Stories that cross the whole map.
The Far Roads
These are the long-form pieces of Notes from the Road: award-winning essays, interviews with scientists, investigations, and photo collections gathered across dozens of countries. Their subjects aren’t tied to any one place. Polar bears and hurricanes, doors and windows, protest and memory, the empty roads between destinations: they turn up everywhere, and so do these stories.

Essay
The Places Between
Asked to name my favorite place in the world, I had no answer. Twenty years later, I do.
Judges’ Choice winner, Terra Incognita Travel Blogger of the Year
Read →
Investigation
Chris Dorsey’s Polar Bear Argument
A Forbes column revived an old claim that polar bears are booming. The data, and the people who study them, say otherwise.
With sea-ice scientist Dr. Julienne Stroeve and photographer Kiliii Yuyan
Read →
Investigation
Why Jon Miltimore’s Polar Bear Argument is Stinky Fish
Miltimore misuses data and fallacies to mislead on polar bear populations and climate change. Something doesn’t smell right.
Read →
Investigation
Hurricanes and the Art of Denial
Why storm counts mislead, and how climate change is making hurricanes more dangerous through intensity, rainfall, and rapid intensification.
Read →
Photo Collection
Doors & Windows of the World
Doors, windows, gates and knockers I’ve photographed around the world, from island shacks to Korean palaces.
Read →
Reporting · Minneapolis
Memorials for Renee Good & Alex Pretti
A visual record of Minneapolis vigils following two fatal immigration enforcement shootings.
Read →
Reporting · Portland
Portland vs. ICE
In the fall of 2025, the president sent troops. Portland sent unicorns, and won the battle.
Read →
Open Letter
Bob, About That Hellbender
A viral video showed a hellbender lifted from its stream. An open letter on why biologists warn that handling these giant salamanders can harm them.
Read →The Newsletter
See the world through ink and dust.
New essays, field sketches and natural history from the road, free by email.
Subscribe on Substack