Our Grand Canyon trip report just published, so let’s talk about GEAR! This post features my detailed 5 day packing list, including weights in oz and the weather and water conditions that we needed to consider on this shoulder season trip. Be sure to check out the gear video from our last night of the … Continue reading What’s In My Pack? 5 Day Lightweight Gear List | Grand Canyon Edition!
Backpacking in Grand Canyon National Park | Part 2
Continued from Part 1 We’re back from our 5 day backpacking trip to Grand Canyon National Park! This is a two part post since there is so much to share! Check out our new trip video on Youtube and be check back or hit subscribe to see our upcoming gear post and video. LETS GO! … Continue reading Backpacking in Grand Canyon National Park | Part 2
Backpacking in Grand Canyon National Park | Part 1
We’re back from our 5 day backpacking trip to Grand Canyon National Park! This will be a two part post since there is so much to share! Check out our new trip video on Youtube and be check back or hit subscribe to see our upcoming gear post and video. LETS GO! TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 43 … Continue reading Backpacking in Grand Canyon National Park | Part 1
Backpacking Michigan’s UP | Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
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 the 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 the … Continue reading Backpacking Michigan’s UP | Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
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? 5 Day Comfort Light Gear List!
The Isle Royale 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 … Continue reading Whats In My Pack? 5 Day Comfort Light 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
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
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
Exploring the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and 5 LNT Tips During the Government Shutdown
Read about our January thaw hike at Minnesota Valley Wildlife refuge! Learn some Leave No Trace Tips to help keep our wild spaces preserved, and check out an initial review of the Kula Cloth: the highly technical, one of a kind, reusable pee cloth!
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
Fall Hiking at Interstate Park
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 10 miles DIFFICULTY Easy with some elevation DATE October 8, 2017 MAIN FEATURES Glacial Potholes, River Bluffs, St Croix River, Fall Foliage, Climbing Interstate Park is on the Western terminus of the 1,200 mile long Ice Age Trail. It gets it name from being located on both the shores of WI and MN, joined by the St … Continue reading Fall Hiking at Interstate Park
Glacier National Park | St Mary, Virginia Falls, Garden Wall and Final Trip Thoughts
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 3 mi + 2 mi DIFFICULTY Easy, with a few blazing hot hills on the way out of the falls. DATE July 6, 2017 MAIN FEATURES Two hikes in one day! The trail to the falls follows the path of a recent forest fire, 3 miles out and back. Several great spots for lunch and enjoying … Continue reading Glacier National Park | St Mary, Virginia Falls, Garden Wall and Final Trip Thoughts