100% Chance Of Rain? Backpacking To Plum Orchard Shelter

The weatherman said there was a 100% chance of rain today, and he was 100% right!  It rained all morning, and all afternoon.  I confess that  I'm still not sure how I was talked in to this trip, or how we got away with it at all.  Despite the gloomy weather (and our ventures in […]

Swedish adventure atheletes were supported and saved by a stray dog in Equador

  Here’s a great story of how a group of Swedish adventure atheletes were supported and saved by a stray dog in Equador.  Click here for the link at  NPR    

Working Off Thanksgiving Dinner – An Overnight In Panthertown Valley

  After fattening up on Thanksgiving dinner, The Camel meets us in North Carolina for a hike in to Panthertown Valley.  No one is more excited than the Boone Dawg who is craving some time in the backcountry.  And we are blessed with sunshine as you can see from the the shadows in this photo. […]

Just saw this trailer for a movie based on the 90’s book Blind Courage…

Just saw this trailer for a movie based on the 90’s book Blind Courage. Looks like a great film, but they need your support. Follow this link to learn more:  http://www.blindcouragethemovie.com

Dirty, Wet, Dog!!

The kid’s were out of school for Good Friday recently, so we took them backpacking on the Appalachian Trail near Tray Mountain.  Here they are at Tray Gap about a mile from the summit. Even the dog was having a great time at Tray Gap and went straight for a mega muddle puddle at the […]

Hiking With My Dog On The Benton MacKaye …

After an unseasonably cool winter, the weather finally broke and we decided to take the kids out for an overnight hike.    We did this one on a Friday night to avoid conflicts with spring sports and with spring break.  Here we are at the parking area at Three Forks on the Appalachian Trail. The dog is […]

Bill Irwin, First Blind Hiker To Hike The Appalachian Trail, Is No Longer With Us

I read Bill Irwin's book during my 1994 thru-hike – very inspiring.  He was the first blind hiker to hike the entire Appalachian Trail and did it with the assistance of his dog Orient.  Sad to hear that he has passed over the weekend: “Bill Irwin, who in 1990 became the first and only blind […]

Boone Dawg! First Snow Hike

The snow continues in to the night and following morning. By daybreak we have 8 1/2 inches of snow on the ground – and it is still falling. And Boone Dawg really enjoyed his first snow hike..

New DVD On The Pacific Crest Trail

Just got this DVD in the mail yesterday about the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and look forward to watching it.  It's received solid reviews from some respected members of the Trail community.  So I made the purchase.   I'm sure it will spark a desire to do another thru-hike – although taking six months off to walk in […]

Travel Book Review: Best Hikes with Dogs New Hampshire and Vermont by Lisa Densmore