During our time in Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina, we went on the most glorious hike. I feel the need both to share this information and memorialize the path for myself so we can do it again at a later date. Hiking distances are longer than they appear on this map. A lot of … Continue reading Our adventures in Nantahala National Forest, part two: hiking Kinsey Creek Trail to the Appalachian Trail
Tag: Hiking
The Pacific Crest Trail one day at a time
I love this video so much. https://youtu.be/styiDn7YKhE
Elise’s big ride, Rails-to-Trails, and the Florida Trail
I am very proud of Elise. Yesterday, we rode our bikes from our doorstep to the end of the Lehigh Rails-to-Trail path and back - a distance of over 22 miles. I feel like that is an impressive accomplishment for an 8-year-old. She is such a sport and down for almost any kind of big … Continue reading Elise’s big ride, Rails-to-Trails, and the Florida Trail
Two excellent hiking websites (Southeastern US)
We promised Elise that we would plan a backpacking trip along the Appalachian Trail at some point in the next year. (Not a thru-hike, but just a week-long or so backpacking trip.) I have been reading a lot of websites and blogs about neat places to start. I am thinking at a minimum we need … Continue reading Two excellent hiking websites (Southeastern US)
The best water shoes ever
As someone who lives in a beach town and tries to spend as much time outside as is humanly possible, I have a lot of opinions about water shoes. Until recently, my favorite water-ready shoes were Teva sandals. I often wore them on hikes where I knew I would have to cross streams. They would … Continue reading The best water shoes ever
On the history of American hiking
Theodore Roosevelt hiking with John Muir I just finished reading the book, On the Trail: A History of American Hiking by Silas Chamberlin. If you love hiking and conservation (as I do), this is a delightful tome. I had not thought much about how hiking was an unintended consequence of the growth in industry and … Continue reading On the history of American hiking
Counting our steps
We bought pedometers for everyone in our family a few days ago. I'm not generally into exercise gimmickry. I have been shocked, however, by how much the simple act of counting your steps can transform how you spend your day. I've also been shocked by how many steps our daughter takes in the course of … Continue reading Counting our steps
Our piece of the Intracoastal Waterway
We are blessed to live on the Intracoastal Waterway here in Florida, and moreover to have a several mile long esplanade to walk along every day. We try to make it out there in the early mornings or evenings (or both), and enjoy seeing a lot of wildlife. Dolphins and manatees are regular visitors. Fishermen … Continue reading Our piece of the Intracoastal Waterway
Playing in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains
So Hurricane Dorian moved through where we live in Florida at a snail's pace last night and this morning. Based on pictures from our neighbor who did not evacuate (he works at an area hospital and was required to stay), our house is quite fine. I think my gardens are going to need *a lot* … Continue reading Playing in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains
Hiking through Linear Park
We've had Elise doing some intense school work this week. We decided to take her on a long hike this morning so her day would not be completely dominated by school. We woke up early, walked down the Intracoastal Waterway, and up the trails into Linear Park, which is a patch of forest through the … Continue reading Hiking through Linear Park
Days of Sunshine 