"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
‘What is’ vs. ‘What if’… Self Care at Glendalough State Park
"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
North Shore S24O (Sub-24 Hour Overnight) | Split Rock
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
Hitting the Half Way Mark | 53 miles on the Superior Hiking Trail: Tettegouche 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!
Maplewood State Park and North Country National Scenic 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
‘Instructions for Living a Life’ and Snowshoeing at Moose Lake State Park!
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 2 mile Hiking Club Trail DIFFICULTY Easy DATE Dec 28, 2018 MAIN FEATURES Wooded loop through rolling hills, views of a Wildlife Pond You may remember my post from Moose Lake State Park last 4th of July. Back then the park was bursting with happy campers and families celebrating their 4th of July traditions a the … Continue reading ‘Instructions for Living a Life’ and Snowshoeing at Moose Lake State Park!
Solo Hiking in West Central MN | Lake Carlos, Glacial Lakes, and Monson Lake State Parks
The last month or so has felt like a shifting of gears....a combination of the seasons changing, and my body aging. It happens every Autumn. November is the longest month of the year... and I feel it setting in. Instead of fighting this slowing down like I usually do, I'm trying to appreciate the transition … Continue reading Solo Hiking in West Central MN | Lake Carlos, Glacial Lakes, and Monson Lake State Parks
Escape to the Woods: Our North Shore Tiny House Adventure!
Im writing this on a gray Minnesota day, with a belly full of coffee and a Tobie's Cinnamon Roll as big as my head by my side. Since returning from our Superior Hiking Trail 100 Mile Hike, I have been working on slowing down a bit and recalibrating. Don't worry, I have some projects coming … Continue reading Escape to the Woods: Our North Shore Tiny House Adventure!
Moose Lake State Park
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 2 mile hiking club trail (can be increased to 6) DIFFICULTY Easy with rolling hills DATE July 4, 2018 MAIN FEATURES Sunny meadows, tall pine forests, swimming beach My morning started with cajoling my teenagers to come outside and play. It was too hot, they were too tired and they had friends to see. … Continue reading Moose Lake State Park
Part 2: The Mystery of …Forestville | Mystery Caves!
Welcome to part 2 of the Lake Louise/Forestville/Mystery Cave post! Here's part 1 in case you missed it! Perhaps no Minnesota State Park offers a greater variety of attractions than does Forestville /Mystery Cave State Park. The park is rich in both historical and natural resources including the 1853- 1910 townsite of Forestville, meandering blue- … Continue reading Part 2: The Mystery of …Forestville | Mystery Caves!
Lake Louise and Forestville Mystery Cave State Parks| Part 1
LAKE LOUISE STATE PARK TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 1.3 mile hiking club trail DIFFICULTY Easy and flat DATE June 22, 2018 MAIN FEATURES Iowa River and Lake Louise-blood thirsty mosquitoes I left work a little early on Friday to hike my 37th Minnesota Hiking Club trail and get a head start on meeting the Scouts at Forestville Mystery … Continue reading Lake Louise and Forestville Mystery Cave State Parks| Part 1
Field Trip to Winona, MN | Part 2: Carley State Park!
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 the … 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
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!
Minnehaha Falls to Pike Island, Fort Snelling State Park
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 10 miles DIFFICULTY Easy but very icy today (bring ice traction) DATE March 24, 2018 MAIN FEATURES 53 ft Minnehaha Falls and Pike Island My 18th hike of the 2018 52 Hike Challenge started at Minnehaha Falls Regional Park. One of Minneapolis' oldest and most popular parks features a majestic 53-foot waterfall, limestone bluffs, and river … Continue reading Minnehaha Falls to Pike Island, Fort Snelling State Park
Fort Snelling State Park: 4 miler turned 10 miler
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 4-10 miles DIFFICULTY Easy with a little ice DATE March 17, 2018 MAIN FEATURES Historic Fort Snelling and Pike Island My 16th hike of the 2018 52 Hike Challenge started at Fort Snelling State Park. It is a park that I have been to many times during all 4 seasons and can easily be modified … Continue reading Fort Snelling State Park: 4 miler turned 10 miler
2017 Year in Review
On January 1st 2017, I started this blog, as a place to write about my outdoor adventures, learning experiences, failures and encourage others to get outside at any skill level. In 2017, I also challenged myself to ask, before starting or continuing various activities, "Does this make me feel strong? Or will this build strength?” … Continue reading 2017 Year in Review
Hike 52 Adventure Part 1 – Lake Superior
"Those who have never seen Superior get an inadequate idea by hearing it spoken of as a lake Superior is a sea It breeds storms and rain and fog like a sea. It is cold, masterful, and dreaded." -Rev. George Grant, 1872 If you have been following along on the 2017 Wandering Pine journey, you … Continue reading Hike 52 Adventure Part 1 – Lake Superior