Miles Howard
@milesperhoward.bsky.social
Outdoor author and urban trail builder. Creator of Mind The Moss, a newsletter about walking. Bylines in National Geographic, Mountain Gazette, The Boston Globe, Outside, WBUR, The New Republic, and AFAR. I founded the Walking City Trail of Boston. He/Him.
Pinned
The next wave
Our long, strange trip will continue in 2026
www.mindthemoss.com
Some news. I will continue writing about the outdoors, culture, politics, and where they cross paths in 2026. With one big change.
Mind The Moss will be paywall-free going forward!
(But you can still support my writing.)
Also, there's a book coming soon.
www.mindthemoss.com/p/the-next-w...
Mind The Moss will be paywall-free going forward!
(But you can still support my writing.)
Also, there's a book coming soon.
www.mindthemoss.com/p/the-next-w...
Nothing like starting off 2026 by finding out that your health insurance company just dropped a covered service with no warning. And that they have a little disclaimer in the policy benefits guide saying, "Yup, we can claw this benefit back whenever we want, without warning you."
This feels illegal
This feels illegal
January 2, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Nothing like starting off 2026 by finding out that your health insurance company just dropped a covered service with no warning. And that they have a little disclaimer in the policy benefits guide saying, "Yup, we can claw this benefit back whenever we want, without warning you."
This feels illegal
This feels illegal
Reposted by Miles Howard
Some news. I will continue writing about the outdoors, culture, politics, and where they cross paths in 2026. With one big change.
Mind The Moss will be paywall-free going forward!
(But you can still support my writing.)
Also, there's a book coming soon.
www.mindthemoss.com/p/the-next-w...
Mind The Moss will be paywall-free going forward!
(But you can still support my writing.)
Also, there's a book coming soon.
www.mindthemoss.com/p/the-next-w...
The next wave
Our long, strange trip will continue in 2026
www.mindthemoss.com
December 27, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Some news. I will continue writing about the outdoors, culture, politics, and where they cross paths in 2026. With one big change.
Mind The Moss will be paywall-free going forward!
(But you can still support my writing.)
Also, there's a book coming soon.
www.mindthemoss.com/p/the-next-w...
Mind The Moss will be paywall-free going forward!
(But you can still support my writing.)
Also, there's a book coming soon.
www.mindthemoss.com/p/the-next-w...
Some news. I will continue writing about the outdoors, culture, politics, and where they cross paths in 2026. With one big change.
Mind The Moss will be paywall-free going forward!
(But you can still support my writing.)
Also, there's a book coming soon.
www.mindthemoss.com/p/the-next-w...
Mind The Moss will be paywall-free going forward!
(But you can still support my writing.)
Also, there's a book coming soon.
www.mindthemoss.com/p/the-next-w...
The next wave
Our long, strange trip will continue in 2026
www.mindthemoss.com
December 27, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Some news. I will continue writing about the outdoors, culture, politics, and where they cross paths in 2026. With one big change.
Mind The Moss will be paywall-free going forward!
(But you can still support my writing.)
Also, there's a book coming soon.
www.mindthemoss.com/p/the-next-w...
Mind The Moss will be paywall-free going forward!
(But you can still support my writing.)
Also, there's a book coming soon.
www.mindthemoss.com/p/the-next-w...
Reposted by Miles Howard
Did you know that the City of Malden has a municipal program for creating barrier-free outdoor adventure opportunities? It's called "The Great Malden Outdoors" and this week, for one of the final Mind The Moss stories of 2025, I interviewed the guy who created it.
www.mindthemoss.com/p/walk-stars...
www.mindthemoss.com/p/walk-stars...
Walk Stars: Darren Josey
Meet the ambassador to the Great Malden Outdoors
www.mindthemoss.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Did you know that the City of Malden has a municipal program for creating barrier-free outdoor adventure opportunities? It's called "The Great Malden Outdoors" and this week, for one of the final Mind The Moss stories of 2025, I interviewed the guy who created it.
www.mindthemoss.com/p/walk-stars...
www.mindthemoss.com/p/walk-stars...
