Tag: travel
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Nostalgic Trails: Summer Camp Memories from Texas Hill Country and Their Influence on “The Long Walk Home”
With much of the country hunkered down against a major winter storm this weekend, it might feel premature to talk about summer camp. But trust me—plenty of young boys and girls are already daydreaming about lazy days splashing in creeks, riding horses, unleashing their creativity in craft lodges, and hiking winding trails. And don’t forget…
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Reevaluating Tradition: A Risky Ride Down the Sled Hill in a Snow-Starved Winter
Today, after several weeks of careful recovery from an ankle injury, I tentatively set out on my first trail run in far too long. As I walked to my usual starting point, I stopped to slip on my micro-spikes. Then, I looked up and spotted the area that’s typically buzzing with tourist families sledding down…
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Rediscovering Home: Mountains, Memories, and the Heart’s True Pull
Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas—these holidays mark a season of homecoming for so many of us. But what does “home” truly mean to you? Years ago, my parents uprooted our family from the geographic place I still call my hometown and relocated us to another spot where I spent my formative years. I’m deeply drawn to both…
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Life Without Electricity: Insights from the Backcountry and Beyond
Have you ever wondered what your daily life would look like if the power grid suddenly failed? In my novel, The Long Walk Home: When the Power Dies, I explore a world plunged into darkness. Recently, I was challenged to describe my own life without electricity—and surprisingly, I have some firsthand experience from my college…
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Fatherhood in Crisis: What Does Fatherhood Look Like When the World Falls Apart?
With tens of thousands of books on parenthood—and over 2,200 on fatherhood listed on Goodreads alone—you might wonder how a young adult adventure novel could offer fresh insights into being a dad. I didn’t set out to write a story centered on fatherhood any more than I intended to explore cults, bullying, or leadership. Yet,…
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10 Life-Saving Essentials Every Adventurer Needs: Lessons from Tommy’s Epic 1,200-Mile Trek
In my novel, The Long Walk Home: When the Power Dies, I dropped hints about the Ten Essentials as Tommy’s secret weapon. He mentions them just twice: once while brainstorming packs with the Browns (the family who unofficially adopts him) for their Sacramento trek, and again after grabbing extra supplies with Jason Brown—forcing the group…
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Survival Lessons from the Airport In The Long Walk Home: When the Power Dies, we meet fourteen-year-old Tommy as he navigates Denver International Airport, waiting for a connecting flight from San Antonio to Sacramento. His world, along with everyone else’s, is thrown into chaos when all electrical power abruptly fails. Tommy’s reactions, and those of…
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Living the Adventure: Tales of Mountains, Seas, and a Boy’s Dream
Recently, I picked up Thin Air: Encounters in the Himalayas by Greg Child, a climber and mountaineer I’d heard of only in passing. I wish I’d discovered his writing sooner. His beautifully descriptive language evokes the siren call of the Himalayas. Published nine years before Jon Krakauer’s 1997 bestseller Into Thin Air: A Personal Account…
Michael H. Ritterhouse 