Most recently updated January 16th, 2022
Posts below include hiking info for families, beginning hikers and more advanced trekkers.
The list also includes hiking trails and training, hiking destinations such as National and State Parks as well as International destinations and more local trails.
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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:
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
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.
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.
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
Most recently updated October 7th, 2022
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.
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
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!
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
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
The basic physical requirements for a hike are:
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
Most recently updated January 16th, 2022
If you’re ever going to take that big trip you’ve been dreaming about, you’ll need to stash more money – or at least some money! – in your vacation or holiday savings account.
Whether you’re looking at a 1-2 week getaway for the holidays or several months on the trail, these saving strategies add up.
The first thing to do is to figure out how much money you’re going to need – so you know when you’re done saving :-).
Check out my post on planning your multi-day hiking trip for some good ideas on how to plan your trip so you can figure the cost. I’ve also got some info on different lodging options that might help with your estimate.
The closer you are to your vacation date and the less money you have saved already, the more intense your saving activities will need to be.
It’s easy to figure total cost if you go on trip with a travel company . They usually have a planned itinerary that includes food, lodging, activities and a guide all in one price.
That can save you time – and sometimes money, too, so it’s worth looking into.
You could also use a trip cost calculator, like the one I’ve linked to here, to help figure your savings goal.
Once you have a ballpark idea how much money you’ll need and when you want to go, you’ll know how much time you have to pull your travel stash together – that is, the time between right now and your vacation date.
For more of my favorite travel deals and resources, see my Travel Tips & Deals page, and take a look at the G Adventures page, too for some great discounts.
FYI, the photos I’ve included in this post are from some fantastic trips I’ve taken – using money from my own vacation saving fund!
Continue reading Grow Your Vacation Saving Account – 4 Simple Steps
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:
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
