Robert Annis
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Articles by Robert Annis
Písčité duny i 350 druhů ptáků. Objevte přírodní ráj jen kousek od slavného Chicaga
Národní park Indiana Dunes vás neohromí strhujícími výhledy ani adrenalinem, zato nabízí jemnější potěšení. Přestože zabírá poměrně malou plochu 62 kilometrů čtverečních, řadí se mezi biologicky nejrozmanitější národní parky USA na čtvrté místo. Vedle sebe se tu tísní hned několik odlišných ekosystémů. Uvnitř jeho hranic roste víc než 1 100 druhů rostlin, včetně většího počtu druhů orchidejí, než má celý stát Havaj.
Why I’ve Gone From Strictly Catch-and-Release to Harvesting More of My Own Fish
There are few vacations more rewarding than one that ends with a cooler full of fresh fish. Fishing travel combines adventure, spectacular destinations, and the satisfaction of bringing home food you’ve caught yourself. Whether you’re planning a weekend charter or a week at a remote fishing lodge, a little preparation can make the difference between coming home with memories alone or a freezer stocked with salmon, halibut, and other incredible table fare.
Melt Your Stress Away At Sugar Creek Retreat In Waveland
LIKE NEARLY EVERYONE I knew, I was stressed. My neck and shoulders felt like a rusty spring. I had trouble sleeping. Constant worries about money, my health, current events, and more were taking a toll on both my mind and body. Little did I know the secret to surmounting my wicked tension was in the woods outside Shades State Park. Nordic countries are renowned for their spa culture, particularly Finland, which tops the list for the happiest countries in the world. Coincidence?
The Saturday Evening Post
My dad was an amazing woodworker, but an admittedly poor teacher. After he passed, I inherited many of his tools and foolishly sold more of them. In the years since, I’ve gotten more serious about my carpentry hobby, but have relied on YouTube videos for guidance, with mixed amounts of success. Luckily, I discovered an alternative practically in my backyard. About 40 minutes south of Indianapolis lies a small campus of mostly interconnected buildings, surrounded by cornfields.
How Fly-Fishing Improved My Mental Health
Mindfulness and a greater appreciation of nature are just some of the benefits of fly-fishing. Lars Leetaru I got hooked on fly-fishing — pardon the pun — for multiple reasons. After decades of spending nearly every spare moment on a bicycle saddle, I needed a new challenge. I grew up fishing with my dad on weekends, and I wanted to return to the sport, albeit with a bit of a twist. But the biggest reason was the anxiety and depression I’d fallen into at the time.
This Specialty Tool Store Has Brands The Home Depot and Lowe’s Don’t Carry—Plus My 4 Must-Have Products Original
For the longest time, I was intimidated to walk into a Rockler store. I was a simple DIYer with basic tools, and Rockler had a reputation for being the go-to destination for serious hobbyist woodworkers, like my dad, who built professional-level cabinetry and furniture for decades. In the years after my dad passed away, I’ve gotten more serious about my own carpentry. That’s meant more trips to Rockler, and a growing realization of how wrong I’d been about the place.
What’s Worse Than Getting Skunked? Your Fishing Buddy Putting Up a Goose Egg
The farther I pushed into the river, the more familiar the feeling became. My boots started to lose contact with the riverbed, and cold water began creeping into my waders. I’d gambled that I could make it across before the water got too deep, but the river called my bluff. Looking like the least coordinated astronaut in history, I performed a maneuver somewhere between Neil Armstrong’s “one giant leap for mankind” and a panicked doggy paddle before finally reaching the opposite bank.
Sitka Rain Gear Review: Is Sitka’s New Fishing-Focused Rain Gear “Alaska Tough?”
When I heard it would rain nearly every day of my recent fishing trip in the Tongass National Forest, I couldn’t help but smile. After all, what better place to test out Sitka’s new raingear than Southeast Alaska? The 49th State’s environment can be absolutely brutal, so your gear has to not only withstand the rain and cold, but it also has to be tough enough to endure abuse on both land and water. Unfortunately for me, the weather was absolutely perfect nearly the entire Alaska trip.
