Campfire Chat: Mabel the Recycler, Bat Chats, and Big Yellowstone Dreams
Campfire Chat is the spot where I share what’s been on my mind, in my ears, and out in the world lately. Think of it like pulling up a camp chair and swapping stories — sometimes silly, sometimes serious, always connected to the outdoorsy threads that tie us together.
🎧 On in the Background
Lately, my soundtrack has been the barely-there hum of my new best friend: The Mill. It’s a food recycler that leaves composting in the dust — bones, scraps, and a bunch of stuff your regular bin can’t handle. Ours runs overnight, quietly doing its magic, and in the morning we’re left with beautiful recycled food that can go to chickens, gardens, or back to Mill. We named ours Mabel because she’s truly part of the family now. And honestly? When I hear her click locked and start her cycle, I get a little giddy. (More on her in the months to come.)
📖 On My Nightstand
Confession time: what’s keeping me company right now isn’t a book, but a pair of reading glasses. Several pairs, actually, stashed around the house. I’ve finally had to admit my once-perfect eyesight isn’t so perfect anymore. And while I’m not rushing to put them on (feels like an admission ticket to “getting older”), they’re there, perched and waiting. It bugs me that most of the readers I have found are made from, you guessed it, plastic. Dear readers, if you have found a company that creates sustainable reading glasses, please drop me a line!
🥾 On the Ground
I just hosted a "Bat Chat" with about 45 neighbors in our community POA, and my heart is still buzzing. The turnout was incredible — so many folks curious about bats, conservation, and installing bat houses. If you’re curious too, check out our Bat Chat guide and the discount from BatBnB. More people caring about bats = a healthier, more balanced ecosystem.
📍 Pinned to the Map
Next month, my husband and I are finally heading to Yellowstone — a bucket list trip years in the making. We’ll be staying in Cody, the gateway town, and road-tripping our way there with some fun glamping spots along the route. If you’ve got long-haul road trip tips, send them my way!
📦 What’s in My Pack
A Kula cloth — always. Because roadside rest stops are, well, unpredictable. No toilet paper? No problem. Plus, I love what the company stands for. Be sure to check out our inaugural People Who Give a Damn article, where we feature Mare Ruland from Kula.
About me
I’ve spent the last 15 years writing about the outdoors and conservation, often with muddy boots, dirt under my nails, and too many bug bites to count. I’m a certified Bee-Friendly Gardener, a Pollinator Steward, and a volunteer with those who care about conservation, wildlife, and treading lightly. I’m also a DarkSky Advocate and a proud member of the SC Native Plant Society, The 89 Percent Project, and 1% for the Planet. I volunteer with Wildlife Rehabilitation Group of South Carolina, specializing in rehabbing squirrels. My backyard wildlife habitat—certified by the National Wildlife Federation, Pollinator Partnership, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology—is a wild little résumé of its own. I started Field Trip for people who like to play outside. Thanks for being here with me.
