Wanderings And Ponderings

In the world of hospitality, great service is more than a smile, it’s a strategic framework that determines the success and sustainability of a business. Service management refers to a customer-focused approach that emphasizes the delivery of value, building strong guest relationships, and consistently exceeding expectations. There are two key dimensions of service quality: technical quality, which involves the outcome or what the customer receives, and functional quality, which focuses on how that service is delivered. In hospitality, where competition is fierce and customer loyalty is everything, mastering both aspects is essential. Foundations of Service Quality Service quality is shaped by the interaction between the customer and the service provider. According to the widely accepted SERVQUAL model, there are ten critical dimensions that influence perceived service quality: reliability, responsiveness, competence, access, courtesy, communication, credibility, security, under...

Every conference has its standout moments. The conversations that linger. The connections that feel both familiar and energizing. The reminders of why we do the work we do. During my time in Tulsa with ORPS, I experienced one of those moments, and it became an unexpected highlight of the entire trip. I had the chance to reconnect with a colleague whose perspective I deeply value. In the rush of conference schedules, with sessions, panels, hallway chats, and an endless list of names and faces, it can be easy to move quickly from one obligation to the next. But this conversation slowed everything down in the best way. It grounded me. It reminded me that our field advances not only because of research, policy, and practice, but because of relationships. There is something powerful about talking with someone who understands the complexity of our work. Outdoor recreation, community wellbeing, workforce development, and resource management all intersect in ways that are both challenging and...

  I had the honor of visiting Walden Pond, where Henry David Thoreau lived and wrote Walden. Being there made me want to pick up the book again and think about how his ideas still fit our world today.   “Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify.” It’s amazing how true this still feels. Between emails, meetings, and constant notifications, it’s easy to get lost in the noise. Thoreau’s point wasn’t just to do less, but to focus on what actually matters.   “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.” This one hit home for me. Everyone moves at their own pace. It’s a good reminder not to compare yourself to others or feel pressured to follow the same path. “Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.” In a world that rewards image over substance, this one feels even more relevant. Thoreau valued honesty and authenticity above everything else. That’s something worth holding onto.   Walki...

I didn’t set out with everything well-planned, just a camera, some curiosity, and a little time to wander. Alaska didn’t need anything else.   Chugach State Park & Mt. Alyeska Just outside Anchorage, Chugach State Park stretches wide with light, stone, and quiet. I spent a day there, and another high above Girdwood atop Mt. Alyeska. No big agenda, just wandering, looking around, and catching what felt worth pausing for. Alaska doesn’t need much of a filter.   Chugach National Forest Further out, Chugach National Forest opens up in all directions. Nearly seven million acres of rugged peaks and glacial valleys, and not one of them asking to be rushed. The trails here feel like they hold their own kind of silence, not empty, but full. Every bend offers a new composition: light against stone, sky in still water, a tree bent just so. It felt less like taking pictures and more like listening carefully. “The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.”, John Mu...

A Stroll Through the Portland Japanese Garden On a quiet morning in downtown Portland, a buddy and I decided to walk from our hotel to the Portland Japanese Garden. The route wound through the city and into Washington Park, and while it was uphill in spots, it was not bad at all. By the time we reached the entrance, we felt like we had already eased into the slower pace the garden promises. Even before I took ten steps inside, the city noise seemed to fade. The air felt cooler and fresher, like the garden had its own climate set apart from the bustle just outside its walls. The path curved gently ahead, leading us past moss-covered stones and neatly raked gravel beds. A small stream gurgled quietly under a wooden footbridge, the sound blending with the soft rustle of leaves overhead. Every turn revealed a new scene, a carefully placed lantern, a cluster of maple trees, or a pond where koi fish drifted lazily through the water. We followed the path uphill to a wide view of the city. Th...

I recently had the chance to visit Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas as part of a professional development opportunity, and honestly, I loved it. I spent the day wandering through the park, enjoying the sights, sounds, and awesome craftsmanship that keeps the heritage of the Ozarks alive.   A Living History in the Ozarks The Ozark Folk Center opened in 1973, built on a vision to preserve and share the music, crafts, and culture of the Ozark Mountains. It remains the only park in the United States dedicated solely to Ozark heritage. The park’s layout is like a small mountain village, with pathways winding through artisan shops, gardens, and performance spaces. Every building hums with the rhythm of hands working with traditional tools and techniques.   Music in the Heart of the Ozarks To start my day, I wandered into the Visitor Center, where music spilled from the auditorium. Rain had been in the forecast, so they had to move inside, but that ...