Discover Towering Dunes and Turquoise Water at America's Most Beautiful Lakeshore
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Credit: Tony Demin Home to the largest freshwater dune system in the world, Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore often surprises first-time visitors with its stunning 450-feet-high dunes set against the deep-blue waters of Lake Michigan. Looking out from one of the viewpoints on Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, you think: This is the Midwest, really? Not the Caribbean? But yes, this is the Midwest, and it stretches for 35 achingly gorgeous miles.
The Trout-to-Tarpon Highway: Roadtripping Through North Carolina and Florida
There are only a few things I love more than fly fishing. From casting the fly to managing the drift to the retrieval and recast, you’re completely engaged. You’re mending the line or watching the fly navigating the drifting current, waiting for it to be chomped by the trout just beneath the surface. There’s no time to dwell on work projects, relationship issues, or overdue electric bills if you want to catch that fish.
Kayak Past Dramatic Waterfalls and Hike Along Colorful Cliffs at This National Lakeshore
Kayakers paddle the blue-green waters of Lake Superior to see waterfalls and sandstone cliffs at Pictured Rocks. Credit: Courtesy of Pure Michigan When people talk about the most beautiful National Park Service properties, rarely does the conversation shift to the Midwest. That’s OK, because it means fewer people visit spots like Isle Royale National Park or Apostle Islands and Sleeping Bear Dunes national lakeshores.
See the Northern Lights, Paddle to Secluded Cliffs, and Stay on a Houseboat At This Serene National Park
Among the shimmering lakes of Voyageurs National Park, visions of the park's namesakes come to mind: rugged French-Canadian fur transporters who traversed these waters on the U.S.-Canada border in the 18th and 19th centuries. They formed tight bonds with the Ojibwe Tribe in the area, not only trading with them, but also learning their languages and cultural traditions.
Explore 21 Islands and Secret Sea Caves at This Stunning Midwest Archipelago
Guided kayaking tours provide a unique perspective on the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and its sea caves. Credit: Aaron Peterson Boasting 21 picturesque islands rising up out of Lake Superior, a gorgeous 12-mile shoreline on the mainland, and the largest collection of lighthouses in the National Park Service, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a gem on the Bayfield Peninsula of northern Wisconsin.
Why Every New Homeowner Should Buy This Ryobi Combo Tool Kit Original
Photo: Robert Annis for BobVila.com We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More › If you’re a new homeowner (or love one enough to drop more than $300 on a housewarming present), this Ryobi 18-volt tool kit is for you. This well-thought-out collection of handheld power tools includes most of the items a new homeowner or occasional DIYer will need to build or repair things around the house.
This Benchtop Drill Press Brings Power and Value to the Masses Original
If you don’t have room for a 12-inch or larger stand-alone drill press, this Skil 6.2-amp benchtop version offers most of the power of a larger tool, while taking up less space and costing less. Over the years, I’ve used large floor-standing models and smaller, underpowered benchtop drill presses, and this Skil unit offers the best of both worlds.
This Affordable Benchtop Sander Is Perfect for Small Projects and Detail Work
The Skil 4.5-Amp Belt and Disc Combination Sander is targeted squarely at hobbyist woodworkers who need to shape detail pieces or smaller projects. At an MSRP of just under $200, this tool won’t break the bank, especially if you can pick one up at a discount. Read on to see what I thought of it. Affordable and user-friendly. The Skil 4.5-Amp Belt and Disc Sander offers great value for hobbyists at under $200. Easy setup and solid build.
Escape to This Remote National Park for a True Off-the-Grid Adventure—and Maybe a Moose Sighting
As Isle Royale grows larger from the deck of the boat, so too does the sense of excitement. Travelers gather their packs and lace up their hiking boots in anticipation. They're headed to Isle Royale National Park, off the coast of Michigan's Upper Peninsula in the heart of Lake Superior. This isn't a park for the adventure-averse: Isle Royale is one of the least-visited national parks in the U.S. and one of the country's last bastions of remote wilderness.
Skil Miter Saw Review: This Powerful Tool Is Worth the Hype
When it was time to replace my old hand-me-down miter saw, I kept coming back to the Skil 10-inch dual-bevel sliding compound saw. More versatile and powerful than my old 7 1/2-inch miter saw, it’s also roughly half the price of similar miter saws by competitors like Dewalt or Ridgid. Over the last several years, I’ve graduated from being a novice DIYer repairing things around the house to an aspiring fine woodworker.
