Although we’ve managed to get in a handful of day hikes this year, I’ve been itching to get out on another backpacking trip ever since my winter hike of the Potawatomi Trail back in early March. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and everything changed. As things in our state began
There’s a bit of a learning curve when it comes to getting used to how to hike in winter, but once you get the hang of it, it can actually be quite enjoyable. If you’re reading this post, I’ll assume that it’s likely you’re new to hiking, or at the
In 2019 I hiked 100 miles of the North Country Trail AND completed the 52 Hike Challenge. Along the way I took at least one photo and/or video clip for each hike that I went on, then at the end of the year created this video using the app 1
When I started off 2019, one of the things that wanted most for the new year was to spend less time trying to hit arbitrary self-made personal “goals” and more time going on adventures and creating happy memories. To help hold myself accountable, I decided to take on the 52
Remembering everything you need to pack for a camping or backpacking trip can sometimes be stressful, so I decided to create a printable backpacking checklist to help me stay organized while I’m preparing for my next adventure. After having backpacked South Manitou Island, the Pictured Rocks, and the Potowatomi Trail,
Continue reading…My Backpacking Checklist (Printable + Dog Friendly)
Patronus and I pulled in to the parking lot for the trailhead just after 3:00 P.M. After taking some time to get our packs situated, we made our way to the edge of the lake where the trail begins. We had a 7 mile hike ahead of us before we
The spring segment of my 52 Hike Challenge ended up being…a bit challenging. The season began with a couple of muddy hikes with Patronus. In April I got injured. I still wanted to keep hiking, so Luke and I decided to take Patronus to visit Belle Isle State Park in
I’ve already shared about our Pictured Rocks backpacking trip and my vlog from our hike, so today I would like to talk about how we went about planning our Pictured Rocks backpacking trip. Planning the Hike The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore section of the North Country Trail stretches approximately 42
Continue reading…Planning Our Pictured Rocks Backpacking Trip
Today I thought I would share my Pictured Rocks backpacking gear list with you. While I am by no means an expert, nor do I have an ultralight base weight, I thought sharing my Pictured Rocks backpacking gear list might be a helpful planning tool for those of you who
Continue reading…Backpacking the Pictured Rocks: My Gear List
I recently did a three day backpacking trip of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in northern Michigan with my friends, Erin and Megan. Here’s a vlog I put together of some of the things we got to see and do during our hike. More Info: Backpacking the Pictured Rocks Backpacking
Backpacking the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore has been high on my bucket list for several years. The section of Lake Superior shoreline in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula stretching from Munising to Grand Marais is said to be one of the most beautiful hikes in the state of Michigan, complete with painted
I decided to do a River Country Products Trekker 2.2 Tent review after picking up this budget-friendly, ultralight, 2 person tent for weekend backpacking trips with Patronus. In this video, you’ll see my first time setting it up, a quick look at its features, and my initial thoughts on the
Continue reading…River Country Products Trekker 2.2 Tent Review
The Potowatomi Trail is a beloved destination for hikers, backpackers, trail runners, and cyclists, offering over 17 miles of hilly trails in a quiet area of southeast Michigan. Ironically, when you look at it on the map it appears as if you’re going through Hell [Michigan]. Admittedly, unless you’re in
One new thing I have decided to try this year is keeping a hiking journal. As you might remember if from my previous post, one of my goals for 2019 is to hike more often, so I decided to take on the 52 Hike Challenge to help keep me accountable.
One of the questions I get asked rather often is which backpack Patronus wears and how well it works, so today I would like to share our dog gear list for hiking with you. When I first began hiking with Patronus, I didn’t buy a bunch of dog gear right
The morning we departed for our backpacking trip to South Manitou Island in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore proved to be a bit of a scramble. Due to the gale warning issued for Friday morning, the ferry was unable to run until the following day, so our only option
Continue reading…Sleeping Bear Trip Report: Backpacking South Manitou Island
Growing up, the Traverse City area was a favorite vacation destination for my family. My mom loves the beach and shopping, and my dad likes fishing, antiquing, and the woods, and this area of Michigan isn’t lacking in any of these areas. On some of these weekend getaways, we would
Video journal of my weekend backpacking trip to South Manitou Island in Michigan. If you’re interested, you can read the rest of my trip report to South Manitou Island by clicking on the links below. Part One: Planning Part Two: Camping in Glen Haven Part Three: Backpacking South Manitou Island
After months of preparation, the time for our first backpacking trip was finally upon us.
As the days get warmer and more opportunities arise for us to take Patronus on new and more exciting adventures, we wanted to make sure that we had a first aid kit that was relatively lightweight, easy to pack, and would accommodate all three of us ready to go.