undergone a transformation.
BRINGING FIDO ALONG FOR THE RIDE
The Washington Post | June 1 2014 | PDF
When a friend of mine suggested that we get a bike trailer for my beagle Hamilton, I said, forget it. Concerned about anxiety (Hammy’s) and burning quads (mine), I refused to entertain the idea. But I reconsidered, deciding it might be a fun way to keep our pack together during long rides. Then it was time to test out the wheels.
The Bark | May 2012 | PDF
Sgt. 1st Class Boe--a black Laborador--was arguably one of the hardest-working and most popular soldiers at the base in Tikrit, Iraq, during her deployment. In a place where where warmth and tenderness were in exceedingly short supply, she got the soldiers talking when they were inclined to shut down, and frolicking when they needed to relax.
DOGS + THE OCCASIONAL PIG | TOP
ISABELLA ROSSELLINI: ANIMAL INSTINCTS
WebMD | Spring/Summer 2011 | PDF
When she's not training guide dogs for the blind, Isabella Rossellini turns her lens on a wild world starring non-humans.
HOW ADVANCED--AND EXPENSIVE--CAN VETERINARY CARE GET?
Washingtonian | August 2015 | PDF
Pet owners want better care. A local hospital spent $5 million to give them what they want.
'DANCING WITH THE STARS' PRO KARINA SMIRNOFF AND HER REAL PARTNER, RANDY
WebMD | July/August 2014 | PDF
Dancing With the Stars' Ukranian-born Karina Smirnoff has a 95-pound "lap" dog. Naturally, she feeds him with a spoon.
A PA DOG PARK WITH REAL WAGGING RIGHTS
The Washington Post | April 27, 2014 | PDF
Between the second-to-last and final snow of this long winter, my beagle, Hamilton, and I emerged from hibernation and hit the road. We headed west, ending up at an epic dog park, with a dock-diving pond, hiking trails, indoor and outdoor agility courses, a pet store and classes including canine first aid and therapy dog training.
WebMD | July/August 2013 | PDF
Dancing With the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba gives animals a leg up through her organization, and ends up washing more dishes for her dogs than she does for herself.
NIKITA STAR MAGGIE Q FIGHTS FOR THE RIGHTS OF ALL ANIMALS
WebMD | Fall 2011 | PDF
From puppy mills in Los Angeles to bears in Vietnam, the young actress has made helping animals her primary mission.
Good Dog | October 12, 2011
Stressed students check out at law school libraries with furry companions.
PET PLASTIC SURGERY: NUTS TO YOU
Good Dog | September 21, 2011
Prostheses restores a neutered dog's manhood--or is it his owner's?
Good Dog | September 14, 2011
With pups at their sides, kids read books 'til they're dog-eared.
Good Dog | August 24, 2011
It wasn't love at first sight, but according to the New Yorker cover illustrator, Henry the chocolate Lab soon became the talk of the town.
LEO GOLDMAN: CAMPUS MINISTRY'S DOG THERAPY
Georgetown Law | Spring/Summer 2018
The Law Center's celebrity canine, Leo, offers fur therapy from his Campus Ministry office. He doesn't stress, and he definitely doesn't dream about cases or exams.
A LITTLE LLAMA LOVE IN LEXINGTON, VA
The Washington Post | December 30, 2011 | PDF
Spunky’s face was about level with mine, and he moved in so close that I could feel his breath on my cheek. I seemed to pass muster, because after some intense sniffing, he let me lead him into the field, and with that, our trek began.
'JUST BE WIERD': FEELING THE VIBES WITH BALTIMORE'S SUN CLUB
Instagram | May 2015
In one breath, the band members want to be grown up. But in the next moment, the topic changes to sexting acronyms and tree climbing. The band has been known to post photos of faces covered in ice cream, feet in mismatched socks and all five musicians’ naked bodies contorted into a bathtub.
National Parks | Summer 2016 | PDF
Among the musicians who have found inspiration at Joshua Tree National Park, it is Gram Parsons whose connection to the park is possibly the most legendary. Curious about his short life, his time in in the park and his death at the Joshua Tree Inn, I drove across the country to explore.
National Parks | Summer 2018 | PDF
In this divisive political era, is it possible for the Park Service to support contemporary art that grapples with hot-button issues, from immigration to climate change? At these parks, the answer is yes.
National Parks | Fall 2016 | PDF
To celebrate the National Park Service centennial, seven musicians brought original compositions to audiences across the country this summer through a program called Music in the American Wild. The contemporary classical pieces were inspired by the parks and include many sounds suggesting the noises in nature: wind blowing through prairie grasses, bears lumbering, frogs croaking or crickets chirping.
WebMD | October 2012 | PDF
Chart-topping country superstar Miranda Lambert dishes on how she got in shape, how she stays fit on the road and why she’s opened up her heart and home to stray dogs.
EASTON, MD: MUSIC SCENE LIVENS UP THE ONCE-SLEEPY TOWN
The Washington Post | July 16, 2010 | PDF
When a friend suggested that I check out the music scene in Easton, Md., I had reservations. And not of the lodging variety. But if taking a risk with Easton meant suffering through two great concerts, this was a hardship I was willing to endure.
The Washington Post | October 4, 2009 | PDF
I arrive at the Marathon gas station in Stuart, Va., just above the North Carolina border, to find a man eating beans out of a can and a collection of animal heads peering down at an understocked convenience store. I am at my first stop on the Crooked Road: Virginia’s Music Heritage Trail — and I don’t see anything that resembles the jam session I expected.
