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Blogs

The recent passage of a cold front early on Columbus Day left several inches of snow on the Tableland and hiking trails to Baxter Peak. Hikers during this time of year should realize that climbing Katahdin can be a real winter experience. Hats, gloves, warm clothing and plently of food and water are a necessity. Appropriate footwear for snow and ice on steep rocky terrain is also very important. During the fall months, a set of in-step cramp-ons is a very reasonable addition to your hiking pack on Katahdin.
In some situations, the Park will close trails due to hazardous conditions, but all hikers should remember that the Park is a...Read More

Lifting, loading and carrying a kayak seems to be one of the biggest concerns women have when they're getting into the sport. One of the first questions that women often ask me is: "Can I carry a kayak by myself? Can I load it onto my car?" Using the right technique it is possible to lift, carry and load your own boat. It may take some practice, but for a lot of women this is a plausible goal. Even if the kayak feels heavy at first and awkward to carry, the more you practice the easier it gets because you'll be building strength and stamina. My advice is to accept that it won't feel easy and natural the first time you try it. Give it some time.
On the...Read More

A recent survey found that more Americans are rediscovering that outdoor recreation is fun, easy and healthy.
Eleven percent more Americans (ages 16 and older) went fishing and 9 percent more went hunting in 2011 than in 2006, according to a new five-year survey from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These numbers reverse a 20-year decline in outdoor recreation.
This comes as no surprise to the Friends of the Chemung River Watershed (River Friends), an Elmira-based nonprofit environmental and recreation organization. We’ve seen participation in our river paddles, hikes and other outdoor recreation increase by more than 50 percent in the last four years. We are...Read More

What better idea for a site than to show the beauty of Divine Mother Earth's parks, and to provide information about them. I love it. Thanks, Taylor.
Read MoreSites for more information:
- Park Website
- Hiking Map
- Beaches information (from the park site)
- Crystal Cove Alliance (groups working on preserving the entire area)
- Corey's Photos on flickr
This July, I visited Southern California for a short trip to accompany the Mrs. attending and working at the Barbie...Read More

I needed to go backpacking and had looked at a trip offered by the mountaineers but it was full with a wait list. The trip, Cape Alava, a favorite early season hike of mine, but I hadn't been on the trail for years. Then a few days before the group left, a spot opened up. I quickly grabbed the spot and was so happy to be getting out on a great weekend. Only one problem surfaced as I was heading to meet my carpool - I forgot my tent. UGH! It wouldn't be the 1st time I slept out under the stars on the beach...Read More

Stewart Lake Blog – June 15th – 17th, 2012
Our backpacking trip to Stewart Lake in the Pecos Wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico begins with carefully packing our backpacks, doing what we can to keep the weight down. We have been to Stewart Lake before and I remember it being a strenuous hike. We are older now, but hopefully wiser, with better gear and more experience under our belts.
There are at least three ways to get to Stewart Lake. On this trip we start at the trailhead at Holy Ghost Campground and hike the Holy Ghost Trail which will eventually leave the...Read More
Sites for more information:
In May of this year, I had the opportunity to visit Lombard, Illinois - a suburb of Chicago. This trip, I wanted to visit some of the parks in the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. On Sunday...Read More
Visit to Crosswinds Marsh Wetlands Interpretive Preserve (Sumpter Township, Michigan)
Websites for more information: