Stories about me as a person.
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
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
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
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
You know how when you are in love with someone, they are always in the back of your mind, and thinking about them makes you happy. Yeah, that’s how travel makes me feel. I am always researching and planning trips. Planning for an adventure vacation… Read More »How to plan for an adventure vacation
I have never been able to shop on Black Friday because I always have to work. But I’m not really someone to fight the crowds on Black Friday anyway. Then, last year REI came up with Opt Outside. It said it was closing all of… Read More »Opt Outside with REI and me
Who said you have to have someone to travel with in order to enjoy a trip? More and more people are finding they enjoy themselves once they venture out and take that trip when no one can enjoy it with them. I used to think… Read More »Extrovert’s guide to solo backpacking
Who says societal norms have to be our goal for happiness? Spinster. Old Maid. Unfortunate Woman. These may seem like an archaic way to describe an unmarried woman in her 30s, but our pop culture still tells us marriage is at the end of the… Read More »Happiness should be our life goal
Today, Sept. 15, marks the one year anniversary of Right Kind of Lost. I cannot believe I have kept this blog going for a year. I have to admit, I was skeptical at first. It is a lot more work than I bargained for. But… Read More »Don’t be too timid to pursue your dreams
Misadventures and five times I’ve thought, “If I survive this, I’ll have one heck of a story to tell.” Sometimes things don’t go so well while you are out enjoying nature. Sometimes things go drastically bad. And, yeah, there are times I think “If I… Read More »Misadventures: If I survive this I’ll have a great story
My family camped a lot when I was growing up, and I mean a lot – like every weekend. I don’t know if that caused my love affair with nature, or if I was simply born this way. Nothing makes me more happy than to… Read More »Reasons I love the backcountry camping
Having amazing adventure photos isn’t really that hard Do you ever wish you could capture your vacations in photos to show how amazing it was while you were there? Having amazing adventure photos isn’t really that hard if you implement a few tweaks to the… Read More »How to take bangin’ adventure photos
Big City Travel guide for the small-town girl If you grew up in a small town and are traveling to a large city, you might experience some culture shock. But big city travel doesn’t have to be scary. It’s not that people in large cities… Read More »Small-town girl’s guide to big city travel
Backpacking is camping while you hike – you carry all of your gear and food with you. There are many advantages to backpacking that make you actually want to carry everything – like seeing a vista that is too far to walk in one day… Read More »First-time backpacking tips
Backpacking is just walking … up and down steep inclines and carrying 30 pounds on your back. When you backpack, you pay a lot of money to pretend you are homeless. But there is something to depriving yourself of modern and sometimes physical comforts that… Read More »Benefit of deprivation and love of backpacking
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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