 On my way back from a trip to Kentucky, I made an impromptu stop at Ozone Falls State Natural Area in Tennessee, and I’m glad I did. It turned out to be one of those quirky little adventures that sticks with you, not just for the scenery, but for the whole experience. Getting There (and Parking Realities) First things first: parking at Ozone Falls is limited. There are a few official spots directly across from the trailhead, but the rest is mostly shoulder parking along a state highway. It felt a bit risky to leave the car there, but I took the chance, and all turned out fine. Exploring the Top of the Falls I started the hike by heading to the top of the falls , where the creek dramatically disappears over the cliff’s edge. Only a few others were up there, making for a surprisingly peaceful moment. I crossed paths with a family enjoying the day with grandkids (at least that’s the vibe I got), and a slightly more eccentric couple, he was photographing her in a swimsuit as she ...

By Madison Price-Stivers and Michael J. Bradley The recreation profession, including outdoor, therapeutic, and community-based services, has seen tremendous growth in recent years. As the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped how people engage with open spaces and community programs, the importance of recreation has become even more apparent. But alongside this growth comes the responsibility to address lingering barriers in access, representation, and engagement, factors that significantly shape the industry’s reach and effectiveness. Access Matters Ensuring that all individuals have access to recreation, regardless of background or income level, is not just a matter of fairness; it’s essential to the mission of public service. When people from underrepresented communities lack access to outdoor spaces or are underrepresented in leadership roles, the system falls short. Tackling these gaps means not only expanding participation but ensuring that recreation truly reflects the communities ...

While making the return journey from Kentucky, I took a delightful detour to Cedars of Lebanon State Park, just south of Lebanon, Tennessee. Nestled in the heart of Middle Tennessee’s Central Basin, this 900-acre park lies within the larger 9,420-acre Cedars of Lebanon State Forest. The park is home to a unique ecosystem known as cedar glades—open, rocky expanses of thin soil dotted with Eastern red cedar trees, which are actually junipers. These enduring trees reminded early settlers of the famed cedar forests of ancient Lebanon, inspiring the park’s biblical name. Beneath your feet lies Ordovician-era limestone, dating back roughly 460 million years, creating a karst landscape pockmarked with sinkholes, caves, and underground streams. In the 1930s, a resettlement program and WPA-led restoration efforts transformed the battered cedar flats into a thriving forest and public recreational space. The area opened as Lebanon Cedar Forest in 1937, with the Tennessee government taking over tw...

If you’ve been thinking about trying glamping or need a peaceful base to explore Mountain View, Arkansas, let me share a place you’ll want to add to your list: Ozark RV Park and Cabins. Ozark RV Park & Cabins Call: 870-200-9090 The Glamping Tent I recently stayed in one of their glamping tents, and it was such a fun, comfortable experience. The tent is spacious, set up on a platform with a real bed (on a frame), crisp linens, a fan, air conditioning (yes, you get AC in a tent!), and a Keurig for that first warm cup of coffee in the morning. During my stay, it rained gently, and there is something incredible about falling asleep to the sound of rain on canvas while staying warm and cozy in bed. In the morning, I woke up to the sound of birds and crisp air, peeking outside to a misty, peaceful campground that felt like a breath of fresh air. The Big Park Sign & Rooster The bathhouse on-site deserves a shout-out. It has the nostalgic feel of a summer camp bathhouse but is immacul...

Some places are quiet, but they speak volumes. Historic Washington State Park was one of those places for me. I’d heard about it, this little town in southwest Arkansas that somehow became a state park, but nothing really prepared me for how much it holds. Not just in its buildings or museum signs, but in its trees, its cemetery, its streets. I didn’t go in with a plan. I just wandered. Let the stories find me. And they did, through a courtroom window, under a massive magnolia, beside headstones worn down by time. If you’re into history that still breathes, if you like your learning layered with personal connection and quiet moments, I think you’ll like this one too. Welcome to Historic Washington State Park There’s something special about stepping into a place that’s preserved, not rebuilt. That’s the magic at Historic Washington State Park. Founded in 1824, this town grew along the old Southwest Trail, a key route from St. Louis to Texas where legends like James Bowie and Davy Cr...