The earliest visitors to Florida knew it was a special place. Over 12,000 years ago, Paleo-Indians, perhaps following a mastodon loping through the savannah, were drawn to bountiful turquoise water holes in the woods. In those days, glaciers to the north had not yet melted, and the Florida peninsula was much more extensive and drier than it is today. Surface waters like rivers and lakes were scarce and the indigenous people survived by finding places where nourishing waters welled up from underground. Like an oasis in the desert, springs were sanctuaries, attracting humans and animals to share their sustaining bounty….
As an explorer of the water world, there is nothing I love more than finding a beautiful lake and going for a swim or a dive. I’ll picnic by the water and revel in the discovery of a sweet berry patch on a warm summer day. Wild blueberries contain the energy of the sun. They make me feel powerful. Here in this Treaty 11 Territory of Canada, the traditional territory of the Akaitcho and Tlicho Agreement People, the Native Dene describe at least 10,000 years of history. Their connection to the land is undeniable. On first inspection, this place looks…
I have spent a lifetime traveling the globe on expeditions and filming projects. This is installment two of my top 100 travel tips to make your journey more relaxed and earth-friendly. 1. Small Footprint – Rolling your clothes and socks saves space. 2. Compress It – Use silicone compression sacs and dry bags to further squeeze the air out of your clothes and maximize packing space. 3. Electronics – Get a cable bag to organize your charging and computer cables. 4. Storage – If you are going to shoot a lot of photos, take a hard drive for backup and…
My parents are going to cringe when they read my book. They will have to put it down and take a deep breath. When my Mother first learned about the risks that were involved in my career of exploring and filming underwater caves, the color drained from her face. It terrifies her to imagine me squeezing through tiny spaces in submerged caves deep with the planet. One day she asked me, “are you afraid of dying?” I get that question all the time. Why would anyone want to lead a life with so many perceived risks? But, I genuinely believe…