Travel – Page 2 – Wonder. Wander. Repeat.

What’s In My Hiking Bag

Day hiking requires less essentials than overnight backpacking, but the list of necessities for day hiking isn’t short by any means. With overnight backpacking comes the added need for shelter, additional food, cooking supplies, etcetera; but for this post I am going to focus on day hiking and what items are in my hiking bag when I set foot on the trail.

Conquering Rock Scrambles

Rock scrambles are a fun way to hike, incorporating a unique perspective to the trail. It’s not exactly rock climbing, but it’s definitely not walking either. I describe rock scrambling as climbing jagged, uneven rocks, often with treacherous gaps or unclear paths, at a steep incline with moderate to strenuous required exertion. Some of my very favorite trails that we’ve hiked have featured these intense beasts. For now, I’m going to focus on our most recent rock scrambling adventure.

Somewhere on a Lake

Ever since I was a small child, lake adventures have been a huge part of my life. If I wasn’t at school, you’d most likely find me somewhere on a lake with my family. Almost every week of the summer was spent on the lake with our Bayliner. If the weather was nice, we’d be on the water, soaking up that wonderful Vitamin D. My dad would hitch the boat onto the truck, and we’d drive north to Lake James to fish, tube, and swim. Eventually, we reserved a spot on the lake for our boat because we spent so much time there; it was easier than hauling the boat to and from the lake every week. Those lake days spent tossing fishing poles, tubing wildly across the water, and bobbing around in the sandbars inspired our annual summer vacations.

Wandering Through the Shenandoah Valley

Whether or not you’re an avid hiker, you’ve most likely heard of the infamous Appalachian Trail. Though it would make for a wild adventure to thru-hike the entire 2,200 mile trail that stretches across the Eastern region of the country, hiking small chunks of the trail is more realistic. Part of the Appalachian Trail snakes through the Blue Ridge Mountain range in Virginia. One-of-a-kind vista views, grand waterfalls, and adventurous rock scrambles dot this trail and carry across the entire Shenandoah National Park.

Along the Thornapple River

Michigan is one of those states that, when mentioned, doesn’t spark a lot of “oohs” and “ahhs” from most people. Only Midwest natives truly seem to be aware of the hidden gems that dot the state. But even further, only a handful have probably set foot in each of these spots. From the coastal sand dunes scaling one of America’s Great Lakes to the mountainous, island-speckled Upper Peninsula, Michigan is home to some of the most beautiful places in America. I will dedicate a post later this summer to my favorite spots in the Great Lakes State, but for now, I’m going to tell you a little bit about a lesser-known, unlikely-placed spot that has quickly become one of my favorite summer places to recommend to Midwesterners.

Between the Pines: Part One

Social media has caused us to display a sugar-coated lifestyle. We scroll through hundreds of photos per day, entranced with what seem like the perfect lives of everyone you follow or befriend. However, what you’re seeing is only part of the picture, literally and figuratively. Let me explain. When you take a photo, you don’t just post it online without a glance. You review the photo, polish imperfections, essentially make sure it looks pristine, maybe even staged. I’d love to see more candid, behind-the-scene photos on my timeline and newsfeeds. Imperfections and mistakes are human nature, but it unfortunately isn’t what people want to see, so these don’t get posted. What if Instagram influencers or celebrities posted the unfiltered, raw realities that surely swirl their everyday lives? Well, I’m not a celebrity and don’t consider myself an influencer, but I’m here to show you what happens on the trails. Reaching the finish line of any trail requires perseverance, persistence and determination. Sweat is shed, blisters are bubbled, curveballs are thrown and dehydration is a very real, very serious thing. Let me be the first to tell you that I wouldn’t trade these imperfections for anything because hiking means everything to me, and both the journey and finish line are equally important.

Nelson Ledges: A Well-Kept Secret

Nelson Kennedy Ledges is one of Ohio’s best-kept secrets. With its steep, mossy ledges and cascading waterfalls, this park is a hikers’ dream playground. Don’t let the small size underestimate its wealth. The ledges are a bite-sized paradise that every avid hiker needs to explore!

Foggy Red River Gorge

Kentucky is one of those states that continues to amaze me. This southern haven is full of natural wonders, breathtaking trails, fun campgrounds, unique caverns, a plethora of outdoor activities, such as horseback riding and zip lining, even a National Park! I have so much to share about this state, but for now I’m going to tell you about one of my favorite Kentucky spots, Red River Gorge.

Sedona: Red Rocks, Devil’s Bridge & A Hailstorm

The destination that drew us to Arizona was the Grand Canyon; that is the original reason that we began planning a trip out west. However, when mapping out our trip to the Grand Canyon State, we had no idea how much we’d fall in love with Sedona. Beautiful photos fill web pages all over the internet, but they certainly don’t deliver justice to this unique desert town. Windy roads looped through steep canyon walls, and picturesque red rock buttes towered above and beyond as far as we could see. Tall pines dotted the mountains, giving the red rocks splashes of dark green. Trails branched off along the two lane highways, leading to even more spectacular rock formations, deep canyons, and cozy pine forests.

Why I Hike in the Winter

Temperatures are dropping. White snowflakes are gracefully floating from the sky and dusting the ground. Days are becoming shorter. What do these three things indicate? Winter is coming! Though it’s not officially here yet, one look out the window suggests its looming imminence. Normally winter brings gloomy moods and causes people to hunker down inside the house with steaming cups of hot cocoa warming their hands; however, I look forward to these chilly temperatures! Why? Because winter actually creates some of the best hiking conditions, and I’m going to tell you why. Hopefully by the end of this post, I will have persuaded you to unwrap the blanket that you’re surely cocooned in and roam from the heated comfort of your house to the snowy terrain outdoors!