Outdoors Rambler with Ken Perrotte

TRAVEL

It's a big world out there; too bad there's only one lifetime to experience as much of it as you can.

Whenever I go on hunting or fishing trips, or outdoor writers conferences, I always build in time to experience the place away from the camp or boat. Check out the places, food and experiences to be had. Several blogs include videos.

Leisurely Drive Across Beautiful Nova Scotia, with a Visit to Pictou, 'Birthplace of New Scotland'

While traveling to Newfoundland for an early October hunting expedition, I was fortunate to be able to make an overnight stop in Nova...

PIER GROUPS -- Friends are Just a Cast Away When You Enjoy a Day on a Virginia Fishing Pier

Ken Perrotte

Sep 7, 2021

PIER GROUPS -- Friends are Just a Cast Away When You Enjoy a Day on a Virginia Fishing Pier

Note: The article originally appeared in the March/April 2020 edition of Virginia Wildlife. Here is it, slightly expanded -- with many...

Ancient Bull Sable, Iconic Gemsbok & Impressive Blesbok Round Out Incredible South African Hunt

Ken Perrotte

Aug 16, 2021

Ancient Bull Sable, Iconic Gemsbok & Impressive Blesbok Round Out Incredible South African Hunt

Note: This article originally appeared in The Hunting Wire, a great publication and news delivery service. We were minutes from calling...

'Dugga Boy' Cape Buffalo Crossed Off Bucket List; Mossberg Patriot .375 Ruger, GPO Optic, Hornady

Ken Perrotte

Aug 2, 2021

'Dugga Boy' Cape Buffalo Crossed Off Bucket List; Mossberg Patriot .375 Ruger, GPO Optic, Hornady

Hunting African buffalo has been on list for more than four decades, ever since the author read tales by Roosevelt, Hemingway, Ruark and...

Shark Tooth Fossil Hunting in Florida - Fun Time!

Ken Perrotte

Jun 24, 2021

Shark Tooth Fossil Hunting in Florida - Fun Time!

Arcadia, Florida -- Armed with a shovel, a ¼-inch sifting screen and optimism, we launched canoes and set out on a hunting expedition,...

Florida Inshore Fishing Coast-to-Coast Offers Exciting Light-Tackle Action; Catch the 'Slam'

Ken Perrotte

Apr 8, 2021

Florida Inshore Fishing Coast-to-Coast Offers Exciting Light-Tackle Action; Catch the 'Slam'

Great inshore fishing on Florida's coasts - includes snook, redfish and spotted seatrout slam. St. Augustine, Charlotte Harbor, Ft Myers

Ghostly Encounter at Belmont Plantation Leaves No Doubt About Delta Mansion's Playful Spirits

Ken Perrotte

Mar 9, 2021

Ghostly Encounter at Belmont Plantation Leaves No Doubt About Delta Mansion's Playful Spirits

“If only these walls could talk!” That is usually a figure of speech, representative of wonder about a dwelling’s stature, age, and...

Duck Cannons of the Chesapeake – When Punt Guns Spoke, Waterfowl Markets Sang

Ken Perrotte

Nov 18, 2020

Duck Cannons of the Chesapeake – When Punt Guns Spoke, Waterfowl Markets Sang

Imagine a time when nighttime duck assassins stealthily maneuvered low-profile skiffs toward vast rafts of dozing ducks and geese,...

Soggy Early Season Turkey Hunt in New York Vineyards Yields No Birds, But Offers Insights

Ken Perrotte

Oct 29, 2020

Soggy Early Season Turkey Hunt in New York Vineyards Yields No Birds, But Offers Insights

Click on photo for article in NWTF Turkey Country magazine An early May excursion to Chautauqua County in far northwestern New York along...

It's a 'Cisco Disco' and 'Laker Love-In' Fishing Trip on Lake Michigan's Grand Traverse Bay -

Ken Perrotte

Oct 7, 2020

It's a 'Cisco Disco' and 'Laker Love-In' Fishing Trip on Lake Michigan's Grand Traverse Bay -

Trolling deep water successfully requires technical know-how and the right equipment. It is often the only way to catch fish on some...

Northern Michigan a Fishing, Hunting Wonderland - Did Someone Say 'Salmon on the Fly'?

