This post highlights our family trip to Lake Bemidji State Park and its Hiking Club Trail, Itasca State Park, the iconic Paul & Babe Statue and some musings on glamping in a sweet little camper we rented through Outdoorsy. Hope you enjoy! Glamping glamp·ing/ˈɡlampiNG/nouna form of camping involving accommodation and facilities more luxurious than those … Continue reading Family Glamping at Lake Bemidji State Park
SHT Trail-a-versary and Hiking Southern Minnesota Video!
Read about my one year trail-a-versary of completing the Superior Hiking Trail and more about hiking Southern Minnesota State Parks. New video on the Wandering Pine Youtube channel.
Hiking Southern Minnesota – Part 2: Pipestone National Monument, Split Rock Creek and Lake Shetek State Parks
Continued from part 1: Kilen Woods, Fort Ridgely and Blue Mounds State Parks! The prairie has a unique beauty and history that I am still learning more about. I'm also realizing the importance of knowing our history, in order to learn from it and avoid repeating it. So, if you are like me, and history … Continue reading Hiking Southern Minnesota – Part 2: Pipestone National Monument, Split Rock Creek and Lake Shetek State Parks
Hiking Southern Minnesota | Part 1: Kilen Woods, Fort Ridgely and Blue Mounds State Park
Garden Update! The garden is bursting and these late summer days are filled with working at home and in the yard. I'm writing this post on a family trip to another beautiful MN State Park, in a cute little rental camper, early in the morning while everyone is still asleep. No work or chores for … Continue reading Hiking Southern Minnesota | Part 1: Kilen Woods, Fort Ridgely and Blue Mounds State Park
Minnesota North Shore Weekend! Part 2: Tettegouche State Park, Superior Hiking Trail and a BEAR at camp!
Continued from Part 1... Split Rock to Beaver Bay TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 11 miles: camped at Tettegouche State ParkDIFFICULTY Moderate, elevation and sun exposureDATE August 9, 2020MAIN FEATURES Classic Superior Hiking Trail up and down elevation with spectacular views of Lake Superior. We parked a car in the rear lot of Cove Point Lodge, which connects directly to a 2 … Continue reading Minnesota North Shore Weekend! Part 2: Tettegouche State Park, Superior Hiking Trail and a BEAR at camp!
Lake Superior North Shore Weekend! Part 1: Temperance River State Park
Last weekend's garden harvest This has been a year of adjusting and re-adjusting, and there are days that I'd rather just turn this into a page about gardening. In many ways, this shift has been good for me... causing me to find ways to enjoy a deeper and more intentional life close to home. My … Continue reading Lake Superior North Shore Weekend! Part 1: Temperance River State Park
Beaver Creek Valley and Great Bluffs State Park
Trip report from a quick overnight to Beaver Creek Valley and Great Bluffs State Park to enjoy scenic Southern Minnesota and Hike the Hiking Club Trails.
How to Plan a Hike…and what is a hike anyway?
This week, a friend asked "what's the difference between a walk and a hike?" I've heard this question before, but even now...when things seem to be changing on the daily...the answer is still the same "Well, that's up to you..." When I signed up for my first 52 Hike Challenge, in 2017, my personal definition … Continue reading How to Plan a Hike…and what is a hike anyway?
2019 Year in Review!
Happy 3rd Birthday to Wandering Pine! Its fun to see how things have changed and to look back on the adventures from the previous years. Here's a throwback to my very first post! This year, I've hiked twice as much (104 hikes) and written half as much (30 posts). The Saturday mornings that I used … Continue reading 2019 Year in Review!
Why I Pick Up Trash and Things I Learned as a Groundskeeper
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” -Maya Angelou What started as a simple challenge of picking up trash while I hike has become a journey to know more, do more and take a hard look at my own habits. Although there is progress, I will … Continue reading Why I Pick Up Trash and Things I Learned as a Groundskeeper
Go Outside! How to Get Out and Stay Out
"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!
Tick Prevention on the Trail
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
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
Roam if you want to… Women’s Winter Retreat at Roam Adventure Basecamp!
...Oh girl dancing down those [snowy] and [icy] trails Take it hip to hip, rocket through the wilderness... -Roam, The B-52's Back from a Winter retreat with Thrive Women's Outdoor Adventures! We got close to a foot of snow in parts of Northern Wisconsin, played in single digit temps and had the trails to ourselves. … Continue reading Roam if you want to… Women’s Winter Retreat at Roam Adventure Basecamp!
‘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!
2018 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. That first year, I challenged myself to ask, before starting or continuing various activities, “Does this make me feel strong? Or will this build strength?” … Continue reading 2018 Year in Review!
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