Fall is my favorite time to hike, as well as many others people’s. I love living in the Arkansas because in autumn the trees turn so many colors. I believe Arkansas fall hikes are some of the best in the country. One year I traveled… Read More »Favorite Arkansas fall hikes
I would love to dehydrate my own meals for backpacking. But I’m kind of lazy and there are so many good options out there. I recently discovered Good To-Go meals. When backcountry camping you want to carry the least amount of weight as possible. So… Read More »Good To-Go meals review
When I’ve hiked with friends who are new to hiking, they always would ask me what they should wear. I grew up hiking so I always found this question little odd. I would tell them, “you just wear workout clothes or just something you are… Read More »What to wear hiking
Traveling with someone is a great way to test out a relationship. You and your travel companion are in close proximity for a long time. And most of the time, you are around each other every minute of every day. This is true especially if… Read More »PMS, Politics, and Personal Space
I have a confession to make – I haven’t exercised in quite some time. I used to be a runner, but have been way lazy and sleep in. For a little while this summer, while I was training to hike a 14er, I got in… Read More »Running to stay in shape for epic hikes
National parks offer so much to do, and it can be intimidating when you only have a limited time to visit a park. If you only have two days to spend in a park, there really is no way to see it all. That is… Read More »What to do with only 48 hours in the Grand Canyon
This year was supposed to be my year to cross a major item off of my bucket list. Unfortunately things didn’t go as planned. At the top of my bucket list is bagging a 14er. I have wanted to hike to 14,000 feet in elevation… Read More »When your bucket list item doesn’t happen
The first time I traveled to a national park, I was surprised to learn that there were no showers anywhere in the park. I was traveling with a friend, and I was afraid this fact was going to discourage her from going. But it didn’t,… Read More »The ultimate backcountry hygiene guide
The Dam Mountain Trail at Lake Catherine State Park is my favorite of the trails at the park. It offers a little bit of every kind of scenery you can find at the park. Lake Catherine State Park has thick forest, mountain top glades, deep… Read More »Dam Mountain Trail – Lake Catherine State Park
Arkansas’ nickname is “The Natural State” because it offers so much to the nature lover. And I have to say that Hot Springs is the best outdoor town in Arkansas. Hot Springs really does have it all. I might be a little partial because it… Read More »Why I think Hot Springs is the best outdoor town in Arkansas
It’s 5:30 on a Thursday and I’m chomping at the bit to get out of town. Only one more hour until I’m off work. I’ve got an 18-hour drive ahead of me to get to Colorado. It’s a little too long to drive in one… Read More »Almost a dirtbag
Have you ever had one of those trips where nothing seems to go according to plan? My recent trip to the White Mountains in New Hampshire was one of those trips. We were supposed to hike the north part of the Presidential Traverse, but didn’t… Read More »My failed Presidential Traverse trip
I’ve always believed you should walk (or hike, ha!) to the end of your comfort zone, assess the situation, and then cross over to outside your comfort zone. This cannot happen if you don’t try new things in life. If you are afraid of new… Read More »Why it’s important to step out of your comfort zone in
One thing I love about hiking is the community that surrounds the activity. Hikers are some of the nicest people I know. I love hiking in other parts of the country and visiting with people from different areas. There are some people I have met… Read More »Cheers to the people I’ve met on the trail
I have always heard Shenandoah National Park is more beautiful than words can describe. And it really is, but I’m going to try my hardest to tell you how beautiful it is in this blog post. I have also included many pictures to help show… Read More »Shenandoah National Park
If you are dating an outdoorsy guy you know the struggle he can put a girl through – even if you’re an outdoorsy girl yourself. My ex-boyfriend lived and breathed the outdoors. It was one of the main attractions I had for him. However I… Read More »A Survival Guide for Dating an Outdoorsy Guy
There are many trails at Pinnacle Mountain State Park; most are relatively short and easy. However even though the summit trails are short they are not “easy.” Pinnacle Mountain State Park is located a little west of Little Rock along the Arkansas River. It rises… Read More »Climbing to the top of Pinnacle Mountain
I have been told to be safe so many times I can’t count. When reader Shawn Michaels of The Smart Lad blog reach out to me with a suggested post on hiking safety tips, I was thrilled. Read below for some valuable lessons to keep… Read More »Top 7 Survival Tips for Hikers
We go into nature to find peace, solitude, and happiness. Nature provides so much for us and improves our mental health. It can also provide for our bodies physically. When we go into nature we are usually exercising, which helps us live longer, fuller lives.… Read More »Foraging – Using nature to nourish
There are few items you don’t want to go cheap on when choosing backpacking gear. A good pack is one of those items. First thing I will say is that a pack is something you need to be fitted for. You need to try it… Read More »Gregory Deva 70 gear review
We all have things that we indulge in while hiking. Things that we probably should not be packing or eating. One thing I love about hiking is you burn a ton of calories, and for that I justify my trail vices. I savor Peanut M&Ms… Read More »Trail Vices – what’s your indulgence?
If you try to do anything, you are going to be met with negativity. Whether your loved one are only trying look out for you and warn you of potential dangers or someone is jealous and wants you to fail so they feel better about… Read More »Embrace the haters to make success taste sweeter
As a single woman, I have had many dates in the wilderness. And recently while picking blackberries with a good friend, he asked me if it would make a good date. I answered probably not a first date. “I’m sweaty, dirty, and bloody from the… Read More »Tips for a Great Hiking Date
I live in Arkansas and we have a good amount of public lands. If we Arkansans want to go backpacking in Arkansas, we simply hike out into the woods until we find a place that looks like a good spot and pitch our tent. However,… Read More »Tips for securing backcountry permits
The definition of a force of nature is something that occurs in nature and affects the structure of the universe. When REI announced its campaign to put women in the forefront and titled it “Force of Nature,” I thought that was the perfect name. Women… Read More »Force of Nature and Our Responsibility
When I was growing up I was fortunate to have a strong father and mother who loved the outdoors. They instilled in me many aspects of what it means to be an outdoor woman. My parents took my brother, sister, and me hiking and camping… Read More »Hike Like A Woman’s Outdoor School