Did you know that the City of Malden has a municipal program for creating barrier-free outdoor adventure opportunities? It's called "The Great Malden Outdoors" and this week, for one of the final Mind The Moss stories of 2025, I interviewed the guy who created it.
www.mindthemoss.com/p/walk-stars...
www.mindthemoss.com/p/walk-stars...
Walk Stars: Darren Josey
Meet the ambassador to the Great Malden Outdoors
www.mindthemoss.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Did you know that the City of Malden has a municipal program for creating barrier-free outdoor adventure opportunities? It's called "The Great Malden Outdoors" and this week, for one of the final Mind The Moss stories of 2025, I interviewed the guy who created it.
www.mindthemoss.com/p/walk-stars...
www.mindthemoss.com/p/walk-stars...
Reposted by Miles Howard
I wrote about the lost holiday tradition of WASSAILING.
People would liquor up, bundle up, and show up at the homes of the ruling class; singing, dancing, and demanding gifts. And if gifts weren't provided, things would get gnarly!
What if we brought this back?
www.mindthemoss.com/p/here-come-...
People would liquor up, bundle up, and show up at the homes of the ruling class; singing, dancing, and demanding gifts. And if gifts weren't provided, things would get gnarly!
What if we brought this back?
www.mindthemoss.com/p/here-come-...
Here come the wassailers
A holiday stroll that goes hard
www.mindthemoss.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:28 PM
I wrote about the lost holiday tradition of WASSAILING.
People would liquor up, bundle up, and show up at the homes of the ruling class; singing, dancing, and demanding gifts. And if gifts weren't provided, things would get gnarly!
What if we brought this back?
www.mindthemoss.com/p/here-come-...
People would liquor up, bundle up, and show up at the homes of the ruling class; singing, dancing, and demanding gifts. And if gifts weren't provided, things would get gnarly!
What if we brought this back?
www.mindthemoss.com/p/here-come-...
Reposted by Miles Howard
Always read @milesperhoward.bsky.social, one of the best writers I know and a fantastic beat writer on all things outdoors.
I wrote about the lost holiday tradition of WASSAILING.
People would liquor up, bundle up, and show up at the homes of the ruling class; singing, dancing, and demanding gifts. And if gifts weren't provided, things would get gnarly!
What if we brought this back?
www.mindthemoss.com/p/here-come-...
People would liquor up, bundle up, and show up at the homes of the ruling class; singing, dancing, and demanding gifts. And if gifts weren't provided, things would get gnarly!
What if we brought this back?
www.mindthemoss.com/p/here-come-...
Here come the wassailers
A holiday stroll that goes hard
www.mindthemoss.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Always read @milesperhoward.bsky.social, one of the best writers I know and a fantastic beat writer on all things outdoors.
Reposted by Miles Howard
Strapping on my Morris bell pads; see you at Nick Collins’s!
I wrote about the lost holiday tradition of WASSAILING.
People would liquor up, bundle up, and show up at the homes of the ruling class; singing, dancing, and demanding gifts. And if gifts weren't provided, things would get gnarly!
What if we brought this back?
www.mindthemoss.com/p/here-come-...
People would liquor up, bundle up, and show up at the homes of the ruling class; singing, dancing, and demanding gifts. And if gifts weren't provided, things would get gnarly!
What if we brought this back?
www.mindthemoss.com/p/here-come-...
Here come the wassailers
A holiday stroll that goes hard
www.mindthemoss.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Strapping on my Morris bell pads; see you at Nick Collins’s!
Reposted by Miles Howard
Best thing I’ll read all week
I wrote about the lost holiday tradition of WASSAILING.
People would liquor up, bundle up, and show up at the homes of the ruling class; singing, dancing, and demanding gifts. And if gifts weren't provided, things would get gnarly!
What if we brought this back?
www.mindthemoss.com/p/here-come-...
People would liquor up, bundle up, and show up at the homes of the ruling class; singing, dancing, and demanding gifts. And if gifts weren't provided, things would get gnarly!