USA Weekend | July 17, 2005
"Take Me Out to the Ball Game?" That's old school. At ballparks today, you'll hear tunes as hot as the players themselves.
Washingtonian | January 2005
The President’s Own Marine Band attracts some of the country’s top musicians. How do you turn a tuba player into a Marine? It involves a certain stare, lessons on ironing, and Windex.
A CHRISTMAS LIST FOR RICKY MARTIN
USA Weekend | December 4, 2005
After a long sabbatical, the Latin pop star has a new record and a new view of life.
SHINDIGS, JAMBOREES & JUBILEES
National Parks | December 2015 | PDF
Traveling along the Blue Ridge Parkway for some fast dancing, sweet music and old-fashioned fun.
STEP RIGHT UP: BOOT-SCOOTIN' BOOGIE NIGHTS IN TX DANCE HALLS
The Washington Post | March 10, 2013 | PDF
When it comes to the act of facing a partner and stepping in unison — which Texans do so well—the venue, the music and the atmosphere are all secondary. In this state, people just dance.
SONG, DANCE + ART | TOP
THINK THE LOGISTICS OF FAMILY TRAVEL ARE TOUGH? TRY TWO WEEKS IN CHINA FOR 100 SINGERS
The Washington Post | July 12, 2015 | PDF
Some members of the Choral Arts Society voiced concerns about China’s air quality; others worried about Internet access, traffic, long lines and crowds.
The Washington Post | February 26, 2006 | PDF
"Syriana" screenwriter Stephen Gaghan conspires to get the words out.
Washington Flyer | March/April 2008
Swim star and local sports phenom Michael Phelps goes for gold in Beijing this summer. Will he make Olympic history again?
Bethesda Magazine | May/June 2018 | PDF
Wedding florist Sophie Felts grew up on a tree farm in Montgomery County, where as a child she helped out in her father’s nursery. Years later she moved home and started a business of her own.
POLITICAL JOURNALIST JONATHAN ALLEN RELEASES NEW BOOK ABOUT HILLARY
Bethesda Magazine | May/June 2017 | PDF
Allen’s second book about Hillary Clinton just came out. What’s next? His son has made his vote clear: “Daddy, don’t write another book.”
WebMD | January/February 2016 | PDF
The "Kitten Bowl" host opens up about how she's saving one feline at a time and how her husband, Howard Stern, names their foster cats.
SOPHIA BUSH IS A 'CRAZY DOG LADY'
WebMD | November/December 2015 | PDF
The "Chicago P.D." actress discusses her lifelong love of rescue dogs.
At Buffalo | Fall 2015
The visionary thinking of Erich Bloch revolutionized the computer industry and transformed the National Science Foundation. At 90, he is still chock full of ideas.
WebMD | March/April 2015 | PDF
The fasion designer may rule the runways, but his three dogs rule the roost.
"THEY ARE THE LOVES OF MY LIFE"
Washingtonian | February 2015 | PDF
Socialite Karen Feld takes her poodles to fancy restaurants, dresses them in cashmere and throws them lavish parties. Shocked? Appalled?
WebMD | October 2012 | PDF
Chart-topping country superstar Miranda Lambert dishes on how she got in shape, how she stays fit on the road and why she’s opened up her heart and home to stray dogs.
JAMES DYSON: WHY TO FOCUS ON THE OLD ECONOMY
SmartPlanet/CBS Interactive | November 2010
According to the British invetory James Dyson, the U.S. and Britain need to rekindle interest in engineering and manufacturing. "We need our brightest and most creative people to be going into science and engineering and technology."
ISABELLA ROSSELLINI: ANIMAL INSTINCTS
WebMD | Spring/Summer 2011 | PDF
When she's not training guide dogs for the blind, Isabella Rossellini turns her lens on a wild world starring non-humans.
CYNTHIA NIXON ON LOVE, SEX AND WOMEN'S HEALTH
WebMD | June 2010 | PDF
The "Sex and the City" star talks about playing Miranda, her battle with breat cancer, her fabulous 40s and her next role.
USA Weekend | July 4, 2008
Laird Hamilton shares 10 life lessons learned from surfing.
A CHRISTMAS LIST FOR RICKY MARTIN
USA Weekend | December 4, 2005
After a long sabbatical, the Latin pop star has a new record and a new view of life.
CONQUERING THE SHAME AND THE FEAR, THEN THE SYLLABLES
The New York Times | March 9, 2005
Part therapy group, part speech boot camp, the New England Fluency Program teaches students who stutter how to use breath, eye contact and timing to improve their fluency.
PEOPLE | TOP
MIRANDA COSGROVE PREPS FOR COLLEGE
WebMD Campus | Fall 2011 | PDF
The iCarly star and pop recording artist gets ready to graduate to living on her own.
TO FIGHT SEXUAL ABUSE, WRESTLER MICK FOLEY LEARNS THE COMPUTER
SmartPlanet/CBS Interactive | March 8, 2010
Computer illiterte and pay phone savvy until recently, Foley uses tech for some of his life's most imporant work.
BOONE PICKENS PLANS FOR 8 MILLION TRUCKS TO RUN ON NATURAL GAS
SmartPlanet/CBS Interactive | February 22, 2010
The Texas billionaire says buying oil from the enemies means we’re probably paying for both sides of the war. ‘It’s not just dumb,’ he says. ‘It’s dumb-dumb.’
PATCH ADAMS CONTINUES FIGHTING FOR JOYFUL, LOVING HEALTH CARE
SmartPlanet/CBS Interactive | February 16, 2010
The health care visionary says at his dream hospital, surgeons will make $300 a month, doctors and patients will be friends, and no one will want to leave.
