Spring is the time of year when everything returns to life (and gets real muddy). Even though I like to hike year round, I need a little reboot when the snow thaws. This post covers some of the ways I physically and mentally prepare myself for hiking and backpacking. Be sure you get the green … Continue reading 5 Training Tips for Your Next Hiking or Backpacking Trip!
Women’s Winter Retreat in Hayward, Wisconsin!
I'm back from 4 revitalizing days in the woods with some new muscles and a full heart. This trip report covers a visit to Hayward Wisconsin with my friends at Thrive Women's Outdoor Adventures, filled with skiing, snowshoeing, friendship and amazing food! I had the pleasure of enjoying a trip with this bunch in 2019 … Continue reading Women’s Winter Retreat in Hayward, Wisconsin!
Campsgiving at William O’Brien State Park
We're back from an refreshing Thanksgiving weekend trip to William O'Brien State Park! It's been a while since I've had a cold weather overnight and it was great to dust off the skills and gear to extend the camping season. This 3 in 1 post covers: Our Free Park Friday/Opt Outside group hike on the … Continue reading Campsgiving at William O’Brien State Park
Fall Camping and Hiking at Temperance River State Park
We're back from our last family camping trip of the year and the camper has been a great way to spend time together, extend the season and have some of the comforts of home. Our dog eats tents, so it's also been nice to have a way to bring her along! Temperance River State Park … Continue reading Fall Camping and Hiking at Temperance River State Park
Hiking Southern Minnesota | Upper Sioux Agency and Camden State Parks
Welcome to part 2 of my trip report, featuring FOUR more Minnesota State Parks! In 2014, my buddy April and I started hiking the Minnesota State Parks Hiking Club trails. Even though we live in different states now, we still manage to pull off one or two camping trips a year. Read her trip report … Continue reading Hiking Southern Minnesota | Upper Sioux Agency and Camden State Parks
Hiking Southern Minnesota | Big Stone Lake and Lac qui Parle State Parks
Welcome to part 1 of our trip to 4 more Southern Minnesota State Parks! It was great to be back on the trail with my first hiking buddy, and visit 4 new parks - painting and capturing my favorite things along the way. Find out how long Big Stone Lake really is, and stay tuned for part 2, where we visit Upper Sioux Agency and Camden State Parks. Happy Trails!
Art Hike at Theodore Wirth Park!
Today's hike was a special visit to Theodore Wirth Park! The brilliant women at Kula Cloth reached out to me and asked if I would lead a "Kulas on the trail" community event in Minnesota. I jumped at the opportunity to lead another art hike in one of my favorite local parks. Check out this post to read more about the history of Theo Wirth and our creative adventure!
Schoolcraft State Park
Welcome to the final trip report from our visit to four North Central Minnesota State Parks! Today's hike takes us to Schoolcraft State Park, a small park along the Mississippi River that features a 300 year old Pine Tree! Im excited to get back to my goal of hiking all 67 of the Minnesota State Parks Hiking Club Trails, and this trip makes number 56! Enjoy!
Big Bog State Recreation Area
Welcome to day 3 of our trip to 4 North Central Minnesota State Parks! Today's hike takes us to Big Bog State Recreation Area, part of one of the largest undeveloped wilderness areas in the United States. The park features many species of rare and fascinating plants and feels like going to another world filled with tiny surprises. Enjoy!
McCarthy Beach State Park
Welcome to day 2 of our trip to 4 North Central Minnesota State Parks! We used our new camper as a relaxing home base for exploring neighboring parks and I'm excited to get back to my goal of hiking ALL of the Minnesota State Park Hiking Club Trails. Have you been to McCarthy Beach State Park? Be sure to hit subscribe or check back to see more paintings from the trail, and hear more about a 300 year old pine tree and a belching bog!
Hiking and Camping at Scenic State Park
We're back from a great trip to 4...count 'em, F O U R North Central Minnesota State Parks! We used our new camper as a relaxing home base for exploring neighboring parks and I'm excited to get back to my goal of hiking all of the Minnesota State Park Hiking Club Trails. Have you been to Scenic State Park? Be sure to hit subscribe or check back to see more paintings from the trail, and hear more about a 300 year old pine tree and a belching bog! Hope you are having a wonderful end of Summer and are looking forward to cooler temps and the colors of Fall.
Painting, Paddling and Hiking on the Gunflint Trail | Part 2
We're picking back up from part 1 where we'll head back up to the Gunflint Trail and venture out on a few hiking trails, paddle in the BWCA and do some more adventure painting! So many of our favorite places are currently burning and are on my heart these days. Isle Royale, the Arrowhead of … Continue reading Painting, Paddling and Hiking on the Gunflint Trail | Part 2
Discovering the Beauty of the Gunflint Trail | Part 1
So many of our favorite places are experiencing active wildfires this summer. The forest has a miraculous ability to regenerate itself after fire, but my heart and prayers are with all of the firefighters, emergency workers, residents, recreationalists, resort owners and animals as the BWCA and Arrowhead of MN burns and is currently closed for … Continue reading Discovering the Beauty of the Gunflint Trail | Part 1
Black Hills and Badlands | South Dakota Roadtrip!
R O A D T R I P! Happy 105th Birthday to our National Parks! Our family recently returned from a 10 day road trip out to Idaho to see the grandparents. We didn’t stop much on our way westward, but extended our vacation on the way back to Minnesota, visiting 4 National Parks and Historic Sites! … Continue reading Black Hills and Badlands | South Dakota Roadtrip!
Grand Teton National Park | Jenny Lake!
“There are no foothills to the Tetons. They rise suddenly in rugged majesty from the rock strewn plain…” — Gustavus Cheney Doane Our family recently returned from a 10 day road trip out to Idaho to see my grandparents. We didn't stop much on our way westward, but extended our vacation on the way back, visiting … Continue reading Grand Teton National Park | Jenny Lake!
Painting My Way West – Idaho!
Our family recently returned from a 10 day roadtrip out West. Our last trip to Idaho to see the my Grandparents was in 2014, the kids were a lot smaller back then! This post is a memoir of our visit. Stay tuned for part 2 and 3 which will highlight our trip home through 4 National Parks and more daily watercolor paintings from the car.
Isle Royale | The Adventure Continues!
We’ve been back on the mainland for a few weeks, but the adventure continues! Last week, we were invited to be on a podcast based out of Michigan, called "Hike: explore|wander|live"! I have been on the show before talking about my SHT LASH (Superior Hiking Trail Long Amazing Section Hike), and it was so … Continue reading Isle Royale | The Adventure Continues!
Whats In My Pack? 2021 Isle Royale Gear List!
The trip report is up, so let's talk about gear next! This post covers my 5 day packing list, weights (according to my scale) and some of the conditions I prepared for on this trip. Be sure to also check out the accompanying gear video I shot on our last night of the trek, where … Continue reading Whats In My Pack? 2021 Isle Royale Gear List!
Rock Harbor to Windigo | Backpacking Isle Royale National Park End to End
We're back from our 5 day trip to the Isle and wanted to get this trip report out, in one long segment in case anyone is heading out there soon and needs up to date conditions. We were given a current condition report from friends prior to leaving and it was super helpful. Please check … Continue reading Rock Harbor to Windigo | Backpacking Isle Royale National Park End to End
Fall Camping in Iowa | Ledges State Park
Read about our trip to one of Iowa’s oldest and most popular State Parks - Ledges State park in Madrid Iowa! We followed the Fall colors, camped in the remote hike in campsites, cooked over the fire and managed to fend off some persistent and well-fed raccoons!