I always thought of the Grand Canyon as a place I can get to “some day.” It was never high on my list of places to see. But after making an impromptu trip last March to Grand Canyon National Park, it is now one of… Read More »Grand Canyon National Park Trip Report
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?
Everyone who is familiar with Lake Catherine State Park is familiar with the Falls Branch Trail and the waterfall. I never knew the waterfall had a name until I started blogging, but it does. It’s called Falls Creek Falls. Anyways, there are many other features… Read More »Horseshoe Mountain Trail – Lake Catherine State Park
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
Everyone has a unique relationship with the outdoors. I literally don’t remember the first time I went camping because I was too young to form memories. I am pretty sure I was an infant. And if you want to get really specific, I was an… Read More »Finding your love with the outdoors
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
Hot Springs National Park may be the only national park in The Natural State, but the National Park Service operates a few other parks within the state. These parks include a national river, memorial, military park, trail and – historic sites. Most recently, Zach, nephew… Read More »Exploring Arkansas Post National Memorial
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 season 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?
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
Have you ever had a trip that didn’t go as planned, but you ended up having a wonderful time anyway? That is how this last weekend went for me and my friends at Richland Creek. I also had to eat crow because I swore my… Read More »Lost at Richland Creek
If you are looking for an awesome day hike within a short distance of Hot Springs National Park, it is not hard to find a trail. You can narrow it down by what you want to see, like a waterfall, the lake, beautiful woods, or… Read More »Hiking the Charlton Trail
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
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
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
If you haven’t considered going to South Dakota for an outdoorsy vacation, you might want to reconsider. The Black Hills in western South Dakota are full of opportunities for adventure tourism. For those of us who are in love with nature, the Black Hills will… Read More »Exploring the Black Hills in South Dakota
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
One of my favorite hikes around the Hot Springs, Ark., area is the Caddo Bend Trail at Lake Ouachita State Park. This four-mile loop showcases the beauty of the forest that blankets the Ouachita Mountains. It also showcases the beauty of Lake Ouachita. The Caddo… Read More »Hiking the Caddo Bend Trail
Last year I wrote a blog post called Hometown Hikes, where I wrote about trails inside or right outside Hot Springs, Ark. But if you are looking to expand a little further out of Hot Springs, here are three trails that are about an hour’s… Read More »Hot Springs hikes – about a one hour’s drive
Nothing “bad” about Badlands National Park Badlands National Park is an unique place. My aunt likened it to exploring another planet, and I definitely felt like I was in another world. The park is located in western South Dakota just east of the Black Hills.… Read More »Exploring Badlands National Park
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
If you have seen pictures of Arkansas, you have probably seen pictures of Whitaker Point. The scenic spot, also known as Hawksbill Crag, is probably the most iconic picture of The Natural State. A great book and trail guide for this area is Tim Ernst’s… Read More »Arkansas staples – Glory Hole, Whitaker Point
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