gifts for casual hikers Archives

Hiking Accessories – Inexpensive, Fun and Useful Gifts

Most recently updated June 8th, 2023

Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

That’s right – I’m reposting this just in time for Father’s Day!

Why? Well, because I’m a marketing opportunist making use of a holiday (of course) but also because, let’s face it, most of us are kind of clueless about what to get for Dad.

Dads pretty much just buy stuff they want or need and can usually afford more than we can. So a small gift just lets them know you’re thinking about them – and that’s mostly what we’re after, right?

If your Dad is a hiker, outdoorsy, likes gadgets, or just ever even *leaves the house*, one of these things could be a great gift for him!

Wouldn't your Dad look great with a new water bottle at Hanging Rock State Park? — Wouldn’t your Dad look great with a new water bottle at Hanging Rock State Park?

With all of the choices out there for outdoorsy gifts, why give hiking accessories?

Hiking First Aid Kit – click to purchase

For one thing, buying gifts for hikers – like Dads – isn’t as easy as you might think.

I mean, chances are they’ve already covered the essentials – hiking boots, a day pack, jacket and poles.

If you’re not a hiker yourself, you might not know what else they could use.

Collapsible water bottle – click to purchase

Also, basic pieces like boots, poles, pack, and clothing are really a personal choice, and frankly can be quite pricey.

On the other hand, socks or a hat can be a fun, functional, and reasonably priced gift.

Read on to learn about more useful hiking do-dads you can give your outdoorsy friend or loved one without breaking the bank – and you might even find something for yourself! 🙂
Continue reading Hiking Accessories – Inexpensive, Fun and Useful Gifts

How to Decorate for An Allergy-Free Holiday Season

Most recently updated January 3rd, 2024

It’s that time! Time to get ready for your Fall & Winter holiday gatherings.

Yay!!! And also: Oh, no!!

Everyone loves to decorate and make their home feel festive for the winter holidays, but before you can decorate, you also need to clean. (This is the worst part, honestly.)

Lighted Christmas trees in the snow in Big Bear, CA — Lighted trees in the snow in Big Bear, CA

And not only do you have to clean your house, but you might also need to freshen up your stored holiday decorations!

Unfortunately, some of our traditional decorations can harbor allergens that may irritate allergy-and-asthma-prone family or guests.

Some people are even allergic to Christmas trees – which is a point in favor of having an artificial tree.

Are you allergic to your Christmas tree?

And just think about all of the other decorations you put up, where you put them, and how long they stay there.

The key to avoiding hosting allergens (along with your guests) is to prep your home well in advance of your first holiday event, and choose your decorations carefully.

Read on to learn how!

Continue reading How to Decorate for An Allergy-Free Holiday Season

The Best Hiking Boots – Choose Your Perfect Fit

Most recently updated July 7th, 2023

As the weather changes with the seasons, you should also update your hiking boots for better performance and comfort.

But how do you know what features the best hiking boots or hiking shoes for the weather and your hike should have?

Of course you should like how they look, and they should feel good when you try them on – but beyond that, what are the most important things to look for?

Some boot features to consider:

- - - Are they waterproof?
    - Do they have cushioned shock-absorbing heels?
    - Do they have grippy soles?

If your feet are wet or painful, you won’t be able to think about anything else – and might not even be able to complete your hike.

What you put on your feet is without a doubt your most important piece of hiking gear, so you’ve got to get it right!

Hiking boots or trail running shoes (not regular road running shoes) are your best hiking footwear options.

Aside from fit, one of the most important things to consider is what kind of trail you’ll be on, and how long you’ll be on it 🙂

Continue reading The Best Hiking Boots – Choose Your Perfect Fit

Foot Care for Hikers – From Blisters to Boots

Most recently updated July 7th, 2023

My feet hurt most of the time.

Accumulated damage from years of dance, martial arts, high heels, various athletics and now a couple of decades and lots of miles of hiking means my feet hurt more often than they don’t.

