Tag: hiking

Life on the Rocks:)

Posted on by Lovie Price
On The Mason Dixon Trail

Hey ya’ll, it’s been a beat. I have to apologize for neglecting my blog this year( in comparison to other years). I have a lot going on with home improvements, working OT, and trying to fit in hiking adventures where I can.

I’m still making videos of most hikes and you can find them on my channel ( i’ll drop a link to the latest one in the thread). The biggest source of frustration I am encountering is still trying to get the wide screen to work ( without the black side bars).I thought i had this resolved but turns out my victory was short lived. It seems my editing app will only let me do one continuous clip at the 16:9 aspect ratio but when i try to merge multiple clips together for the full video, it goes back to having the black bars, no matter what aspect ratio it is saved in. So i am still working on that same issue. It is quite possible i will need to get a go pro camera in the future, as well as possibly use a different app . But for now, as finances are changing for me , i will have to remain an amateur.

Now that the daylight hours are extended, i have been able to get out more. So far my longest hike this year has been only 6.5 miles, but 90% of my hikes are not flat or on low grades or pavement, plus i always wear my back pack. I try to make it slightly heavier every few weeks to build up my endurance. I also enjoy challenging myself with more technical trails when i can. Additionally, at this time of year, one must be careful not to risk any serious falls with the rainy weather and slick rocks. Another thing to be aware of is that snakes (rattlesnakes and copper heads where i live) are starting to come out, so this can be a concern when the path is very leaf/ brush covered or when there are lots of rocks and boulders.

On another note I have truly come a long way with the home improvements geared toward making my house more sellable when the time comes. The entire interior has been repainted, a bare floor carpeted and in a few weeks another floor area will get redone.I had packed a bunch of stuff into a Pods unit, but recieved an ordinance violation from my township that they do not allow storage containers for more than 30 days per year, even with a permit. So i had to bring everything back inside and have the unit picked up. A total waste of time and money but at leats stuff was out of the way while i worked inside. As a bonus however, i am now saving 200 bucks a month and my basement is very organized!

I hope everyone is getting out in the spring weather and enjoying some fresh air before things get super hot. Don’t forget to check out my channel! Until next time…

Namaste!

Waterfalls and a Raccoon!

Posted on by Lovie Price

Today i got out again for the second time this week after a 3 week hiatus.After all those weeks of painting , moving stuff and deep cleaning various areas of my house, it was spectacular to just enjoy nature. Here’s a clip..

This is but one of the many waterfalls on this beautiful 4.2 mile loop

The raccoon was a sweet little surprise -watch for him in the full video here:

I hope WP doesnt limit showing this post but sometimes it does when you share a youtube video..sorry!

At any rate, it was a true blessing to be out today. I hope you all got to enjoy it as well!

Namaste!

A Little “Punch” Drunk :)

Posted on by Lovie Price

No, it’s not what you think. I haven’t gone and drank the KoolAid or imbibed the Demon’s Tea:) I am talking about punching the air with my fists at times lately, sometimes for several minutes. Surprisingly , it really does help with stress…lol..

For the last few weeks , in addition to my usual 6 nightshifts a week and trying ( sometimes unsuccessfully ) to sleep at least 5 hours during the daytime, I have been immersed in repainting 3 rooms in the house ( 3 more to go plus a hallway) , hauling stuff upstairs from the basement and downstairs to either pack/trash/or give away, along with juggling whatever help i can get with all of it.And of course there are always unexpected complications and glitches that have to be dealt with. So far it has left very little time for “self-care” or even just relaxing. I haven’t even gotten to take a walk or hike for 2 whole weeks– which is crushing because we have had some really beautiful days.

Never the less , i am pushing onward knowing that with each completed project, every bin of “dust collectors” i get rid of, and every item i slash off my to-do list, i get closer and closer to reaching the goal of having the life I have always envisioned.

My Desktop Background

In the meantime, it’s nose to the grind stone.And that means i can get pretty wound up. I usually at least try to sit back on my heat pad for an hour or so before work, and once in a while I will meditate during that time as well. But recently i’ve been letting off a little steam with this bit of improvised “Air Karate”. As long as i don’t physically hit anything , the 3-5 minute activity redirects any negative energy to positive while also giving me a quick adrenaline boost. Of course, if there ever happens to be a big fluffy pillow nearby, i might consider a smack down…..lol.