TEN YEARS LATER, WHERE IS ERIN BROCKOVICH?
SmartPlanet/CBS Interactive | January 5, 2010
The environmental activist, filled with vigor and moxie, is still exposing pollution and contamination evils around the globe.
Chop Talk | January 2009
Lance Niekro hopes to pick up where his dad and Uncle Phil left off.
Chop Talk | June 2008
Motorcycle enthusiast Terry Pendleton enjoys his off day by touring the Harley-Davidson factory in York, Pa.
FOOD + DRINK | TOP
CAN YOU MAINTAIN A VEGAN DIET ON THE ROAD?
The Washington Post | April 3, 2016 | PDF
Although veganism has moved into the mainstream in recent years, if you stray far from major cities — even in the United States — you may find your options limited to a bowl of iceberg lettuce with a side of fries. Here’s how to keep a vegan diet while traveling.
NONPROFIT PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN CAFES LET DINERS PAY IT FORWARD
The Washington Post | June 21, 2015 | PDF
F.A.R.M. and Healthy World are part of a growing trend of pay-what-you-can community cafes. “Everyone eats, no one needs to know whether you volunteered, underpaid or overpaid,” said the woman who pionered the movement. “You can maintain your dignity and eat organic, healthy, local food.”
HOW A BUS STATION IN SAVANNAH BECAME A HIT NEW RESTAURANT
The Washington Post | March 1, 2015 | PDF
Also published in The Dallas Morning News
I’d heard about a new restaurat in an old Greyhound bus terminal, and knowning little more about it, the Grey earned a stop on my itinerary. The blend of historic travel depot and good food was simply too alluring to pass up.
BREW, BEACH TIME WARM THE SOUL IN DOGFISHLAND
The Washington Post | December 14, 2014 | PDF
My friend Devon knows how I feel about beer and still didn’t miss a beat when I invited her to join me for a last-minute Dogfish getaway. She was keen on a respite from her family, and I was ready to flee my writing deadlines. Plus, the new Dogfish Inn was calling.
CHEFS AND MICROBIOLOGISTS BREAK BREAD ANEW
Microbe | January 2014
Top chefs, artisanal food producers, and microbiologists join forces to explore new tastes and textures.
A CULINARY ROAD TRIP THROUGH APPALACHIA
The Wall Street Journal | October 18, 2014
Also featured in High Country Press
Skip the fried-squirrel jokes—this region could be the next big dining destination. And a multistate road trip is the way to explore it.
ARE WE READY FOR A ROBOTIC BARISTA?
SmartPlanet/CBS Interactive | June 2, 2013
Brewing and serving coffee with precision might just be the answer to a mobile, impatient, caffeine-hungry world.
DINING IN THE DARK WILL KEEP YOU GUESSING WHAT'S ON YOUR PLATE
The Washington Post | July 31, 2011 | PDF
My blind friend Travis and I were sitting in San Francisco’s Opaque restaurant, a dining-in-the-dark concept where servers are blind or vision-impaired. For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out what I’d just put in my mouth.
A DATE WITH A CALIFORNIA DATE GARDEN
The Washington Post | April 1, 2012 | PDF
A couple of hours east of Hollywood, it should come as no surprise to find people talking about blondes, brunettes, a movie and romance. It’s just a little disconcerting when you realize that the topic of conversation is a fruit.
EASTERN SHORE COOKING CLASSES CAN ADD SPICE TO YOUR CUISINE
The Washington Post | January 8, 2012 | PDF
The first thing you need to know about cooking classes on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and at the Delaware beaches is that you can leave your Old Bay seasoning at home.
Washington Flyer | March/April 2010
After 72 hours in Vienna, you'll be gastronomically spellbound by the café scene and the chocolate, but new twists in design will keep you dreaming about Austria deep into the summer.
The Washington Post | September 28, 2008
Treat your sweet tooth to Maryland’s Candy Land.
Washington Flyer | May/June 2008
Lima moves beyond ceviche with a refreshing menu of new restaurants and culinary approaches.
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THE 'SLOW PHOTO' MOVEMENT, DEVELOPING A FOLLOWING
The Washington Post | August 25, 2013 | PDF
Also published in Daily Herald
In an old shoebox, I have a Polaroid of my beagle and me, taken in Lower Manhattan about a decade ago. That was my last Polaroid print — until this spring, when I was walking around Cleveland with an old Poloroid camera and some film that expired in 2008.
Trajectory | August 2015 | PDF
Geospatial intelligence holds promise for understanding climate change through the lens of national security. From imaging and measuring the Earth to mapping environmental and human risks, GEOINT can provide increasingly accurate and timely information about a changing planet to yield better decision-making.
At Buffalo | Fall 2015
The visionary thinking of Erich Bloch revolutionized the computer industry and transformed the National Science Foundation. At 90, he is still chock full of ideas.
MACHINE LEARNING, BIG UNDERSTANDING
Trajectory | August 2016 | PDF
It wasn’t long ago that the phrase “big data” created a deafening buzz in the IC. Now, the focus has shifted—in a subtle but profound way—from collecting information to empowering it. How can we derive meaning from big data? How can we use big data to change outcomes? Today’s buzz is “big understanding.” For that to happen, we need intelligent machines.
Trajectory | February 2017
Precision agriculture applies technology to improve crop yields and reduce costs as well as provide early warning signs about food insecurity and regional conflict.
