hike Archives - Page 3 of 5

Bryce Canyon National Park Hikes and Hoodoos

Most recently updated January 16th, 2022

If you’ve never seen the stunning views at Bryce Canyon National Park, get ready for a breathtaking experience!

I’d seen the rock formations called “hoodoos” at other parks in the American Southwest, but never so many clustered so close together.

And never with such spectacular views of the vivid red, orange, and white rock towers within such easy access to park visitors.

You don’t have to hike for miles to see the hoodoos – which is great news for families with smaller kids or people short on time.

The most spectacular views into the canyon are literally just steps away when you pull into the Visitor’s Center parking lot.

View of the descent via the Queens Garden Trail

Bryce Canyon National Park was a good stopping place on our springtime tour of southern Utah, and a place we were excited to visit!

Bryce is just a short, hour-and-a-half drive northeast of Zion National Park, so it would be an easy drive to get to our lodgings there at the end of the day.

In a perfect world we would have had a longer stop, but Bryce is on the smaller side for National Parks, so we were able to hit the highlights.

I literally couldn’t stop taking photos, because it was so beautiful – and I’ve included probably way too many of them here 🙂

Our half-day in Bryce Canyon was enough time for a 3-mile hike and stops at the most popular view points.

Here’s what we did, and info about some other trails and park attractions we’ll see on our next visit – maybe you’ll get some ideas for your visit, too.

Continue reading Bryce Canyon National Park Hikes and Hoodoos

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

Shenandoah National Park – Visit Guide and 5 Days of Hikes

Most recently updated June 5th, 2022

Shenandoah National Park first opened to the public in December of 1936. It’s located in Virginia’s Blue Ridge mountains, less than a half days’ drive from home for me.

Though I’ve lived in the area for more than 20 years, I’ve never had the chance to spend much time in Shenandoah – until this past summer.

Bridge over the trout stream at Rapidan Camp

With 200,000 acres of protected land, Shenandoah National Park has some of the best hiking in Virginia – and the entire mid-Atlantic region of the US – so you can imagine how excited I was to visit!

I had a great time exploring on my own, but the park hosts a variety of trails and attractions for everyone from expert hikers to families with small children.

Where is Shenandoah National Park?

Shenandoah National Park is only 115 miles from Washington, D.C., 95 miles from Richmond VA, and 250 miles from Raleigh NC.

That’s close enough for a great long weekend or longer family vacation, without getting on an airplane!

I allowed a week for my trip – 2 days for travel, and 5 whole days to explore 🙂

Continue reading Shenandoah National Park – Visit Guide and 5 Days of Hikes

Hike, Bike or Just Relax at the North Carolina Museum of Art Park

Most recently updated October 7th, 2022

Signpost on the Green trail at the edge of the NCMA park.

The North Carolina Museum of Art Park has been a tremendous gift to the whole Raleigh community.

The park’s trails and open lawns, ponds and pools, larger than life outdoor art, plus the amphitheater and outdoor movie screen provide a beautiful open air gathering place for everyone.

Don’t Miss the Grand Re-Opening Celebration!

Several new collections are opening this October, along will all of the re-imagined NCMA galleries.

This October, the NCMA galleries will re-open after an amazing update with a weekend full of family-friendly (and free!) activities.

READ HERE ABOUT THE UPDATED GALLERIES!

Visit ncartmuseum.org/peoplescollection for a full schedule of opening weekend celebrations.

I’ve gotten a lot of good use from the safe – and inexpensive – outdoor activities for kids the Museum Park has made available over the years.

From the time my daughter was in kindergarten through her college years – and even now as a young adult in the community – the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) and the Museum Park events and grounds have been a big part of both of our lives.

Continue reading Hike, Bike or Just Relax at the North Carolina Museum of Art Park

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

Explore the Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch State Park

Most recently updated January 16th, 2022

The Flume Gorge natural area in New Hampshire’s Franconia Notch State Park is spectacular and pictures just don’t do it justice.

Avalanche Falls i the Flume Gorge — Avalanche Falls in the Flume Gorge

Eight hundred feet long and about 20 feet from side to side at its widest, with granite walls 90 feet high, the Flume feels like you’ve entered a different world or stepped back in time.

It’s something you really have to see for yourself to appreciate.

I returned last week from my second visit (in the past year!) to the area – the first was early last November, and a freak storm had covered the place deep in snow, so I wasn’t able to hike very far.

But my most recent visit, in early May, was perfect weather for visiting the gorge, and well worth the return trip!

I went on my own, but walking the self-guided 2-mile Flume Trail through the Flume Gorge is a great way to spend some time outdoors with the whole family.

Bear Cave near the Flume Trail boardwalk

Though there are many more difficult hikes in the Franconia Notch area for seasoned hikers, the Flume Trail is an easy manicured walk for hikers of all ages and abilities.

But don’t think you’ll be bored because it’s an easier hike.

In addition to the prehistoric beauty of the gorge, you’ll be splashed by waterfalls and cooled by mist, see huge Ice Age boulders, walk through historic covered bridges, and take in some beautiful mountain views. Continue reading Explore the Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch State Park

Lose Weight and Get Fit for Epic Hikes – Easy Training Plan

Most recently updated January 5th, 2023

Summer is undeniably coming. I know this because the days have started getting the tiniest bit longer… 😉

Sadly, many of us emerge from Winter’s shapeless warm layers not as much the “beautiful butterfly” as we would like.

Each Spring, we feel the need to improve our weight and fitness before we can flutter confidently in the sunshine. Or even wear shorts….

(I don’t mean to suggest that anyone needs to be a certain size. It’s up to each individual and their medical advisors to decide what’s best for them.)

For myself, the main goal is to be fit enough to do any hike I’m interested in without a struggle.

Also, I want to buy clothes when I need something new, not because I’ve outgrown my current size.

Fortunately, it’s pretty easy to lose weight hiking and get more fit at the same time!

Why Hiking Is A Great Way to Get In Shape

The great thing about hiking is that pretty much anyone can do it, it doesn’t cost a lot of money, and it gets you outdoors. Continue reading Lose Weight and Get Fit for Epic Hikes – Easy Training Plan

Hikes and History at Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas

Most recently updated January 16th, 2022

I first heard about Palo Duro Canyon State Park a couple of years ago. It was February, and I wanted a good place to hike for a few days that was out of the cold, but not out of the USA.

A couple of hiker friends recommended Palo Duro Canyon, known as the “Grand Canyon of Texas”.

After doing a some follow-up research, I decided that the park sounded perfect for my short solo hiking trip.

I booked a flight, bought some new boots, and went on down to Texas to see it for myself. Continue reading Hikes and History at Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas

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