John Keatley

John Keatley

Florida
Co-author of nearly a dozen guidebooks to Florida, John Keatley is a Florida native who's always played outdoors: biking, sailing, paddling, and more. After 33 years working on the Space Shuttle program, he started writing for publication in 2012.
20
Jun
Deer sculptures racing across a fountain at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art

Visiting the Eiteljorg Museum

In downtown Indianapolis, the Eiteljorg Museum tells the other story of the West, that of the Native Americans who for generations called the open plains their home.
2 min read
31
Mar
Florida Trail sign with engine and caboose of M&B Railroad beyond

Little Campsite by the Chipola

En route to the Panhandle Trace Hike, we take a detour along the Apalachicola River Valley to pick up some new sections of trail, and end up camping at a trailhead.
2 min read
30
Mar
VW Vanagon with its top popped

Prepping Primrose for the Panhandle

Before taking a 1,000-mile journey across Florida to hike distant sections of the Florida Trail, we find it necessary to upgrade the tires on Primrose.
2 min read
26
Mar
Camp WhereUWanna

Camp WhereUWanna

More adventures in Primrose as we head for the Florida Trail Conference and discover that the speedometer isn't quite telling the truth.
6 min read
20
Feb
Slightly blurred image of a Jeep track hemmed in by forest

Off-roading, Westy-style

It’s one bumpy ride as we tunnel our way through the Big Scrub of the Ocala National Forest with Primrose, our brand new vintage Westy, on a jeep road.
3 min read
17
Feb
Westfalia camper with slider and back door open parked outside a cabin

A Twisted Valentine Tale

A planned Valentines Day hike on the Florida Trail morphs into something completely different as a chain of coincidences fall into place.
3 min read
13
Feb
A VW Westfalia looms next to shorter vehicles in a dark garage

Home Sweet Camper

What’s an upgrade from tent camping when you’re hiking? A camper van! JK’s history with VW camper vans led us to a Westfalia of our own to use as our base camp.
6 min read
31
Jan
Hiking Can Wait

Hiking Can Wait

Leaving the Florida Trail to chase down a lead on a new antique VW Westfalia camper, JK discovers it’s well worth the detour.
1 min read
26
Nov
Flushmaster 2000

John versus the Flushmaster

Home repairs aren't as simple as they seem. We try to get our toilet under control before a major trip, and discover that modern plumbing parts just aren't what they used to be.
3 min read
18
Oct
Willowood Inn in Baraboo

Exploring Baraboo

In Baraboo, Wisconsin after Chicago, we realized there were more people riding with us on the "el" than I think live in Baraboo.
3 min read