Outdoors with Jenn Favorite Substack Readings of 2024
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In 2024, I think I spent more time reading the work of other Substack writers and less time writing. Since 2024 was my first year on Substack, I found tons of inspiration, ideas and amazing people. The Substack community feels like home to me - welcoming and inclusive. Thank you for your patience and support.
Along the way, I bookmarked or saved numerous posts to re-read or finish. As a result, my saved posts in my Inbox is so long that I cannot easily find specific posts.
Although 2024 is behind me, I feel the need to highlight some of my favorite reading that I found inspirational, educational, entertaining - above and beyond and well, you know it - just damn good.
Here they are. Some of my favorite Substack readings of 2024
An ode to a Snowy Owl as winter sets in.
I thought it would be appropriate to start with a poem written by Neil Barker who writes on Meditations on Nature | Korean-style Sijo poems. In his Christmas Day post, Neil shares beautiful photos of a Snowy Owl and offers his thoughts in a poem with a Korean translation.
A winged messenger from the North stands at the entrance to the Winter. A change of season and time for transformation of dark and light. What will be lost and found in the arrival of the new season?
Read his complete poem here: Snowy Owl: “Winter Arrival”
Looking forward to new paddling adventures in 2025.
I am a lover of canoes - antique, classic, lightweight - you name it. I am always on the look-out for the next best canoe for paddling into remote areas. Jesse McEntee of Next Adventure writes about the Radisson canoe and his experience using it in Radisson Canoes: Lightweight Craft for Modern Explorers. A very nice option.
What are the top skills that our kids should know today? Read on.
I think that the following post written by Jesse McEntee should be read by all parents, soon-to-be parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents……… No Risk, No Growth: Raising Adventurous Americans. He writes about the skills that children should learn before they turn 18. Some are as simple as how to read the news and how to place a telephone call. Jesse also recommends that kids know how to set goals, plan a trip, handle a firearm and make cookies. Just my kind of kid.
I used to own a truck camper.
If you are looking for a camper, read on. Wes Siler covers the various kinds of set-ups in truck campers, slide-ins, tow behinds or just being out there in his write up on What’s the Best Camper?
Inspired to ride a black Arabian stallion on an Egyptian beach.
Julia Hubbell continues to provoke and entertain me. Her post entitled “You’re Too Old NOT to Quit Your Life and Start All Over Again” is just that.
If you need some mojo for the new year, read this.
Julia asks of us - “what on earth is holding you back?” No time like the present time - now is the time to start living, doing those things we want to do. We do not need permission from anyone but ourselves.
How is this for living outside of my comfort zone: below is Julia at age 63 realizing her own dream of riding a black Arabian stallion on an Egyptian beach at sunset.
I continue to be inspired by Erik Hogan of Field Notes on his mission trips to the Dominican Republic
Read and absorb his eye-opening series on mission trips to the Dominican Republic to help a community rebuild. His photographs are beautiful, full of color and energy. Erik shares his photography on Substack and here.
What does a turtle rock mean to introverts like me? Read on.
Laura Lollar’s post on “why introverts are so darned lovable and good looking too” enlightened me. After reading her letter, I discovered a lot about being an introvert - I enjoy solitude, I like to learn by watching and being around a lot of people drains me.
What does it mean to go on a sloth holiday, according to Cathy Jacob? Read on.
This past year I have learned a lot from Cathy on the Slow Sip. This summer, she helped me to slow down with her challenge she called - Join Me for the Summer of Sloth. In her post, Cathy explains how easy it is be a sloth for the summer - you do not have to do anything. So anytime I felt overwhelmed, I reminded myself that I am a summer sloth. I had a lot of fun doing nothing.
Gathering wisdom along the trail with Brenda
I followed Brenda Uekert on her Woman on the Ferry series as she completed a 1,000 mile journey to “redefine success and discover joy.” Her entire journey was moving. She reflects in Trail Markers of Success on her shifting priorities in life - moving to a “simpler life.”