INSIDE FARGO, AMERICA'S MOST UNDERVALUED TECH HUB
Fortune.com | December 18, 2015
It gets 50 inches of snow a year and is so cold that its bikeshare system moves inside for the winter. But its homegrown tech community is on fire.
CYBER (IN)SECURITY: HOW BUSINESSES CAN TIGHTEN SECURITY
Georgetown Business | Spring 2015
Barely a week goes by without a headline about cybercrime. What should businesses be doing to tighten security.
Trajectory | October 2015 | PDF
The D.C. area’s concentration of government, academia and talent creates a unique advantage for startup innovators.
Trajectory | February 2015 | PDF
The advent of Big Data and supercomputing is driving a new era of “anticipatory intelligence,” but how will the application of these tools fit into the traditional intelligence community culture?
Trajectory | September 2014 | PDF
The U.S. Geological Survey has a long history of keeping a close eye on our changing planet—using both unclassified and classified imagery.
THESE WOMEN ARE TRAINING TO BE HACKERS. AND THEY DON'T NEED MEN TO DO IT.
Fortune.com | August 8, 2014
Step inside the Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu, a Washington, D.C.-area group for women to learn cyber security on their own terms.
Trajectory | March 14, 2014
The U.S. science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education pipeline is not producing enough talent despite high demand
IT SECURITY IS HEATING UP. ARE UNIVERSITIES PREPARED?
Fortune.com | March 26, 2014
The relatively new business of cybersecurity is booming. So where are all the smart kids going to learn about cool things like cryptography, forensics, wireless securty and embedded systems? Turns out, there are no shortage of options.
A HOSPITAL LAB'S BIGGEST TEST: THE 'PLUG AND PLAY' BULIDING
SmartPlanet/CBS Interactive | August 11, 2013
In Cleveland, lab technicians on the front line design a efficient building that can keep up with fast-changing technology.
FOURTH ESTATE 2.0 PUTS INNOVATION ABOVE THE FOLD
SmartPlanet/CBS Interactive | April 7, 2013
Non-profit news organizations like the Texas Tribune develop new ways to tell a story and play watchdog, while tech gurus now share the bylines. Is the future of news already here?
DREDGING THE PAST TO CREATE A BETTER SHIPPING FUTURE
SmartPlanet/CBS Interactive | December 3, 2012
The centuries-old technique of dredging sediment to create deeper waterways is having a resurgence. Will it spark an economic boom?
WITH TECHNOLOGY, BRINGING THE ACL TEAR TO ITS KNEES
SmartPlanet/CBS Interactive | September 24, 2012
Experts in medicine and engineering are using new technology to learn why ACL tears, a devastating sports injury to the knee, occur -- as well as how to prevent them from happening.
INTELLIGENT ELEVATORS ANSWER VERTICAL CHALLENGES
SmartPlanet/CBS Interactive | July 16, 2012
Smart elevators know where you're going and the quickest way to get there, eliminating endless waits and crowded cars that stop at every floor.
IN LIFE-THREATENING MINES, A HIGH-TECH SAFETY NET
SmartPlanet/CBS Interactive | April 16, 2012
In the dangerous and dirty world of mining, technology is creating new ways to dig -- and keep miners safe.
AMTRAK ROLLS INTO THE INFORMATION AGE
SmartPlanet/CBS Interactive | February 14, 2012
For a long time, a ride on an Amtrak train meant leaving digital technology at the station. Now, the U.S. rail operator is working to leap ahead -- and convince commuters that rail is 21st century transportation.
Georgetown University McDonough School of Business | Fall 2010
Georgetown students and alumni explore the exploding cleantech industry.
SCIENCE, TECH + ENVIRONMENT | TOP
The Washington Post | August 19, 2018 | PDF
She went to City of Rocks and Castle Rocks to climb. Then it rained. And hailed. And snowed.
GOING GREEN AROUND THE GILLS ISN'T BLACK AND WHITE
The Washington Post | November 4, 2018 | PDF | The Frommer's Travel Show
Seasickness affects each person differently. Picking the right ship size, dates and location can help limit queasiness on the water.
RIDING LIKE A DREAM FROM STATION TO STATION
The Washington Post | July 16, 2017 | PDF
When you're a child prone to car sickness, the wheels on the bus going round and round are nothing to sing about. Over the years, my aversion to bus travel only grew. Then I found myself in Texas, boarding a Megabus.
National Parks | Winter 2019 | PDF
Long before internet streaming, television and cinema, armchair adventurers explored exotic lands through the moving panorama. In the 19th century, these extraordinarily long paintings entertained live audiences across the country. Now, a quarter- mile-long painting from a bygone era makes its 21st century debut.
National Parks | Winter 2018 | PDF
Hebrew at Yellowstone? Mandarin at Grand Teton? Somali on the National Mall? As the number of international visitors to national parks rises, the Park Service is speaking up — in multiple languages.
U.S. News & World Report | December 26, 2018
Asheville is known for the Blue Ridge Parkway, bluegrass, the Biltmore and beer. It's also the world's largest repository of climate data.
The Washington Post | January 20, 2019 | PDF
Featured on Raleigh's ABC/11 and in in Dallas Morning News and New Haven Register | Also featured in The Week
“Sneaky cool.” That’s how goldsmith Lauren Ramirez, a transplant from San Francisco, described Raleigh to me when I popped into her jewelry studio in late November. It was the same morning that I saw a man break dancing in the middle of the street before 8 a.m. and one day after I’d made an impulse purchase that sparkled like a disco ball.
