For the second year in a row, we ditched Black Friday. It felt great to #OptOutside today! One of our favorite parks in Lima, Ohio, where we are from, is Kendrick Woods. Jeremy and I used to come here when we were first dating, and our son had two birthday parties there growing up. We have also attended multiple reunions and graduation parties there. It has a beautiful lake, multiple shelter houses, a fun playground for the kiddos, and over 5 miles of hiking trails. Today Chloe, Chewie, … [Read more...]
#OptOutside 2017
#OptOutside this Black Friday. Where will you go? What will you be doing? I'll be hiking. Avoid the crowds, and remember #HikingIsFun! … [Read more...]
National Take a Hike Day
On this #ExploreMoreMonday, I want you to know that this Friday, November 17th is National Take A Hike Day. There are local events scheduled across the country in celebration of this day. What better way to start the hectic holiday season than to hit the trails? One of the reasons I love to hike is to clear my mind, connect with nature, and exercise in a beautiful setting. I am sure you have all seen the Hiking is cheaper than therapy t-shirt. I could not agree more. Hiking puts a smile on my … [Read more...]
Fall in Love with Hiking Graveyard Fields
Jeremy and I visited Asheville, North Carolina for the first time in October, 2015. We only had four days to hike, check out the city, explore, and head back home. As a result, we had only one day of actual trail hiking, so we had to make it count! This was a difficult choice because unlike our honeymoon in the Smoky Mountains, where we stuck to the more popular trails that were easy to find, there seemed to be an unlimited number of trails around Asheville with varying difficulty, length, … [Read more...]
Chewie discovers the Olentangy River
Happy Halloween! On this #AdventuresWithChewieTuesday, I'm remembering when Chloe and I took Chewie to Highbanks Metro Park earlier this summer. It was a beautiful day and the park was quite crowded. We chose the path along the river, hoping to have a bit of solitude away from the crowds. As we normally do, we took the occasional path off the trail down to the river. While we were enjoying the calm Olentangy River, Chewie tested the waters. He wasn't sure of himself at first and after he had … [Read more...]
Adventures with Chewie
In July of this year, we welcomed a new four-legged family member to our family. After much research, deliberation, and a thorough background check, we were approved to adopt a dog through Cairn Rescue USA. I had texted and spoken to foster mom, BJ numerous times. We decided on a cairn mix puppy. Finally the day came for us to drive to Richmond, Kentucky to pick up our twelve week old puppy. We were so excited to finally meet Chewie! His full name is Chewbacca, since we are huge Star Wars … [Read more...]
Keen Hiking Boots Review
Before our family went on vacation last year to Utah, Jeremy and I invested in hiking boots. We did a lot of research and both decided on the men's and women's Keen Targhee II Mid WP Hiking boots. The boots had multiple good reviews online, so we felt confident about our choice. I have had these boots for over a year now, and they are still in great shape. I wear them once it gets cooler in autumn through spring and am quite happy with these boots. Prior to our trip, we spent a significant … [Read more...]
Oboz Hiking Shoes Review
I needed a pair of hiking shoes for summer trekking. My recent pair of hiking boots was way too warm for any summer hikes. I researched my options at our local REI store, and decided on the Oboz Sawtooth Low BDry hiking shoe. I chose to get a shoe, not a boot for my summer hiking footwear. I didn't want my foot to overheat, and I felt that this shoe would be supportive enough without the ankle support. I love this shoe! It has excellent arch support that I require, lots of traction, is … [Read more...]
From Columbus, Ohio to Mt. Kilamanjaro, Africa
When I think of training for a trek 19,000 plus feet up a mountain, I picture serious, regimented training. The kind of training that leaves you ripped and able to eat insects for survival without batting an eye. In other words, I have never considered being able to take on this type of training myself. I am not hard core, and I definitely cannot see myself successfully summiting a mountain range that involves hiring a company to take you up said mountain. That is until I heard Jerry Rampelt … [Read more...]
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park: Bison, Hiking, River, Oh My!
Post Update: If you are like me and wondered if the bison had special winter preparations, they do! Check out this video from the Metro Parks that shows the bison moving into their winter home. I saw bison roaming in the wild, for the first time in my life when we went to Antelope Island in Salt Lake City, Utah. I got to see bison in the wild again, but it was only 25 minutes from my home! And it was not at the zoo. I took my daughter to Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park in Hilliard, Ohio, to … [Read more...]
Book Review – A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
I recently finished A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. I couldn't put this book down! If you are looking for a book filled with humor (the kind that makes you laugh uncontrollably out loud-even in a waiting room), and details what it's like to hike the Appalachian Trail in middle-age, this is the book to read. Bill finds a trail near his home, explores it, and consequently decides to hike the Appalachian Trail. He does the necessary research, and purchases all the gear for his long hike. As … [Read more...]
Sharon Woods Metro Park
My daughter Chloe and I went to one of the local metro parks to hike and get some fresh air. We have had unseasonably warm weather for February and we had to take advantage of this gift! We went to Sharon Woods Metro Park. The weather was quite a bit nicer than yesterday when we tried to hike. Yesterday it was in the 30s, windy, and hail snowing! Chloe and I hiked the all-purpose trail, which is 3.8 miles and circles the whole park. We were fortunate enough to see 6 deer! You can see them in … [Read more...]
Book Review – Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
I am an avid reader - mostly fiction, but not exclusively. When I started this blog, I decided to add some hiking books to my mix. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed is the first hiking book I have read. Wow! This book was written with brutal honesty and gripping story telling. The one thing that really struck me was how profoundly unprepared for hiking the Pacific Crest Trail Cheryl was when she embarked on her journey, despite having planned the trip … [Read more...]
Gear Reviews
As we continue to hike and go on adventures, we end up using lots of gear. Some of it good, some of it not so much. This page features reviews of the various gear we have used. We'd love to hear what products and gear you depend on when you go on your adventures. Comment below with your favorite products. … [Read more...]
Are hiking poles right for you?
No matter if you call them hiking poles or trekking poles, they can still lead to confusion. If you've been considering if hiking poles are right for you, but still are not sure, you're in good company. It is easy to get overwhelmed. There is a plethora of hiking poles to choose from. In sharing my personal experience, I hope you gain some insight. Let me begin by giving you a bit information about me. I am in my 40's, and have had knee issues for about seven years. These issues include … [Read more...]
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
We recently took our family to Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. It was the first time any of us had ever been to Utah, so it was pretty exciting. Without a doubt, it was the trip of a lifetime, even if it was shorter than we would have liked. This trip was a result of my annual meeting taking place in Salt Lake City. Since we knew the dates and location so early, we were able to plan this trip for over a year in advance. This extended amount of time allowed us to send away for numerous … [Read more...]
New to hiking and feeling overwhelmed?
So you've tried hiking, and realized you liked it? Good for you! Now that you've had some short hikes, are you ready to try a more substantial trail? How exciting! Now comes the fun part. Deciding where to hike. You have unlimited options, so enjoy exploring them. It is probably smart to decide what your goals are for this hike. Do you want to explore a new geographical area? Challenge yourself to new heights? Hike a longer trail? Once you have narrowed down your hiking goals, you are all the … [Read more...]
#optoutside
This Black Friday, I am not going to be clawing at fellow shoppers to get that 20% off must have item. I am opting for peace and tranquility in nature. What better way to work off some of those extra calories from Thanksgiving than communing with nature? Join the movement, get some movement, and opt outside! Walking among nature clears the mind, lessens stress, and allows us to connect with something larger than ourselves. #OptOutside and remember #hikingisfun #adventureawaits. … [Read more...]