What if we brought this back?
www.mindthemoss.com/p/here-come-...
Here come the wassailers
A holiday stroll that goes hard
www.mindthemoss.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Best thing I’ll read all week
I wrote about the lost holiday tradition of WASSAILING.
People would liquor up, bundle up, and show up at the homes of the ruling class; singing, dancing, and demanding gifts. And if gifts weren't provided, things would get gnarly!
What if we brought this back?
www.mindthemoss.com/p/here-come-...
People would liquor up, bundle up, and show up at the homes of the ruling class; singing, dancing, and demanding gifts. And if gifts weren't provided, things would get gnarly!
What if we brought this back?
www.mindthemoss.com/p/here-come-...
Here come the wassailers
A holiday stroll that goes hard
www.mindthemoss.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:28 PM
I wrote about the lost holiday tradition of WASSAILING.
People would liquor up, bundle up, and show up at the homes of the ruling class; singing, dancing, and demanding gifts. And if gifts weren't provided, things would get gnarly!
What if we brought this back?
www.mindthemoss.com/p/here-come-...
People would liquor up, bundle up, and show up at the homes of the ruling class; singing, dancing, and demanding gifts. And if gifts weren't provided, things would get gnarly!
What if we brought this back?
www.mindthemoss.com/p/here-come-...
Reposted by Miles Howard
Boston. It's almost time for a Walking City Trails holiday tradition. We're going back to the Franklin Park "Wilderness" for a Night Hike that will showcase the beauty of this landmark urban forest. And we'll finish at Drawdown Brewing. More details here
walkingcitytrail.substack.com/p/upcoming-e...
walkingcitytrail.substack.com/p/upcoming-e...
Upcoming Event: A Holiday Tradition in Franklin Park
We're going back to The Wilderness
walkingcitytrail.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Boston. It's almost time for a Walking City Trails holiday tradition. We're going back to the Franklin Park "Wilderness" for a Night Hike that will showcase the beauty of this landmark urban forest. And we'll finish at Drawdown Brewing. More details here
walkingcitytrail.substack.com/p/upcoming-e...
walkingcitytrail.substack.com/p/upcoming-e...
Boston. It's almost time for a Walking City Trails holiday tradition. We're going back to the Franklin Park "Wilderness" for a Night Hike that will showcase the beauty of this landmark urban forest. And we'll finish at Drawdown Brewing. More details here
walkingcitytrail.substack.com/p/upcoming-e...
walkingcitytrail.substack.com/p/upcoming-e...
Upcoming Event: A Holiday Tradition in Franklin Park
We're going back to The Wilderness
walkingcitytrail.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Boston. It's almost time for a Walking City Trails holiday tradition. We're going back to the Franklin Park "Wilderness" for a Night Hike that will showcase the beauty of this landmark urban forest. And we'll finish at Drawdown Brewing. More details here
walkingcitytrail.substack.com/p/upcoming-e...
walkingcitytrail.substack.com/p/upcoming-e...
I’d like to see a breakdown of what the City of Boston Nightlife Czar has done since the position was created. Not saying this sardonically; I’d really like to see more nightlife activity in Boston, and if the city is going to have a director for this, they should offer updates.
December 10, 2025 at 8:48 PM
I’d like to see a breakdown of what the City of Boston Nightlife Czar has done since the position was created. Not saying this sardonically; I’d really like to see more nightlife activity in Boston, and if the city is going to have a director for this, they should offer updates.