FORGET COACHELLA. THERE'S A VIBRANT, MORE AFFORDABLE MUSIC SCENE IN JOSHUA TREE.
The Washington Post | February 10, 2019 | PDF
This year, No-chella? The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has become so wildly successful that it expanded to two weekends and spawned another festival. But for those of us who take pleasure in exploring the periphery of a big event and treasure music in intimate settings, there's the High Desert.
FORGET COACHELLA. THERE'S A VIBRANT, MORE AFFORDABLE MUSIC SCENE IN JOSHUA TREE.
The Washington Post | February 10, 2019 | PDF
This year, No-chella? The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has become so wildly successful that it expanded to two weekends and spawned another festival. But for those of us who take pleasure in exploring the periphery of a big event and treasure music in intimate settings, there's the High Desert.
DOES ASHEVILLE, NC, LIVE UP TO ITS 'DOG CITY, USA' CLAIM?
The Washington Post | March 3, 2019 | PDF
I always thought Hammy was one of those “It’s about the journey, not the destination” travelers. Then we went to Asheville, a city with a new tour designed specifically for visitors like him. It started with snacks, continued with beer-tasting and ended with CBD treats. In just two hours, this mountain town in Western North Carolina blew his little beagle mind.
DOES ASHEVILLE, NC, LIVE UP TO ITS 'DOG CITY, USA' CLAIM?
The Washington Post | March 3, 2019 | PDF
I always thought Hammy was one of those “It’s about the journey, not the destination” travelers. Then we went to Asheville, a city with a new tour designed specifically for visitors like him. It started with snacks, continued with beer-tasting and ended with CBD treats. In just two hours, this mountain town in Western North Carolina blew his little beagle mind.
EAST COAST GREENWAY: HIKE OR BIKE YOUR WAY FROM MAINE TO FLORIDA
USA Today | March 22, 2019
A small tribe of cyclists and walkers have earned bragging rights for completing the entire East Coast Greenway—the 3,000-mile route that will eventually stretch from the Canadian border to Florida’s southernmost point--even though it’s only one-third complete.
The Washington Post | April 7, 2019 | PDF
Also published in Borneo Bulletin
My paddleboard, 10 feet long, agile and quiet, has become the perfect vehicle for seeing Washington. It offers a backstage pass to nooks, crannies and points of view that few tourists will ever see.
YOU'RE GOING WHERE? PITTSBURGH
The Washington Post | April 21, 2019 | PDF
Also published in The Dallas Morning News, Houston Chronicle and Pioneer Press
I’ve stopped counting the number of cities I’ve fallen in love with. But I think Pittsburgh might be the first city to have loved me back.
NONPROFIT GROUP FINDS DC HAS THE BEST PARK SYSTEM
U.S. News & World Report | May 22, 2019
Green with envy? You might be, if you don't live in Washington, D.C., which on Wednesday was named the city with the best park system by The Trust for Public Land.
Trajectory | August 2019
In the days following Cyclone Idai in Mozambique this past spring, no amount of geospatial intelligence was as memorable to U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Leonardo Tongko as a photo he saw of a mother feeding her child the food his units had just packaged and delivered.
NO RESUME, NO REFERENCES... NO PROBLEM
U.S. News & World Report | June 5, 2019
On employees' first day of work at Greyston, the bakery's HR manager hasn't seen their resumes, talked to former employers or called references. Some have been in prison; others are living in homeless shelters; still others have never, until now, held a legal job. All of them want to change their lives.
THIS $150 EIGHT-COURSE TASTING MENU PAIRS FOOD WITH ART
Fortune | June 15, 2019
Eat your art out at the The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Raleigh.
RBG DISCUSSES GENDER EQUITY, IN LIFE AND IN LAW
Georgetown Law | July 5 2019
Justice Ginsburg told a packed auditorium at Georgetown Law that when she and her husband, the late Georgetown Law tax professor Martin Ginsburg, met as undergraduates at Cornell, he had a girlfriend at Smith College, and she had a boyfriend at Columbia Law School. “Our friends thought, ‘Well, it’s a long cold winter [in Ithaca],’” she said, setting off laughter in the audience. For two years, the pair became close friends. She said he was so confident, he never saw her intellect as a threat.
YOU'RE GOING WHERE? DES MOINES
The Washington Post | August 18, 2019 | PDF
Also published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune
I didn’t exactly go to Des Moines expecting corn fields, but I didn’t want to miss them, either.
BACK IN TIME: AT A WEST VIRGINIA RESORT, THERE'S OLD-SCHOOL FUN ALL AROUND
Bethesda Magazine | August 2019
A tidy and postcard-perfect resort with inviting lawns and hammocks, Capon Springs materializes like a mirage in the West Virginia mountains. Part Brigadoon and part and Snow White (with music piped from the trees before meals), I half expected to see sprites.
ARENA STAGE'S MOLLY SMITH ON THE WILD CHANGES AROUND SOUTHWEST DC
Washingtonian | September 2019
"I think our audiences are the smartest in the country and are interested in meaty plays. Theater doesn’t thrive when the world is easy—it really thrives when there’s chaos. As artists, part of our job is to make sense of the world."
SUNRISE, SUNSET: IN MAINE, A PLACE WHERE THE SUN IS THE STAR
The Washington Post | October 20, 2019 | PDF
Also published in the New Haven Register
In South Portland, Maine, I scheduled only two things each day—wildly predictable events, free of crowds and costs. Twice a day, I made a date with the sun.
YOU'RE GOING WHERE? BURLINGTON
The Washington Post | November 17, 2019 | PDF
Burlington, Vt., had so much of what I had always wanted in a vacation that I often forgot I was on assignment.
