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  • Florida Big Bend II

    Florida Big Bend II

    The backroads of Florida’s Big Bend and Nature Coast offer a glimpse of a Florida that seems to have been left behind by time. Starting from Cedar Key, the narrow dirt roads stretch into a landscape where modern life feels distant, and the rhythms of nature take the lead. The winding routes, often shaded by dense groves of pines and ancient oaks, lead travelers deep into the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, an expanse of coastal wilderness that has remained largely untouched. Here, the land is rugged and wild, with salt marshes and tidal creeks carving their way through the landscape. 

    You pass small, sleepy towns like Otter Creek, where time seems to move slower and the old wooden homes still stand with the same quiet dignity they’ve had for generations. Along the way, the air is thick with the scent of salt and pine, and the soft sound of the gulf can be heard in the distance. The gulf’s waters, calm and pristine, stretch endlessly, mirroring the feeling of isolation and peace that defines this area. 

    This is the Old Florida that many have forgotten, where nature reigns, and the roads lead to a simpler, more authentic way of life—one that feels like a world apart from the state’s more bustling, tourist-driven areas.

    Captured in October 2023, two months after the devastation brought to the area by Hurricane Idalia. The park at Shired Island, including the jetty (featured in my “before Idalia” video), was completely destroyed, along with the nearby road. In 2024, Hurricanes Debby and Helene caused further damage, and as of early 2026, the park is completely blocked off from normal vehicle access. More than half of the homes at Dark Island shown in this video were swept away by the immense storm surge of Hurricane Helene in 2024.

    Locations in this video include Cedar Key, Shell Mound, Manatee Springs, Suwannee, Shired Island, Horseshoe Beach, Steinhatchee, Hagens Cove, Dark Island, Keaton Beach, Deckle Beach, Adams Beach, and sunset at Dark Island.

    Note that this was captured with an older camera.

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  • Kootenay National Park

    Kootenay National Park

    The scenic drive through Kootenay National Park begins just outside Radium Hot Springs, where the sun-dappled grasslands quickly give way to a corridor of jagged peaks and dense, fragrant forests. As you ascend toward the Continental Divide, the air grows cooler, carrying the crisp scent of pine and the distant roar of waterfalls. A short stop at Numa Falls reveals water tumbling gracefully into a serene pool, framed by moss-covered rocks, while the Vermilion River winds beside the road, its rust-colored banks glinting in the sunlight. 

    Glacial valleys open up in the distance, and if you watch closely, you might spot deer or mountain goats grazing along the slopes. Quiet pullouts invite you to pause and breathe in the stillness, the only sounds the rush of water and the whisper of the wind. By the time the road meets the Bow River, the terrain softens into gentler valleys, and the journey ends with a sweeping riverside vista—a perfect reward after a drive defined by constant contrasts, dramatic beauty, and the quiet magic of the Canadian Rockies.

    Captured in July 2025 along Canada Highway 93 starting outside Radium Hot Springs, continuing through Kootenay National Park in the Canadian Rockies to the Bow River.

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  • Blue Ridge Parkway

    Blue Ridge Parkway

    The North Carolina section of the Blue Ridge Parkway offers one of the most breathtaking scenic drives in the United States. Starting from the southern entrance at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the drive meanders through lush forests, rolling hills, and mist-covered mountains, all framed by sweeping views of the Appalachian range. The Parkway is particularly known for its vibrant seasonal displays, with spring wildflowers blanketing the landscape, and autumn bringing a kaleidoscope of reds, yellows, and oranges. Key overlooks, such as the Linville Gorge and the Craggy Gardens, offer panoramic vistas, while the numerous hiking trails invite travelers to immerse themselves in the natural beauty. As you head north, the drive grows more tranquil, with the rugged peaks of the Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Escarpment serving as dramatic backdrops. The route is celebrated not just for its views but for its pristine, untouched wilderness, offering an idyllic escape for those seeking peace and connection with nature.

    Captured in October 2023, just under one year before the devastation brought to the area by Hurricane Helene. Several sections of the parkway displayed in this video are still not open as of early 2026.

    Note that this was captured with an older camera.

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  • Florida Big Bend

    Florida Big Bend

    The scenic drive through Florida’s Big Bend region offers a perfect slice of “Old Florida” charm. As you cruise along the back roads, the pace slows, and the world feels a bit more timeless. Towering cypress trees draped in Spanish moss line the roadsides, and the air carries the scent of saltwater and pine. Along the way, you pass forgotten little fishing towns and rustic homes that seem untouched by the modern world. With every turn, the horizon opens up to tranquil marshes, hidden tidal creeks, and quiet backwaters—perfect for spotting wildlife or just soaking in the peaceful solitude. This drive is a refreshing reminder of Florida’s quieter, slower side, where the beauty of nature and the simplicity of rural life take center stage.

    Captured in August 2023 in Florida’s Big Bend / Nature Coast area. Locations include Cedar Key, Shell Mound, Fowlers Bluff, Manatee Springs, Fanning Springs, Suwannee, Dixie Mainline Road, Shired Island, Horseshoe Beach, Lower Suwannee NWR, Road to Nowhere, Jena, Steinhatchee.

    Just a few weeks after this video was captured, Hurricane Idalia made landfall in this area, which caused permanent damage to some of the locations in this video. In particular, the park at Shired Island had a very nice jetty which appears in this video, but was destroyed with the hurricane, along with nearby sections of road. In the following year, Hurricane Debby and Hurricane Helene also directly hit the Big Bend area, causing further damage and permanent closure to some areas, such as the Road to Nowhere, featured in this video (and in the image above).

    Note that this was captured with an older camera.

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  • Top of the World Highway

    Top of the World Highway

    The journey begins with the creak and sway of the Dawson City ferry as it carries you across the broad, silty Yukon River, leaving behind the last hints of town and easing into true wilderness. From there, the Top of the World Highway climbs steadily onto a spine of ridges where the land seems to stretch forever, rolling in soft waves of tundra and distant peaks under an immense sky. The road feels suspended between worlds—no guardrails, few signs of life, just wind, light, and an overwhelming sense of space.

    Crossing into Alaska, the solitude deepens as the route becomes the Taylor Highway, descending through rugged valleys and quiet forests where you might drive for long stretches without seeing another soul. By the time you meet the Alaska Highway, the experience lingers: a rare blend of breathtaking beauty and profound isolation that makes the rest of the world feel very far away.

    Captured in July 2025 starting at the Dawson City ferry, continuing on Yukon Highway 9 to the Alaska/Canada border, and continuing down the Taylor Highway (Alaska Route 5) and ending at the Alaska Highway (Alaska Route 2).

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