Meet our outdoors writers

Maggie Wegrzyn

Farmington

The Daily Times is lucky enough to have two fantastic outdoors writers who contribute to our weekly outdoors section. And now their adventures populate the Base Camp blog.

Here's a brief introduction to our writers.

Molly Maxwell

DT: Tell us a little about yourself and why you write for The Daily Times' outdoors section.

MM: I have lived in North Carolina most of my life, and while I love where I am from, I have been drawn to New Mexico's desert beauty since we first visited on family vacation. The Outdoor Leadership program at San Juan College brought me to Farmington, and through the program's experiential education-based classes, the amazing setting in which they are taught, and the community here in general I have found an appreciation for the outdoors far beyond what I would have expected. Writing for the Outdoors section gives me the opportunity to learn about everything the area has to offer and share what I learn, and getting to shoot the photos for my articles gives me an outlet for my love of (and bachelor's degree in) photography.

DT: As you know, we've recently launched a Four Corners Bucket List to encourage people to explore their own backyards. What is your favorite outdoors spot (inside or outside the Four Corners)?

MM: I hate to choose just one favorite spot. I have many favorites for many different reasons, but if I have to I will say Zion National Park in Utah. I did a five-day hike through Zion Canyon last spring, and that was the most amount of time I had ever spent backpacking. I felt that through living in the canyon for a week I was really able to get to know the place in a way that you couldn't just by driving through. Every day was a different trail that gave the canyon a completely different feel from the day before, and it blew my mind that we were in the same place the whole time. I hope to go back there more than once, as there are still many parts to explore.

DT: What's the best way for people to contact you if they have feedback or story ideas?

MM: For feedback or story ideas, feel free to email me at mollykmaxwell@gmail.com. Thanks for reading!

Jaclyn Waggoner

DT: Tell us a little about yourself and why you write for The Daily Times' outdoors section.

JW: I am a stay-at-home mom and freelance writer. I write for the outdoors section of the paper because I love writing almost as much as I love the outdoors. I worked for the Bureau of Land Management for 10 years and was a park ranger for the last five. I started writing for newspapers because of my job and when I left the government to stay home with my son I wanted to continue to write and share my passion of the great outdoors with others.

DT: As you know, we've recently launched a Four Corners Bucket List to encourage people to explore their own backyards. What is your favorite outdoors spot (inside or outside the Four Corners)?

JW: I have a very special place in my heart for El Malpais National Monument in Grants because I worked there for five years. What I love about the area is the peacefulness. You can sit up top the sandstone bluffs overlook with miles of lava flows in the distance and all you see is nature. There is no traffic, no power lines, no city lights or noises and sometimes there are even no people. Those are the places that make New Mexico special. The unknown places that are majestic, scenic and full of peace.

DT: What's the best way for people to contact you if they have feedback or story ideas?

JW: The best way is to email me at jaclynwags@gmail.com.

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