Tag Archives: Hiking

Book Review: WILD

Disclaimer: I was not paid for this blog post, however I did receive a free copy of WILD in exchange for this post. As always, all opinions are my own.

Sometimes we don’t need a ton of experience or a pocket full of cash to achieve our goals. Sometimes, we just need determination, strength and courage…

Book Review, Cheryl Strayed, WILD, Hiking

Within WILD, Cheryl Strayed proves just that. After losing her mother, becoming distant with her siblings and a failed marriage, Cheryl decided to find herself. Where she found herself was hiking the Pacific Crest Trail walking over a thousand miles from California to the Bridge of the Gods on the Oregon/Washington state border. Along the way, she created bonds with strangers, overcame fears and obstacles of every sort. More importantly, she found her true strength and herself as well as the greater gift of healing.

I think we can all relate to Cheryl in some way, shape or fashion. Whether it’s an experience we overcame years ago or something we are currently enduring, she lets us know we’re not alone. She also encourages us to follow our passion, our dream, no matter how far fetched they may seem. It’s determination, encouragement and sheer will.

I would encourage you to go pick up or download a copy of WILD. For extra encouragement, WILD will be on the big screen this fall staring Reese Witherspoon. (The book is always a favorite over the movie!) I can’t wait to see how the movie is compared to the book. It may inspire you to put on some hiking shoes and hit the trail yourself!

Have you read WILD? Is it on your reading list?

Picking the Perfect LOWA Hiking Boots

6 Replies

Disclaimer: I was not paid for this blog post, however I did receive a free pair of LOWA Renegade GTX Hiking Boots from OnlineShoes.com in exchange for this post. As always, all opinions are my own.

OnlineShoes.com, LOWA, Hiking Boots

It’s hard to believe but fall is right around the corner. With the cooler air and changing of the leaves we’ll soon find ourselves outside enjoying the foliage via the roadways, waterways or even hiking on the trails. Now is the perfect time to become prepared and find those perfect pair of hiking boots to enjoy it as much as we can.

It’s always important to take note what we’re putting on our feet, especially if we’re going to be challenging ourselves with a good hike. I’m a fan of day hikes and there’s no telling what kind of terrain I’ll be covering (dry, wet, rocky or just dirt) depending on if I’m in Texas or Vermont. My needs require light weight, versatility and definitely waterproofing. Lucky for me, these LOWA boots were perfect!

OnlineShoes.com, LOWA, Hiking Boots

LOWA Renegade GTX is the “most award winning boot” designed by LOWA. Nubuk leather, waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX, climate controlled footbed (no blisters!) and incredibly light weight. So lightweight that I forget that I had hiking boots on my feet. The best part – there isn’t a break in period. Put them on and go! The style is perfect and this color leather was my favorite choice.

OnlineShoes.com, LOWA, Hiking Boots

Tips for picking out hiking boots:

Match your goals. Choose a boots that’s particular to your ambitions – day hiking, long trek, etc.
Length: Toes should wiggle. Pay particular attention to the length of the boot.
Width: Your foot should not move from side to side although it should not be tight or compressed from the sides. Comfort is key.
Key: On a flat surface, thumbs width at your toes, room to slip one finger in behind heel.
Try to avoid cotton socks as these will absorb sweat/moisture and in turn cause blisters. Try on with appropriate socks.
Research boot cut, boot materials and sole content to ensure the boot picked is appropriate for your ambitions. There’s a ton of sites online that will assist with this step.

OnlineShoes.com, LOWA, Hiking Boots

Be sure to swing by OnlineShoes.com to find your perfect hiking boot with tons of styles, colors and designs to fit your needs.

Standing On Top of Vermont (Part III)

4 Replies

(Continuation of Standing on Top of Vermont – Part I, Part II)

…The trail. Rocks. Boulders. I sat on my butt and slid down one. I got the “I’m petrified of heights” shakes when having to climb over gaps in the rocks. I lost a water bottle along the way.

View from the top… where we were headed to get down…

Low and behold – we made it to the Gondola.

Can you hear the angels rejoicing?! I had a way down! I was exhausted (and hungry).

We walk in to where the seats were spinning and told to we needed a ticket from the gift shop. I’m not even kidding. $19 each for a one way ticket down.

“#$%&@*%%&*#%*” went thru my mind. I’m exhausted, hungry and feeling very, very old.

“Are you serious? No, thank you.” Came out of my mouth.

Side Note: Dear Stowe Resort. This is a photo of a random wire on your property thrown into the woods. Please clean this before winter falls upon us. It’s environmentally irresponsible. (Near Switchback – easy access to Long Trail nearby.) Thank you.

Green Mountain Man and I began our walk down the ski slopes. Down a black diamond trail. This was seriously the funniest part of our hike. The man not only runs up the mountain but he also runs down. Then falls. Multiple times. Everytime I buckle down laughing and trying not to pee. Karma, I end up falling and continually laughing. Oy vey. It’s the point in the day when you realize you’ve had enough.

At one point, we see a road and my brother says “We’re getting farther from the truck. We gotta cut thru the woods. It’s shorter.” Exhausted because I don’t think I have a choice, I follow suit. Branches, tree trunks, brooks, rocks, I twist my ankle, a twig stabs the same ankle. I feel old, like 90 years old. My thighs hurts, both knees, my toes are squished in the tips of my shoes, I somehow manage to laugh thru most of it but at one point I distinctively remember looking at him with the “evil glare” thinking why are you doing this to me again?! I guess he wasn’t worried about it because he later said that his wife would’ve been a whole lot more pissed than I ever was on this trip. He wasn’t worried. Here we are walking thru the woods, trying to find the trail, once again. All of a sudden we hear a rustle to our left. A dog. It might as well been a moose by the way we both jumped. Calamity Jane! Needless to say, we found the trail, found the start of the trail (which was not where we started) and got back to the truck.

We did it! We hiked Vermont’s highest peak. Although it was a real pain, struggle and terrifying at times but the view from the top was beyond anything I can put into words. This is my home.

Next time, we need a lunch packed but since we hit “the big one” it should all be easy from here on out, right? Plus we have unforgettable sibling memories. That’s pretty special.

Did I mention that there was a toll road to the top of the mountain? I veto’d that idea because I thought that would’ve been “cheating”. Needless to say, the toll road creator – was one smart person.