Travel, adventures, local staycations, trying new things
Spring is in the air, which means it is almost time to hang up the skis and break out the boots.
From the Rockies to the Smokies, mountain trails provide a little peace, quiet and a little fresh air. Each area has it’s own beauty as well as pitfalls. Best advice to give, is know the hike rating, have plenty of water on hand, and have good boots (or in the case of my husband in his younger days, a good pair of Birks)!
Loved our trip to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg TN. If you ever have the chance, rent a house from Timber Tops Cabin Rentals. Beautiful cabins located in the Smokies, and close to both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Do a little research and plan your hikes before taking one of Gatlinburg's legendary Moonshine Tours! Can't wait for the pandemic to ease, and we will be back in Tennessee!
Our favorite hiking is only half-hour or less away. We are fortunate to call the Wasatch range of the Western Rockies home. We can literally be on a mountain in ten minutes with any range of hike within a half hour. If you are looking for an app, I would suggest the All Trails App, ranks the hikes, gives you the map of the hike and tips on terrain. A local start-up in Utah has created TREK DECK- a deck of cards with 52 local hikes all ready mapped out and tested for you!
Above is a photo of a hike we took while visiting Zurich. Actually, any place we go, we are able to find a hike, walk or trek, to appreciate the natural beauty of the place we are visiting. Not only is it a nice break from the bustle of travel, but you meet some great people along the way!
Well spring is almost here, and the trails are calling!
One of the down sides to the pandemic has been the lack of travel. Not just being stuck at home for months on…
Being from Salt Lake City, the Sundance Film Festival is a staple family activity. In the past 10 years, the festival has become a bit big and in many cases expensive. One good outcome from 2020, is that the festival is officially virtual and you can attend what you want.
Yesterday, we were fortunate to watch a preview of one of the showcased films, ” Life In a Day”, by Kevin Macdonald. In 2011, he showcased, “Life In a Day”, 2010, and now we get to experience July 25, 2020, from around the world.
Where were you on July 25, 2020; inside, isolated, alone in the wilderness? The film showcases what thousands of our fellow humans were doing around the world. From giving birth to kite flying, playing with pet rats, and of course, dealing with COVID-19.
If you have never been able to go to Sundance, this film is a great example of innovative film making. The film will be released on Saturday, February 6, 2021, on youtube, for free!
Have you ever been excited for an adventure, but not sure you were up to it physically. At 56, that was me. I have been working on my fitness; walking, and believe it or not, Jazzercise.
What I had been told was a three-mile jaunt through the Sierras, was actually a twelve mile, up and down, but mostly up, hike to North Dome, to have an amazing view of Half Dome.
Four hours later, and 12 thousand steps (thank you apple watch), Half Dome came into view as we stood on North Dome.
A few learnings: should take more water (a must), more food would have been good, but really missed that water. There is no shame in a walking stick, and a shout out to Merrell Boots.
Although my performance wasn’t pretty (there are photos of an ungraceful lie about on the ground), I did make it and will give it a go next year!
We all have our favorite critters. Mine include Sloths, Kualas, Pandas, Otters (don’t tell my husband, as I have maintained there are killer…
April 16, 2021