You are planning a trip, but you also do not want to be tied down to certain plans or schedules; after all half of the fun is exploring the unknown. So how do you plan for spontaneity? I know it’s an oxymoron, but it can… Read More »How to include spontaneity in vacation plans
Before hiking the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail, the furthest I had ever hiked continuously was about 20 miles, a one-night backpacking trip in Montana. I asked my brother, Jacob, who is a teacher, if he wanted to do a backpacking trip with me during spring… Read More »Gotta LOViT – the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail
A debate is growing between hammock camping and tent camping. People who hammock camp like that they are lighter, easier to set up, and take up way less room in your tent. I lean more toward tent camping, but my brother, Jacob, is all hammock.… Read More »Hammock camping versus tent camping
Learning to ski is always an adventure, but not out of reach Someone once told me that learning a new, physically demanding, and dangerous activity is best done before the age of 30. Well I’m 33, and last month I went snow skiing for the… Read More »Surviving your first ever ski trip
No one really knows what causes migraines. When I went to the neurologist a few years back, I was given a lengthy list possible “triggers,” most of which I have attempted to eliminate, but no luck. I can tell you what I do know, and… Read More »Four truths of those suffering with migraines
Several people have commented to me how Arkansas has such wonderful state parks. And the parks in the Arkansas State Parks system are definitely the best I have visited throughout the country. Between the interpretive programs and wide variety of activities they offer, helpful staff,… Read More »Arkansas State Parks to check out
Belly River Backpacking In the summer of 2014, Lagena and I decided we needed to backpack on our trip to Glacier National Park. We eventually ended up picking the Belly River Trail, which was perfect for the two of us. There were two elements of… Read More »Belly River Trail – Glacier National Park
Bayou DeView Water Trail offers beautiful kayaking The Arkansas Water Trails program is a fun excursion for the outdoor adventurer in Arkansas. As part of the educational programs with the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, the trails are located throughout the state along rivers, streams,… Read More »Winter kayaking in the bayou
A soggy socked start to the new year Last New Year’s Eve was the first holiday that I went to bed before midnight since I have been old enough to stay up to ring in the new year. Zach and I decided to spend the… Read More »Big Brushy Trail Complex
I first started researching Big Bend National Park a few years back when a friend and I were looking for a destination for a desert camping trip. That year we ended up at another Texas park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, about four hours to the… Read More »Big Bend National Park
First, I’ll tell you that I love the outdoors so much that even when I am not comfortable, because I’m hot, cold, wet, or whatever, I still have a good time. I love to experience life and life is not always perfect. Most of the… Read More »Sometimes life leaves you bruised – biking the Little Blakely Trail
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