HeyJaredJoe Dits on the Outdoors
As a professional journalist, I explore fun outdoor adventures and nature in northern Indiana and southern Michigan... while reflecting on faith and healing.
- Indexed issues, last 90 days
- 11
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- Sep 28, 2026
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- Jul 9, 2026
Latest issues
Season finales: Bike rides, plant sale and Riverwatch fuel hope for 2027 (opens the original)
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A dear 93-year-old neighbor of mine passed two weeks ago. We’d gotten to know each other over many Sunday afternoon conversations about Catholic faith, priests, parishes and what’s been happening in the neighborhood. Betty Ann was a tough but caring west-side Hungarian with an inspiringly independent force. I’ll miss her. And as we held services for her on a beautiful sunny day, it was healing to know that the good Lord was taking her to a new, more glorious neighborhood.I tell this as we head i
Here are fall bike rides to ‘Love,’ owls and native plant sale (opens the original)
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We’re cruising into the season of classic fall bike rides, rich in bucolic Michigan countryside but also good food and places you’ve never visited. I’ve got the latest on those here.But there’s also a bike safety rodeo and repair clinic for kids in Mishawaka, plus a short history ride in Elkhart.Also, a hike will have you owling (not howling) at the moon. And a native plant sale will help you to support wildlife in your garden.Autumn begins Tuesday, Sept. 22. I’ve seen plenty of trees showing la
The outdoors taught us: One year of epiphanies on healing and spirituality. (opens the original)
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One year ago today, I let my healing heart and soul take over the keyboard. I launched this blog. And in addition to the newsy morsels on local outdoor adventures — from ski slopes to trails to wildflowers — I delved into a lesser-told perspective.As the spirit moved me, I shared epiphanies on the healing and spirituality of creation and our beloved outdoor activities. It was definitely a turn from the 20 years of outdoor journalism I’d practiced at the South Bend Tribune. Perhaps even a risk.It
Piney yoga, dune adventures, citizen science and active ways to start September (opens the original)
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Welcome to a very active start to the lovely month of September. Here are 10 events, though they really represent more than 60 things to do in this near-fall time when the monarch butterflies start their southward migration.And that’s just in the first week and a half — before and after Labor Day.Do yoga amid pine trees that spell out “St. Patrick’s.” Pick from 50-plus activities in an annual adventure fest in the Indiana Dunes. Kayak through a marsh, then sip beers. Hop on one of a few bike rid
What can we learn from Continental Divide Trail controversy? (opens the original)
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There’s been a lot of heat over the Midwest Continental Divide Trail that, until this summer, had been moving through the news for a couple of years without much fuss from the public.Here are some observations and lessons. This isn’t to argue one way or another. Nor is it to sort through the opposing views and suspicions about the project. Rather, this is purely to step back and reflect on things we’ve learned about building trails over the years.First, a review of the issuesThe proposed trail w
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