Kim McMahill

The 18 th annual Smashwords summer sale ends on July 31. So, if you download your books from Smashwords or would like to give them a try, don’t miss this opportunity to get incredible deals. Discounts range from 25% off to completely free. The first novel in The Beartooth Chronicles, Refuge from the World, is free during this sale and the rest of the series is deeply discounted. Just go to https://www.smashwords.com/sale and search by Kim McMahill to see all of my books included in the sale or to find other great reads at discounted prices.

  “Discovery is adventure. There is an eagerness, touched at times with tenseness, as man moves ahead into the unknown. Walking the wilderness is indeed like living. The horizon drops away, bringing new sights, sounds, and smells from the earth. When one moves through the forest, his sense of discovery is quickened. Man is back in the environment from which he emerged to build factories, churches, and schools. He is primitive again, matching his wits against the earth and sky. He is free of the restraints of society and free of its safeguards too.” William O. Douglas

JULY 2026 WRITING AND WANDERING NEWSLETTER July is huge in Wyoming. In some towns it feels like the tourists outnumber the locals during this time. The Fourth of July is probably the biggest holiday of the year in the state with celebrations lasting weeks. You’ll find parades, rodeos, fireworks, community music venues, and other activities in nearly all towns. Some years I get in the spirit and some years I head for the mountains for a little calm and quiet. This year, I’m leaning toward quiet. No matter how you choose to celebrate Independence Day and our country’s 250 th birthday I hope you have a safe and enjoyable experience. WRITING I generally post on my own blog, https://kimmcmahill.blogspot.com , about twice a week, and I will be a “Fearless Friday” guest on Brenda Whiteside’s blog at the end of the month. You can find her blog at https://brendawhiteside.blogspot.com/ . I’m still waiting on news on a couple of irons I have in the fire that I mentioned last month. Hop...

In 2026, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees eight times. All Nati onal Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply) . Three have already passed. The next free days will be from July 3-5, 2026 in celebration of Independence Day. The remaining dates are listed below. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm   August 25:  110th Birthday of the National Park Service September 17:  Constitution Day October 27 : Theodore Roosevelt's birthday November 11:  Veterans Day *Beginning in 2026, free entrance on these days will be for US citizens and residents only. Nonresidents will pay the regular entrance fee and any applicable nonresident fees.

"We stand now where two roads diverge. But unlike the roads in Robert Frost's familiar poem, they are not equally fair. The road we have long been traveling is deceptively easy, a smooth superhighway on which we progress with great speed, but at its end lies disaster. The other fork of the road / the one less traveled by / offers our last, our only chance to reach a destination that assures the preservation of the earth." -  Rachel Carson

This year Father’s Day and the summer solstice fall on June 21 st . The first day of summer always makes me happy, but memories of my dad outshine the sun on this day. He was stern, but loving. He taught me to be independent and true to my principles. He also opened up a world of mountain adventures, which has given me the background to create realistic settings for many of my books. I miss him a lot, but I’m grateful for all of the great times and lessons. Wishing all fathers a great Father's Day!

I n 2026, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees eight times. All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). The first two have already passed. The next will be on June 14 in celebration of Flag Day. The remaining dates are listed below. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm   July 3–5:  Independence Day weekend August 25:  110th Birthday of the National Park Service September 17:  Constitution Day October 27 : Theodore Roosevelt's birthday November 11:  Veterans Day   *Beginning in 2026, free entrance on these days will be for US citizens and residents only. Nonresidents will pay the regular entrance fee and any applicable nonresident fees.