Jarred awake by the ubiquitous chime of my iPhone, I fumble around the nightstand in the dark. Desperate to silence the beastly apparatus, I ignore the impulse to hit the snooze button. I’d be lying if I said that I’m not tempted to roll back over and stay cozy and comfortable in my […]
Hiking Vs. Walking: Which is it?
There’s a scene in the television show, Sex and the City where Carrie Bradshaw, the Sarah Jessica Parker character, visits her boyfriend, played by David Duchovny, in a mental institution. It’s a lovely mental institution – practically resort-like. While the pair chats on an emerald-colored, neatly manicured lawn, the Duchovny character lists some of the […]
52 Weeks 52 Hikes: A Reluctant Hiker’s Life Changing Year on the Trails
CHAPTER TWO According to the National Parks Foundation, the rim-to-rim hike at the Grand Canyon is a classic bucket list adventure. An adventure that can end in catastrophe for the unprepared. The site offers assurance that the trek is well worth it for those who have appropriately trained, have the correct gear, and […]
Hike, Pedal, Paddle: Gulf Shores, Alabama
Vacationing on Alabama’s Gulf Coast this year? I’m all in on long days spent reading and sunning on the sugar-white sand with the occasional dip in the warm waters of the gulf. But, if you’d like to venture off the beach, consider experiencing the area differently by hiking, pedaling, or paddling – activities that offer […]
Fall Fun in the Greater Gadsden Area
Temps are dropping, and soon the leaves will be too. We’re always a little sad to see summer go, but there’s plenty to do in the Greater Gadsden area in the fall. Here are a few suggestions to make the most of the season. Bike the Black Creek Trails Adjacent to the magnificent Noccalula Falls, […]
Tongariro Alpine Crossing: A Tale From the Trail
Tongariro Alpine Crossing – Tongariro National Park, New Zealand Distance: 13.0 Miles Point to Point Elevation Gain: 2,789 feet Rated: Difficult The bus bumps around a corner onto a gravel road creating great plumes of dust in our wake. Mount Ngauruhoe – you may know it as Mount Doom from the Peter Jackson films – […]
Len Foote Hike-Inn: Rustic Beauty With Creature Comforts in North Georgia
A few hours north of Atlanta, the Len Foote Hike-Inn lies nestled in Georgia’s Chattahoochee National Forest. The Hike Inn is one of the few backcountry lodges in the United States, and I was lucky enough to have reservations on a beautiful, sunny day. Still early enough in the season to escape the scorching summer […]
Buffalo River – Floating America’s First National River
Established in 1972, the Buffalo National River in Northwest Arkansas flows freely for 135 miles and is one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the lower 48 states. Unlike rivers that are fed by perennial springs, the Buffalo is largely rainfall-dependent. Seventy percent of visitors float on thirty percent of the Buffalo River […]
The Mighty Five: A National Park Adventure in Southern Utah
National Park visits are exceedingly popular in 2021 as travelers seek the natural social distancing that the great outdoors offers. Want to get the most bang for your buck on your next national park adventure? Consider the Mighty Five in southern Utah – five national parks all within striking distance of one another. ZION NATIONAL […]
The Boulders Lake Tyler: Get Outside in East Texas
To live in East Texas is to live in a region blessed with abundant natural beauty. Towering pine trees, rolling hills, bluebird skies, wildflowers, and wildlife make it easy to find inspiration. If you are looking for a way to reconnect with nature in a family-friendly environment, look no further than The Boulders at Lake […]