Did You Know America's Smallest National Park is in a Major U.S. City?
Let's address the obvious first—Gateway Arch isn't your typical national park. In fact, its signature feature is entirely human-made. Architect Eero Saarinen's iconic, glimmering swoop measures 630 feet both in the air and from base to base, making it the tallest stainless-steel monument in the world. It perches at the edge of downtown St. Louis, overlooking the Mississippi River.
Towering Sand Dunes Draw Visitors to This Lakefront National Park
So, how did tiny Indiana Dunes become a national park? It doesn't boast impressive rock towers like Yosemite or Zion. No sweeping vistas like Yellowstone or Glacier. As far as scenery goes, even its most ardent champions admit it can be a bit, well, plain. But its charms are much more subtle. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes is the fourth-most biodiverse national park in the country, despite a relatively small footprint compared to others in the park system.
This Hidden-Gem National Park Has Stunning Waterfalls, Epic Bike Trails, and a Scenic Train Ride
As railcars chug through Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the scenery slowly unfolds, unveiling an oasis of history and nature just south of Cleveland. Towering hickory and oak trees fill the woods, eagles soar above rehabilitated wetlands, and waterfalls plunge into Brandywine Creek. Vegetables grow on small, restorative farms. And intriguing earthen mounds, built by prehistoric Native Americans more than 1,000 years ago, dot Greenwood Village interpretive site.
Two National Parks, One State: See Dramatic Landscapes, Cave Formations, and Wild Bison
These western South Dakota national parks—paired in our guide due to their relative proximity—show how even the harshest environments can be strikingly beautiful. The shades of twilight in Badlands National Park would test the limits of a Crayola 64-pack—the darkening sky contrasted against multilayered rock formations changing colors in the dying light.
7 Tools, 1 Kit: Why DeWalt’s XR Combo Set Is Hard To Beat Original
There comes a time in every DIYer’s life when they decide they need to upgrade their tools. My old 20-volt tools served me well over the last decade or so, and I’d grown quite fond of them, but at the same time, I was ready for some new, more exciting tools. After a bit of research on recently released options, I gave the 7-Tool DeWalt Combo Kit a metaphorical right swipe.
Jak si léto v národních parcích užít co nejlépe a vyhnout se frontám
; ; ; Pokračovat ve čtení A ještě pro vás
Rekordní návaly a škrty v USA: Jak si léto v národních parcích užít co nejlépe a vyhnout se frontám
S příchodem léta sílí vábení dobrodružství v amerických národních parcích a s ním bohužel i nápor davů. V roce 2025 navštívilo národní parky v USA 323 milionů lidí – méně než rekordních 331,9 milionů v roce 2024. Přesto jsou letní sezóny stejně oblíbené jako dřív. A nejde jen o slavná místa: i méně známé parky, jako Congaree nebo Dry Tortugas, zaznamenávají návštěvnost blízkou rekordům. Navzdory přeplněnosti si ale turisté mohou léto v národním parku skutečně užít.
How to plan an epic summer trip to a national park
At 620 feet high, Bridalveil Fall is among the many popular sites at Yosemite, one of the 63 U.S. national parks gearing up for summer visitors. Photograph by Art Wolfe, Getty Images As summer approaches, the siren call of national park adventures grows stronger, and with it, crowds. In 2025, 323 million people visited the national parks—a decrease from 2024’s record-breaking 332 million. Yet, peak seasons, like summer, are as popular as ever.
You Can Use Your Costco Membership to Get a Travel Vaccine—and It Saved Me More Than $100
Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia now reject at least some federal vaccine guidance as the federal Centers for Disease Control and …
You Can Use Your Costco Membership to Get a Travel Vaccine—and It Saved Me More Than $100 Original
A woman getting a vaccine. Credit: d3sign/Getty Images Costco offers nearly everything you could ever need—$5 rotisserie chickens, industrial-sized vats of cooking oil, enormous toilet paper packages—but did you know you can not only get required vaccines for your next international trip here, but also save a bundle at the same time? I’m heading to Bwindi Lodge in Uganda next month, but before my trip to see mountain gorillas, I needed both a tourist visa and a yellow fever vaccination.
