I’ve been writing for magazines for a long time, but to score a 14-page feature in the June/July 2019 issue of National Geographic Traveler was pretty special.

At the end, the author bio note reads: “Robert Earle Howells is a California-based writer whose passion is public lands that preserve disappearing landscapes.”

This feature is special to me for that reason, and others as well. This was my third visit to the prairie over the course of 30 years, dating back to a trip I took when I first started freelancing. That trip was all about, yep, public lands—and proposed public lands—that preserve disappearing landscapes.

Also special is the fact that my host in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, on all three trips was Harvey Payne, and several of his photographs are included in the feature. There’s also a gorgeous sunset shot by my buddy Matt Payne (no relation to Harvey). The three of us spent one long day and evening out on the prairie together. Very special.

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