Searching for the sandstone gems hidden away at Mill Bluff State Park

I explored a new state park I've been super intrigued by: Mill Bluff! On way home from a weekend spent kayaking, hiking, and camping at nearby Buckhorn State Park, I headed thirty minutes west to visit another new-to-me state park I've been aching to get to for a long time: Mill Bluff. Part of the Ice Age Nat…

Continue Reading

Backpacking Rock Island State Park: The final day

After a chilly second night, my watch beeped me awake a little after seven, and I began boiling water for a hearty warm meal of dehydrated spicy southwest breakfast hash from Getting up to stretch, slip on my pair of cold hiking boots, a bald eagle flew just feet above the fence of cedars that surrounded my cliffside …

Continue Reading

Backpacking Rock Island State Park: Seeking that northern solitude

Waking up on an early Saturday morning to blue skies, an eerily calm lake, and pristine fall weather.  My beloved Eureka Taron2 backpacking tent stakes its claim at what I'm confident is the most incredible, jaw-dropping primitive wilderness site to call home in the entire state. Remind me next time to bring coffe…

Continue Reading

Backpacking Rock Island State Park: Arriving with the storms

Rock Island is the crown jewel of Wisconsin's state park system. It's also the most remote, hardest to access, and desolate.  Gray skies and cold rain couldn't dampen the smile I had hopping off the second ferry at Rock Island State Park, the 40th state park I've traveled to. When I sat down last Octo…

Continue Reading

Exploring the dreamy wilderness of California's Pinnacles National Park

Originally one of the first national monuments set aside to be protected by Teddy Roosevelt, Pinnacles became our 59th national park in 2013 thanks to former President Barack Obama. In all of my travels, I've never been to any national park properties west of the Rocky Mountains. But that changed when I was able …

Continue Reading

Staying warm with Outdoor Vitals' StormLoft down quilt

Once the maple leaves finish falling and days grow darker earlier, you probably keep an eye on that temperature rating when shopping for new outdoor gear. The essential magical material idolized in any form of outdoor recreation whether it be skiing, backpacking, hiking, or even fat tire biking; is goose or duck down…

Continue Reading

I'm opting outside today, you should too

Today is the Friday after Thanksgiving. I sincerely hope you take time to opt outside and let you nature into your life. The past few weeks we've all been bombarded with commercials and ads about flashy "Black Friday" sales, deals, and discounts. While lower numbers next to dollar signs and special fina…

Continue Reading