My kids and I along the Routeburn Track in New Zealand. Loving it!
Hello. My name is Mark Danenhauer and I’m a nature addict.
The good news is that I know I have a problem. The bad news is that I can’t help it. I’m an addict, a nature addict.
I have to get out into nature on a regular basis to feel happy, and centered in my life.
If I go too long without getting outside I begin to feel grumpy and upset. The only cure is to get out in nature.
Personally I revel in my nature addiction. It drives me to get outside to all kinds of beautiful places. I love exploring beaches, mountains, forests and deserts. I love it all.
I love to go to the park with my family. I love to go for a hike up in the mountains on a sunny summer day. I love spending a day by a river or lake.
Our family with our guide when we took a 8 day trek in Nepal!
Although it’s not my favorite I don’t even mind bad weather. A windy, stormy, snowy day just reveals another side of the natural world. The wind, rain, or snow on your face makes you feel alive.
My nature addiction has taken me outside of the USA to some truly amazing places in the world, including Madagascar, Europe, South Africa, Kenya, Peru, and now to New Zealand.
As a father I now strive to explore the natural world with my kids and hope that they too will become a nature addict.
Nature Addicts – This Is For You!
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How Often Do I Post & What Do I Post About?
I post once or twice a week. My posts alternate between nature facts about the Rocky Mountains, hiking tips, and stories of my family’s adventures.
My Top Posts
Is that a birch tree or aspen tree?
How are animals different than each other?
The hiking gear mistake I won’t repeat!
Crow or Raven? 3 simple ways to tell them apart.
The most important thing to bring along when hiking with kids!
10 fun rock facts. You won’t believe some of these!
4 Steps for leaf identification for beginners.
Great nature guide to the Rocky Mountains.
My Background
In addition to being a nature addict, I am a writer, conservationist, and father.
This is a super fun slot canyon in Southern Utah.
Before being a stay at home Dad I worked in the environmental field. In Salt Lake City, I worked with the Utah Rivers Council, advocating for the protection of Utah’s rivers.
We lived in Springfield, Illinois prior to Salt Lake City where I went to graduate school and worked at the Illinois EPA.
Before graduate school, I was lucky enough to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Madagascar. I lived on the big red island for three great, challenging, and formative years. Two of those years were spent working at Andringitra National Park doing environmental education activities and trail work. The final year I lived in Fort Dauphin on the southern coast of the country and was a Peace Corps Volunteer Leader.
I have written one book, Jake’s Nature Guide: Rocky Mountains. It is a pocket size book that introduces readers to the natural world of the Rockies. I have also written an eBook on Hiking With Kids: Advice On Gear, Tips, and Tricks For Parents.
Why Is It Called Jake’s Nature Blog?
I named this blog after my dog, Jake. He was born in the flatlands of the Midwest where he became adept at chasing squirrels.
After a few years we moved to Salt Lake City where we spent years exploring the Rockies together.