The Washington Post | October 13, 2019 | PDF
Also published in The Dallas Morning News and the Brainerd Dispatch
Twin schmin. When I visited St. Paul this summer, I was vaguely aware of another city nearby. I saw skyscrapers in the distance and heard mention of a twin — a sparklier, sassier, bigger city slightly to the west. I registered that other city in my mind and then dismissed it. If a SpongeBob-celebrating, croquet-playing, Vulcan-fighting city isn't your jam, there's always the other city. For the rest of us, there's St. Paul.
The Washington Post | November 24, 2019 | PDF
Budget sleeping has never been so cool. So cool, in fact, that some hostels are now self-identifying as hotels. This is the new world of communal lodging, with luxury amenities including hand-crafted cocktails and handmade wooden bunks.
National Parks | Spring 2020 | PDF
As the sun sank in the autumn sky, I opened up a paint-mottled canvas bag and pulled out the objects inside: four paintbrushes of varying widths, a translucent blue ruler, a No. 2 pencil, a cup of water for rinsing brushes, a clipboard with a sheet of pleasingly thick white paper and a set of watercolors that looked brand-new. I spread all the items on the grass before me and delighted in my bounty.
GREAT READS FOR THE ARMCHAIR TRAVELER
The Washington Post | March 29, 2020 | PDF
The open road calls, and I reply with silence. After all, what’s a road trip without ordering the local favorite at a restaurant, breaking bread with faraway friends, flirting with strangers in a saloon? Alas, in the time of corona, even touching a gas nozzle seems fraught. Antsy for adventure, I consider other ways to transport myself. I settle on a tried-and-true escape hatch, accessible to anyone with an armchair: reading.
MINNEAPOLIS IS NO. 1 IN THE NATION FOR PARKS
U.S. News & World Report | May 20, 2020
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many park amenities like playgrounds have been closed, a quiet walking path feels like a luxury, and parks are playing an extraordinary role in the mental and physical health of Americans.
A GUIDE TO BACKYARD CAMPING: TURNS OUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO VERY FAR TO GET AWAY FROM IT ALL
The Washington Post | May 24, 2020 | PDF | Letter to the Editor
Also published in The Independent
“I’m headed into the wilderness,” I said. Then I slipped on my flip-flops, picked up my pillow and canvas bag and opened the back door. With the house and monotonous quarantine life in my wake, I took a deep breath, scanned my surroundings and headed into the wilds of my 11-foot-wide backyard.
IN LIEU OF TRIPS, FRIENDS AND FAMLIY ARE TRAVELING VIRTUALLY
The Washington Post | April 19, 2020 | PDF
Voyagers and vacationers had barely finished canceling their trips early this spring when the same travelers swiftly embraced a pandemic proxy: the online reunion.
DESIGNED TO SAVE LIVES: ARTISTS CRAFT CORONAVIRUS MESSAGING FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES
U.S. News & World Report | June 11, 2020
Across the country, graphic designers and artists have deployed their talents to deliver COVID-19 health messaging to underserved populations and communities that are disproportionately impacted by the virus. In many cases, mainstream messaging isn't available, isn't trusted or simply isn't resonating.
HOW HILL'S KITCHEN OWNER WOULD SPEND A PERFECT DAY IN D.C.
The Washington Post | July 3, 2020 | PDF
Leah Daniels , owner of Hill's Kitchen, doesn’t understand why so many people want bread makers. “I love kneading dough,” she says. “All that punching? I think it’s a great way to get aggression out.” In her dream day, she visits Peregrine Espresso, Capitol Hill Books, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Beuchert's Saloon and the Washington Nationals--for a win, of course.
AS SUMMER GETS UNDERWAY, A LOOK AT THIS YEAR'S 10 BEST U.S. CITIES FOR PARKS
The Washington Post | June 28, 2020 | PDF
I’ve found hope hiking on wooded trails, joy spotting foxes around a forest and comfort strolling in open pastures. For jet-setters, road trippers and backpackers alike, parks — quiet, spacious, safe and nourishing — have helped us cope with the pandemic.
MASKS AND GLOVES DOT THE LANDSCAPE, THE DISTINCTIVE LITTER OF PANDEMIC
The Washington Post | July 7, 2020 | PDF
I saw the first gloves three months ago, crumpled blue against a bed of yellowish-green moss. What a strange sight, I thought, finding a coronavirus pandemic artifact here in nature. I snapped a picture and thought little of it. Since then, I have shot images of nearly 700 discarded gloves and masks.
RULES OF THE ROAD TRIP: KEEP DATA USE DOWN, POWER LEVEL UP
The Washington Post | July 19, 2020 | PDF
To prepare for a road trip last month, I packed a couple coolers of meals, camping gear and what seemed to be a silo of dog food. Figuring out how to keep all the devices charged without access to traditional power sources was trickier.
The Washington Post | August 30, 2020 | PDF | The Frommer's Travel Show
These days, when the value of a slight change in scenery and community cannot be overstated, many of us have turned to camping. There's nothing quite like a focus on basic needs — shelter, food, water, beagle contentment — to dislodge pandemic anxiety.
The Washington Post | August 23, 2020 | PDF
The fuel light comes on, and I shift into survival mode: Slow down. Breathe deep. Turn the air conditioner off and radio down. I’m in the middle of Montana, God only knows how far from the nearest gas station.
