It’s the end of 2025! How did we get here so fast? But what a good year it has been, too! Before we get down to business, I’m wishing a great 2026 for every one of you. I mentioned that…
A Few of the Best Trails in SW Virginia
I never thought I’d voluntarily explore southwestern Virginia. East Coast scenery just pales in comparison to the Rockies and beyond, so I spend most of my travel time west of the Mississippi. But a few weeks ago, I found myself…
Practical and Useful Gift Ideas for Hikers, 2025 Edition
Looking for hiking gifts, presents for the hikers in your life, or even a little splurge for yourself? Here are some practical hiking gift ideas, from stocking stuffers to more expensive items, perfect for women or men. Practical Hiker Gifts…
Sneak Peek: The Wasatch and the Uintas!
Yesterday’s post took us through my adventures on the Beartooth Highway and in the Wind River Range in Wyoming. It was a fantastic part of the trip, but we still had a week and a half until we needed to…
Sneak Peek: The Beartooths and the Winds!
Well, I just got back from another cross-continent trip! This one was cooked up by a few of my fellow adventurers. “Let’s go to the Wind River Range!” they said (if in not so many words). “We haven’t been in…
Where Pets can Hike in All 63 National Parks!
One of the most frequent gripes I hear from other hikers is that they can’t take their dogs into national parks. The truth is that most parks do severely limit pets on trails, but a few are very pet-friendly, and…
The Best Day Hikes in the Sawtooth Mountains!
The Sawtooth Mountains in central Idaho are a not-so-hidden gem of the Rocky Mountains. With sparkling alpine lakes, towering craggy peaks, and peaceful forests (not to mention some nice creeks), it’s a hiker’s paradise with many miles of trails. In…
30 Years of Family Adventure Vacations!
This week we’re celebrating a huge milestone: 30 years of traveling together as a family! Back in 1995, we set off to do what they said couldn’t be done (you don’t just cross the continent with kids ages 7, 5,…
Death Valley, Grand Canyon, Canyonlands… and a Lot of Off-Trail Adventures!
If you read my last post, you’ll know that we were in the middle of Death Valley, following routes instead of trails and having a marvelous time hiking off the beaten path. We were about to have even more excitement…
Exploring Petrified Forest and Death Valley – With Very Few Trails!
I recently returned from an amazing trek across the country! We drove nearly 6,000 miles, hiked around 160 miles, and saw some truly amazing scenery both by foot and by van. Of course, we also slept under brilliant stars, watched…