Tag: camping

adventure

Hike Inn

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How far will you go to stay somewhere truly unique?

What if fitness is part of the admission fee? Could you pay it? Would you?

The Len Foote Hike Inn is one of 9 backcountry inns in the US. It’s only reachable (for guests) by a 5 mile hike near the start of the Appalachian Trail. After having it on my adventure list for years, my youngest daughter and I finally made the trek earlier this spring.

How remote is the Hike Inn? It’s a little bit of roughing it, but not too bad. You have a room with mattresses, clean sheets and blankets. Two hot meals are prepared for you each day, served family style, with an option for a third trail lunch. There are dorm-style shared hot showers and composting toilets that don’t smell bad (but do come with a draft!) There are rocking chairs, board games, and books about the outdoors galore. There is peace.

When you are at the Inn, you’re encouraged to stay off of your phone, aside from taking photos. There is cell service (all the way up the trail, too!) But really, the atmosphere invites you to connect with nature and other people.

My daughter brought up fond memories of going to camp as we sat on our bunk beds. When the dinner bell rang, we joined the long table and sat next to two volunteers. An older couple, they served food, cleared plates, and gregariously talked about their commitment to volunteering at the Inn. They come up for a weekend every few months. For a couple of hours of work, you get a free stay at the Inn and a shirt.

The stay with my daughter was memorable. Relaxing. She beat me at board games. She paced me up the trail. We talked and talked and talked some more. It may have been the most we’ve talked since my days of driving her to high school or traveling together for club lacrosse. It’s amazing what long stretches of uninterrupted time together can do. The words and insights just keep spilling out. It turned out to be a rainy and cold weekend, so the sad part was missing the sunrise. Something to look forward to next time.

It didn’t take me long to join the volunteer corps at the Inn. It took many months to actually find a day when my schedule allowed me to go. Sadly, I didn’t have my girl along this time. She was already away at college. Although still beautiful, the hike is much longer when you do it alone! Yes, of course it is the same length, but I missed her company. My room was bigger and had a fan (which was desperately needed on the hot weekend I chose.) I also had power in my room and my own bathroom and shower, which was awesome.

I got a shirt and the chance to work with the cook and other employees. This turned out to be more fun than I thought it might. Setting tables, serving food, doing dishes, putting things away…after years in a restaurant, it all felt easy and not taxing. Unlike the weekend with my daughter, there were no children this weekend at the Inn. There was one group of 12 moms on a girls weekend, then a few other smaller groups of friends. It was quite easy and relaxing.

The Inn is a special place. My youngest and I have talked about trying to hike to all the backcountry inns in the US. But for just a quick getaway, this one is just far enough away to restore and renew me.

adventure

RV Life Episode 3

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Take me to the land of chocolate.

Oh, Hershey, PA we are here for an extended weekend. Just happened to be Father’s Day weekend. What dad doesn’t like roller coaster fun on their special day?

We hit the road early on a Friday. Travel was smooth as it can be in an RV until we hit some unexpected crosswinds in Virginia. I didn’t even know my car had an alarm for crosswinds. Guess you learn something new everyday. The crosswind experience is one I won’t forget and a great reminder of how important it is to always be alert on the road to avoid tragedies.

Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and eventually Pennsylvania were all states we cruised through on this one Friday. Lucky number seven I suppose. Unloaded in epic time to catch the cool night air at the one and only Hershey Park, PA. An older theme park with the Super Dooper Looper. A blast from my past in the 80’s. 

Our destination was nestled in the trees not far from the park. Resort benefits included complimentary shuttle to the park which worked out great. Spots are tucked in nice but I hope many leave before I do as it’s a tight space to work your way out! 

The people watching is always amazing when camping. Everything from lounge clothes to pjs mid-day to laundry hanging from ropes on trees to bike riding and scooters going by all while fires are burning and marshmallows are toasting. The sounds of giggles and chatting amongst many different people is always soul refreshing. It’s also nice to see folks cozied up to a fire with blankets first thing in the morning sipping on coffee.

Every stop is always different in the RV. This one had families with little ones, clusters of friends side by side, retirees and so on. We are in and out but always observing. Never staying long enough to get super friendly but just enough to savor the experience.

This site had great shade but not a specific waterfront view like our stops in the past. This destination lacked the views but made up for it in the sweetness. I do mean chocolate life. And for the record I am a dark chocolate type of girl. Thank you Hershey for a unique camping experience.

The photo above is a glimpse of an RV breakfast. Bacon next to a toasted bagel with avocado spread with a hard boiled egg grated over it. Topped with pepper or everything but the bagel seasoning. A good balance for life on the road but super easy to make with a little pre-planning. I do enjoy controlling my menus on the road vs being forced to eat whatever roadside option pops up. I also can’t complain about eating my breakfast in a reclining chair with fresh cool air flowing that requires a blanket when I left a heat wave in Georgia!

Off we go to chase the sunrise on our ride home. Some of the best rides are the ones watching the sun rise in a new place as you head home from your journey away. Sometimes the early am brings a fog then the sun and the colors are always amazing but each rise is ever so unique.

adventure

It’s Time to Roll

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Rolling out on a plush set of new wheels is my newest project or vision. It’s 2022 and I decided to try some new things, see some new places, meet some new faces and fill up my memory bank with a bunch of adventures. I’m aiming for 50 new-to-me adventures this year and of course I will blog about a few as time passes or maybe while I’m passing time in my RV.

