Hiking makes me happy.
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From Car Camper to Backpacker: A Cheapskate’s Evolution of Gear
From the moment in 2016 that one of my adventure-prone friends suggested we do 100 miles on the Appalachian Trail the following summer, to the time of the hike in July of 2017, and to the present, my gear has undergone a transformation that I imagine many backpackers experience. I began with the mindset of… Read more
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A love song to my tarp(s)
Tarps are a game-changer when rain is in the forecast for your outdoors weekend.
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Michigan DNR Rustic Cabins: An alternative to cold weather camping
Rustic cabins at various state parks can be a great way to enjoy the great outdoors during the cold weather months without the expense of winter gear, or the challenge of staying warm in camp when daylight ends at 5:00 p.m. and temperatures plummet. While I do winter camp on occasion, I love staying in… Read more
My Work
I teach English and social studies online and in person, working with students as young as 7th grade, through early college. I also work as a freelance writer with experience writing for newspapers and magazines. In the last couple of years, I have become active with a hiking group, attending and leading group trips throughout Michigan, focusing on beginning backpacking skills.
About Me
My parents encouraged a love of nature from the time I was a small child; pontoon rides on Houghton Lake, fishing from the dock, and collecting fossils along the shore. We cross-country skied and snowmobiled in the winter, and sailed Lake Michigan in the summer. My love of hiking and backpacking comes from my desire to explore all of Michigan’s beauty, and escape the humdrum of everyday life.
Exploring Michigan and other cool places 