Ken Perrotte

Oct 1, 2020

Northern Michigan a Fishing, Hunting Wonderland - Did Someone Say 'Salmon on the Fly'?

The river tributary Lake Huron in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula was stained a deep tea color. Yet, the big fish clearly stood out 10 yards away

'Days of Wine and Crappie Fishing' - My Latest Article in Crappie Now - a NW New York Hotspot

Ken Perrotte

Sep 11, 2020

'Days of Wine and Crappie Fishing' - My Latest Article in Crappie Now - a NW New York Hotspot

Northern New York state is known for its expansive borders along two of the Great lakes, Erie and Ontario. In the state’s...

The Allure of Virginia's Eastern Shore Beaches - Kiptopeke, Assateague Island and Cape Charles

Ken Perrotte

Jul 28, 2020

The Allure of Virginia's Eastern Shore Beaches - Kiptopeke, Assateague Island and Cape Charles

It was a pleasure to write a piece for USA Today's GoEscape magazine (Mid-Atlantic edition) this summer. The article is shown in the...

A Mission to Italy – Searching for a Hometown Boy

Ken Perrotte

May 25, 2020

A Mission to Italy – Searching for a Hometown Boy

The two American women were a little nervous as they boarded a bus in Florence, Italy, one sunny morning in 2003. They had begun their...

'Come to the Light' - Hardwater Crappie Fishing in the Green Mountain State - a Winter Wonderland

Ken Perrotte

Mar 21, 2020

'Come to the Light' - Hardwater Crappie Fishing in the Green Mountain State - a Winter Wonderland

Vermont has long been known as a winter wonderland. Crappie fishing on Lake Champlain through the ice can be hot with the right set up....

William Faulkner's "Rowan Oak" Home Site Well-Preserved by Ole Miss Down in Oxford

By Ken Perrotte

Dec 5, 2019

William Faulkner's "Rowan Oak" Home Site Well-Preserved by Ole Miss Down in Oxford

A late October trip to the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association's annual conference in Oxford, Mississippi,provided an opportune time...

Uruguay Mixed Bag Hunt Delivers Hot-Barrel Shooting, Exquisite Food & Ambiance

By Ken Perrotte

Sep 5, 2019

Uruguay Mixed Bag Hunt Delivers Hot-Barrel Shooting, Exquisite Food & Ambiance

Note: Blog Includes Video. I held off on posting this blog about a hunt at Uruguay Lodge until the feature in Safari Club International's...

Last Tango in Montevideo! Primuseum, Mercado del Puerto, Wine and 'Football'

By Ken Perrotte

Feb 27, 2019

Last Tango in Montevideo! Primuseum, Mercado del Puerto, Wine and 'Football'

The summer of 2018 -- actually, much of 2018 -- saw Outdoors Rambler in full Road Warrior mode. One fun, and all too brief, stop came at...

Sundance Head -- the Soulful Country Artist with a Passion for Everything Outdoors

By Ken Perrotte

Feb 14, 2019

Sundance Head -- the Soulful Country Artist with a Passion for Everything Outdoors

The massive SHOT Show at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas attracts nearly 60,000 people every January. Miles of exhibits showcase...

Is It Possible to Overdose on Great Music? It's Fun Trying in the Americana Music Triangle

By Ken Perrotte

Dec 25, 2018

Is It Possible to Overdose on Great Music? It's Fun Trying in the Americana Music Triangle

Music, as the legendary Dick Clark used to say, is the soundtrack of our lives. I had the wonderful opportunity to visit multiple...

Franklin & Leiper's Fork, Tennessee - Great Destinations on Your Americana Music Trek

By Ken Perrotte

Dec 21, 2018

Franklin & Leiper's Fork, Tennessee - Great Destinations on Your Americana Music Trek

When people think of music in Tennessee, they tend to think of Nashville. Nashville is great, a lot of fun. It’s also expensive, crowded....

Memphis: Visit One of Music's Melting Pots - Blues, Country & Soul Keep on Rockin'

By Ken Perrotte

Dec 20, 2018

Memphis: Visit One of Music's Melting Pots - Blues, Country & Soul Keep on Rockin'

Heading up the Mississippi from New Orleans takes you along the western edge of an area touted as the Americana Music Triangle. A “can’t...