What a Seasoned Fly Angler Carries in His Gear Bag
A couple of years ago, I had an opportunity to chat with some search-and-rescue experts who walked me through some of the rescue scenarios they’ve encountered, as well as the gear needed to turn a potentially fatal situation into just an uncomfortable night in the woods. I immediately updated what items I keep in my various hiking packs.
Everything You Need to Know About Winter Cycling
SimonSkafar//Getty Images Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. How we test gear. It’s hard to find the motivation to keep biking in winter when temperatures drop and conditions get dicey. But when the roads or trails are clear and the sun is shining, winter cycling can offer some real benefits.
I'm Hooked on Ice Fishing. These Are the Best Spots to Try it for Yourself.
It was still dark when my fishing partner and I pulled into the parking lot at Geano Beach Bar and Grill in Green Bay. The temperatures were in the single digits, and the wind chill made us feel as if we were being pummeled by Mike Tyson wearing a Frosty the Snowman costume. It wasn’t even 6 A.M., and the mercury was still below zero; too early and too cold for any rational creature to be moving about outside.
I've Visited 60+ National Parks—and This Seldom-visited One Might Be the Most Scenic in North America Original
Aerial view of the coastline in Torngat Mountains National Park. Credit: Paul Souders/Getty Images The hike from Eclipse Bay was only six or seven miles, but with more than 40 pounds of camera gear strapped to my back, it felt especially strenuous. About a dozen of us from an Adventure Canada expedition cruise walked across spongy tundra and up one gnarly gneiss rock formation after another.
5 Best Ryobi Tools Under $150 for Every DIYer Original
Ryobi often doesn’t get the respect it deserves, but for my money, it may be the best bang-for-your-buck brand in the tool market today. Whenever a person buys or rents a new home, Ryobi’s 6-Tool Combo Kit should be their first purchase. My wall of cordless tools is filled with Ryobi neon green and DeWalt yellow, and I find that Ryobi compares remarkably well to its esteemed competitor.
These Are The 10 Best Indiana State Parks, According to a Local Expert
During my decade-and-a-half career as an outdoor journalist, I’ve been lucky enough to experience some of the most awe-inspiring natural areas in the world. While my home state of Indiana has a more subtle appeal than landscapes with towering peaks and wild coastlines, the state delivers plenty to explore. These 10 Hoosier state parks showcase the very best of Indiana’s natural beauty.
5 Tool Deals Woodworkers Won't Want to Miss in Rockler's Black Friday Event
Woodworkers have long flocked to Rockler to buy top-quality tools and jigs. (It also helps that the staff are generally skilled woodworkers themselves—knowledgeable, friendly, and more than happy to spend time chatting about the merits of dovetails versus box joints.) Many of the most sought-after items during Rockler’s Black Friday sale can only be found there, and not your big-box DIY store. We picked out a few of the best deals that will help take your wood shop to the next level.
I’ve Fished All Over the World. These Are My Favorite Fishing Spots in the U. S.
My favorite spots to fly fish offer more than just abundant trout or salmon; I love being surrounded by the majesty of a place, be it the grandeur of the Rockies or the quiet beauty of a Midwestern oak forest. Those locations also lend themselves to other outdoor pursuits. I fill my day as if I were ordering à la carte adventures off a take-out menu. I’ve spent days biking the hills and mountains of North Carolina, only to ease my aching legs into a cold flowing river with a fly rod in my hand.
I’ve Fished All Over the World. These Are My Favorite Fishing Spots in the U. S.
9 hours ago Over the course of the year, Outside editors have tested everything from the coolest coolers to the best all-mountain skis. If there’s one side effect of rigorously testing thousands of pieces of gear every year, it’s that we can be a little bit picky. Okay, a lot bit picky. We know what works, we …
Salmon has been king on this Canadian river for millennia-what happens when another species takes over?
When I planned the trip earlier in the year, I was told the late May week I’d booked was typically in the heart of the annual striped-bass run. I heard stories of anglers hooking a hen and when they stuck the net into the water, two bucks jumped in after her. As the old adage goes, I was to expect so many fish feeding topwater that I’d be able to walk across the river and not get my boots wet. It wasn’t unusual to put more than 100 stripers in your boat, they said. The weather had other plans.
