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Hikes and Treks for Travelers Who Love Archaeology
October 7, 2024October 19, 2024

All hikers have their own motivations when it comes to choosing which trails to complete. Some may look forward to big, sweeping views. Others like finding secluded swimming holes, peakbagging, wildlife watching, or chasing waterfalls. Personally, my favorite trails feature some kind of archaeology. Read about long and short hikes around the world that feature ruins, stone circles, tombs, petroglyphs, and other signs of ancient civilizations.

Read More Hikes and Treks for Travelers Who Love Archaeology
Road Trips | Texas | United States

Spend Halloween on the Most Haunted Road in Southeast Texas
September 19, 2023November 14, 2025

The Big Thicket in Southeast Texas is already spooky to begin with. With so many ax murderers and mythical beasts around, you’d be forgiven for overlooking the predominant legend of the region: the Saratoga Ghost Lights. I witnessed them myself.

Read More Spend Halloween on the Most Haunted Road in Southeast Texas
Arizona | California | Louisiana | Nevada | Opinion | Road Trips | Texas | United States

Western Gothic USA Road Trip Stops: “Difficult Beauty”
August 14, 2023September 30, 2024

A Gothic Western road trip in America’s outlaw country should elicit visions of snakeskin, motorcycles, diners, cactus, dust, and roadside motels with rusted neon signs.

Read More Western Gothic USA Road Trip Stops: “Difficult Beauty”
Texas | USA National Parks

Was Cabeza de Vaca the First European to See Big Bend National Park?
December 30, 2022November 20, 2025

As a hiker and national parks enthusiast, I’m interested in where exactly 16th century Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca crossed between Mexico and Texas and whether he entered Big Bend National Park or Big Bend Ranch State Park.

Read More Was Cabeza de Vaca the First European to See Big Bend National Park?
Car Living | City Guide | Digital Nomad | Nomadic Lifestyle | Road Trips | Texas | United States | USA National Parks

Digital Nomad Guide to Working from Big Bend National Park
November 30, 2022November 20, 2025

This guide to Big Bend National Park is designed for digital nomads, vanlifers, and rubbertramps who need to be able to work remotely during their travels.

Read More Digital Nomad Guide to Working from Big Bend National Park
Hiking | Texas | United States | USA National Parks

Best Moderate Difficulty Day Hikes in Big Bend National Park
November 30, 2022November 24, 2025

I just spent the month of November hiking in Big Bend National Park while working remotely from my truck camper. I tried to do every trail suggested by the Park Service as moderate or difficult, plus a few trails rated as easy that have a cool feature or viewpoint. This list compares and contrasts the best day hikes in Big Bend National Park vs. a few that I was underwhelmed by.

Read More Best Moderate Difficulty Day Hikes in Big Bend National Park
Car Living | Digital Nomad | Hiking | Nomadic Lifestyle | Texas | United States | USA National Parks

Boondocking in Guadalupe Mountains National Park (Texas)
July 12, 2022September 30, 2024

These free campsites near Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas allow you to boondock close to the best hiking trailheads.

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City Guide | Hiking | New Mexico | Texas | USA National Parks

Best Hikes Near Las Cruces, New Mexico
March 4, 2022November 21, 2025

This month I worked remotely from Las Cruces, New Mexico where I spent my weekends exploring the mountain ranges surrounding the city, discovering the best local hiking trails, and chasing Billy the Kid.

Read More Best Hikes Near Las Cruces, New Mexico
Road Trips | Texas | United States

Southern Texas Road Trip: Caverns of Sonora, Stonehenge II, NASA
November 16, 2019October 14, 2024

Central and Southeast Texas don’t get as much fanfare as the mountain and hill country of West Texas, but don’t zip right through on a road trip without making a few stops – particularly the world-class cave system at Caverns of Sonora, with it’s one-of-a-kind butterfly helictite formation.

Read More Southern Texas Road Trip: Caverns of Sonora, Stonehenge II, NASA
Road Trips | Texas | USA National Parks

West Texas Road Trip: Marfa to Big Bend National Park
November 16, 2019October 14, 2024

There’s much more to the artsy town of Marfa, TX than the Prada art installation and ghostly Mystery Lights, including my favorite music venue/campsite (for tents, yurts, teepees, safari tents, and vintage trailers) called El Cosmico. On this trip through West Texas I finally got to check it out in person and visit Big Bend National Park for the first time.

Read More West Texas Road Trip: Marfa to Big Bend National Park

What and Who is The Detour Effect?

The Detour Effect is what happens when you let yourself get off-course, whether in a travel itinerary or in life. The best experiences often occur on detours from "The Plan". I believe in traveling on a whim (with healthy risk management).

I work remotely and nomadically for a guided hiking tour operator. I once sat in a cubicle in the music industry. Then I said "nah" and ran off into the woods, where I still spend most of my time today. I like seedy motels, truck stops, hiking around the world, and being left alone.

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