“Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence.” – Henry David Thoreau
Despite feeling somewhat unsettled when reaching Seiad Valley, I did enjoy my rest at Wildwood RV Park particularly early on in the day when few hikers were around. Enjoyed a great breakfast at the cafe cooked and served by a one-woman dynamo, then basically just lounged all day. Evidently a fire had broken out in … Continue reading PCT: Seiad Valley to Shelter Cove
I was determined to make this year the year I headed back to take care of some unfinished business on the PCT, so early July found me making my way to Chester, California where I had ended my 2022 hike. I had exited at Chester after walking through the newly opened Dixie Fire burn scar … Continue reading PCT: Chester to Seiad Valley
Well, actually they are technically not buffalo but bison. The Centennial Trail is a 125-mile-long trail that traverses the Black Hills and Prairies of South Dakota. It was established in 1989 to celebrate South Dakota's 100-year anniversary of becoming a state and the trail is numbered "89" on the Carsonite trail signs. Songbird, Slipper and … Continue reading Where the buffalo roam: Centennial Trail South Dakota
It has become an annual tradition to head out to the Great Smoky Mountains and Greenbriar Cove during peak wildflower season to explore the Porter's Creek Trail. Three of my hiking buddies and I recently hiked the trail to spend a wonderful evening camped at Backcountry Campsite #31 followed by a 13.5 mile hike on … Continue reading Exploring Wildflowers on Porter’s Creek Trail
I thoroughly enjoyed my first visit to Costa Rica in 2019 and so my interest was immediately piqued when discovering the option to hike a relatively new Camino across Costa Rica from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. My friend, Mudsmeller was also very enthusiastic about such a hike, and so we began to … Continue reading Pura Vida: El Camino de Costa Rica Part 1
Day 10: Early start with the usual tough climb but again in cool misting rain. We followed the Aya Aqueduct for some miles before entering agricultural land again. We began to see highland coffee growing on the steep slopes. This is evidently higher quality than lowland coffee. We enjoyed a picnic lunch on the soccer … Continue reading Pura Vida: El Camino de Costa Rica Part 2
My dear Appalachian Trail friend, Mudsmeller and her Mr. spent the last two weeks trying out snow birding from their Minnesota home to my neck of the woods. What fun we have had partaking in our favorite pastime; hiking, enjoying the vibrant live music scene, exploring local art, and sampling the many local craft beers … Continue reading 23 Feature Hike Revisited!
I have lived in a number of states and even another country. However, so far, I have spent more of my life in South Carolina, specifically the Lowcountry than anywhere else. I have always enjoyed a daily walk but did not seriously embrace hiking until I retired and moved to the mountains of South Carolina. … Continue reading Hiking the South Carolina Lowcountry!
A little over a month ago I was making my way home from a wonderful weeklong hike in the Smokies but my post hike euphoria was hampered by the drive through torrential rain. It crossed my mind that Hurricane Helene, that I just learned was heading our way, had arrived a few days early. Unfortunately, … Continue reading Hiking after Helene!
A guilty secret can become like a worm in your brain and there are many online recommendations on how to resolve such a dilemma. My guilty secret didn’t require "therapy" though perhaps wouldn’t be a bad idea for other crazy thoughts that sometimes become entangled in my brain. So, first off here is my confession... … Continue reading True Confessions!
Nemophilist here! Despite feeling more happy, content and comfortable on trail than anywhere else, for a myriad of reasons, that was not the case on the Cohos Trail. The weather conditions, difficulty of the trail, logistics and time constraints plus not actually completing the trail played a part in my misery, and I couldn't find … Continue reading The Cohos Trail-Northern New Hampshire
This year’s hiking adventures have not exactly gone as planned and when my trail sista, Songbird proposed hiking New Hampshire’s MSG Trail, I was eager to get back to my favorite pastime of heading into the forest carrying everything I need to survive in my pack. Although VA is where Songbird lives when not adventuring … Continue reading New Hampshire’s Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway Trail!
I attended the first Alpe Adria Trail planning meeting last December with the group of friends I hike with most often, but primarily because I needed to get out and about after finally taking my turn with covid and quarantine. Our hiking buddy, Vic obtained a book about the 100 best hikes in the world, … Continue reading Alpe Adria Trail: A Hiking Adventure Through Austria
The Art Loeb Trail (ALT) is a 30 mile-ish trail that runs along the backbone of the Pisgah National Forest from the northern terminus at Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp to Davidson River Campground near Brevard and crossing some of the areas highest peaks. I have always been curious about who Art Loeb was and … Continue reading Art Loeb Revision!
After successful and enjoyable hiking trips to the Italian Dolomites and Colorado last year with my hiking friends, it seemed we were on the right track to continue with these group hiking adventures further afield from our local stomping ground. We were interested in finding somewhere to hike during the cooler season. Initially, Brian suggested … Continue reading Moab!
