I live in town.

There are sidewalks and neighbors and familiar routines - there are also bears. Most of the time, we know they’re nearby not because we see them, but because of the evidence they leave behind. A tipped-over bird feeder or trash can. Tracks pressed into soft ground. A trail camera image shared the next morning.

…That small span of lumber, tucked into the forest, made me think about the thought and effort behind places like this and the people who design, build, and maintain trails so others can move through them safely and thoughtfully. These moments in the Wilds don’t happen by accident; they’re shaped with intention…

Kayaking is a familiar rhythm across the PA Wilds. It’s a region shaped by miles of waterways, including two National Wild & Scenic Rivers that wind patiently through forests and valleys. Boats are loaded at quiet pull-offs, outfitters shuttle paddlers upstream, and rivers invite travelers to move at the water’s pace. Once the paddle dips in, the world slows down.

Back in December, I shared a preview of a new idea — using my drawings created for the PA Wilds Collaborative Series greeting cards as a starting point for storytelling, reflection, and imagination. Today, I’m officially beginning that series with one of the six defining landscapes of the PA Wilds: Dark Skies — where wonder begins the moment you look up.

Storytelling isn’t just for children — stories are for connection.

• For a grandparent telling a bedtime tale

• For the caregiver sharing time with a loved one

• For anyone who needs a few moments of daydreaming in their week

The PA Wilds is full of stories waiting to be told — and I can’t wait to hear yours.

Postcards are more than a quick hello. They’re time capsules.

…they’re small works of art meant to be held, sent, saved, and smiled over. Whether you're a seasoned postcard collector or just someone who wants to share a piece of the Pennsylvania Wilds with a friend, they carry the same charm I fell in love with as a kid flipping through my mother’s stash.