Summiting Arkansas’ highest mountain I believe anyone who loves big mountains and lives in Arkansas needs to at least once hike bottom to top of the state’s highest mountain, Mount Magazine. My brother, Jacob, and I had planned to hike another trail, but after looking… Read More »Hiking Mount Magazine bottom to top
The perfect combination for love of books and travel My favorite thing in life is to travel, explore and see all that I can before I leave this life. It doesn’t take much motivation to get me out the door and on my way somewhere,… Read More »Five books to inspire travel
Jesus tells us to die to self, Christmas is a great time to start A few years back I read Gary Chapman’s “Five Love Languages” for single people. Chapman states that there are five languages in which we communicate love; acts of service, words of… Read More »What I want for Christmas is free
Travel does not have to be unattainable if you travel cheap Traveling and exploring new places is something I find myself longing for pretty much all the time. And fortunately the travel activities I enjoy the most are the less expensive ways of travel. I… Read More »How I travel cheap
I had only been through Oklahoma City twice, but coming back from Texas one trip I caught a glimpse of a lively downtown. I told Crystal, who visits the city often because a family member lives there, that it might be fun to come with… Read More »Girls’ Weekend in Oklahoma City
Brush Heap Mountain is located on the Athens-Big Fork Trail, which is one of the hardest trails to tackle in the Ouachita Mountains. Most trails follow the ridges of the Ouachitas, located in southwest Arkansas, which run east to west. The ABF, however, is a… Read More »Hiking Brush Heap Mountain
While cleaning out an old purse I came across a list of goals from a few years ago that my then-boyfriend and I made. We had a three-month, one-year and five-year plan. I have been told it is healthy to have a five-year plan and… Read More »Why I don’t do the “five-year plan” goals
Backpacking in Grandfather Mountain State Park There are many aspects that set backpacking apart from car camping. One, you carry all of your equipment, food, and water. Two, there are no showers, toilets, or grills. Before my first backpacking trip, I had already been primitive… Read More »Grandfather Mountain Backpacking
Simple running safety rules to keep in mind I don’t love running, but I do it to stay fit so I can tackle epic hikes and simply feel better day-to-day. I consider myself a runner even though I am slow. In December 2014 I ran… Read More »Six safety running rules to follow
Hot Springs, a great place to take a hike One aspect of my hometown, Hot Springs, Ark., that I love so much is that we are so close to hiking trails. They vary in lengths and sites, provide a getaway for any mood. Some trails… Read More »Hometown hikes
With all the talk in my hometown Hot Springs, Ark., about efforts to revitalize its downtown, it has made me think of similar tourist towns I have visited throughout the years. Although the wilderness is my favorite place to visit, small, quaint towns are also… Read More »Small tourist towns to love
Encountering crazy people and bears in the woods Those close to me know I am terrified of being eaten by a bear. In all likelihood, the chances of a bear attack are very slim. Cougars, snakes, wolves, and other animals are also possibilities, but you… Read More »It’s not just bears to worry about
Falling in Love with Big Bend I first started pining to go to Big Bend National Park after scrolling through an online slide show of national park photographs. I had been told several times that it was one of the best national parks, but I… Read More »Besties’ Big Bend Backpacking Trip
One of my favorite things in life is getting together with my whole family. In addition my parents, I have a brother and sister, and now that we are grown, a brother-in-law and a sister-in-law. I also have a 13-year-old nephew. It’s not that often… Read More »Labor Day and Fancy Hot Dogs
There is something so peaceful about being on the water. The slow lapping of the small waves on the lake shore combined with the blue water can lower your blood pressure and wash away your worries. When I first began to go alone up to… Read More »Lake Ouachita and me