CARLEY STATE PARK TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 2 miles DIFFICULTY Moderate hills with water crossing DATE May 14, 2018 MAIN FEATURES River crossing, Virginia Bluebells in May After our visit to Enlightened Equipment to squeeze all of the quilts and meet the wonderful people who make them, followed by a hefty hike in Whitewater State Park, we decided to visit … Continue reading Field Trip to Winona, MN | Part 2: Carley State Park!
Field Trip to Winona, MN | Home of Enlightened Equipment and Whitewater State Park
Most of my hikes in May started early with the sunrise. When people ask me how I have time to hike, I tell them, you make time for the things you love to do...this means going to bed early and getting up before the sun sometimes. Setting goals for myself such as … Continue reading Field Trip to Winona, MN | Home of Enlightened Equipment and Whitewater State Park
Shakedown #1 and Tarptent Saddle 2
Shakedown hikes and backpacking trips are the best way you can train yourself to become a confident backpacker or day hiker. They provide a low pressure setting for you to practice new skills, learn how to use your gear, plan a hike, and develop the physical fitness required to hike all day with a backpack. -Section … Continue reading Shakedown #1 and Tarptent Saddle 2
Stillwater Stair Challenge + The Stillwater Bridge
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 3-8 miles DIFFICULTY 500 + Steep stairs with lots of flat paved sections in between. DATE May 19, 2018 MAIN FEATURES Historic town of Stillwater with beautiful views of the St Croix River. My 26th hike of the 2018 52 Hike Challenge started at 6am at the base of the Chilkoot Stairs on Main Street in … Continue reading Stillwater Stair Challenge + The Stillwater Bridge
Gear Review: Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt
Here it is! My first shot at writing a dedicated gear review. I have written quick reviews and recommendations embedded in trip reports that mostly express discovering nifty things or gear I found a good deal on…but wanted to challenge myself to focus on writing a review about ONE piece of gear. So why not … Continue reading Gear Review: Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt
Backpacking and Day Hiking on the North Shore – Part 2: Split Rock, Palisade Head and George Crosby Manitou State Park.
How do you describe the beauty of a place where heaven and earth join seamlessly? Or the mind trap of telling yourself over and over again that this massive body is not the ocean or an endless sea? Or the magnetic-siren-pull of her waters that make you want to jump in and crash like … Continue reading Backpacking and Day Hiking on the North Shore – Part 2: Split Rock, Palisade Head and George Crosby Manitou State Park.
Backpacking on the North Shore – Part 1: Testing My New Pack and SHT Packing List!
I'm still mentally and spiritually unpacking my trip to the North Shore of Lake Superior. It was so beautiful, I'm at a bit of a loss for words, but they will eventually come. So, lucky for you, this will be a two part post! One of the first things I did when I decided … Continue reading Backpacking on the North Shore – Part 1: Testing My New Pack and SHT Packing List!