Trajectory | September 1, 2020 | PDF
It was just a decade ago when the Census Bureau printed 17 million maps and deployed 600,000 census-takers who lugged around satchels weighted down with paper documents. Each morning, the enumerators met in-person with a supervisor to learn their day’s route, and they tracked their cases, hours, miles and expenses on paper. Since the 2010 Census, technology has exploded. The use of GIS and satellite imaging, information-gathering methods, automation, and in-field applications make this year’s census the most robust and high-tech outreach effort in the bureau’s history.
FINDING AN ESCAPE IS A WALK IN THE PARK
The Washington Post | September 4, 2020 | PDF
Whether you’re looking to explore a waterfall, spot rare plants and birds, or go wading with the kids at a beach, one of these nearby destinations will provide some relief.
HOW LIBRARIES ARE WRITING A NEW CHAPTER DURING THE PANDEMIC
National Geographic | September 21, 2020 | PDF
Americans' love affair with libraries has only grown during the pandemic. How can you not adore an institution that waives late fees and transports you (for free!) to better worlds with the humble hardback? Here's the latest on library design, book bikes and Curbside Larry.
IN VT, A HAVEN FOR DOGS AND THE HUMANS WHO LOVE THEM
The Washington Post | October 11, 2020 | PDF
When people meet Hamilton and ask something uncouth like how long beagles live, my pat reply is, “Forever.” I know how silly and dismissive that sounds. But it’s less upsetting than coming to terms with the near certainty that I will outlive Hammy. I have always thought that dogs should live exactly as long as their humans. Until that happens, their lives will never be long enough. In the meantime, there’s Dog Mountain.
D.C.'S MASS APPEAL: AN ODE TO A ROAD
The Washington Post | October 30, 2020 | PDF
Early one morning last month, I stood on a red curb outside the D.C. Jail and prepared to walk what my great uncle Aaron called the most elegant street in Washington: Massachusetts Avenue.
National Parks | Winter 2020 | PDF
The 4,600-mile North Country Trail has been painstakingly constructed by a devoted group of supporters over four decades. It’s only two-thirds done and largely unknown, but when it's finished, you'll be able to thru-hike from North Dakota to Florida.
SANTA, MAYBE: COVID BRINGS TOUGH QUESTIONS, BIG CHANGES TO SANTA CLAUS VISITS
U.S. News & World Report | December 23, 2020
This season, Santas around the nation are fielding different questions from youngsters, who want to know when they can see their friends in person again. They're also trying to balance their own mortality and pandemic risks with their image as an invincible, jolly public figure.
JOHN STEINBECK'S CLASSIC TRAVELOGUE SHOWCASES MAN'S BEST TRAVEL BUDDY
The Washington Post | January 3, 2021 | PDF | The Frommer's Travel Show
Before my first cross-country road trip 14 years ago, I read John Steinbeck’s “Travels With Charley: In Search of America.” It spoke to me. Loudly
BRONX STUDENTS MAKE MOUNTAINS OUT OF SKYSCRAPERS
Christian Science Monitor | May 13, 2003 | PDF
When people hear "Outward Bound," images come to mind of kayaking in the Sea of Cortez or climbing in Joshua Tree National Park. They don't think of navigating the subway system of one of the world's largest cities or of improved reading skills.
THE 'SLOW PHOTO' MOVEMENT, DEVELOPING A FOLLOWING
The Washington Post | August 25, 2013 | PDF
Also published in Daily Herald
In an old shoebox, I have a Polaroid of my beagle and me, taken in Lower Manhattan about a decade ago. That was my last Polaroid print — until this spring, when I was walking around Cleveland with an old Poloroid camera and some film that expired in 2008.
PICKING UP A NEW WAY TO PITCH IN
The Washington Post | January 8, 2021 | PDF
On a warm November Sunday, I donned yellow rubber boots and work gloves and hiked into an overgrown area just outside Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens in Northeast Washington. Masked and mission-focused, heading into battle, I carried a grabber and plastic bag — my weapons of trash reduction.
A FUZZY FIX: HOW 'SOCIAL TOYS' CAN HELP KIDS BATTLE ILLNESS AND ANXIETY
U.S. News & World Report | February 8, 2021
From a duck with a chemo port to a diabetic bear, an innovative startup called Sproutel is helping kids cope with their condition and understand their care.
PICKING UP A NEW WAY TO PITCH IN
The Washington Post | January 8, 2021 | PDF
On a warm November Sunday, I donned yellow rubber boots and work gloves and hiked into an overgrown area just outside Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens in Northeast Washington. Masked and mission-focused, heading into battle, I carried a grabber and plastic bag — my weapons of trash reduction.
National Parks | Fall 2020 | PDF
For 30 years, activists and recreational boaters talked about removing the Brecksville Dam in Ohio's Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Now that it's gone, the river is once again free-flowing, and paddlers can kayak the 37 miles between the southernmost edge of the park and Cleveland.
FALL HOME & GARDEN REPORT: SAVE ENERGY. SAVE THE PLANET
USA Weekend | September 3, 2006
This family's "green" home shows that you can mix responsibility with occasional perks.
Georgetown Law | Fall 2006
Georgetown students are learning human rights law from the ground up.
FOR 'HOOP DREAMS' SCHOLARS, QUITTING IS THE ONLY UNAVAILABLE OPTION
The Christian Science Monitor | November 16, 2006 | PDF
The work of one woman has helped more than 800 inner-city youths better themselves through mentoring, tutoring, and scholarships.