Off I went to get me a motorized recreational vehicle. Not too big and not too small. Just the right size for a long weekend or a short trip. Small enough fit into a national park but not too small to make me feel like a sardine in a can. The first trial run is set on the calendar to make sure I’m packed and stacked with the essentials and operating efficiently so I can enjoy my trips wherever the road takes me.

My Amazon cart is filling up with the wish list items, the need list items, and a few recommendations from friends to be a road warrior of sorts. A-camping I shall go. How many states will I adventure through or to? Who will I take with me? How many photos will I share? Will a be a camping enthusiast or will I just give camping a go?

Nobody really knows, including me. The point is I’m giving it a try. I’m taking a leap of faith. I’m dumping my piggy bank out to say adventures will pay more dividends than the going rate of interest at the bank. Don’t wait. Today is here. Tomorrow is never guaranteed. 

The wheels are rolling. The mind is flowing. The adventures are about to be growing. If you are an avid camper, van life extraordinaire shoot me a reply and let me know what you recommend for my must haves for my new temporary home on wheels. 

celebrations, hustle

The List of 49

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In 2022 I will hit the big 5-0 birthday. Will I be successful at 49 and blah at 50? It could happen or it could be my perception. I’m pretty sure I’ve written about this coming of age in many ways over the past few years. The now is finally here. I’m in the 60-day approach window. A panic time of sorts.

Did I accomplish enough by the time I’m 50? Did I cram too much in as I near 50?  Will the lingering pandemic ruin my big 50 bash? So many questions in my mind. There is obviously no guidebook for hitting 50 or maybe there is and I didn’t read it! In lieu of a fancy book, I’m going for the condensed blog version. Snippets of my fabulous life. The list of 49 idea is in motion or technically has been in motion for years.

As some of you readers may know, each year I write a New Year’s list of sorts. It’s normally in January and dedicated to that month in time. I love re-reading these lists (just 31 days) in upcoming years. This year is special to me thus I opted for a list twist.
This year the list will expand to a recap with a few highlights from the vault to round out my 49 list. It’s dedicated to some things I celebrate or remember over those 49 years or maybe it’s just random facts for those who don’t know me well. The list may seem odd to some but intriguing to others. Without further ado, below you will find my list of 49. In no particular order and each has a longer story but of course you just get the highlights.

  1. I was born of course and had a wonderful childhood. I lived in one family home with married parents and siblings. This in itself can be an oddity based on current day.
  2. I went to public school.
  3. I was a tomboy.
  4. I ziplined.
  5. I traveled internationally. More than once.
  6. I’ve traveled to many states but I haven’t been to Washington state, Hawaii, Oregon, North or South Dakota, Michigan, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.
  7. I’ve built businesses from scratch.
  8. I’ve sold or dismantled businesses.
  9. I’ve operated a franchise/multi-units.
  10. I’ve been snow skiing and water skiing.
  11. I’ve wakeboarded, knee-boarded and wake surfed. I prefer water sports.
  12. I’ve ridden a horse in many states and abroad.
  13. I bought a tiny home.
  14. I went snowmobiling and it was fun.
  15. I built a glamping site.
  16. I have many great friends and love meeting new people.
  17. I’ve driven a mini van but I’m more of an SUV girl.
  18. I like vintage cars, muscle cars and basically any ride on wheels with flair.
  19. I’ve ridden on a motorcycle but can’t drive one.
  20. I like and use recreational vehicles such as a jet ski, four wheeler, boat, camper, and dirt bike.
  21. I like soft blankets.
  22. I’m an author.
  23. I’ve played whirly ball, kickball, wiffle ball, and tennis which also has a ball.
  24. I played hockey and like to skate in boy’s skates. The black hockey-style skates.
  25. I enjoy CrossFit.
  26. I have a shoe collection, car fetish, and I am a hair fanatic.
  27. I’m a loyal Starbucks customer.
  28. I like pizza. I like it a lot. Not sauce so much.
  29. I have tattoos and will get more.
  30. I grew up in the north but love living in the south.
  31. I’m looking forward to 2022 and all the year has to offer.
  32. I think gas is expensive.
  33. I have learned a lot about who I am and keep toxic people at bay. This is a requirement for life balance.
  34. I like outdoor activities.
  35. I like temperatures in the 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit over cold.
  36. I am looking to do 50 new things in 2022. Never done by me that is.
  37. I’ve lived in four states.
  38. I’ve lived through a pandemic. Something I never planned for and somehow it keeps resurfacing!
  39. Betty White just died just shy of 100. A true golden girl. Gonna miss that icon.
  40. I’ve held true to my mantra of looking for sunshine in the shittiest of situations.
  41. I played Topgolf and really suck at it.
  42. I’m due for some fresh ink to celebrate 50.
  43. I’ve hit the height as a woman-owned business that many dream of but never achieve. 
  44. I bought a farm and grow things which was never on my bucket list per se.
  45. I focus on learning each day, week, month without question.
  46. I like freshly baked homemade cookies.
  47. I can’t cure stupid no matter how much I try and I may give up after trying for so long.
  48. I don’t like wearing masks. Thanks Covid for an experience I never wished for.
  49. I like blue raspberry slush puppies.

Well there you have my random list of 49. A new list about me to help ring in my upcoming birthday. I’m sure some will giggle when they read this but it’s a true recollection of me at random points in my years lived. Not all-encompassing but tidbits for those who want to get to know me. My life on the web, unveiled. Wink to the one who inspired my thoughts herein.