Despite what many Google results will tell you, if you want to try out hiking, you don’t need to buy much of anything. Honestly, if you’re on a well-maintained trail and go on a day with mild temperatures, you probably already have all the hiking clothes you’ll need. Let me break it down for you….
When Stepping Away From Something You Love Means Gaining Perspective
For more than 27 years (that’s right, since I was in utero) I have been a horse girl. I was the one that didn’t outgrow that stage. But recently, I took a step back. And it was necessary to grow up and figure out who I am outside of the barn.
Gear Guide: The Best $15 Water Shoes You’ll Ever Buy
If you’re going tubing on a river, you’ll need a pair of shoes to float in that you either don’t care about in case they get lost, or water shoes that will actually stay on your feet. Since I only had one pair of flip flops and a killer sock tan, I went for the…
Why Beginner Hikers Should Consider Hiking/Trekking Poles
REI already has a great blog post about how to use and buy trekking poles, but the true beginners out there may be wondering: 1) what even are trekking poles? 2) why on earth you would want them when they look so dorky? Let’s start with the first one. Hiking poles, walking sticks, hiking staff,…
Progress is in the Eye of the Beholder
I was ridiculously nervous before going on my last trail run, to the point that I was making myself nauseous. I hadn’t run whatsoever in a few weeks, and the last time I’d hit a trail was over a month ago. I was worried about running “well,” or slowing Billy down, or having to hike…
Gear Guide: Camelbak Hydration Pack
You may be thinking to yourself, “but Laura, you can’t even run a 10k. Why would you need a hydration pack?” I already covered this last week. The short version is: because running is really hard and I like snacks. I see a lot of runners, including my fiance, rocking Ultimate Direction packs. I tried…
Nobody Else Notices That Beginner Habit You’re Worried About
As I ran down the paved rec path in Breckenridge a few weeks ago, I found myself suddenly extremely self-conscious of the fact that I was wearing a hydration vest. For the uninitiated, long-distance trail runners typically wear a little backpack/vest that they can store water and snacks in when they go do things like…
Campground Guide: Easy Camping Food
I’m a big advocate of keeping it simple while camping, but if you’ve never gone before it’s still hard to know where to start out. Hot dogs and Spaghetti-O’s are my go-to for dinner, but if you have room in the cooler and want to bring snacks to make things a bit healthier, have at…
Bike to Work Essentials
Yes, I know, I’m on a bike kick these days with the blog. But it’s prime bike to work season, so I just can’t help it! I already got up on my soapbox about why you should bike to work, so now let’s talk about what you actually need to get out there (besides a bike, of…
Trail Guide: Jud Wiebe in Telluride
The Jud Wiebe Trail is one of Telluride’s most-loved, and it doesn’t take long to figure out why. A minute in, and you’re already getting some of the most spectacular panoramic views that Colorado can offer. And they somehow just keep getting better. Jud Wiebe, while not particularly long at three miles, is not for…
Gear Guide: Patagonia’s Barely Baggies and Baggies Long Shorts
Considering this is the second gear guide this summer where I’ve waxed poetic about some super expensive article of outdoorsy clothing, I feel like I need to start this post off with a disclaimer. I strongly believe that you do not need a bunch of expensive outdoors-specific gear in order to enjoy the outdoors or…
Why I Bike To Work
When I signed up for the free women’s bike maintenance class at REI, I was surprised to see it was only half full just a few days out from the event. Once I got to class, I quickly realized I was the only woman there that biked primarily for commuting, not recreation. And the more…
Why You Should Go To REI’s Women’s Bike Maintenance Basics Class
This spring, REI launched the #ForceOfNature campaign to close the gender gap in the outdoors. Part of that movement is a huge selection of free intro classes specifically for women. As a lady who rides her bike to work, but has not ever cleaned said bike and should probably know how to do that, I…