Blues (and Great R&B), Brews and BBQ in "The Shoals" - Incredible Music History

By Ken Perrotte

Dec 13, 2018

Blues (and Great R&B), Brews and BBQ in "The Shoals" - Incredible Music History

American Indians living along the Tennessee River in Northwest Alabama called it the "Singing River” because they believed a woman who...

Destination: Tupelo, Mississippi – Birthplace of Elvis a Key Stop on Storied Music Trail

By Ken Perrotte

Nov 23, 2018

Destination: Tupelo, Mississippi – Birthplace of Elvis a Key Stop on Storied Music Trail

Ask anyone what they know most about Tupelo, Mississippi, and it’s a safe bet Elvis Presley will be in the answer. Tupelo was the...

Does Anything Taste Better than a Great Steak Cooked Over a Wood-Fired Grill?

By Ken Perrotte

Nov 19, 2018

Does Anything Taste Better than a Great Steak Cooked Over a Wood-Fired Grill?

Yes, that headline is a bit of a rhetorical question. For many, cooking over a wood fire restores us to the primeval time that resides...

Don't Miss St. Augustine's Historic Forts, Well-Preserved Reminders of Colonial Past

By Ken Perrotte

Oct 19, 2018

Don't Miss St. Augustine's Historic Forts, Well-Preserved Reminders of Colonial Past

Founded in 1565 by Spain as a military outpost, St. Augustine, Florida, is one of America’s most historic cities. For military history...

Bikers, Hikers, Anglers & Bluegrass Fans Find Lots to Love with Smyth County, VA

By Ken Perrotte

Oct 19, 2018

Bikers, Hikers, Anglers & Bluegrass Fans Find Lots to Love with Smyth County, VA

Bikers and mountain enthusiasts discover incredible adventures when they trek Virginia Route 16, a two-lane road snaking over three...

North Dakota's Badlands - Stomping Grounds for French Aristocracy, Cowboys, Indians

By Ken Perrotte

Sep 22, 2018

North Dakota's Badlands - Stomping Grounds for French Aristocracy, Cowboys, Indians

This Outdoors Rambler lifestyle gets me out into some incredible places. Whether it's in a treestand watching the woods wake up, on the...

Hiking North Dakota Badlands with Teddy; Rousing Words Delivered from Majestic Vista

By Ken Perrotte

Sep 17, 2018

Hiking North Dakota Badlands with Teddy; Rousing Words Delivered from Majestic Vista

Cross North Dakota off the list of states yet to be visited by the Outdoors Rambler. Too bad it took so long, but better late than never;...

Daytona Beach: Sand & Water, Speed & Thunder; Plus So Much More - Check It Out

By Ken Perrotte

Aug 29, 2018

Daytona Beach: Sand & Water, Speed & Thunder; Plus So Much More - Check It Out

When most people think of Daytona Beach, Florida, they’ll likely admit knowing the place for its miles of sandy beaches, auto racing...

Lake Erie - Head to Walleye Heaven & See Why Pros and Novices Can Have a Blast!

By Ken Perrotte

Aug 23, 2018

Lake Erie - Head to Walleye Heaven & See Why Pros and Novices Can Have a Blast!

I've often heard Lake Erie described as the best walleye fishing in the United States, but never made an opportunity to fish this lake...

Banging the Drums North of New Orleans with Early Summer, Light Tackle Fishing Action

By Ken Perrotte

Jul 6, 2018

Banging the Drums North of New Orleans with Early Summer, Light Tackle Fishing Action

Here’s a little video I put together of the fun we had in early June 2018 catching black drum near the L&N Train Bridge where The...

Replica Vietnam Memorial Wall in Beautiful Punta Gorda Stirring in Its Authenticity

By Ken Perrotte

Apr 16, 2018

Replica Vietnam Memorial Wall in Beautiful Punta Gorda Stirring in Its Authenticity

During a fishing trip a couple years ago to Florida's southwest gulf coast, I was told about a unique half-size replica of the Vietnam...

Visiting the “Crab Capital” of the Eastern Shore - Crisfield, Maryland

By Ken Perrotte

Mar 1, 2018

Visiting the “Crab Capital” of the Eastern Shore - Crisfield, Maryland

The inhabitants of Crisfield, Maryland, have made their living from the water since the earliest days of Chesapeake Bay commerce. Crabs,...

