Hiking the Petrified Forest Loop at Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a great way to see all the beautiful aspects of the park in one hike. Now, it’s one long hike, but except for a few very short and steep bits, the length is what… Read More »Petrified Forest Loop Theodore Roosevelt National Park
I stood still on the trail drawing doodles in the dirt with my trekking poles. Before me, was yet another human-sized boulder. And yup, the trail went straight up and over it. I was going to have to use my hands and knees again to… Read More »To bail or to keep pushing?
The Saguaro Cactus has become a symbol of the desert and the American Southwest, but the famous plant is actually only found in a small portion of the American Southwest. And other than putting down roots in northwestern Mexico, it isn’t found anywhere else in… Read More »Saguaro National Park
A great way to see all the diversity of Zion National Park is to hike the West Rim Trail. The trail begins (or ends if you are feeling a challenge) on the west side of the park and takes hikers into Zion Canyon. With a… Read More »Hiking the West Rim Trail at Zion National Park
Ultralight backpacking sounds extremely appealing, especially when hauling everything on your back up and down mountains. But it is also extremely expensive when you buy all ultralight gear. Believe me; I know. I’ve invested way more money than I’d care to admit into ultralight backpacking… Read More »10 Ways to Cut Down on Backpacking Weight
Thanksgiving is a joyous period of time that we use to show gratitude for what we have in our lives. Backpacking and spending time in the wilderness teaches us to be grateful for all of the things nature provides for us. We often take the… Read More »How backpacking teaches us to be thankful
I love the holidays! I love buying gifts for people and surprising them with just what they want. Here is a my backpackers holiday shopping guide with 15 gift ideas for that backpacker in your life (or yourself, I won’t tell!) that fits every budget.… Read More »Backpacker’s Holiday Shopping Guide
In one of the rare moments of my eyes not being glued to the ground below me as I rode my bike through the woods last Sunday, I caught a glimpse of something off just before looking back to the rocks and roots below me.… Read More »Hiking in hunting season safety tips
Black Fork Mountain stretches from Arkansas into Oklahoma just north of Queen Wilhelmina State Park in the Ouachita National Forest. The trail offers spectacular views, unique forests, and historic places. Black Fork Mountain Trail is great for a long day hike or an overnight backpack.… Read More »Hiking Black Fork Mountain Trail
Note: OUTXE provided a sample to me at no charge in order to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. The more I backpack and travel, the more gadgets I find myself using. A cell phone has many uses other than making calls in… Read More »OUTXE Savage Rugged Power Bank Review
One of the main questions I receive about backpacking is, “What do you eat while on the trail for days on end?” Well to be honest, one reason I love backpacking is because cooking is so easy. I eat freeze-dried or dehydrated meals, and with… Read More »Backcountry Kitchen – what does mine entail
The Mountains in southwest Arkansas between Glenwood and Mena are my favorite on the entire planet. They are so rugged, remote, and beautiful, you simply cannot look at them without awe. Last month I hiked the Caney Creek/Buckeye Trail Loop in that area for the… Read More »Caney Creek/Buckeye Mountain Trail Loop
Suzanne Roberts’ “Almost Somewhere: Twenty-Eight Day on the John Muir Trail” is a great adventure story for the everyday explorer. One thing I thoroughly enjoyed was how relatable the story is, even though I have never done a month-long hike before. “Almost Somewhere” details the… Read More »“Almost Somewhere: Twenty-Eight Day on the John Muir Trail” review
The first time I camped alone, it was not planned to be a solo trip. The trip actually even began with another person – my then very recent ex-boyfreind. But then he left me. He was called into work. He didn’t have to go, but… Read More »Camping alone and learning independence
The past year has been an adventure. I wouldn’t say it has all been good, but I definitely learned some things from it. I had several great accomplishments and firsts that included hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and seeing a total solar… Read More »Year in Review – bidding 2017 farewell
I try not to have a shoe obsession, but I guess I do when it comes to hiking shoes. My feet have taken a beating on the trail, and I have dealt with blister covered and swollen feet days after a hike. Needless to say,… Read More »SALEWA Mountain Trainer boots review
I was excited to be able to review the SALEWA Ortles Hybrid Jacket. A good outer layer can make such a difference when hiking, especially in wet weather. SALEWA provided a sample at no charge for review, however the thoughts and opinions are my own.… Read More »SALEWA Ortles Hybrid Jacket review
Blog posts about solo travel, especially solo hiking, camping, and backpacking, pull me in like a magnet. I love reading about adventures people have on their own. One reason for this is I am a single person. And I also have an odd weekend. Meaning… Read More »The downside of solo backpacking
I was hiking with my dog the other day, watching her sniff and peruse a bush and then turn and run off chasing who knows what. I think when we hike we tend to do the same thing. Sometimes we peruse what is around us… Read More »The benefits of speed hiking and slow hiking to relax in nature
If my feet are miserable, I am miserable. It doesn’t matter if they are wet, cold, blistered, or just achy. Uncomfortable feet can nearly ruin a hike. Hiker foot care is extremely important to having a pleasant hike. My feet swelled up so badly one… Read More »Hiker foot care – when your boots fail you
Even though I love road trips, there are so many hiking and camping destinations that are just too far to drive. Personally I wouldn’t mind driving three days to see a spectacular destination, however I do not get that much time off of work. So… Read More »Flying with camping gear dos and don’ts
I have to admit when I have been freaked out on the trail, it was all in my head. It was me that freaked myself out. We watch scary movies. We read stories in newspapers about bad things that happen to good people. And we… Read More »Three times I’ve been freaked out on the trail
I don’t think anyone who goes out into the backcountry has had a perfect hike right out of the gate. And probably no one has had a completely perfect hike. I have made several backpacking mistakes. And I have compiled them here so you can… Read More »Backpacking mistakes I have made
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 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
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
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