"It is easy!" "We can hike it in a week" he said. "You are going to love it!" Since our hike in the spring, my friend Trail Dawgz had been emailing me information about the 138-mile Northville-Placid Trail (NPT) that he had partially hiked in the 80's. Despite lots of travel and hiking this past … Continue reading Northville-Placid Trail!
Nine of us that often hike together in western North Carolina decided to venture further afield and planned a weeklong hiking adventure in the Gunnison/Crested Butte area of Colorado. I am so grateful to the friends that took on most of the planning, required reservations and also picked me up from my motel in Gunnison. … Continue reading Colorado: Hiking with Friends
Although my intention had been to return to the PCT to complete last year's hike on that trail, extraordinary California weather plus other hiking opportunities helped me decide to postpone my return for another year. I was invited to visit the Gunnison/Crested Butte area of Colorado for a day hiking trip with 8 of my … Continue reading Colorado Trail Part 4: Swimming Upstream and Eating Dessert First!
After returning from the Pacific Crest Trail last year, 2 friends in my local hiking group were making plans for a 2023 trip to the Dolomites in northern Italy. Spreadsheet and 3 Night Max had hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc in the Alps staying mostly in Refugio's and Inns during the time I was … Continue reading Dolomites!!
I was reminded of the existence of the Bartram Trail after hiking past the terminus at Cheoah Bald on the AT last fall. When my dear AT friend, Mudsmeller and I started to plan a spring hike, we took a closer look at the Bartram Trail and decided to give it a go. We were … Continue reading Botanizing on the Bartram Trail
I have written previously about my 2020 unsuccessful attempt to find Hog Wild Falls in Jocassee Gorges near my home. I have since given it another go from the opposite direction but again with no success. My hiking buddies Vic and Brian were eager to find the falls, so an expedition was organized with David … Continue reading Hog Wild Bushwhack
Why has hiking and backpacking along a remote trail become my passion and obsession is a question I ask myself and is sometimes asked of me. Well, besides visiting the unspoiled beauty of wild places, getting up-close with nature and just simple things like a beautiful sunset or the starry night sky, there is the … Continue reading AT Revisited!
Took the afternoon shuttle back to the trail and enjoyed the drivers entertaining and knowledgeable history lesson of the area. He pointed out remnants of early wagon trails that passed through this rugged and scenic area and a pile of rocks that story goes, is the grave of an early settler who perished on his … Continue reading PCT: Sonoma Pass to Chester
Back on the trail and more fantastic views yet again. Only a few days of hiking before another opportunity to stop in town, this time the touristy ski town of Mammoth Lakes. I had been hiking near Happy Hour for a few days and we both decided to hike down to town rather than take … Continue reading PCT: VVR to Sonoma Pass
Took a double zero in Bishop. A zero in hiker lingo is a day when no hiking on trail occurs. Town visits on a long hike entail showering, laundry, eating as much as possible, buying food for the next section, gear replacement or additions, and chatting with other hikers you haven’t seen in a while … Continue reading PCT: Kearsarge Pass to VVR
Loved the warm welcome at Kennedy Meadows but not much else. I spent the night at the free campground behind the General Store. The porta johns were a disgusting health hazard and I resorted to doing as I do on the trail. Mountains of trash everywhere, mediocre food and resupply. I think they were overwhelmed … Continue reading PCT: Kennedy Meadows to Kearsarge Pass & Bishop
The stay In Tehachapi was great. Delicious eats from Thaihachapi, good resupply and all around friendly small town. Reunited with fellow southerner, Dillon who I met in the early days. He now goes by the name Lobster which was self explanatory when you took a good look at his desert tan. Spent 2 nights and … Continue reading PCT: Tehachapi to Kennedy Meadows
I intended to just drop into Wrightwood to resupply then jump back on trail, but once in the hiker friendly town my plans changed. I was able to snag a nights stay in a tiny house called Acorn Cabin. It was adorable and Mandy, the owner and her lovely family were a delight. Mandy said … Continue reading PCT: Wrightwood to Tehachapi
Had hoped for a more restful zero day in Idyllwild but town chores kept me busy. Regret not getting to meet the town mayor who is a dog! My kind of politician! Kind trail angel, Jeanine drove me back to the Hamble Park trailhead for the 2.7 mile hike back up Devils Slide Trail to … Continue reading PCT: Idyllwild to Wrightwood
An early morning flight to San Diego meant little sleep along with a bad case of pre-hike nerves. I spent the evening at legendary San Diego trail angels, Scout and Frodo’s home along with 20 other hikers. We slept in big tents in their back garden and enjoyed their amazing hospitality and an excellent dinner … Continue reading PCT: Campo to Idyllwild