Explore Bygone Days of the Watermen, Market Gunners & Carvers at Eastern Shore Museums

By Ken Perrotte

Jan 14, 2018

Explore Bygone Days of the Watermen, Market Gunners & Carvers at Eastern Shore Museums

The Maryland Eastern Shore is legendary for its beauty, with quaint fishing villages, verdant farms and waterfowl without compare along...

Three Days of Rambling Through War, Wine and Wagon Stops - West Virginia and Maryland

By Ken Perrotte

Nov 22, 2017

Three Days of Rambling Through War, Wine and Wagon Stops - West Virginia and Maryland

Load up a three-day weekend with a balanced blend of Civil War history and a wealth of lighter engagements centered around the wonderful...

Chattanooga – Gateway to Union Victory and Reconciliation - After Bloody Chickamauga

By Ken Perrotte

Nov 1, 2017

Chattanooga – Gateway to Union Victory and Reconciliation - After Bloody Chickamauga

Richmond may have been the Confederacy’s capitol, but it wasn’t necessarily the lynchpin to Federal victory in the Civil War. No, it was...

Tennessee Aquarium: A Must-See Stop on Chattanooga's Scenic Waterfront and Historic Downtown

By Ken Perrotte

Oct 31, 2017

Tennessee Aquarium: A Must-See Stop on Chattanooga's Scenic Waterfront and Historic Downtown

The world beneath the wavetops holds a strong fascination for many humans. Being face-to-face with a razor-toothed shark or a prehistoric...

Minnesota's Lakes Offer Outdoor Smorgasbord

By Ken Perrotte

Oct 30, 2017

Minnesota's Lakes Offer Outdoor Smorgasbord

BAUDETTE, Minn.—The mouth of the Rainy River, just north of here, was misleadingly calm as our 27-foot Sportcraft fishing boat joined the...

Island Hopper Festival at Fort Myers Beach - Beat Summer Crowds, Listen to Awesome Music, Drink Loca

By Ken Perrotte

Oct 30, 2017

Island Hopper Festival at Fort Myers Beach - Beat Summer Crowds, Listen to Awesome Music, Drink Loca

After most families have wrapped up their summer vacations and kids are back in school, you can often find Florida's usually crowded...

By Ken Perrotte

Oct 27, 2017

Neon and the Mob - Must Be Vegas Baby!

Before monolithic hotel/casinos dominated Las Vegas’ landscape, smaller, more intimate venues along Fremont Street and a mile south...

St. Augustine - Where Pirates and Paranormal Abound: Cue Spooky Music...

By Ken Perrotte

Oct 27, 2017

St. Augustine - Where Pirates and Paranormal Abound: Cue Spooky Music...

When you’re in a coastal city dating to 1565, you can bet you can find ample haunts to shiver your timbers. So it is in St. Augustine,...

Kilkenny, Ireland – Home of the Medieval Mile – and Some Damn Good Pubs

By Ken Perrotte

Oct 16, 2017

Kilkenny, Ireland – Home of the Medieval Mile – and Some Damn Good Pubs

Dublin is jumping off point for a number of trips into Ireland’s countryside. For visitors seeking a unique blend of old world and new,...

Stowe, Vermont -- Skiing, Spas, Breweries, Cider Mills, Fishing, Hiking & Mountain Biking

By Ken Perrotte

Oct 14, 2017

Stowe, Vermont -- Skiing, Spas, Breweries, Cider Mills, Fishing, Hiking & Mountain Biking

Stowe, Vermont, nestled in the Green Mountains and tucked into the western shadow of Mount Mansfield, the state’s highest peak, serves up...

Go Goliath on Florida's Gulf Coast; Fish, Food, Fun in Sun - But Watch Out, These Fish can Hurt You!

By Ken Perrotte

Oct 2, 2017

Go Goliath on Florida's Gulf Coast; Fish, Food, Fun in Sun - But Watch Out, These Fish can Hurt You!

If you’re looking for a total saltwater heaven destination check out the area around Charlotte Harbor, Florida, where three rivers...