Reposted by Miles Howard
Boston Night Hikes have officially gone beyond Boston. Last night, a group of us explored the woods and hills of Pine Banks Park in Malden. Join us for the next one by signing up for the Walking City Trails newsletter!
walkingcitytrail.substack.com
walkingcitytrail.substack.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Boston Night Hikes have officially gone beyond Boston. Last night, a group of us explored the woods and hills of Pine Banks Park in Malden. Join us for the next one by signing up for the Walking City Trails newsletter!
walkingcitytrail.substack.com
walkingcitytrail.substack.com
Boston Night Hikes have officially gone beyond Boston. Last night, a group of us explored the woods and hills of Pine Banks Park in Malden. Join us for the next one by signing up for the Walking City Trails newsletter!
walkingcitytrail.substack.com
walkingcitytrail.substack.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Boston Night Hikes have officially gone beyond Boston. Last night, a group of us explored the woods and hills of Pine Banks Park in Malden. Join us for the next one by signing up for the Walking City Trails newsletter!
walkingcitytrail.substack.com
walkingcitytrail.substack.com
Reposted by Miles Howard
"I can't afford to support my favorite author right now, I—"
Reviews.
Reviews are free AND they are a gift to authors that can keep on giving (i.e., exposure, marketing, algo boosts, etc.)
Please, give the gift of reviews to your authors this holiday season. It really can make a difference!
Reviews.
Reviews are free AND they are a gift to authors that can keep on giving (i.e., exposure, marketing, algo boosts, etc.)
Please, give the gift of reviews to your authors this holiday season. It really can make a difference!
December 9, 2025 at 11:04 PM
"I can't afford to support my favorite author right now, I—"
Reviews.
Reviews are free AND they are a gift to authors that can keep on giving (i.e., exposure, marketing, algo boosts, etc.)
Please, give the gift of reviews to your authors this holiday season. It really can make a difference!
Reviews.
Reviews are free AND they are a gift to authors that can keep on giving (i.e., exposure, marketing, algo boosts, etc.)
Please, give the gift of reviews to your authors this holiday season. It really can make a difference!
Reposted by Miles Howard
For @BostonGlobe, I wrote about something which has been a bee in my bonnet for years. Boston is a winter city, and it's about time that we leaned into this and supported more fun, creative happenings throughout the winter; not just during the December holidays.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/03/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/03/m...
Boston is a winter city. It’s time we acted like one. - The Boston Globe
If you’ve ever wandered around Copley Square or Atlantic Avenue on a Thursday evening in January, you know what I’m talking about.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:55 PM
For @BostonGlobe, I wrote about something which has been a bee in my bonnet for years. Boston is a winter city, and it's about time that we leaned into this and supported more fun, creative happenings throughout the winter; not just during the December holidays.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/03/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/03/m...
For @BostonGlobe, I wrote about something which has been a bee in my bonnet for years. Boston is a winter city, and it's about time that we leaned into this and supported more fun, creative happenings throughout the winter; not just during the December holidays.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/03/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/03/m...
Boston is a winter city. It’s time we acted like one. - The Boston Globe
If you’ve ever wandered around Copley Square or Atlantic Avenue on a Thursday evening in January, you know what I’m talking about.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:55 PM
For @BostonGlobe, I wrote about something which has been a bee in my bonnet for years. Boston is a winter city, and it's about time that we leaned into this and supported more fun, creative happenings throughout the winter; not just during the December holidays.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/03/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/03/m...
Reposted by Miles Howard
Are you a renter in Massachusetts?
Have you tried to persuade a current or former landlord to get a MassSave energy audit, or make Mass-Save reimbursable upgrades?
And did your landlord deny your request?
If so, I'd like to talk with you for a story. DMs are open.
Have you tried to persuade a current or former landlord to get a MassSave energy audit, or make Mass-Save reimbursable upgrades?
And did your landlord deny your request?
If so, I'd like to talk with you for a story. DMs are open.
December 1, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Are you a renter in Massachusetts?
Have you tried to persuade a current or former landlord to get a MassSave energy audit, or make Mass-Save reimbursable upgrades?
And did your landlord deny your request?
If so, I'd like to talk with you for a story. DMs are open.
Have you tried to persuade a current or former landlord to get a MassSave energy audit, or make Mass-Save reimbursable upgrades?
And did your landlord deny your request?
If so, I'd like to talk with you for a story. DMs are open.
Are you a renter in Massachusetts?
Have you tried to persuade a current or former landlord to get a MassSave energy audit, or make Mass-Save reimbursable upgrades?
And did your landlord deny your request?
