Hiking and Kayaking Michigan – Exploring Michigan and other cool places

Gear testing in a low risk environment

A night in the rain provides an opportunity to discover just how well your gear works.

A love song to my tarp(s)

Tarps are a game-changer when rain is in the forecast for your outdoors weekend.

Wild Childhood

Growing up on the lakes, and in the woods.

My roots as a history nerd run deep, probably from the time my mom began reading me the Little House series, when I was a child. Because my parents’ idea of a vacation often involved sailing or cross-country skiing, we saw a lot of Michigan, and often our destinations had historical significance, such as theContinue reading “Hiking: A History Lesson”

Winter Hiking Trip at Wilderness State Park

Winter day-hikes using a Wilderness State Park bunkhouse as home base.

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 ofContinue reading “From Car Camper to Backpacker: A Cheapskate’s Evolution of Gear”

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 inContinue reading “Michigan DNR Rustic Cabins: An alternative to cold weather camping”

Getting to the trailhead: The quickest way is not always the shortest way

When trying to get to the trailhead is one of the most challenging parts of the backpacking trip…

Backpacking Anxiety: Addressing Fear

I’m afraid of: Getting hurt. Animals. My gear not working properly. Discovering that I don’t know how to work my gear properly. Forgetting something. Getting lost. Creepy people. Being cold. And the list goes on–people’s fears of what might happen on a backpacking trip are numerous and varied, especially when you’re new to this hobby. Continue reading “Backpacking Anxiety: Addressing Fear”

Hiker Heaven in Ohio

I’ve been hearing about, and seeing gorgeous pictures from Hocking Hills, Ohio on Facebook and Instagram for the last few years, and over this year’s spring break, finally got to see what all the fuss was about. I talked my husband into a hiking vacation, and reserved an Airbnb in Athens, Ohio for a fewContinue reading “Hiker Heaven in Ohio”