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
The main attraction at Cossatot River State Park and Natural Area is obviously the river. Many people come to float the river, fish in the river, and swim in the river. But Cassatot River State Park and Natural Area also has some pretty rad trails.… Read More »Harris Creek Trail
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
National parks are huge and sometimes you only have a short time to explore them. And when you only have a short time, it can be intimidating to figure out what to do. Olympic National Park is probably the hardest of the parks I have… Read More »48 hours in Olympic National Park
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
If you are a new mom and think you need to put your life on hold, think again. Hiking with an infant is not as hard as it seems. My best friend, Crystal, recently had her first child. She hit the trail within the first… Read More »Hiking with an infant – tips from a mom
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
When I’ve hiked with friends who are new to hiking, they always would ask me what they should wear. I grew up hiking so I always found this question little odd. I would tell them, “you just wear workout clothes or just something you are… Read More »What to wear hiking
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
National parks offer so much to do, and it can be intimidating when you only have a limited time to visit a park. If you only have two days to spend in a park, there really is no way to see it all. That is… Read More »What to do with only 48 hours in the Grand Canyon
This year was supposed to be my year to cross a major item off of my bucket list. Unfortunately things didn’t go as planned. At the top of my bucket list is bagging a 14er. I have wanted to hike to 14,000 feet in elevation… Read More »When your bucket list item doesn’t happen
The Dam Mountain Trail at Lake Catherine State Park is my favorite of the trails at the park. It offers a little bit of every kind of scenery you can find at the park. Lake Catherine State Park has thick forest, mountain top glades, deep… Read More »Dam Mountain Trail – Lake Catherine State Park
Arkansas’ nickname is “The Natural State” because it offers so much to the nature lover. And I have to say that Hot Springs is the best outdoor town in Arkansas. Hot Springs really does have it all. I might be a little partial because it… Read More »Why I think Hot Springs is the best outdoor town in Arkansas
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
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
I have always heard Shenandoah National Park is more beautiful than words can describe. And it really is, but I’m going to try my hardest to tell you how beautiful it is in this blog post. I have also included many pictures to help show… Read More »Shenandoah National Park
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
There are many trails at Pinnacle Mountain State Park; most are relatively short and easy. However even though the summit trails are short they are not “easy.” Pinnacle Mountain State Park is located a little west of Little Rock along the Arkansas River. It rises… Read More »Climbing to the top of Pinnacle Mountain
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
As a single woman, I have had many dates in the wilderness. And recently while picking blackberries with a good friend, he asked me if it would make a good date. I answered probably not a first date. “I’m sweaty, dirty, and bloody from the… Read More »Tips for a Great Hiking Date
I live in Arkansas and we have a good amount of public lands. If we Arkansans want to go backpacking in Arkansas, we simply hike out into the woods until we find a place that looks like a good spot and pitch our tent. However,… Read More »Tips for securing backcountry permits
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