True success is living a life guided by your own values, one where joy, resilience, and authenticity take precedence over external validation or conventional achievements. - Brenda Uekert
I am grateful that I met Mike Hahn here.
Mike Hahn writes about The Tree Ring Principle on Thanksgiving Day, 2024. He shares openly about how far he has come today. The rings in the tree illustrate his inner circle of strength - those in his life who support him in his journey to sobriety - his wife, his kids, his grandkids, his parents, other family members and friends. A short but touching post on what it means to be thankful.
When you have absorbed the Tree Ring Principle, I recommend reading Mike’s post entitled Catching Your Fourth Wind: Toward rushes of quiet presence. If you need motivation to get out there and run (or do something), Mike provides that here.
Exploring the Southwest landscapes
I have been following Jon Norris of Explore Landscapes from the first time I “stepped” onto Substack. Jon is a landscape photographer and hiking guide at Joshua Tree National Park. He writes and shares his expertise on photography and is generous with his time - always offering help and advice. His recent post entitled “Hike Smart- The Essentials You Need to Know to Start Walking in the Wilderness” is not your typical hiking guide. Jon reviews almost everything you need to know and do to hike successfully in a desert environment such as Joshua Tree National Park.
Jon recently published his Year in Review which is an excellent summary of all that he did in 2024.
Check out his landscape photography workshops and fine art prints at Jon Norris Photo.com.
Explore mountain living in Colorado with Sarah
Sarah Lavender Smith writes about both running and living from Telluride. In her recent post on Stoking Optimism No Matter What, she profiles Junko Kazukawa, an ultra runner who continues to achieve running success into her 60’s. Being a runner myself in my 60’s, I found Sarah’s conversation with Junko motivational. Junko has completed (at least twice) the Tor des Geants, a 205-mile ultra event held in the French and Italian Alps. This past summer, she won her age group.
Terrell Johnson writes about more than just running.
Even if you are not a runner or do not have a desire to start running, I highly recommend following Terrell. He delves into many other subjects. Several of his posts are my favorites but I enjoyed reading Taking time for paradise where he writes about having a place to go home to.
Of course, the same house that today is a haven of peace for me is still a hive of activity for her. But she had her own haven away from the hectic busy-ness of her own life when we were kids, the small South Carolina town where she grew up and her parents then lived. We visited them almost once a month when my sister and I were really young. - Terrell Johnson
Is getting a blister funny? Read on.
Sam Robinson of Footnotes (appropriate title) writes about something that I am all too familiar with - those pesky little circles of pain and ooze on my feet that occur when I am doing something I like to do. In Ode to Blisters, Sam eloquently and dramatically paints a pretty picture of these “dime-sized rebellion” annoyances.
A thrilling adventure with Bryan Hansel on the ski trail in Minnesota
I am a sucker when it comes to reading about cross country ski adventures. Bryan Hansel, a landscape photographer, writes about skiing out his backdoor on the Homestead Loop. I am jealous of anyone who can ski “out their back door” so I had to read this post. He shares his mini-adventure, beautiful photos (of course) and his encounter with a “big wolf.” I won’t spill the beans here - read The Wolf on the Homestead Loop.
A mentor in Jen Baxter
I have been following Jen Baxter with the Skillful Scribbler recently. She is an amazing Substack guru who works with writers like me to help us reach our goals. In her post entitled Strange but reliable writing habits that actually work, she talks about weird stuff that works - such as how just “writing about our struggles for four consecutive days actually builds resilience.” Much more in this post……
Thinking about becoming a digital nomad? Read on.
Check out Keith Meyers who writes about living and working in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan. I am thinking this may be a place to retire to someday. Lots of snow.
His photos and Go-Pro videos of skiing and hiking are beautiful. His Christmas Day post is entitled, KLT Winter Solstice and Mast Hiihto/Churning Rapids Skis.
Jenn thank you for the shout out and recommendations! Hoping you have a wonderful 2025!
Jenn- Thank you for mentioning my posts- it's an honor!
And I agree with you about having so much to read on Substack as well as finding a great community of supportive writers.
Looking forward to reading more of your work and the words of the writers you've listed here.