Do you have a friend who loves the outdoors and disappearing into nature’s wildest landscapes? Maybe it seems like every weekend they disappear somewhere or they regularly ask you to join them on a new hiking trip. They’re always on the move, exploring, climbing mountains, hiking trails, running rough terrain with their dog. More than…
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So lets start by saying there are a thousand different ways to enjoy the expansive beauty of Shenandoah National Park. One obvious starting point is to drive the beautiful Skyline Drive. It meanders across the tops of the ridges and crests providing an often panoramic view of both sides of the primary mountain range. You…
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Driving through the flat plains and prairies 30 minutes outside Lawton, Oklahoma you have no indication that you will soon be in a rugged bouldering paradise. The rugged mountains and canyons of the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge sneak up on you as you pass by Fort Sill on the northern edge of Lawton. However…
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There is a documented connection between addiction and mental health disorders. This is not to say all addicts have mental disorders or those experiencing behavioral health issues are substance abusers, but there is an overlapping of risk. Fortunately, certain therapies that work for mental health can also be effective in helping people manage their addictions….
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If you’re ready to lace up your hiking boots and pack your backpack for a hiking or backpacking trip, be sure that you’ve taken the necessary preparations to stay safe. While overpacking weighs you down and slows you down, underpacking can compromise your safety. You want to ensure you have the appropriate safety gear and…
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I recently took a day hike up to beautiful Four Mile Falls nestled in the sunny San Juans outside of Pagosa Springs, Colorado. The day was a perfect, clear blue sky kind of day that you can routinely experience in Southern Colorado. It was my fourth or fifth time on this particular trail, and I…
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I just got back from an amazing trip to Chile and Argentina. One of the many stops I made was Lake Nahuel Huapi in Argentina’s northern tip of Patagonia. The lake is enormous and surrounded by the always spectacular Andes. We took several hikes in the region, but one of the most scenic was near…
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While in Colorado a few months ago, I took the opportunity to do a quick overnighter into the rugged backcountry of the San Juans near Pagosa Springs. The destination was Quartz Lake, a pristine crater-type lake tucked into a broad grassy basin. The hike was visually stunning, with wide vistas atop craggy ridges and wind-swept…
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While I have been to Great Smoky Mountains National Park now several times, I have yet to have the opportunity to take a backpacking trip deeper into the area. However, I have been able to get at least a taste of the region with several day hikes and some fishing. One that’s great for small…
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Philmont Scout Ranch is probably one of my favorite places in the world. I have been able to do three different treks there over the years and consider each experience to have been truly awesome. Each trek takes about 2 weeks to accomplish with about 10 days in the backcountry. The terrain is generally rugged…
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