Tomorrow is going to be a very difficult day. Lap of Love is coming to put Shadow to sleep. Even though I knew this day was coming, nothing could prepare my heart. Eight years ago, Sean and I rescued Shadow. Shadow lived with me while Sean was away at college. The lovable malamute became my best friend. Shadow came into…
Category: hiking
Backpacking Adventure: Carvers Gap to US 19E Recap
This past weekend, we backpacked from Carvers Gap to US 19E. We tracked our hiking miles and it ended up being a total of 17 miles. We did hike to a few water sources. Most guide books say the hike is around 15 miles. Our 17 miles did not include any walking around campsites or anything off trail. We got…
Backpacking the Appalachian Trail: A Weekend Section Hike
This coming weekend, we are planning on backpacking 14 miles on the AT. We will hike from Carvers Gap to US 19E. It’s a busy section of the trail with many hikers claiming it’s the prettiest section of the entire Appalachian Trail. That said, it is the prettiest section in North Carolina, hands down. We are excited about the change…
Top Benefits of Using Grayl Geopress: Cleaner Water on Your Adventures
I am so excited about the Grayl Geopress! While we already own a Sawyer Squeeze water filter, we decided to give the Geopress a try. The biggest reason is that it filters out viruses as well as bacteria and other pathogens. We’ve recently experienced some pretty nasty things while hiking. Dirty diapers left right at the base of a waterfall,…
Healing Through Nature: My Journey to Section Hike the Appalachian Trail
I am in South Carolina for work this week and have done a lot of driving. It’s a big state! I was in Myrtle Beach yesterday and this morning. I am now in Columbia. As I drive around for work, I listen to quite a few podcasts. If you have not checked out the Huberman Lab podcast, you need to!…
Hiking with Ear Issues: My Experience. Gear Part II.
Yesterday, we loaded our packs and headed to Hanging Rock State Park. At just over a mile on the trail, I continued to get dizzy and ended up throwing up 3 times. Not fun. I did make it back and carried my own pack over a mile after this. Whew. Do not recommend! While we were at Red River Gorge,…
70 Miles on the Appalachian Trail
We are preparing to hike a 70 mile section of the AT this coming October. It’ll be a beautiful hike with the fall foliage in full glory. I have done many, many day hikes since getting out of the military, but I haven’t done a week long ruck or hike since then. I have officially been out of the military…
Red River Gorge
If you need to refresh your soul, this is a place to visit. We hiked almost 42 miles this past week in Red River Gorge, Natural Bridge State Park, and the Daniel Boone National Forest. Trekking through the woods feels like any forest in the USA, the you come to these glorious arches and think, “Holy Cow! Am I still…
McIntosh Reserve Park and Lee State Park–South Carolina
What a week this has been! Last Friday, we left to go down to Georgia to see my sister. This was the 3rd time I had ever met her since I found out she existed 6 years ago. It was great seeing her for a short visit. I ended up working Saturday morning while Marty rode his bike on the…
Goose Creek State Park, NC
A few weeks ago, we took off in the Jeep with our little teardrop in tow. I always say I’m going to find time to journal all these places we go. I end up falling asleep after a long day of adventure and don’t get to it. God’s Creation is amazing. We got to the campsite late Friday night. Settled…
My Little Red Bike 