by Paty | Apr 15, 2019 | The South, US High Points
Order of Visit: High Point #10 Date Visited: April 15, 2019 Route Taken: Drive to Visitor Center parking lot and hiked up the Summit Trail to the observation tower (1.2 miles round-trip). Type of Terrain: The Summit Trail is steep, but paved. Those...
by Paty | Apr 14, 2019 | Appalachian Trail, Trail Journals
My focus for April was all about trying to get myself into good shape. And although I’ve done quite a bit of hiking, my preparation this month wasn’t solely about my physical conditioning. I also spent a good deal of time working on my mental hang-ups too....
by Paty | Apr 12, 2019 | The South, US High Points
Order of Visit: High Point #9 Date Visited: April 10, 2019 Route Taken: Foothills Trail from Chimneytop Gap Trailhead – 5.4 miles roundtrip Type of Terrain: Moderate trail through light forests. The trail is well-marked and maintained, but it...
by Paty | Apr 3, 2019 | Appalachian Trail, Trail Journals
Spring flowers are starting to bloom, and so many of my fellow Class of 2019 AT thru-hikers are already on the trail. Part of me feels like I’m already behind. But as I watch all the videos on YouTube showing these hikers’ first few days or weeks on trail,...
by Paty | Mar 20, 2019 | The South, US High Points
Order of Visit: High Point #8 Date Visited: March 9, 2019 Route Taken: North Rim Trail and Signal Hill Trail to the summit; Mossback Ridge Trail and Greenfield Trail on the return to trailhead (5.5 miles roundtrip) Type of Terrain: Moderately easy...
by Paty | Mar 14, 2019 | The Great Outdoors, The South
Arkansas is not a place you’ll hear most people raving about. It’s not a beach destination. There’s no spectacular mountain ski resorts. Just mention an upcoming trip to the Ozarks, and some people instinctively cringe. I was no exception to this...
by Paty | Mar 11, 2019 | Day Hikes, HP blogs
I never expected to be a state highpointer. Heck, until 2018, I didn’t even know highpointing was even a thing! But now I’m carefully balancing on that tightrope between intrigue and obsession. Let me back up a bit and explain what the heck I’m...
by Paty | Mar 8, 2019 | The South, US High Points
Order of Visit: High Point #7 Date Visited: March 7, 2019 Route Taken: Driskill Mountain Trail (main trail) and False Mountain Trail from the Mt. Zion Church – 1.8 miles (roundtrip) Type of Terrain: Moderately easy dirt trail coupled with a mostly...
by Paty | Mar 4, 2019 | Appalachian Trail, Gear
For my 12th birthday, my parents decided to get me contact lenses. This gift was a total game changer for me. Up until that point, I was just the nerdy tween girl with glasses. But, I really liked being outdoors. I loved swimming, and horseback riding, and so many...
by Paty | Feb 26, 2019 | Appalachian Trail, Gear
Hunger Logic – If I stare into my food bag long enough, something tasty has to appear right??Answer: Nope. You packed what you packed. Don’t be such an idiot next time. During my recent shakedown hike on the Lone Star Hiking Trail (or LSHT), I...
