Hit the Road: Heading into the Unknown

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Kara

Listen to these awesome stories on NPR’s “This American Life,” from Andrew Forsthoefel’s journey across America–on foot, to a kid who really really has to pee on a road trip, to a woman about to give birth in a car on the road.

Andrew Forsthoefel was compelled to quit his job and hit the road on a journey of self-discovery. Along the way, he talked to the people that define America and the results are truly inspiring.

open road

Have you ever had the inspiration to hit the road, whatever the reason may have been? Tell us your story!

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What’s in a Name?

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Kara

gear junkieDoes brand name really matter? You know the ones, Arc’teryx, Patagonia, Icebreaker Merino, Smartwool, etc.. These brands come with great reputations for high quality products and even larger price tags! The thought of spending $200 on a fleece zip-up is outrageous, but then again, I’m not out summiting massive peaks in -20 degrees, either.

I keep finding myself drawn to these fancy brand names, and I’m certain it’s because my strenuous and often life-threatening trek from my front door to my car requires only the finest of gear. OK let’s be real, I don’t hike, camp, or bike when the weather dips anywhere below 30 degrees Fahrenheit, so what’s the deal? I see people everywhere wearing top-of-the-line outdoor gear to the grocery and the mall, but why?

I’ve always been the kind of gal who bargain shops at TJ Maxx (Maxxinista alert!), marmot bagMarshall’s, Kohl’s, you know the bunch. The cheaper it is, the more likely I am to buy it. However, lately I have been paying more attention to brand names when shopping for serious items such as sleeping bags, tents, coats, and other outdoor gear.

Ultimately, you want to ensure you’re going to be safe in the outdoors, and by purchasing the best of the best outdoor gear, you are doing so. These companies pride themselves in being the best, top-notch, most tested and approved gear producers around. You can curl up in your Marmot Col MemBrain sleeping bag and know that you won’t freeze to death in the middle of your slumber. You can hook into a tough route with Black Diamond Equipment carabiners knowing that you won’t likely plummet to your death!

You will never find me sporting a $200 zip-up on a regular day at the grocery, and I will continue to bargain shop for my everyday clothes, but when it comes to gear that I’m betting my life (sometimes) on, I’ll leave it up to the experts to outfit me for all my adventures in the Great Outdoors.

bpFind some great gear outfitters for all your foot needs (hiking, running, walking) in John Vonhof’s Fixing Your Feet: Prevention and Treatments for Athletes. You can find the best of the best gear at your local REI or independent outfitter store, or check Backpacker.com for their regular gear reviews and see what the experts are using.

 

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Trails Less Traveled for a Romantic Getaway

Posted on April 25, 2013 by ronnie

Sometimes hikers want to combine their passion for hiking and their passion for their significant other. But how do you find the right trails to explore together? It’s easy! Menasha Ridge Press offers the Five-Star Trails guides to help you pick the right trail. Each of these guides features a handy “Recommended Hikes” section that includes best hikes for children, wildflowers, seclusion and/or solitude. Here are a few of the best hikes for solitude in some of the biggest cities across the U.S.

Raleigh & Durham:

  • Swift Creek Bluffs Nature Preserve – the preserve sees few visitors during the week and is fairly isolated.

    Five-Star Trails: Raleigh & Durham

    Occoneechee Mountain Loop Trail

  • William B. Umstead State Park: Oak Rock & Pott’s Branch Trails – Only foot traffic is allowed on this trail and no swimming in the late.
  • Occoneechee Mountain Loop Trail – with a lot of rock formations, ponds, and bluffs, there are many places to stop and enjoy the scenery.

Louisville & Southern Indiana:

  • Vernon-Douglas State Nature Preserve – No pets allowed and a perfect place to
    Vernon-Douglas State Nature Preserve

    Vernon-Douglas State Nature Preserve

    go birding together.

  • Indian Creek Overlook – Overlook views of Indian Creek and a log trail shelter, just be careful to bring plenty of water for the hike.
  • Pennywort Cliffs – Dogs are welcome if they are leashed. This is the hike for solitude with spring wildflowers and a small waterfall to keep you company.

Flagstaff & Sedona:

  • The Overland Trail – An old railroad route, homestead ruins, and isolated prairies make this a special hike.

    The Overland Trail

    The Overland Trail

  • Lime Kiln Trail – Historical route that transitions from high desert to low forest give hikes a taste of it all.
  • Mitten Ridge Trail – This is not a designated U.S. Forest Service trail so there are several possible route options for you to choose from.

