I know it’s hard to believe, but we’ve been at this blog thing for a whole year already. I know, you can’t believe you’ve been waiting eagerly every Saturday morning at 8am for the email to arrive to update you on what we’ve been up to for an entire year now. Time does fly when you’re having fun. Well, this anniversary brings with it something very exciting for us. Keep reading
Wow! One week from today we leave on our great southwestern excursion. I don’t know how someone can be so ready and yet so not ready at the same time. The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind for everyone. I’ve been planning and purchasing in between work. Randi just finished her semester of piano lessons. The boys are in finals as we speak. We have spring piano recitals on Monday and Tuesday, the boys drive home from Florida on Wednesday, we pack everything up on Friday, and leave on Saturday. One might ask, “Where is this chaos to which you allude?” Well, let’s go upstairs and take a look. Keep reading
What makes Utah better than any other place in the world, like say, the Rocky Mountains or Florida Beaches? Why do you want to go hike in a hot barren, seemingly lifeless desert for three weeks? And enjoy it?!?! Keep reading
As many of you already know, we are going on a trip to Utah early this summer. We’ve been planning which hikes we want to do, what gear we need, and how to make coffee out in the middle of nowhere. One other thing we’ve been planning is how to share it all with you guys. As the saying goes “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Unfortunately, a picture doesn’t even present the absolute magnificence and splendor of the desert southwest in all of its glory. But, we are going to do the best we can. In order to do this, we decided to upgrade our equipment. Keep reading
Nine weeks from today we leave for the magnificent deserts of the American Southwest. Places where we find the beauty and majesty of God’s creation on full display. We can’t wait. That particular region has the ability to refresh our hearts and renew our souls like no other. Maybe it’s the air, maybe it’s the solitude, or maybe it’s just the opportunity to unplug from technology for a while. It’s just…rejuvenating. Yeah, that’s a good word…rejuvenating! Keep reading
Everyone will be happy to know, I’m sure, that we have made a decision regarding our trekking poles. I know you all have been on the edge of your seat since last Saturday morning waiting for the notification that a new email has arrived that will satisfy your insatiable desire to know what we have at last decided. No?…Okay then, maybe my life is not as exciting as I think it is. Nonetheless, here goes. Keep reading
There has certainly been a learning curve on this whole Utah trip. What with all the decisions to make regarding lotteries and all. I mean I had to overcome a lifelong aversion to gambling just to make that happen. Now we move on to another matter completely. Three points of contact. Anybody know what that means? I first learned about it working construction and ladder safety. The idea being to always have at least three points of contact with the ladder. Two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand. Okay, I get that. But what does ladder safety have to do with hiking? Keep reading
Well…almost. We took our shot at the lottery for Coyote Buttes and The Grand Canyon and came up empty on both counts. The drawing for the overnight in the Grand Canyon was supposed to be submitted during the last 10 days of December for trips planning to hike in May. We were well outside that window but decided to try anyway on the off-chance there might still be openings. Who am I kidding, right? The most famous national park in America…in May…sure there’s going to be openings left. No. But since we’re gambling anyway, why not give it a shot? Keep reading
Did some research today looking at the possibility of doing a rim to rim hike at the Grand Canyon. We are going to check into it a little more, but as of right now, it looks like it may not work out for this May. If we were going to do it all in one day, we could, but we would probably die – at least I would – I’m not in good enough shape. I mean come on, it’s only 24 miles. Piece of cake, right? Ha! We decided for my sake that we would spend the night down in the canyon. Therein lies the problem. Phantom Ranch requires reservations at least a year in advance; and of the three campgrounds down in the canyon, there are only 2 nights in May that might still be available. There is a waiting list for all of the above, so there is a slight chance something could open up. Keep reading
This post contains affiliate links. Please see our Disclosure Statement for additional information.
I have been doing significant research over the past few months to find the essential pieces of equipment that we would need to acquire to begin our overnight backpacking adventures. As I thought through these items I looked to meet basic needs and prioritize them for purchase. For instance, we all need sleep, right? So, I ask myself, “What are people doing besides sleeping on the ground under the stars with a rock for a pillow?” This led me to sleeping pads and hammocks. Which brings up the question of size and weight of products. Now what do I carry them in? And on and on it goes. So, what’s #1 on the priority list? Backpack…sleeping pad…sleeping bag…clothing…shoes? Well, one last detail to consider and the #1 spot is easily decided—Randi’s going. Therefore, the #1 piece of equipment that is most vital and necessary to the happiness and well-being of all involved is a coffee press. Keep reading
