One thing I love about hiking is the community that surrounds the activity. Hikers are some of the nicest people I know. I love hiking in other parts of the country and visiting with people from different areas. There are some people I have met… Read More »Cheers to the people I’ve met on the trail
If you are dating an outdoorsy guy you know the struggle he can put a girl through – even if you’re an outdoorsy girl yourself. My ex-boyfriend lived and breathed the outdoors. It was one of the main attractions I had for him. However I… Read More »A Survival Guide for Dating an Outdoorsy Guy
We go into nature to find peace, solitude, and happiness. Nature provides so much for us and improves our mental health. It can also provide for our bodies physically. When we go into nature we are usually exercising, which helps us live longer, fuller lives.… Read More »Foraging – Using nature to nourish
There are few items you don’t want to go cheap on when choosing backpacking gear. A good pack is one of those items. First thing I will say is that a pack is something you need to be fitted for. You need to try it… Read More »Gregory Deva 70 gear review
We all have things that we indulge in while hiking. Things that we probably should not be packing or eating. One thing I love about hiking is you burn a ton of calories, and for that I justify my trail vices. I savor Peanut M&Ms… Read More »Trail Vices – what’s your indulgence?
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?
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
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
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
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?
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
Let’s talk about hiking in the rain. If you are like me and will not let a little bit of bad weather keep you from exploring, you know that the woods in the rain can be just as beautiful as when you have blue skies… Read More »How to enjoy hiking in the rain
Taking on the Athens-Big Fork Trail If you are up for a challenge, or umm maybe death march, you need to try the Athens-Big Fork Trail. I have been told this 10.5-mile trek located in southwest Arkansas is the hardest hiking trail in state. I… Read More »Athens-Big Fork – hardest trail in Arkansas
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
Part of the reason I love the Arkansas State Parks systems so much is that it does a great job of showcasing each ecosystem the state offers. In Cane Creek State Park you get two ecosystems in one – the Arkansas Mississippi River delta and… Read More »Cane Creek State Park – adventurer’s guide
Gear care – make your beloved outdoor gear last longer Those who love backpacking and camping, love their gear. And the more you get into it, the more expensive and nice your gear gets. If you are like me and poor, you want that expensive… Read More »Easy outdoor gear care tips
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is more beautiful than words can describe. It’s also an excellent destination for the adventurer. With kayaking, backpacking, fishing, ice climbing, and backcountry skiing, the park will not leave you bored. Lagena and I spent… Read More »Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
I never thought of Michigan as a prime location for backpacking. But after discovering the outdoor beauty of the state on Pinterest, I knew I had to put it on my list. Backpacking Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in the Upper Peninsula is a must for… Read More »Backpacking Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
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
Take a hike with your backpacking dog If you are a dog lover and a nature lover, you know that including your four-legged friend on your travels make them all the better. My dog, Caddie, is a bit of diva dog. She doesn’t like getting… Read More »A better backpacking dog experience
Olympic National Park, three parks in one Traveling to Olympic National Park is like getting three parks in one. You can explore beaches on the Pacific Ocean. You can hike through giant moss covered trees in a rain forest. And you can climb mountain peaks… Read More »Olympic National Park
How to spend three days in Glacier National Park, and one day in Waterton Lakes National Park Glacier National Park in northern Montana is one of the most majestic mountainscapes our national parks offer. It has high peaks and narrow, deep valleys with sweeping slopes… Read More »Glacier National Park
The Little Missouri River in the Ouachita Mountains in southwest Arkansas is my favorite area – anywhere. Several trails snake through the area with spectacular scenery, but the Winding Stairs segment of the Little Missouri Trail is my favorite. The Little Missouri Trail is a… Read More »Winding Stairs – Little Missouri River
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