“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” -Maya Angelou I've put off writing this post for a while because its something that I am still sorting out. What started as a simple challenge has become a journey to know more, do more and take a hard look … Continue reading Why I Pick Up Trash and Things I Learned as a Groundskeeper
"GO OUTSIDE WITH THE REST OF THE WILD ANIMALS!!" -Mom Time to Hike! Last month at our "Unpacking Your Hiking Hesitations" Clinic at Midwest Mountaineering, Ruth and I were asked a question: “How do you make time for hiking?” I responded almost automatically: “you make time for the things you love”. But the minute those words … Continue reading Go Outside! How to Get Out and Stay Out
I mean really....there was literally no good reason to wait, except my own fear and common sense. And it was fun to have a dream. Welcome to Part 3 of the adventure! If you missed the first 310 miles, start here. Feel free to hit subscribe or check back for updates on new content regarding things … Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail |Part 3: My Hike
I started to feel light and frolicsome...as though I had wings... Welcome to Part 2! If you are new to the series, here's a handy link to Part 1. If you would like more detail on each section of the Superior Hiking Trail, check out their page and feel free to visit my trip reports … Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail |Part 2: Section Hike
Starting at the 280º overlook: N. Terminus of the Superior Hiking TrailI remember when I felt it. We were a little over 5 miles into our hike, climbing up Rosebush Ridge, to the highest point on the Superior Hiking Trail. I had already done a face plant and tweaked my knee at mile 2 on … Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail | Part 1: Thru Hike
Up at 5:30. Thats the latest I've slept on this trip, but we went to bed at 10pm after and nice fire with camp friends and the moth incident...which shall now be referred to as "the aftermoth"! Going to bed at hiker midnight each night hasn't been helping things, but my energy has been great … Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail Teal Map| Day 6: East Kennedy Creek to County Rd 1, to the Southern Terminus!
42.5 miles down, 12.5 to go! Tomorrow we finish the teal map and then zip down to the southern Terminus for a few more miles to touch the sign—the end is in sight! The fall colors are popping, the mushrooms blooming and we are still glad we avoided the monsoon. Its 43° this morning … Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail Teal Map| Day 5: Leskinen to E Kennedy Creek
Up at 3:45 for and couldn’t get back to sleep. Finally just got out of bed at 5:30 and started writing. We can’t believe its still raining! We stuck around the hotel for a bit reorganizing food and waiting out the rain. It’s rained for almost 24 hours straight! Hit the sonju trailhead at … Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail Teal Map| Day 4: Sonju to Leskinen Creek
Awake at 3am with a headache. It didn’t rain last night-whew. Im hydrated, but I think my headache is from the wind kicking up stuff. Trying to go back to sleep... we have another 12-13 mile day ahead of us which is plenty on this steep section. The rain started at noon, and we … Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail Teal Map| Day 3: West Caribou to Sonju
Awake at 10:30, 3:30 & 5:30am. Gentle rain all night. My tarp and bivy pitched low combined with an umbrella for a door worked great. Stayed warm, had to shed a layer-so glad I brought my winter pad. Its still raining this morning. I don’t want to get out of bed. Snuck out … Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail Teal Map| Day 2: Fredenberg to West Caribou
We hit the road at 7:30am, and three of us stopped in Two harbors at SpokenGear Bike Shop and Coffee for an early lunch. 1:30 Drop a car at Sonju 2:00 Temperance River State Park, we picked up where my sister and I ended our thru hike at 100 miles last year! ❤️. Ive … Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail Teal Map| Day 1: Temperance River to Fredenberg Creek
"When you focus on the 'what ifs', you're almost manifesting the thing you are most worried about. By focusing on the 'what is', you are focusing on the good that is occurring in that present moment'-Sharlene Jones Episode 121: She Explores The last couple of weeks have been difficult. Life stuff...hurting for others, internalizing, etc...I … Continue reading ‘What is’ vs. ‘What if’… Self Care at Glendalough State Park
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH +/- 5 miles on the Split Rock River Loop and around Split Rock State Park DIFFICULTY Easy to Moderate: elevation, roots, rocks, bugs at dawn and dusk. DATE August 10, 2019 MAIN FEATURES Panoramic overlooks of Lake Superior, the historic Split Rock Lighthouse and a never ending series of ups and downs through the forests of … Continue reading North Shore S24O (Sub-24 Hour Overnight) | Split Rock
Now that I've got you with that fantastic title, its time to talk facts about bodily functions on the trail and how you can keep yourself and the outdoors sparkling clean! I am asked about this topic often (usually in private messages, whispered conversations and in the cover of darkness), so I'm bringing it out … Continue reading Backcountry Hygiene: How to Pee, Poop and Period Like a Pro!
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 50.9 trail miles (potential for several more miles with spurs, overlooks and side trips for ice cream) DIFFICULTY Moderate with a brief flat section along Lake Superior’s Shore. DATE June 5-7, 2019 MAIN FEATURES Panoramic overlooks of Lake Superior, trillium and lady slippers, never ending ups and downs and waterfalls through the stunning city parks and … Continue reading The Blue Map | 51 Miles on the Superior Hiking Trail: Wild Valley Road to Martin Road!
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 57.5 miles from Duluth to Two Harbors DIFFICULTY Challenging: slight elevation, roots, rocks, and epic mud to the shins DATE May 24-27, 2019 MAIN FEATURES rivers, ponds and wetlands, forests in different growth stages and opportunities to learn a bit about logging on North Shore. This trip marks my completion of 4 out of 6 … Continue reading The Brown Map | 57 Miles on the Superior Hiking Trail: Duluth to Two Harbors!
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 53.2 miles Tettegouche State Park to Two Harbors DIFFICULTY Challenging: elevation, roots, rocks, snow and mostly mud DATE May 14-17, 2019 MAIN FEATURES Panoramic overlooks of Lake Superior, inland lakes, and a never ending series of ups and downs through the forests of Minnesota's North Shore. It's about time for a trip report! If you have … Continue reading Hitting the Half Way Mark | 53 miles on the Superior Hiking Trail: Tettegouche to Two Harbors!
I remember finding a wood tick stuck on the hairline of my neck over 30 years ago when I first moved to Minnesota. I was a teenager from Southern California and didn't even know what a tick was! Its the only time I've ever had an attached tick and can still feel it... Today's post … Continue reading Tick Prevention on the Trail
Just back from a trip to Maplewood State Park! We originally planned a large Women Who Hike Minnesota group event focusing on Leave No Trace Principles and cleaning up the trails with our reusable green "Dirt Bags" the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics generously provided. As the landscape thaws each spring, there's trash … Continue reading Maplewood State Park and North Country National Scenic Trail
Wilderness and Remote First Aid/CPR/AED certification is 18 hours of intense training packed into two or three days. As a leader of High Adventure Treks with Scouts and as a Women Who Hike Ambassador, I am required to take it every two years. Last weekend was my 4th time going through the course and I … Continue reading WRFA/CPR/AED-Wilderness First Aid and Rule #1 for Staying Safe in the Wild.