Hiking Archives - Page 6 of 8

Explore Lake Crabtree County Park – Sail, Fish, Bike, or Hike

Most recently updated September 21st, 2022

Lake Crabtree County Park is arguably the best in-town alternative to a trip to the beach for a quick fix of sand and time on the water.

View of the Observation Tower from the marina

In my opinion, any park where you can take your kids to paddle or even just watch the sun on the water is a big bonus – especially when you don’t have to drive more than 15-20 minutes to get there.

While Bond Lake and Symphony Lake are also centrally located, they don’t have nearly the size or water access afforded by Lake Crabtree.

Ice-sailing on White Bear Lake in Minnesota

I grew up on a large natural lake in Minnesota, with sailboats in the summer and snowmobiles, skis and ice-fishing in the winter.

So lakes make me feel good – and I logged a lot of hours on the Open Play field on the shore of Lake Crabtree when my daughter was little.

These days I spend more time hiking the 6 mile Lake Trail loop than flying kites. But you could do both!

Located in a forested area between Cary, Morrisville, and Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Lake Crabtree County Park offers visitors a 520-acre flood-control lake adjacent to a 215-acre wooded site, with 16-plus miles of trails, picnic areas that are perfect for outdoor games, boating, geocaching and catch-and-release fishing.

Continue reading Explore Lake Crabtree County Park – Sail, Fish, Bike, or Hike

Outdoor Activities for Kids at M&M Alpaca Farm!

Most recently updated January 16th, 2022

A few months ago, I decided to do a tour of local farms and animal rescues that would be fun outdoor activities for kids.

I planned to visit and preview the places, then post outdoor activity ideas for families to use during their kids’ school breaks.

So, I tapped into the Facebook hive-mind for some local outdoor activity ideas.

My friends came back with all sorts of great recommendations – most having something to do with goats, llamas, and alpacas – but also a lot of breweries, wineries and meaderies. Hmmm. Anyway…

So, I trimmed out all of the adult beverages (that will be a different set of posts!) and made a list of places to go see.

For my first visit, I narrowed it down to alpaca farms near me, specifically looking for an alpaca farm tour.

And that’s how I found M&M Alpaca Farm. Although M&M offers free self-guided tours of the farm, I opted for a scheduled guided tour for just a few dollars. I’m very glad I did!

Continue reading Outdoor Activities for Kids at M&M Alpaca Farm!

10 Best Gifts For Hikers Under $50 – Last Minute Gift Ideas

Most recently updated December 6th, 2023

Are you looking for gifts for hikers or other outdoors types, but don’t have the cash to spring for pricey gear and gadgets?

And maybe you waited a little too long to brainstorm something creative and epic?

Don’t worry – sometimes the gifts they’ll really appreciate are the simpler, less expensive things. Practical gifts are easy to find when you’re short on time, too.

I’ve made a short list of ten practical hiking gifts or inexpensive cool gadgets for hiking that would be welcome gifts for the outdoorsy people on your list.

Give one, or select a few to make a hiking gift basket! Continue reading 10 Best Gifts For Hikers Under $50 – Last Minute Gift Ideas

Hiking in Patagonia – The W Trek in Torres del Paine

Most recently updated June 9th, 2022

It’s been more than a year since I returned from hiking in Patagonia, spending a week on the W trek in Torres del Paine National Park.

I wrote a very short “I’m baack!” kind of post right after the trip, but now I’m finally getting around to sharing more details.

Frankly, this is partly just an excuse to post more amazing Patagonia photos!

Be warned, this is an extremely long post, but it’s jam-packed full of useful information:

- Different options for getting to Patagonia,
- Torres del Paine hiking info,
- What you’ll need to bring for the W Trek, and
- A day by day description of my trip.

This is all really good info for you if you’re thinking about a similar trip. Anyway….about the place:

Patagonia, Chile is at the southernmost tip of South America, very close to Antarctica. Torres del Paine National Park is located on the eastern edge of the continent.

It’s a place of spectacular beauty, with dark jagged snow-topped mountains, turquoise glacier-fed lakes and rivers, and abundant wildlife. Continue reading Hiking in Patagonia – The W Trek in Torres del Paine

Prairie Ridge EcoStation – Easy Family Hikes, Fossils and Fun!

Most recently updated January 16th, 2022

A couple of weeks ago, when I was searching for outdoor activities for kids, I saw an event posting for a Fossil Dig at the Prairie Ridge Ecostation.