Columbus (Ohio):

  • Denison University Biological Reserve – A forest canopy covers a series of ravines with interspersed brushy runs on sunny open sections.

    Denison University Biological Reserve

    Denison University Biological Reserve

  • A.W. Marion State Park – A quiet little park that is open to campers as well and requests peace on the trail.
  • Stage’s Pond State Nature Preserve – An out-of-the-way state nature preserve that is less traveled than most.

 

So what are you waiting for? Grab your sweetheart and get out on a trail!

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Hit the Trails this Spring with Your Family Dog

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Rachel

For you tail-wagging dog lovers, break out your leash and accompany your dog on a spring hike! With the temperatures rising, an opportunity to take an adventure with your greatest companion has never looked better.

It’s important to remember safety and etiquette guidelines to have a fun and happy family trip. With the help of Ellen Eastwood’s book, The Trailhound’s Handbook: Your Family Guide to Hiking with Dogs, we have incorporated key points to discovering adventures with your children and four-legged friends.

 Know your dog - It may be easier to rate your child’s daily temper tantrums, but it’s also important to conisder your dog’s personality. Eastwood states that “a reckless pooch on the trail can pose a real threat to hikers’ safety.” Get to know your canine friend before your family trek.

Dogly encounters – It’s more than likely that you will encounter other dogs on a hike with your pooch. In order to secure the safety of your family, Eastwood believes that “passing the leash to the strongest member of the pack” will keep the humans in control.

Trust your pooch - It’s important to let your dog sniff out nature. No need to let go of the leash, but Eastwood states that your dog will “appreciate the 6 feet of freedom that a good hiking leash provides.”

Pick up the poop - It’s necessary to pick up your dog’s waste. To some, it’s only a pet peeve, but to timid wildlife, it can be threatening. Eastwood states that it “may even introduce harmful nutrients, foreign bacteria, and viruses into a fragile ecosystem.” So, remember the bags and pick it up!

Family, memories, and adventure – It’s important to slow down when your pooch is sniffing the trail. Many times, your dog will help you find a little wonder of nature which could provide for a good discussion among the family. Explore everything nature has to offer with the help of your hound!

For more information on The Trail Hound’s Handbook or to purchase a copy at a 25% discount, check out Wilderness Press!

 

 

 

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Yoga Outdoors: Experience Nature

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Kara

Have you been cooped up in the winter months practicing your daily yoga routine? Experience nature and move your class outdoors! The natural environment can help intensify your yoga experience. Embracing nature’s anticipated breezes will help deepen your breathing, while the hot sun will support the relaxation of your muscles making them more flexible. The sights of butterflies, ladybugs, and dragonflies can become a focal point for your balance which every yoga enthusiast needs. While yoga indoors entails a mat, yoga outdoors will provide you with natural surfaces like grass, sand, and wood. It may sound uncomfortable, but these natural surfaces can provide support for better posture and poses. Don’t forget to provide sunscreen, sunglasses, and water. Due to nature’s unpredictability, there’s no telling what type of weather you may experience. Most of all, let your mind and body relax and breathe in the nourishment of nature.

For more information on yoga outdoors, click here to view the yoga journal.

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Eight Tips for Picking the Right Fit!

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Rachel

Picking a proper running shoe, hiking boot, or cross-trainer can easily turn from an exciting shopping excursion to an overwhelming mess of options!

Regardless of where you plan to wear your new kicks, or for what activity, follow these simple tips from John Vonhof’s Fixing Your Feet (Wilderness Press, 2011) and you’ll find the right fit every time:

Fixing-Your-Feet-5ed

  1. Use shoe buying guides as just that — do not eliminate a shoe from your consideration until you have tried it on.
  2. Try shoes in a range of prices — don’t save a buck at the expense of your feet. The differences between several pairs of shoes can be amazing.
  3. Judge a shoe by how it fits on your foot, not by the marked size.
  4. When going to try on or buy shoes, take a pair of socks along rather than rely on the store’s basket of socks that have been on who knows how many feet!
  5. Do not buy a pair assuming that they will fit better later, unless they are leather boots. In most cases, today’s shoes and boots require no breaking-in period.
  6. Have your feet sized each time you buy new footwear. Measure both sitting and standing.
  7. Fit new shoes to your larger foot and your longest toe.
  8. Try on shoes at the end of the day, preferably after running or walking. After you have been sitting/standing all day, your feet normally swell and become larger.
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