Anyway, tomorrow i finally have 2 days off and plan to fit in some trail blazing. Additionally, i’ve decided to try something new with my Youtube channel- covering some of my blog posts from here in video format. I’ve been wanting to add some more content but since i hadn’t been able to get out as much as i expected to , this seems like a decent way to do just that.What do you think?

I’m still struggling with a few tech issues- mainly how to get my phone to video in landscape without the silly black bars on each side. No matter how many instructional videos i watch, nothing seems to work. But i’ll keep at it.

Hope you all are out enjoying the weather when you can, and making the most of Spring so far!

Namaste!

The Day-to-Day

Posted on by Lovie Price

The last few weeks have been filled with much busy-ness related to my upcoming move. There are items to be donated, stuff to be trashed, rooms to repaint and miscellaneous repairs to be made- all before i can even list my house for sale. After that comes the house showings and paperwork, etc. Then the relocating begins. All of this is pretty routine stuff when one is selling and/or buying a home. But in addition to our other necessary tasks, it can become overwhelming!

That is why i am so glad when i can get out for even short hikes. Time in the woods is like a balm to my soul. It refreshes me mentally, spiritually and physically. The best part is that it’s also a two-for-one deal for me. I get to continue testing gear and think about future multi day hikes and camping as well as day dream about my future property:)

But sometimes i do get stuck at home for one reason or another( usually weather or an appointment), and it can be pretty depressing. So i make sure to make time to do something- anything- that will further enrich my knowledge related to thru-hiking. Most of the time that mean researching gear and ideas online, watching other Youtuber’s journeys, reading Trailjournals.com or working on my lighterpack.com ( a site where you can log in your backpack items by category and keep a record of weight down to the gram). This keeps me from losing focus on my long term goals.

I hope you all are enjoying your time in the last months of winter. Spring is just around the corner and i look forward to seeing all the juicy gorgeousness of nature in bloom again!

Namaste!

Muddy Trails:)

Posted on by Lovie Price

Today was a beautiful day and i was once again able to get out to the woods on a familiar local trail . This trail is part of the Mason-Dixon Trail which is a 200-miler that runs through several counties in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland here in the U.S. It certainly isn’t the longest or most famous trail, but it is one of my favorites.

While i sometimes gripe about not being close to some of the more technical trails i enjoy, I am actually lucky to be close( within 30 minutes drive) to as many trails as i am.Today, i paid special mind to gratefulness as i walked , listening to the sounds of a burgeoning Spring time. There were “peepers” everywhere and the sound was amazing.

I also got to continue breaking in and testing out my new boots. I plan to do a short review of them by the end of summer. I don’t foresee using them on a thru hike( they are too heavy and the waterproofing would make for some serious swelling issues) , but they seem pretty awesome for the muddy short hikes i am taking lately, and i am excited to try them in the snow next winter.

After today’s hike- looks like it’s floating but just a weird angle i guess:)

Right now, i am working 6 nights a week for the most part and that leaves me with only an hour or two once i wake up and get going to enjoy the trails that close at dusk. I cannot wait for the days to get longer so i can stay out until 7 or 8 pm. But at least i get one week a month when i am off two nights in a row and can manage to travel a bit further to tackle the ones i covet in my daily thoughts. There is a particular area that contains at least 3 dozen trails that i frequent and if i would have to ever sacrifice my dream of owning 10 plus acres, that area would be my second choice to live in. There are some awesome views, some challenging terrain and some inter-connect with longer, more well known trails.

Just gotta get through rainy season:)

Namaste!

The Philosophy of Risk

Posted on by Lovie Price

Today i finally got back outside after several stressful weeks to test out my new Oboz Trail Boots in the muddy leftovers of recent heavy rain. While it was only a short walk, i am happy i forced myself out to get some fresh air as well as share a personal response to some recent commentary i’ve been dealing with about my life choices.

Into the Muck and Mire!

Here is a link to the full video:https://youtu.be/XkDK5pC0AxM?si=mNiyTZal5U213-5n

But if you don’t have the time or inclination to watch ( it IS almost 15 minutes long after all , and who has time these days?lol), here’s a brief summary.

