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 an awesome way 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 … 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…
Our family has gone on a few pretty epic road trips in our day, if I do say so myself! From our home state of Minnesota, we’ve taken our kids to Colorado several times (sometimes via the Black Hills), West Virginia twice, Florida once, Yellowstone and the Tetons twice. I know some folks like to … Keep reading…
I asked the readers of Active Outdoor Journal to share their favorite outdoor destination (so far). Here’s what they had to say… The outdoors is such a gift. One thing all those who responded have in common: It’s hard to pick just one favorite! You can probably relate to that! I know I can Most … Keep reading…
Glacier National Park in northwest Montana is famous for its soaring peaks, gorgeous lakes, abundant wildlife and over 700 miles of hiking trails. There are all kinds of backcountry trails for those looking for challenging all-day or multi-day excursions. But there are also plenty of shorter trails in Glacier for the less ambitious. They still … Keep reading…
When most people think about the Bible and creation, what comes to mind is Genesis and the creation story: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth… (Genesis 1:1 ASV) The author of Genesis (Moses) goes on for the first two chapters describing the creation process, culminating with Adam and Eve. But did … Keep reading…