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TRAVEL

FEATURED STORIES

Leisurely Drive Across Beautiful Nova Scotia, with a Visit to Pictou, 'Birthplace of New Scotland'

PIER GROUPS -- Friends are Just a Cast Away When You Enjoy a Day on a Virginia Fishing Pier

Ancient Bull Sable, Iconic Gemsbok & Impressive Blesbok Round Out Incredible South African Hunt

'Dugga Boy' Cape Buffalo Crossed Off Bucket List; Mossberg Patriot .375 Ruger, GPO Optic, Hornady

Shark Tooth Fossil Hunting in Florida - Fun Time!

Florida Inshore Fishing Coast-to-Coast Offers Exciting Light-Tackle Action; Catch the 'Slam'

Ghostly Encounter at Belmont Plantation Leaves No Doubt About Delta Mansion's Playful Spirits

Duck Cannons of the Chesapeake – When Punt Guns Spoke, Waterfowl Markets Sang

Soggy Early Season Turkey Hunt in New York Vineyards Yields No Birds, But Offers Insights

It's a 'Cisco Disco' and 'Laker Love-In' Fishing Trip on Lake Michigan's Grand Traverse Bay -

Northern Michigan a Fishing, Hunting Wonderland - Did Someone Say 'Salmon on the Fly'?

'Days of Wine and Crappie Fishing' - My Latest Article in Crappie Now - a NW New York Hotspot

The Allure of Virginia's Eastern Shore Beaches - Kiptopeke, Assateague Island and Cape Charles

A Mission to Italy – Searching for a Hometown Boy

'Come to the Light' - Hardwater Crappie Fishing in the Green Mountain State - a Winter Wonderland

William Faulkner's "Rowan Oak" Home Site Well-Preserved by Ole Miss Down in Oxford

Uruguay Mixed Bag Hunt Delivers Hot-Barrel Shooting, Exquisite Food & Ambiance

Last Tango in Montevideo! Primuseum, Mercado del Puerto, Wine and 'Football'

Sundance Head -- the Soulful Country Artist with a Passion for Everything Outdoors

Is It Possible to Overdose on Great Music? It's Fun Trying in the Americana Music Triangle

Franklin & Leiper's Fork, Tennessee - Great Destinations on Your Americana Music Trek

Memphis: Visit One of Music's Melting Pots - Blues, Country & Soul Keep on Rockin'

Blues (and Great R&B), Brews and BBQ in "The Shoals" - Incredible Music History

Destination: Tupelo, Mississippi – Birthplace of Elvis a Key Stop on Storied Music Trail

Does Anything Taste Better than a Great Steak Cooked Over a Wood-Fired Grill?

Don't Miss St. Augustine's Historic Forts, Well-Preserved Reminders of Colonial Past

Bikers, Hikers, Anglers & Bluegrass Fans Find Lots to Love with Smyth County, VA

North Dakota's Badlands - Stomping Grounds for French Aristocracy, Cowboys, Indians

Hiking North Dakota Badlands with Teddy; Rousing Words Delivered from Majestic Vista

Daytona Beach: Sand & Water, Speed & Thunder; Plus So Much More - Check It Out

Lake Erie - Head to Walleye Heaven & See Why Pros and Novices Can Have a Blast!

Banging the Drums North of New Orleans with Early Summer, Light Tackle Fishing Action

Replica Vietnam Memorial Wall in Beautiful Punta Gorda Stirring in Its Authenticity

Visiting the “Crab Capital” of the Eastern Shore - Crisfield, Maryland

Explore Bygone Days of the Watermen, Market Gunners & Carvers at Eastern Shore Museums

Three Days of Rambling Through War, Wine and Wagon Stops - West Virginia and Maryland

Chattanooga – Gateway to Union Victory and Reconciliation - After Bloody Chickamauga

Tennessee Aquarium: A Must-See Stop on Chattanooga's Scenic Waterfront and Historic Downtown

Minnesota's Lakes Offer Outdoor Smorgasbord

Island Hopper Festival at Fort Myers Beach - Beat Summer Crowds, Listen to Awesome Music, Drink Loca

Neon and the Mob - Must Be Vegas Baby!

St. Augustine - Where Pirates and Paranormal Abound: Cue Spooky Music...

Kilkenny, Ireland – Home of the Medieval Mile – and Some Damn Good Pubs

Stowe, Vermont -- Skiing, Spas, Breweries, Cider Mills, Fishing, Hiking & Mountain Biking

Go Goliath on Florida's Gulf Coast; Fish, Food, Fun in Sun - But Watch Out, These Fish can Hurt You!