A few months ago, I began planning a 3-day backpacking trip into the Dolly Sods Wilderness in Davis, WV, and I knew that cell phone coverage is extremely poor there. In fact, there’s only one area, in the upper northwest corner of that wilderness where you can actually hit a cellphone tower. Now since I […]
Backpacking/Hiking
These posts reflect my thoughts on backpacking and all things outdoors
Planning Your Hike on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail
Whether you are planning a single, overnight hike, or you’ll be hiking all 70 miles in several days, you will find the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (LHHT) the perfect place to relax and rewind. It is Western PA’s mountainous gem, and is here for the taking. In this blog I’d like to provide some basic […]
How to Hang Your Hammock
How to Hang a Hammock Whether you’re relaxing at the beach, setting up camp in the middle of a forest, or creating a calming space in your own home, hammocks provide the perfect way to soak up the more peaceful moments of your life. Getting that perfect “hang,” however, is essential in stretching out […]
Anniversary of the Patterson/Gimlin Film
It was on this date – Oct 20, 1967 – that the famous Patterson/Gimlin film was reportedly shot alongside Bluff Creek in northern CA. This controversial, 59.5-second film, depicts a hairy, man-like creature walking away from Roger Patterson, who had chased it a short distance and then claimed to have fallen to the ground to […]
Georgetta’s Story
We all have a story. Each one is a sacred thing to share. In today’s podcast Georgetta shares her story of how she went through many very difficult years to becoming a martial arts black belt, a power-hiker, and an all around positive, energetic athlete.
Romancing the Trail Turns Eleven Years Old
It was eleven years ago, Oct 01, 2007 – my birthday to be exact – that I received my first shipment of Romancing the Trail books. After years of work it had finally happened. I’ll never forget seeing my first book in print. I’ll never forget seeing my name on the book cover. It felt […]
A Review of the Gregory Zulu 40
Over the years my backpacks have been dropping in size. I began with an 80-liter Gregory Shasta, then moved to a 65-liter Zulu. Dropping further, I purchased a Gregory 55-liter Z Series pack. This 55-liter Z Series became my go-to backpack. It was light, and offered enough room for an extended trip. Then, one day […]
Backpacks 101
Over the past few months I’ve had a number of people ask me for my advice in selecting the right kind of backpack. This is always a difficult question to answer, because what is right for me may not be right for you. Each kind of backpack offers its own distinctive advantages and disadvantages. Thinking […]
A Review of the Morakniv
With a price tag at right around $30, the Morakniv brings a lot of bargain to the backwoods table. A friend of mine had recommended this knife because of it’s price and durability. When I learned that the knife also carried the Light My Fire Firesteel, I was sold. The firesteel creates sparks measured at […]
My Sixth Thru Hike of the LHHT
As with most plans, this one didn’t go off without a problem. As a matter of fact, it was strewn with problems from the very beginning. Not only did I almost not finish, but I almost didn’t begin. It was certainly a trip that became “Rerouted.” Watch the video, “Rerouted.” Months ago, I had picked […]