In life, we all have to make choices .Some of those choices may be unpopular with those around you. This includes family, friends, acquaintances, facebook friends, co-workers and/or others. Some will blatantly tell you they think you are making a mistake while others will attempt to dissuade you with passive aggressive statements meant to belittle or question your intent- usually without knowing the full story. It is beyond insulting, and i have to admit, sometimes i struggle not to immediately lash out. But, there will always be nay-sayers, and among them are those who live their own lives in fear and scarcity, rather than taking any risks, and who seem to feel it is their duty to sway you in that direction as well.

While it’s important to be open to advice and criticism, it’s just as important, if not more important to listen with a discerning ear. As i was once told- consider the source. All i can do is shake my head when i get( unsolicited) advice from those who are, quite honestly, in no position to give it.After all, I certainly wouldn’t want to end up where they are.

There are at least 3 basic types of risk. I could further subcategorize but for all intents and purposes , i’ll just cover the main points.

First you have ” high risk”. This is when you decide something at the spur of the moment without benefit of research, knowledge or experience. These are usually based on emotion- anger, spite, jealousy, fear or other such volatile states of mind.Some examples would be acts of road rage, outlandish purchases, revenge affairs, drunk driving, playing the stock market, etc. These are also the ones that are the most regrettable.They can lead to severe consequences that may be life long.

Then you have “low risk”. This is when you decide to do something because you know that doing it will probably not affect your current circumstance much, or have little chance of failing. These are based on survival and routine. Some examples are getting into your car everyday to drive to work, attending a social event, trying a new food, or trying out a new hairstyle.

The third type of risk is what i call “calculated risk”. This is when you an appropriate amount of time researching, experimenting and analyzing data related to something new you would like to try, BEFORE you try it. It’s the healthiest type of risk you can engage in. It has a greater chance of success and you will not likely regret it as much as jumping into something on a whim.It provides not only a chance to grow and learn, but allows for some margin of error without being a suicide mission.

Making plans to go on a long backpacking trip, selling a home and buying land, or starting a new career/business are some examples in which calculated risk makes the most sense. By taking a proactive approach by delving into the pros and cons, as well as working through potential problems ahead of time you can avoid disaster, while still accomplishing your goals.

I hope you all are doing well and living the life you deserve:)

Namaste!

The Yin, The Yang

Posted on by Lovie Price

Hi guys! It’s been a beat since i posted and i wanted to update what’s been going on in my life:)It’s always a bouncy, but interesting ride!

After my video on January 30th i did wind up getting sick. Luckily I was able to nip it in the bud with an inhaled steroid script this time though so, it only lasted about 4 days instead of 2 -3 weeks. But then we had a big snow. I still haven’t gotten my water proof hiking boots either so all of this cut into my walking/hiking time.

I did wind up getting out for the day on Feb 10th and was finally able to conquer most of a difficult trail i had attempted twice before. There’s a bunch of rock scrambling, tree hugging and mud and i even slipped once on camera…lol…That video can be seen here: (p.s.- sound quality isn’t great- use both ear buds- i apologize and am trying to get better)

On February 13th, I turned 57. Unfortunately, the week didn’t turn out as i had hoped. On Valentines day my boyfriend and i broke up so that cancelled my birthday dinner for the 16th. I had 2 days scheduled off so i wound up spending them alone .It was cold and snowed one of those days as well. But, i was able to stay busy with things i had been putting off for a long time like scheduling appointments, getting my required online training done for work, and sorting through stuff i need to purge for my upcoming move.

However, the best thing that came out of the week was finally paying off the last of my debt. Once my house is sold ( i list it this spring)will have only a car payment left. The profit from the sale will go towards buying 10 plus acres of wooded land where i can make my own trails and enjoy the peacefulness away from busy traffic and too many people. It’s been a long , hard road and it’s not over..but i am closer than ever to attaining my lifelong dreams!

I hope you all are doing well and i’ll be doing some more hiking/backpacking posts soon.

Namaste!

