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Starting Small – How to Hike with Kids in Tow

Most recently updated January 18th, 2022

Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

Have you suddenly become a home-schooler and/or a remote worker because of the new social distancing requirements?

Hopefully, this won’t last forever.

Meanwhile, you could take the kids outdoors for a hike to make it feel a little less oppressive.

In spite of my asthma, I’ve always been an active person.

Becoming a mother didn’t change that, or my desire to be outdoors in Nature.

But it did change how I could participate if I wanted (or needed) to include little ones.

Here’s how I did it!

When I first discovered recreational hiking, I was working at a full-time tech job, a single mother of a toddler with few babysitters around, and my closest family was 1500 miles away.

So most of my activities (outside of work) included the company of my little Mini-Me, and hiking was no exception.

Continue reading Starting Small – How to Hike with Kids in Tow

Trail Etiquette – Do’s, Dont’s and My List of Peeves

Most recently updated January 18th, 2022

Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes

Going for a hike in a park or Nature Reserve could be a solitary pursuit or an activity you engage in with other people (as on a group hike).

I’ve listed below some basic Hiking Etiquette 101. You should follow these simple rules of the trail to keep from being stalked by Rangers and irritating others on the trail.

We are serious about defending our lawns…

I’ve also included some peeves that are my experienced-hiker version of “Get off my lawn!”

If these things annoy me they probably annoy other people too. Continue reading Trail Etiquette – Do’s, Dont’s and My List of Peeves

Hiking With Asthma! A 3-Step Plan for Success

Most recently updated July 7th, 2023

Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

Everyone should do some research before trying a new physical activity – and prepping for a hike is no different.

For asthmatics, failing to prepare properly for a hike can have results ranging from mildly unpleasant to catastrophic.

Be prepared, but don’t be so nervous that you don’t go out at all – walking is a natural exercise for us.

Most of us have been doing it since we were very young.

That said, in all of my posts I’m only speaking from my own experiences dealing with lifelong chronic severe asthma, including exercise induced asthma.

I’ve come up with methods, including modifying my diet and taking vitamins, that enable me to be very physically active in spite of it – maybe they will work for you, too. Continue reading Hiking With Asthma! A 3-Step Plan for Success

Top 3 Reasons William B. Umstead State Park is my Favorite Forest

Most recently updated July 30th, 2023

Estimated Reading Time: 8.5 minutes

Umstead State Park has been my go-to hiking place for at least the past ten years. I hike in the forest, or with the forest as a starting place, at least twice per week.

Sometimes I hike on my own, sometimes as a hike leader for Raleigh Recreational Hikers or I’d Rather Walk meetups.

Park History

Umstead State Park has a long history: initially a wild hardwood-forested area inhabited with bison, bobcats and elk, it later became the site for indigenous peoples homes and trade, was part of a land grant for farms in 1774.

Finally, in 1934 – through a joint effort of Federal and State agencies – 5,000 acres were purchased to create a public recreation area.

The Civilian Conservation Corp and the Works Progress Administration helped with construction, and the park was open to the public in 1937.

There are so many reasons to love this park, it’s hard to fit them all into a single post. So I’ll just start with my Top 3.

Continue reading Top 3 Reasons William B. Umstead State Park is my Favorite Forest