November 29 25 Newsletter | Take the Back Roads

 This newsletter was originally sent on November 29, 2025

Each month, I share new essays, books, and stories from the road.

📬 Want these updates in your inbox? Subscribe here.

Welcome, Friends, to 

News from the Back Roads!

Hello friends,

I hope this note finds you well and easing gently into the last days of November. It’s been a busy but beautiful week along the Back Roads,  full of pilgrimages, ancient texts, modern thrillers, stories of service, and a few quiet moments with my camera. I’m grateful to have you here, sharing these small adventures with me. Let’s take a look at what’s new across the blogs this week.

Warmest regards,

a.d. elliott

Art and Other Odd Adventures

Stories Found Along the Way

The First Pilgrimage: Finding Faith in Bella Vista’s St. Bernard Parish

This week on Take the Back Roads, I revisited the very first pilgrimage I ever made: a quiet, meaningful visit to St. Bernard of Clairvaux in Bella Vista, Arkansas. What began as a simple road trip became something much deeper,  a reflection on faith, memory, and the unexpected ways sacred places touch our lives.

It’s a story about arriving somewhere holy long before you realize how truly special it is.

→ Read the full reflection on TakeTheBackRoads.com

Another Book in the Bucket


Book 291 of the Bucket List Book Adventure - The First Apology, Justin Martyr

Over on Rite of Fancy, we stepped into the world of early Christian philosophy with Justin Martyr’s First Apology. Justin writes boldly in defense of the faith, arguing for truth, reason, and the dignity of conscience in a hostile Roman world. 

The post explores who Justin was, why his work matters, and how his plea for justice still echoes today.

→ Read the full review on RiteOfFancy.com

Guest Post

From Service to Startup: A Veteran’s Guide to Entrepreneurship.

This week, I also had the joy of hosting a guest post from Hazel Bridges at Aging Wellness: “From Service to Startup: A Veteran’s Guide to Entrepreneurship.”

Hazel shares encouragement, practical tools, and smart strategies to help veterans turn their skills into successful businesses. It’s an inspiring read for anyone ready to build something new.

A Story of Service

Brigadier General Margaret Ann Brewer, A Marine's Story

In Everyday Patriot, we highlighted the remarkable service of Brigadier General Margaret Ann Brewer — the first woman in the Marine Corps to achieve the rank of general officer. Her career spanned public affairs, leadership roles, and groundbreaking advancements that opened doors for future generations of women in uniform. Her story is a powerful reminder of perseverance and quiet courage.

A Fun Read For the Road

Technology, Predators, and Justice in C.J. Box’s Wolf Pack

This week’s Bucket List Book Adventure brought us into the tense world of Joe Pickett with C.J. Box’s Wolf Pack. It’s a thriller where the most dangerous predators aren’t the ones howling in the forest — they’re the ones hiding behind technology. Filled with drones, cartels, and moral crossroads, Wolf Pack explores what justice looks like in a world where threats are no longer easy to track.

From the Studio Wall

Rake's Mill Pond 

a.d. elliott, Take the Back Roads

Available in the shop! For this week’s photography highlight, I shared a print from Rakes Mill Pond  a peaceful autumn moment where fallen leaves gather on still water beneath a bright blue sky. It’s one of those quiet, reflective corners of nature that reminds you how beautiful the slowing of the season can be.

Photograph by 

a.d. elliott 

available at https://shop.takethebackroads.com › products › rakes-mill-pond-autumn-2023

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