The Best Place to View Bears, According to a Certified Bear Guide
Brook Falls is widely considered to be the bruin-viewing capital of the world, but there’s also a little-known alternative that offers similar scenery and brown bear action, with only a fraction of the visitors A brown bear mama keeping her babies fed.
Should You DIY These Bike Repairs, or Leave It to the Pros?
I was working on my bike in my driveway when I walked into my garage for just a moment. I heard a sudden gust of wind, and turned my head to look outside just in time to see my Trek Domane, clamped in a work stand, toppling over. Violently wrenched loose from the stand, my heart sank as I saw the strands of carbon fiber poking out from the bike’s scraped top tube. Over the next few days, I considered how to repair the bike’s carbon fiber: should I replace the frame completely or get it repaired?
These Remote Escapes—One Only Accessible by Seaplane or Boat—Are Not Your Grandpa’s Fishing Lodges | Flipboard
Canada: Residents Urged to Avoid Area as Wildfire Burns Near Lavington Lavington, Canada - September 05, 2025 A wildfire broke out near Lavington, British Columbia, and grew to an estimated 50 hectares in size. Fire crews continued their air and ground attack, as the Regional District of North Okanagan urged residents to avoid the Noble Canyon and Becker Lake/Bardolph areas. RESTRICTIONS AND USAGE TERMS: Please credit “@lumby2vernon via Spectee”.
These Remote Lodges—One Only Accessible by Seaplane or Boat—Are Not Your Grandpa’s Fishing Lodges | Flipboard
Prime Minister Mark Carney rolled out a series of measures on Friday that he says will transform Canada's economy into a force that can withstand the …
These Remote Escapes-One Only Accessible by Seaplane or Boat-Are Not Your Grandpa's Fishing Lodges
Moutcha Bay Resorts Chalets Ever come across an incredible hotel that stops you mid-scroll and makes you think, Wow, wouldn't it be something to stay there? We do, too-all the time. Welcome to Friday Fantasy, where we highlight amazing hotels, lodges, cabins, tents, campsites, and other places perched in perfect outdoor settings. Read on for the intel you need to book an upcoming adventure here. Or at least dream about it.
Why I’m Ditching My Gas Mower (Even Though It Still Works)
We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More › If you’ve walked into a big-box hardware store lately and noticed fewer gas-powered lawn tools, and wondered if there’s a trend to phasing out gas powered equipment, you’re not imagining it.
Why I Started Taking Dust Collection Seriously—and How I Upgraded My Workshop
We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More › After getting yelled at by my wife for tracking sawdust into the house yet again, I decided to rethink my dust-collection strategies for my fairly tiny garage shop. But a cleaner home was only one part of the reason. More importantly, I decided a cleaner workshop was better for my health. I grew up thinking being covered with sawdust after a day of working was a badge of honor.
Giving Back to Our National Parks
Earlier this year, I went for a hike in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Making my way through the lush and overgrown vegetation, I talked with the people walking beside me. Our destination wasn’t a beautiful overlook or historical marker — it was a huge patch of invasive, nonnative Himalayan ginger that had been steadily taking over that section of forest near the park’s famous Kilauea crater.
This National Park Has Dramatic Cliffside Waterfalls—And You Can Kayak Right Past Them
Kayakers paddle the blue-green waters of Lake Superior to see waterfalls and sandstone cliffs at Pictured Rocks. Photo: Courtesy of Pure Michigan When people talk about the most beautiful National Park Service properties, rarely does the conversation shift to the Midwest. That’s OK, because it means fewer people visit spots like Isle Royale National Park or Apostle Islands and Sleeping Bear Dunes national lakeshores.
Discover Towering Dunes and Turquoise Water At This Little-Known Midwest National Park
The cliffs at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore offer dreamy views of Lake Michigan. Photo: Tony Demin Home to the largest freshwater dune system in the world, Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore often surprises first-time visitors with its stunning 450-feet-high dunes set against the deep-blue waters of Lake Michigan. Looking out from one of the viewpoints on Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, you think: This is the Midwest, really? Not the Caribbean?
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