RALEIGH GETS CREATIVE WITH ITS ANTI-WATER POLLUTION CAMPAIGN
U.S. News & World Report| June 11, 2019
The connection between storm drains and the health of local waterways is becoming clearer as cities across the country call attention to the drains with murals and signage to reduce water pollution and educate residents about the harms of using them as trash receptacles. In Raleigh, vibrant murals remind residents, "Only rain down the drain."
SAVING THE PLANET ONE POND AT A TIME, ONE FROG AT A TIME
Georgetown University Law Center| Fall, 2018
Lauren Phillips was dreaming about the dusky gopher frog. Which wasn’t surprising, because nearly every waking moment, the second year law student was researching, contemplating, discussing or writing about the warty, dark-colored, lime-sized amphibian. This fall, she took a stab at writing a portion of an amicus brief for a case centered around the frog’s habitat that was heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.
National Parks | Fall, 2012 | PDF
What on Earth does farming have to do with the Chesapeake Bay? As it turns out, everything.
GLOBE-TROTTING HITCHHIKERS: INVASIVE SPECIES ASSAULT U.S. WATERS
SmartPlanet/CBS Interactive | March 12, 2012
Non-native organisms create economic, ecological and social problems in the United States. Will new regulations, scientific findings and innotive solutions win the all-out war against these border-crossers?
MAKING A CASE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Georgetown Law | Spring/Summer 2007
Interest in environmental law ebbs and flows, depending on environmental issues of the day, recent legislation and the political party of the current administration. But recently, the faculty has noticed a surge of interest that resembles that of the 1980s.
National Parks | Spring 2021 | PDF
Eager for a change of scenery, a disruption of my daily routine and the thrill of an outdoor adventure, I planned to bike the C&O Canal, end to end. I scheduled the journey for two weeks before the presidential election and vowed to stay off all electronic devices.
HOW TO TAKE AN OVERNIGHT TRIP WITH YOUR TWO-WHEELED VEHICLE
The Washington Post | March 28, 2021 | PDF
The night before I left for my first overnight bike trip, I examined all the articles spread before me on the floor and glanced at my list of nearly 100 items, including clothing, camping gear, emergency supplies and food for five days. And two hardbacks, one of which was destined for the reject pile.
TEEN HOPE TO FIND 'FOREVER HOMES' FOR PINT-SIZE PETS
The Washington Post | April 14, 2021 | PDF
This Montgomery County teen knows just because a pet may be tiny enough to weigh on a kitchen scale, that doesn’t mean it needs only tiny amounts of attention and love.
PARKOUR FOR OLDER ADULTS: A PRESCRIPTOIN FOR FALL PREVENTION
U.S. News & World Report | April 13, 2021
To help avoid dangerous injuries, ‘spunky’ seniors have been participating in a modified version of a sport popularized by YouTube videos and more commonly linked to extreme athletes with off-the-wall abilities.
HOW A BEAGLE USED IN A TEST LAB OPENED MY HEART
The Washington Post | June 1, 2021 | PDF
Alexander Hamilton is an 11-year-old beagle who spent his first four years in a testing laboratory. How lucky I am to be his therapy human.
National Parks | Fall 2021 | PDF
Former Principal Chief James Floyd of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation speaks about his connection to Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park and the need to further preserve the site.
MIT Knight Science Journalism | February 2, 2022
Setting off on her first long reporting trip in years, beagle in tow, journalist Melanie Kaplan experiences the muscle memory of past travels.
HOW MY DRYER GAVE ME A CONCUSSION
The Washington Post | June 7, 2022 | PDF
Before last spring, I thought I had a reasonable understanding of concussion. But I’d never thought about freak head injuries and lingering symptoms until I spent the better part of a year recovering from what one friend described as my laundry trying to kill me.
4,000 BEAGLES JUST GOT A GIFT FROM THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
CNN | July 27, 2022 | PDF
I've been following the story of the 4,000 beagles at an industrial breeding facility in Cumberland, Virginia, for the better part of a year. Because the beagle in the crook of my arm was born there nearly 13 years ago. His name is Hammy.
HOW TO SAFELY DISPOSE OF OLD MEDICATIONS
The Washington Post | January 12, 2023 | PDF
Discovering opioids in my bathroom closet from surgeries more than a decade ago led me to research how to safely get rid of them.
THESE EVERYDAY ITEMS ENDANGER THE ENVIRONMENT. HERE'S HOW TO HANDLE THEM.
The Washington Post | January 31, 2023 | PDF
Confused about what to do with old batteries and light bulbs? So was I.
National Parks | Spring 2023 | PDF
Waste matters in Fossil Butte's newest exhibition space, which happens to be located in the bathroom.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR HOME SAFER AND MORE COMFORTABLE FOR A SENIOR DOG
The Washington Post | April 25, 2023 | PDF
None of us likes admitting age-related limitations. But whether you and your pooch of a certain age live in an apartment building with slick floors or a townhouse with a treacherous staircase, there are many ways to make our older dogs’ lives — and ours — better and safer.
EXPLORE THE MALLOWS BAY GHOST FLEET, A SHIP GRAVEYARD
Arlington Magazine | May 2023
Also in Bethesda Magazine
Filled with history, this sunken fleet, about 30 miles down the Potomac from DC, is an ecological paradise.
National Parks | Fall 2023 | PDF | NPCA Podcast
What happens when eriosion, rising seas, a national park and a beach community collide?
MY DOG WAS THE OLDEST KNOWN SURVIVOR OF THE BREEDING FACILITY WHERE 4,000 BEAGLES WERE RELEASED
Washingtonian | December 6, 2023
Hammy died in October 2023. My sadness has been tempered by knowing I’d given him a lifetime of adventure..
