Well, hey there! Looking to take a hike? Get outdoors and get inspired? Up your fitness and find a little peace and possibly a dose of mental clarity? Cool! If you’re here looking for advice on scaling Everest or what to pack for a thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail, well, you’re probably in the […]
Hiking
52 Weeks 52 Hikes: Tales From the Trail – Chapter 3
Changing my search term to North Alabama Hikes, I’m met with a dizzying array of options. Once referred to as The State of Surpises, Alabama is one of the most biodiverse in the nation. For millions of years, present-day Alabama was covered by a shallow ocean. As the waters receded, limestone bedrock was formed, which […]
Lisbon, Portugal: Life in the Slow Lane
Saudade is a Portuguese word that loosely translates to a deep yearning nostalgia for something gone forever. There is no equivalent word in English. Yet, while it’s hard to explain, this Portuguese emotion is easy to feel as you immerse yourself in the tumbledown yet trendy city of Lisbon. Funky and fun, Portugal’s capital, and one […]
McKittrick Canyon – Fall Foliage In West Texas
When you think of fabulous fall foliage displays, West Texas is probably the last place that comes to mind. Well, it’s time to think again and add McKittrick Canyon to your fall bucket list. Guadalupe Mountains National Park is one of the least visited parks in the national park system. Its remote location, 100 miles […]
Reconnect On the Trail In 2020
The holidays have come and gone, and the new year is upon us. The transition from December’s freshly baked cookies and feelings of warmth to January’s cold offerings of kale and guilt can be shocking. This is a time spent reflecting on goals and making resolutions. What’s on tap this year? Improve fitness? Reduce stress? […]
Prologue – 52 Weeks 52 Hikes: Finding Myself on the Trail – COMING SOON!
What kind of idiot thinks this is a good idea? Hands pressed firmly against the cold railing; I stare into the abyss. I feel as alone as I ever have, although I’m surrounded by people. Happy and animated, they are taking pictures and conversing, many in languages I do not recognize. The sky is cloudless […]
Women Who Wander Outdoor Retreat – Texas
How much longer? I wonder to myself as I check the GPS for the umpteenth time. I’m headed to the inaugural Women Who Wander Outdoor Retreat in south Texas to spend the weekend with 600 of my new best friends. Let me explain. I love to hike, pedal, and paddle. Hands down my favorite modes […]
Five Life Lessons Learned Hiking the Grand Canyon
The benefits of hiking are many. Physically, it’s excellent exercise, offering both cardiovascular benefits and muscle strengthening. Mentally, venturing outside and immersing oneself in nature is a proven stress buster. And no one can take in a panoramic view, listen to churning water as it tumbles over rocks, or gaze upon a field full of […]
Mind, Body & Nature: Reconnecting On the Trail
It’s February. The shock of transitioning from December’s freshly baked cookies and feelings of warmth to January’s cold offerings of kale and guilt is fading. Resolve for resolutions and goals set on January 1 may be fading too. So, what were those resolutions? Improve fitness? Reduce stress? Spend more time meditating or in prayer? What if I told […]
Enchanted Rock – Hiking In Texas Hill Country
Today I was scared. After spending an incredible weekend with 600 like-minded women at the inaugural Women Who Wander Outdoor Retreat, I can’t resist an overnight stay in Fredericksburg, Texas, on the way home to see the spectacular wildflower display. They say it’s the best in ten years. They’re not lying. The Willow City Loop offers jaw-dropping displays […]