My initial thought was, “Fossils? Digging? I must go!” 🙂

But first I had to find out more about the Prairie Ridge park.

Bees take advantage of the flowering plants in the Prairie habitat

I learned that the Prairie Ridge Ecostation is the west Raleigh branch of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. The main branch of the Museum was created in 1879, when the State’s agricultural and geological collections were merged.

It’s the largest institution of its kind in the South East and the most visited museum in North Carolina.

The main branch is located in downtown Raleigh and there is a third branch in Whiteville (Columbus County, NC).

The Prairie Ridge Ecostation , located off of Reedy Creek Road in Raleigh, offers outdoor experiences and learning for kids and adults year-round, and charges no admission. Continue reading Prairie Ridge EcoStation – Easy Family Hikes, Fossils and Fun!

Top 5 Gifts for Hikers – Basic Day Hike Gear

Most recently updated January 17th, 2022

There are plenty of gifts any hiker or outdoor enthusiast on your list would be happy to get – whether they’re just beginners or experts.

Gifts for hikers come in all price ranges, too, so you can be sure to find something in your budget.

Basic day hike gear is a gift that any hiker would be thrilled to get, and I’ve included links to some of my top picks.

FYI, every image in this post – not just the specific recommended items – is also a link to merchandise.

You’ll also see “Related Products” sections that allow you to browse more if you want to go beyond the items I’ve called out.

So, if you see something you like, click it!

If you want any of these things for yourself, you could also send this article to your family. Just sayin’ 🙂

Continue reading Top 5 Gifts for Hikers – Basic Day Hike Gear

Green Exercise – Workout in Nature to Look and Feel Better

Most recently updated January 16th, 2022

If you’ve read any of my other posts, you know that given the choice I most always prefer to be outdoors – hiking, walking, gardening, dining, listening to music and whatever else I can do outside.

Frankly, sometimes my friends and family find my need to be outdoors a little tiresome. To keep the peace, I’ve had to occasionally move activities indoors because they want to be “more comfortable”. Continue reading Green Exercise – Workout in Nature to Look and Feel Better

Walk or Run on Stroller-Friendly Routes in Bond Park

Most recently updated June 21st, 2023

Bond Park and Umstead State Park in Cary, NC are a couple of local places that I go to hike, walk and run that are easy to get to and always deliver a really good experience.

Minimum driving, maximum time on the trail is what I’m usually looking for.

I’ve been using the trails and other park amenities both on my own and with my kids since I first moved to the area in 1996.

Like all of us, the park has changed over time and also – I hope like all of us – has improved with age as well.

Actually, I recently took an afternoon break to walk Bond Park’s Lake Trail, and found significant improvements to all of the the walkways and bridges along the way!

Updated bridge on the Lake Trail in Bond Park.

Read on to learn about the Lake Trail and other trails and combined routes inside Bond Park.

Continue reading Walk or Run on Stroller-Friendly Routes in Bond Park

Hiking for Beer – A 5-Step Calorie Counting Plan

Most recently updated July 31st, 2023

Alcohol and a diet plan for weight loss don’t really go together – especially if you’re calorie counting to lose weight.

You can drink beer on a diet - if you plan for it! — You can drink beer on a diet – if you plan for it!

I should probably also mention that alcohol and altitude don’t go together, either – even though you can really burn calories hiking!

(Seriously, don’t drink if you’re hiking at altitude.)

That said, when you’re sweaty and parched after hiking umpteen miles of vertical gain (then back down again) carrying a heavy pack, nothing tastes more like victory than a nice cold beer.

Surely, after all that, you’ve earned it. Right?? Well, yeah. But you’re still going to pay – with lots of extra calories.

And that’s not all… Continue reading Hiking for Beer – A 5-Step Calorie Counting Plan

Umstead State Park: Combining Trails for Longer Hikes

Most recently updated September 30th, 2022

Working remotely doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors – in fact, it’s healthier for you to take breaks and get outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine!

Being stuck indoors by yourself – or with your kids – with no end in sight could make you nuts.

Paved trail beside Big Lake in Umstead State Park

Getting out on the trail on your own, or with 10 or fewer members of your family or friends, could help bring you back from Crazy Town.

If you’re a hiker local to Cary or Raleigh, NC, you know the nearby hiking places, and have been on the trails.

They’re beautiful, have varied terrain and are easily accessible.

Continue reading Umstead State Park: Combining Trails for Longer Hikes