Add metabolic aging of my feet now that I’m in my 50’s, and it’s a recipe for some VERY painful feet.

But I’ve found ways to alleviate my foot pain and prevent more injury so I can keep doing the active things I love!

How to Care For Your Feet

As a hiker, you can’t overestimate the value of wearing the best hiking boots you can to have an enjoyable hike and avoid possible injury.

But there are other things you can do to keep your feet happy beyond simply wearing good boots!

I love to be active outdoors and plan to keep on going for the long haul. That means investing effort in taking care of my feet and legs as much as I can.

These are some of my favorite tips to avoid or eliminate foot pain and keep your feet happy, healthy and ready for any adventure!

NOTE: Instead of illustrating this post with images of injured feet, I decided to share pictures of some beautiful things I’ve seen – while walking around 🙂

Continue reading Foot Care for Hikers – From Blisters to Boots

Run and Hike the Lake Pine Trail – Even if You Have Asthma!

Most recently updated July 7th, 2023

The Lake Pine Trail is a paved loop that circles the lake in Apex Community Park, located near the dividing line between the towns of Cary and Apex, close to Raleigh, North Carolina.

Like nearby Bond Park, Lake Crabtree County Park, and Umstead State Park, Apex Community Park has the benefit of being in town, plus the appeal of hosting a fairly large recreational lake.

Another nearby park with paved walking trails is the North Carolina Museum of Art Park – but they don’t have a lake, just a pond. 🙂

The Lake Pine Trail Loop

Lake Pine is a great trail for running or walking, is smooth and wide enough to use your stroller or baby jogger, too – and is good for all skill levels.

Apex Community Park entry sign at Laura Duncan Road

The trail runs between the lake and other natural areas, so there’s a good chance to see wildlife.

I’ve seen deer, otters, loons, cranes, turtles – and fish 🙂

Dogs are also allowed on this trail but must be kept on leash.

The loop is about 2 miles long, and you have the option to venture off the main path to other unpaved nature trails, too. Continue reading Run and Hike the Lake Pine Trail – Even if You Have Asthma!

Hiking Tips

Most recently updated January 17th, 2022

If you’re a hiking beginner, there are a few things you should know before hitting the trail.

You really don’t want to become famous as an unprepared hiker who needed to be rescued!

Be prepared for weather and trail conditions!

I’ve put together some quick hiking tips for beginners, and if I’ve written a longer post on the subject, included a link to that as well.

Even if you’ve been around the trail a few times, you still might find a useful tidbit or two.

HIKING 101

The basic physical requirements for a hike are:

footwear that’s suited to your trail
hiking clothing layers that can be adjusted as needed
food and hydration for the trail
a way to carry essentials (daypack or backpack)
a destination, with a plan to get there and back.

Continue reading Hiking Tips

10 Tips to Control Indoor Allergens – and Stop the Madness!

Most recently updated July 7th, 2023

Spring!

It’s the time of year when trees in the South release massive clouds of yellow pollen into the wind, to be distributed to allergy-prone noses and lungs everywhere.

Around here, it’s known as “The Pollening”.

Pine pollen is a huge problem in the South

Even if you don’t live in the South, it isn’t unusual to find your allergies heating up along with the air temperature.

The horrors of pollen season are so well-known that years ago, when my boyfriend told me he’d be unavailable for a few weeks due to severe allergies, I had nothing but sympathy for him.

Much later, I realized that my boyfriend’s allergies struck at exactly the same time as the “March Madness” basketball playoffs. Hmmm…

Basketball and pine pollen season arrive together

I’m not as gullible now, but I still have nothing but sympathy for people with allergies 🙂

If you have allergic asthma symptoms throughout the year (like I do), or even seasonal allergies and asthma, you can’t do much about what’s floating around in the air outside.

What you can do is take steps to control allergens inside your home, so you can breathe and rest easier year round.

According to the The American Lung Association, the air quality inside your home could be 2-5 times worse than the air outdoors. Continue reading 10 Tips to Control Indoor Allergens – and Stop the Madness!

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

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

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