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
I always thought of the Grand Canyon as a place I can get to “some day.” It was never high on my list of places to see. But after making an impromptu trip last March to Grand Canyon National Park, it is now one of… Read More »Grand Canyon National Park Trip Report
I drove to the Ozarks in northern Arkansas this weekend in hopes of hiking to a waterfall. This was my second attempt to get to this waterfall. Check out my first attempt’s blog post about it here. I have been to Twin Falls once before,… Read More »When is it OK to bail on a hike?
There is a bookshelf at my work that I walk past everyday. On the shelf there is a book titled, “Strong is the New Pretty.” A girl about 10 years old is on the cover. She’s wearing a racing swim suite, her arms are crossed,… Read More »What’s your strong
Everyone who is familiar with Lake Catherine State Park is familiar with the Falls Branch Trail and the waterfall. I never knew the waterfall had a name until I started blogging, but it does. It’s called Falls Creek Falls. Anyways, there are many other features… Read More »Horseshoe Mountain Trail – Lake Catherine State Park
We are all one-of-a-kind, and with that uniqueness we can all add something to our relationships to grow. But what if sometimes those differences in our relationships don’t work out for the better. I have had many fights when it comes to hiking at different… Read More »Setting a hiking pace with your hiking partner
In March Lagena and I took an impromptu trip to Grand Canyon National Park. Our original plan was to explore Arizona. And we thought since we were there, “Hey might as well go see the Grand Canyon.” When I began researching the trip, I read… Read More »Bright Angel Trail – hiking rim to river Grand Canyon National Park
Recently while hiking in the Grand Canyon, I passed a sign that warned hikers to tread carefully and stay on the path. The sign said that the desert “grows by the inch, but dies by the foot.” It’s a pretty powerful sign and struck a… Read More »Leave No Trace principles to live by
Everyone has a unique relationship with the outdoors. I literally don’t remember the first time I went camping because I was too young to form memories. I am pretty sure I was an infant. And if you want to get really specific, I was an… Read More »Finding your love with the outdoors
Solo hiking is no longer a taboo topic. You can find dozens, probably thousands, of blog posts and literature on the topic. We still find ourselves telling our loved ones to “be careful.” What this statement really says is, “I hope nothing bad happens to… Read More »Solo hiking tips for your safety
Summer is approaching quickly, and going to the beach is on many people’s minds. Did you know the National Park Service operates several beaches, which can make for an awesome get-away. Within the National Park Service you can find national seashores and lakeshores, which provide… Read More »National Park Beaches to explore this summer
Hot Springs National Park may be the only national park in The Natural State, but the National Park Service operates a few other parks within the state. These parks include a national river, memorial, military park, trail and – historic sites. Most recently, Zach, nephew… Read More »Exploring Arkansas Post National Memorial
When searching for a backpacking tent, there are so many options. It can be overwhelming. There are many variables to take into consideration. Weight, materials, how many seasons the tent is good for, and how much room it has, are all things to consider. And… Read More »MSR Hubba Hubba NX review
Arkansas has several long-distance trails, with the longest ones being the Ouachita Trail and the Ozark Highlands Trail. But if you cannot take two to three weeks off from work or simply don’t have the energy to thru-hike, there are many lovely trailheads along the… Read More »Ouachita Trail – Section Nine
I have seen a great deal of criticism about our perfect lives on social media. The criticism usually goes something like “how our flawless, hipster-cool lives on Facebook and Instagram cause others to be depressed.” They say social media depresses us because we compare our… Read More »Social media inspires, not depresses
One great thing about car camping is coming up with some amazing campfire recipes for a gourmet meal in the woods. Lagena is an awesome campfire cook and has some amazing recipes to share with us. Check it out! Lagena’s campfire recipes By Lagena Cooking… Read More »Campfire recipes – Lagena’s flavors
One of the main mistakes many novice backpackers make is carrying too much weight. In Cheryl Strayed’s book “Wild,” her pack was well over the recommended weight. She states in her book that she didn’t see anything she brought as unnecessary. On my first backpacking… Read More »What’s in my pack?
Nothing makes me happier than exploring in the wilderness. When I get busy or the weather for several weekends in a row is not ideal, I have withdrawals. It literally depresses me when I can’t get outside for a long period of time. The wilderness… Read More »Why I am in love with the wilderness
Have you ever had a trip that didn’t go as planned, but you ended up having a wonderful time anyway? That is how this last weekend went for me and my friends at Richland Creek. I also had to eat crow because I swore my… Read More »Lost at Richland Creek
For me tackling new challenges is part of the fun of backpacking and hiking. I have come to realize that I push my friends to do trails that are little out of their comfort zones in order to seek a high reward. A bad friend?… Read More »What keeps you pushing to the summit
If you are looking for an awesome day hike within a short distance of Hot Springs National Park, it is not hard to find a trail. You can narrow it down by what you want to see, like a waterfall, the lake, beautiful woods, or… Read More »Hiking the Charlton Trail
I love that I live in an area where there are lots of lake and rivers to float. In fact I love it so much I do it all year round. I am also fortunate to live in the South, so when I talk about… Read More »How to enjoy a winter kayaking trip
Boxley Valley in the Buffalo National River is one of the most picturesque places in Arkansas. Between the natural beauty and historic charm of the area, it is one of my favorite places to hike in Arkansas. The Buffalo River Trail begins here in Boxley… Read More »BRT – Boxley Valley to Steel Creek
I am not a New Year’s resolution person. I believe you don’t need the start of a new year to reinvent yourself. That is something you can do anytime you feel the need to. For me, I am way more likely to keep a resolution… Read More »Taking on 365 miles in 2017
As you sit down with your family to open presents this Christmas, don’t forget to give the earth her present. Help keep our environment clean by minimizing waste. Taking care of the earth is not only a great gift to give her, but it is… Read More »Give the earth the present of a healthy environment