America's National Guard was once considered a ragtag gaggle of pretend soldiers. Beginning in the 1980s the National Guard gradually transformed into today's highly flexible operational force that answers our nation's call for overseas combat deployments as well as domestic emergencies that run the gamut from lifesaving disaster responses to staffing Covid clinics. Brigadier General Paul "Greg" Smith describes his personal journey during these years, from a callow cadet to a committed commander leading military forces in response to the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. Smith gives a humorous, gritty, and sometimes touching glimpse into the inner workings of this unique military organization while offering portraits of the men and women who serve as the minutemen of our age. His reflections on service, duty, and the complexities of command will enlighten anyone who seeks to better understand the challenges of leadership.

From kayaking in Death Valley to rock climbing in the Eastern Sierra, Matt Artz's short collection of road trip stories illustrates the value of life's "little adventures"-weekend and other relatively short trips here and there designed to quench your desire for wildness. Because even the shortest outing can leave a lasting imprint and remind us all that it's not the size of the adventure that counts-it's how you enjoy it.

From Death Valley to Joshua Tree; from Yellowstone to Victoria Falls, Matt Artz's short collection of outdoor stories illustrates how outings in national parks can quench our thirst for wildness and leave lifelong impressions.

From mountaineering to kayaking to rock climbing and more, this short collection of outdoor adventure stories from the Sierra Nevada Mountains illustrates life's "little adventures"-weekend and other relatively short trips here and there designed to quench your desire for wildness. Because even the shortest outing can leave a lasting imprint and remind us all that it's not the size of the adventure that counts-it's how you enjoy it.

From Southern California to Botswana, the Sierra Nevada Mountains to South Africa, and Greece to the Mojave Desert, this short collection of hiking stories illustrates life's "little adventures"-weekend and other relatively short trips here and there designed to quench your desire for wildness. Because even the shortest outing can leave a lasting imprint and remind us all that it's not the size of the adventure that counts-it's how you enjoy it.

From interviews with rock climbing royalty to tales of mere amateurs floundering up boulders, this short collection of climbing stories illustrates life's "little adventures"-weekend and other relatively short trips here and there designed to quench your desire for wildness. Because even the shortest outing can leave a lasting imprint and remind us all that it's not the size of the adventure that counts-it's how you enjoy it. Oh, and beer. Don't forget the beer.

From scaling tall mountains to tiny boulders and everything in between, this short collection of rock climbing stories illustrates life's "little adventures"--weekend and other relatively short trips here and there designed to quench your desire for wildness. Because even the shortest outing can leave a lasting imprint and remind us all that it's not the size of the adventure that counts--it's how you enjoy it.

From the High Sierra to his own backyard, Matt Artz's short collection of mountain biking stories illustrate life's "little adventures"-weekend and other relatively short trips here and there designed to quench your desire for wildness. Because even the shortest outing can leave a lasting imprint and remind us all that it's not the size of the adventure that counts-it's how you enjoy it.

An American teenager moves to southern Africa in the 1970s during a time of great change, and comes back changed himself. After a 35 year absence, he returns to southern Africa to volunteer for a conservation and research program in the Tuli Wilderness of Botswana. Despite close encounters with lions, hyenas, and elephants, it's the people of southern Africa that once again left the biggest impression on him.

I'm getting older. I'm slowing down. I can't do everything that I used to. And as the steamroller of old age continues its relentless advance, there's not much I can do about it. Except complain. And write. Many of the outdoor stories I've been writing over the last three or so years share a common theme: reflections on aging, and how it's changing my perspective on life and my relationship with the outdoors. And thus this little compilation was born. The road may end ahead, but there is still quite a distance left to travel...