Backpacking the Border Route Trail | 65 Miles on the Canadian Border

We're back from our 5 day backpacking trip along the Border Route Trail! Normally I like to split longer reads into two posts, but 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. Our Youtube video and 15 lb … Continue reading Backpacking the Border Route Trail | 65 Miles on the Canadian Border

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

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

Hike 52: Our Superior Hiking Trail Route

Guess what came in the mail last Saturday, on National Public Lands Day?! My North Country Trail 100 mile Challenge Patch! The North Country Trail is a footpath that is 4,600 miles(7,400 km) long from Crown Point in eastern New York to Lake Sakakawea State Park in central North Dakota.  Thats almost as long as the … Continue reading Hike 52: Our Superior Hiking Trail Route