There’s really just one drawback of visiting our most beautiful, popular natural resources: Everyone else is there, too! How do we visit these places like Yellowstone, Glacier, Banff, the Grand Canyon (and popular parks and nature destinations in your own state) and survive the crowds? We don’t want to not go, because these places are … Keep reading…
The Black Mountain Lookout hike (or Fire Tower Hike) in Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains is wonderful—right up there with other hikes we’ve done in the West for both scenic views and altitude. The Bighorns in north-central Wyoming are a well-kept secret the locals are glad to keep that way. It’s national forest, not a national park, … Keep reading…
The Twin Falls and South Shore hikes at Two Medicine Lake in Glacier are moderate hikes amidst a stunning mountain landscape. This 9-mile combination loop hike starts and ends at Two Medicine Campground, circling the lake. Watch the short slideshow below, then keep reading… What’s So Amazing about Twin Falls & South Shore Trails Just … Keep reading…
Here’s some very good news about the connection between regular moderate exercise and longevity—not just a longer life, but a more enjoyable life… If you really don’t like to work out…or if, like me, you’re feeling your age more and more and just have to slow down a bit—this is for us! I recently came … Keep reading…
Casual day hikers don’t commonly use trekking poles here in the US…and least not yet. I understand they’ve been common in Europe for many years, though. Why? What are we missing? To help us understand how they help us, I contacted Bigfoot. Yes, Bigfoot! Follow Bigfoot is a hiking blog operated by a fellow Minnesotan … Keep reading…
Why are outdoor travel and recreation such awesome ways to build memories? Lasting memories are built from things that stand out in our minds. The natural world is so full of beauty, drama, fascination, majesty, intricacy, variety. It captivates our senses, our minds, our emotions. The wonder of experiencing a new outdoor destination and the … Keep reading…
How do we raise our kids—and specifically our girls—to love the outdoors as much as we do? It’s harder these days than it was when I was growing up. The bombardment of media and activities that compete for their attention and time, plus the safety factor of our modern society—it’s a challenge. And like anything … Keep reading…
Colorado in general, and Breckenridge specifically is world-famous for its alpine skiing. But the 360 inches of snow they average each winter makes it an amazing destination for snowshoeing, too! I was out at Breck for a couple days on a recent trip to Colorado to visit family. Not only did we get out downhill … Keep reading…
About 2-1/2 years ago, my dad was experiencing memory-loss episodes that had my mom thinking about moving to an assisted living facility. When we were talking about it together, she said, “You know what I’d miss most about this place (their current apartment)? The red walls!” We laughed about that. But there’s this pang inside … Keep reading…
There are as many ways to fulfill the Great Commission as there are people who take on that command from Jesus. Backpacking is one of them! In 2017, my friend Renee Scheil spent her second year in New Zealand with YWAM (Youth With A Mission). She was part of the YWAM staff at the Oxford … Keep reading…