Tennessee has an incredible collection of state parks—59 in total—and I’ve been on a mission to visit each one. The farthest-flung park I’ve made it to so far is Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, located in Middle Tennessee in a town called Manchester. It's about a four-hour drive from our northwest corner of the state.

On a recent road trip from Tennessee to the Texas coast, Patrick and I stumbled upon a forgotten chapter of American history—and some unforgettable pizza-fueled alien theories

It was the third week of June—the hottest week of the year so far—with heat advisories in effect. Most people were staying inside and drinking lots of water. At the very least, they were seeking shade and conserving energy. Even at the fire department, we were keeping out of the heat unless there was an emergency.

Patrick and I recently camped overnight at the Garden of the Gods in southern Illinois’s Shawnee National Forest. We explored a bit, packed up our gear the next morning, and hit the road in the trusty Xterra.

Things are often “wide open” while we’re on shift—calls, training, even joking around. So when the quiet moments come, we savor them. We recharge, rest, and decompress. That’s an essential part of coping with the job.

It’s hard to find a good reason to leave the house in the depths of a cold, wet winter. I’m very much like a hobbit that way—give me books, blankets, and a hot drink, and I’m set. But photography is one of the few things that can lure me outside this time of year.

As the saying goes, “Don’t train until you get it right; train until you can’t get it wrong.”

Last week, I had to make an unexpected trip to Northern Ohio. While it wasn’t a pleasure trip, any chance to see family—and photograph a new place—is never wasted. A cousin of mine played tour guide at Mill Creek Park in Youngstown, OH, and despite the cold, the park was absolutely beautiful. Not to sound cliché, but it truly felt like a winter wonderland.