If so, I'd like to talk with you for a story. DMs are open.
Have you tried to persuade a current or former landlord to get a MassSave energy audit, or make Mass-Save reimbursable upgrades?
And did your landlord deny your request?
If so, I'd like to talk with you for a story. DMs are open.
December 1, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Are you a renter in Massachusetts?
Have you tried to persuade a current or former landlord to get a MassSave energy audit, or make Mass-Save reimbursable upgrades?
And did your landlord deny your request?
If so, I'd like to talk with you for a story. DMs are open.
Have you tried to persuade a current or former landlord to get a MassSave energy audit, or make Mass-Save reimbursable upgrades?
And did your landlord deny your request?
If so, I'd like to talk with you for a story. DMs are open.
Curious to see how the Boston "Frostival" unfolds from now through February. Any new winter events in Boston are welcome. But...the Frostival doesn't really sound like a festival. More like a few standalone winter attractions. Will people use them if there's no sense of ceremony?
December 1, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Curious to see how the Boston "Frostival" unfolds from now through February. Any new winter events in Boston are welcome. But...the Frostival doesn't really sound like a festival. More like a few standalone winter attractions. Will people use them if there's no sense of ceremony?
Reposted by Miles Howard
I wrote about that bonkers yet grimly believable NYT story about how Mark Zuckerberg may have just bought a mountain in Maine; a mountain that Mainers enjoyed hiking before the fences and security cameras started appearing.
www.mindthemoss.com/p/did-mark-z...
www.mindthemoss.com/p/did-mark-z...
Did Mark Zuckerberg just buy a mountain in Maine?
Probably
www.mindthemoss.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I wrote about that bonkers yet grimly believable NYT story about how Mark Zuckerberg may have just bought a mountain in Maine; a mountain that Mainers enjoyed hiking before the fences and security cameras started appearing.
www.mindthemoss.com/p/did-mark-z...
www.mindthemoss.com/p/did-mark-z...
I wrote about that bonkers yet grimly believable NYT story about how Mark Zuckerberg may have just bought a mountain in Maine; a mountain that Mainers enjoyed hiking before the fences and security cameras started appearing.
www.mindthemoss.com/p/did-mark-z...
www.mindthemoss.com/p/did-mark-z...
Did Mark Zuckerberg just buy a mountain in Maine?
Probably
www.mindthemoss.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I wrote about that bonkers yet grimly believable NYT story about how Mark Zuckerberg may have just bought a mountain in Maine; a mountain that Mainers enjoyed hiking before the fences and security cameras started appearing.
www.mindthemoss.com/p/did-mark-z...
www.mindthemoss.com/p/did-mark-z...
I was just reminded that the median income in Boston is around $15,000 higher than the median income in New York.
One substantial difference between these two cities, when it comes to affordability, is how much rent controlled housing NYC has.
One substantial difference between these two cities, when it comes to affordability, is how much rent controlled housing NYC has.
November 20, 2025 at 2:58 PM
I was just reminded that the median income in Boston is around $15,000 higher than the median income in New York.
One substantial difference between these two cities, when it comes to affordability, is how much rent controlled housing NYC has.
One substantial difference between these two cities, when it comes to affordability, is how much rent controlled housing NYC has.
I just sent my urban trail building resume to Zohran Mamdani's transition team.
I mean, how could I not?
The guy literally walked across Manhattan, and NYC is the U.S. capital of walkability and urban green spaces.
Total moon shot, but I had to do it.
I mean, how could I not?
The guy literally walked across Manhattan, and NYC is the U.S. capital of walkability and urban green spaces.
Total moon shot, but I had to do it.
November 13, 2025 at 10:23 PM
I just sent my urban trail building resume to Zohran Mamdani's transition team.
I mean, how could I not?
The guy literally walked across Manhattan, and NYC is the U.S. capital of walkability and urban green spaces.
Total moon shot, but I had to do it.
I mean, how could I not?
The guy literally walked across Manhattan, and NYC is the U.S. capital of walkability and urban green spaces.
Total moon shot, but I had to do it.