10 Unusual Things I’ve learned while Prepping for A Thru Hike

Posted on by Lovie Price
  1. in some places you can’t turn off utilities at home for an extended period of time unless you want to pay a huge “security deposit” when you return to have them turned back on. Basically i’ve been told it’s like starting with a new account, despite the number of years you may have paid faithfully. If you plan to return to the same home, a better option is to set everything for the minimal use for the time frame- such as the lowest temp that will keep pipes from freezing if you live in a cold area.
  2. It’s hardly ever stated that before you leave you should order a few extra copies of your drivers license. Many are lost on trail and it can be a huge hassle. You can have them sent to you at a post office , just like resupply boxes.. but be aware that some post offices also require ID. So, it’s helpful to make printer copies of your ID to put in a separate space on your pack that you won’t be getting in and out of ( risking loss) for such occasions.Better still, make a one sheet copy of both sides of ALL the cards you are taking ( health insurance, credit card, medical info)- just fold it up and put inside a small waterproof pouch. Please remember to take it with you if you have to leave your back pack outside of a store or restaurant in town(some places don’t allow you to take it inside). Also carry a small amount of cash..some places ( hostels, shuttles, delivery services) are remote and do not take credit cards.For instance, i’ve heard this about the John Muir trail. I have seen suggestions for about $50…yes, it’s a slight risk because , well, you never know ..but i’d rather lose 50 bucks than chance not being able to get a shuttle if i need one for an emergency!
  3. You will need to make arrangements with your health insurance before you go. Many plans will not cover out of state injuries, urgent care, or hospitalizations. Many have restrictions as well regarding out-of -network providers.
  4. The same applies to car insurance. You should not just “cancel” insurance on any car you wish to keep, even if in storage. Where i live there is “sidewalk” or street insurance which is just the minimum for things like theft, damage or break- ins while you are away. Also , the same can apply regarding getting a new policy when you return- it can be more expensive.
  5. If you are leaving a home you will be returning to, make arrangements for someone you trust to check on your place regularly for any evidence of burglary, vandalism or damage from burst pipes etc. The thing is, many post their adventures on public formats without really considering that can alert potential criminal activity if anyone locally knows where the empty home is. More than one has posted returning to a home that was used for drug activity unbeknownst to the home owner. Always, always, always think ahead about what you post online- there are bad people in the world.
  6. If you get a satellite SOS with Garmin- do yourself a favor and get the insurance(s). Injuries happen and most health insurance will NOT cover the costs of a search and rescue. Helicopter rides and emergency care en route is usually out of pocket and often triple what you would pay for a trip via ambulance in your local area. Garmin insurance will cover this as long as you don’t let your policy lapse( so put it on auto renew just to make sure- it’s easy to forget!)
  7. Pets are not allowed in some areas on trail- you will have to board them and pay for such if you take one. Research all areas ahead of time regarding this.I am not a fan of taking pets along because i feel like there are way too many risks, but that’s just my opinion and many people do travel everywhere with their fur babies.
  8. Start stretching out your ankles months in advance. This is often an area people forget about in usual exercise routines. On trail- rocks , roots, debris from storms, and stream crossings can be hike-enders from sprains and/or bad falls. Weak ,stiff ankles are the main culprits.
  9. Bears are great climbers like to stay up in the trees at night, especially the babies( meaning an anxious mom nearby) and especially in the Smokies. Maybe you know this, but i didn’t. That’s pretty scary. Also – quick note..bear canisters are required in some areas, and you can’t even use an Ursak. There are fines if you get caught without one.
  10. a wind shield for your burner stove is something they don’t seem to show in a lot of videos..not sure why but finally one dude did mention it as an item and because i have had issues lighting my stove outside when it’s windy myself, i was like grateful to learn this. I previously didn’t even know they made ’em.However, it does add a few ounces of extra weight and i think this is a main reason some do not carry them.I removed a few panels of mine for that reason.

Hope this was helpful..

Youtube Hiking Videos- the Pros & Cons

Posted on by Lovie Price

Some of the scariest parts of thinking about thru hiking to a novice like myself is simply a lack of knowledge. Thank goodness we now have the internet and a huge amount of resources. In the process of watching( ad nauseum) hundreds of Youtube videos and reading articles online, i found much relief at times and learned a lot about what i think i could or couldn’t deal with, and how to work around it.

