In a day and age of hustle culture, there is an underrated value in doing nothing at all. Value in giving your brain a rest and accomplishing nothing. I once chided myself for spending three hours scrolling TikTok. But then I realized it was at… Read More »How much lounging is too much?
I took about four steps and had to take a break. The energy to lift my leg and take another step just wasn’t there. I was only hiking around 7,000 feet in elevation when the day before I had hiked to 11,000 feet. So lack… Read More »My tracking app lied to me
My friend ask me how I was liking the book I was reading while lounging in the hammock around the campfire. “Not that great,” I answered. “Actually, I’m trying to hurry up and finish it because I kind of hate it.” “Why don’t you just… Read More »The privilege of literacy
With record-high gas prices this summer, long and far weekend trips were not that affordable. The good news is gas prices have started to come down, and let’s hope they continue. But higher gas prices make you think twice about going on a long road… Read More »Vacation when you can’t
This is a story about a not-so-traditional adventure. And I can only call it an adventure in hindsight because the only option is to laugh at the fact that I managed to lock myself in a public restroom. During a heat wave in the summer… Read More »That one time I got locked in a public bathroom
During the entire week leading up to my trip to the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve my stomach would knot up anytime I thought about our planned whitewater rafting trip. I have fallen out of the boat in class III rapids before and… Read More »Swimming in The New
Every great trip has at least some element of misadventure to it. Troubles on adventures remind us that life isn’t perfect and that when a trip does go off perfectly we should consider ourselves extremely fortunate. Misadventures can make for a great learning experience and… Read More »Misadventures in Southern California
While planning for an upcoming outdoors trip to West Virginia, I texted my sister two campground options and something unexpected. One was close to everything but had platforms tent pads. I explained to her that when there are platforms, it’s harder to stake out a… Read More »Planning for the unexpected outdoors
Note: this post contains affiliate links. Shopping through those links supports Right Kind Of Lost at no extra cost to you, for which we are eternally grateful! Before my last trip to Southern California, I polled my friends and coworkers on fun things to do… Read More »Hipster or homeless?
For the first time on one of my trips, I lost my wallet. And when you’re 2,500 miles away from home, your wallet is not what you want to lose. Well, technically I only lost my debit card, driver’s license, some cash, and some medication.… Read More »SoCal misadventures – losing my wallet
A friend recently asked me for advice. She had a trip coming up where she would be traveling alone on a long car ride to meet up with some other friends. Knowing that I love traveling solo, she asked the usual things – tips for… Read More »Dealing pre-trip anxieties
I was in my new job for 10 months, and I’m ashamed to admit that was when I began to decorate my office. A coworker came in and comment on a picture that I had hung on the wall. It is a dramatic black and… Read More »Taking a Pause from Self Doubt to Focus on Reality
Whiling climbing down the steep slopes of Palo Duro Canyon, I struggled to find my footing on the slippery gravel. I rounded the corner and ran into a woman making the climb up in nearly knee-high boots and jeans – fashion boots and jeans, two… Read More »Let us not be too quick to judge others in the outdoors
Did you catch the Super Blood Wolf Moon this weekend? I stood outside in the freezing cold to watch and photograph with my dad the “rare” event (I don’t think it was really that rare but I won’t get into that). And I thoroughly enjoyed… Read More »Why I chose to spend New Year’s Eve alone
I am so excited to have Kathryn on the blog today! Kathryn is a 6th-grader and an award-winning writer. She loves being outside in her beloved home state, Arkansas. She enjoys reading while she isn’t writing and doing fun crafts with her mom. Her family… Read More »Why I love Arkansas
Have you ever looked at other people doing something and thought, “Yeah, that will never be me”? There are two reasons you don’t imagine yourself doing what they are doing. One reason is that it is something you know you will never be able to… Read More »Yeah, that will never be me
Driving across I-70 through the vast emptiness of Kansas, my eyelids got heavy – really heavy. I was on my second cup of coffee for the day and didn’t really want the jitters. The mile marker sign told me I was 10 miles away from… Read More »Why I love the Solo Road Trip
One moment I was sitting atop the raft paddling hard when our guide yelled, “Paddle!” The next moment I was under water struggling to get my bearings. I, obviously, was the person who fell out of the boat; the one they were talking to in… Read More »Falling Out Of The Boat
My roommate and I lie in the dark holding our breath trying not to giggle. Then Crystal whispered something so funny, we both bust out into uncontrollable giggles. It wasn’t too much longer before there was a knock at the door. We, of course, pretended… Read More »The blessings of the soulmate best friend
I overhead a conversation the other day where a couple were discussing their heyday. That was their term, not mine. I don’t believe in a heyday. The definition of heyday according to Merriam-Webster is, “the period of one’s greatest popularity, vigor, and prosperity.” I have… Read More »Is there really such a thing as a “heyday”?
My friend and I had been planning a weekend backpacking trip for a few weeks. A few days before, she texted me and asked if I had seen the weather forecast. I had – it was going to rain. “It’s OK if you don’t want… Read More »It’s going to rain? That’s fine
On a recent hike I passed a spur trail to some cool cascades. I had a goal to get some artistic pictures of the stream, but I pushed on instead. I wanted to get to the top of that mountain, to my awaiting car, and… Read More »Giving up comforts to appreciate myself more
I have been watching the Olympics all week and it’s great to see people accomplishing such seemingly impossible tasks. When I went skiing, I fell just standing there. And ice skatin … lets just say I made my way around the rink holding the rail.… Read More »Why I strive for mediocrity
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
I used to have a hiking buddy who liked the life of less resistance, and I never understood his approach. I am a go, go, go, kind of person. When I get off work on a Friday, I plan to be out of town that… Read More »Favorite places versus exploring new places
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’ve been feeling kind of blue lately. And one of the best ways I tackle those feelings that get me down – self doubt, sadness, being overwhelmed at work, being overwhelmed in my personal life – is to go into nature and spend time to… Read More »Reflecting in nature