Cannon Beach, Oregon: The One Trip We Keep Coming Back To in Our Minds

We’ve only been to Cannon Beach Oregon once. I think about it more than anywhere we’ve been in the last few years — more than places we’ve returned to multiple times, more than trips that required more planning and more money. There’s something about a place that gets you exactly once, in exactly the right … Read more

Early Spring Hiking: How to Ease Back Into the Trail (and Want More)

Early spring hiking trail through a green wooded forest on a sunny day

Early spring hiking has a feeling all its own. The trail is calling again.The air feels lighter.Your body remembers something it’s been missing. Not intensity. Just movement. After months of smaller days and indoor routines, stepping onto a trail again feels almost personal. The light lasts longer.The ground is softer.The quiet feels earned. And suddenly … Read more

Whaleshead Beach: A Hidden Coastal Treasure Of Breathtaking Beauty

Rock formations Whales Head Beach, Samuel H. Boardman State Park, Oregon Coast

A Handcrafted Adventure Along Oregon’s Coast Tucked away in the heart of Samuel H. Boardman State Park, Whaleshead Beach is one of those hidden gems that feels like it was made just for us. Tom and I stumbled upon it during our coastal adventures, and from the moment we stepped onto its soft, sandy shore, … Read more

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park: What to See and Know Before You Go

There are some places that don’t look quite the way you expected when you finally see them in person. The redwoods are one of them. We visited Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park in early September, and photographs really don’t give you a sense of the scale. You can photograph an enormous tree, but it’s hard … Read more

Ha Ha Tonka State Park: What to See and Do When You Go

Ha Ha Tonka is one of our favorite places to visit at the Lake of the Ozarks. The castle ruins are what get most of the attention, and they’re absolutely worth seeing. But they’re only one part of the park. There are trails, bluffs, caves and rock formations, a huge natural spring, and some pretty … Read more

How to Start Hiking When You’re Out of Shape or Out of Practice

You don’t have to already be in hiking shape to start hiking. You also don’t need to begin with a five-mile trail, buy a pile of gear, or wait until you’re fitter than you are right now. Start with the body and fitness you have. Pick a trail that matches it. Then build from there. … Read more

Start 2025 Right With An Fun First Day Hike!

When the clock strikes midnight on January 1st, many of us vow to live healthier, more active lives in the new year. But why wait until tomorrow to kick things off? Across the U.S., First Day Hikes have become a popular tradition, with state parks inviting people to step into nature and onto the trail … Read more