For example, one of the things i had to accept about myself is that i will likely never be a 4 season thru hiker.Trudging through knee high snow using snow shoes or i felt a huge burden lifted off my shoulders. Before i realized this, i couldn’t stop stressing over how could manage the weight and bulk to accommodate freezing temperatures.Besides just thinking about the general misery of potential frost bite , i also had no idea how i would manage it all financially and weight wise. Then suddenly, as if from the heavens, i realized the unlikelihood of (me)doing any serious winter hiking.While there is always the potential for drastic temperature changes on long treks, i feel like i could avoid a lot of it by only hiking in 3 seasons.

Phew!

There have been other epiphanies along the way- finally understanding more about “stealth camping”( it’s not that secretive or scary) and shelters vs. hostels ( i thought they were the same thing at first). Learning how close most re-supply places were on the AT so i wouldn’t be carrying 2 weeks worth of food. Understanding that i could be send home items and pick up other supplies with changing seasons and conditions meaning that i didn’t have to carry 4 pairs of footwear, heavy base layers, and a camel back water system the whole way. It all sounds silly to me now but i was truly “green” about it all.

On the other hand…

In an ideal world, everyone online would be truthful , fair and unbiased. But sometimes one has to be careful out there in the digital forest. Many Youtubers are “sponsored” by brands and their content is not so much good information as it is paid “advertisement”.The channel host may or may not even really use the product they are touting or have any experience with it at all.I don’t hold a grudge against anyone trying to make a buck, but it can get pretty hairy trying to discern between actual recommendations and ad hype based on sponsorship. Even knowing this, i still fell into the trap for awhile, forgetting that the larger the company, the more they can pay someone to hype their product..or many someones.And that just because 5 or more channels recommended a certain product didn’t mean it was the ‘best’. It probably took me 6 months or more to see through some of this. And when i did, I was a bit angry with myself. I did indeed spend way more than i should have or could have, and of course have regrets( along with a big ‘ole box full of items i won’t be using).

But it isn’t just products you have to be wary of at times. Even with as little experience as i have , i came to see that not all advice in general works for everyone.One of the most amusing gems is when a male hiker is giving tips and suggests (to all who are watching) “peeing in a bottle in your tent at night” so you don’t have to go out in the cold. Try to imagine the average female trying that one…in the dark, in a tiny tent! Now, TMI- i have used a cheap plastic container for this myself at times when camping – but i assure you, the opening was much wider than a soda bottle, and wouldn’t be practical to carry in a back pack. I can also attest that those female urinal devices take a good amount of practice unless you enjoy peeing on yourself.

Another controversial subject i hear about often is where to place your tent in your pack- inside or outside..as well as if it works better on top of your pack or strapped to the bottom. There are many many ways to pack and carry a tent, and there is no one size fits all solution. Mine for example, is a double wall tent which can even be separated ( tarp from inside mesh and floor area. So technically i could carry the tarp outside of my pack and the rest inside. Not all tents are made this way, some are single walled . Mine is also a trekking pole set up, so i don’t need tent poles, but i do need stakes and guy out lines. Some have stand alone type tents which do not require stakes or guy out lines, but have special poles .Other people use hammocks- which have no “poles”, but require trees for attaching the hardware it uses. And the way to carry anything is really a matter of comfort level for most people.

Bottom line is- go ahead and watch all the videos and channels you like. Subscribe away and enjoy the process of learning new things. I still spend entire nights ( hours on end binge watching my faves.) I have learned soooo much!

I know i wont be hiking 2000 miles( or even 20 unless i lose a shoe) in Crocs- maybe use them for camp shoes. I know I won’t be “cowboy camping”- nope, no way- because- snakes. I know i won’t be joining in on “Safety Meetings” ( code for going to smoke some marijuana ). I know i WILL be taking an SOS device, a cellphone and coffee. I know i will be using a Kula Cloth instead of just the handkerchiefs i use now..

But, most of all , i know using discernment is never bad advice:)

Namaste.

A Short Video( Learning & Growing)

Posted on by Lovie Price

I am still working on my you tube Channel and part of that (for me) is learning to navigate and editing app, spending time doing amateur videos so that i can get the lighting/sound/background better, and , well- just learning to get comfortable in FRONT of the camera ( rather than just showing the scenery as I walk ). I’ll post a link to my channel in the comment section if anyone wants to check out the few videos i did post so far ( i promise i’ll get better!). I think my next project is learning what “cards” are and how to use them. The video above is the first time i used a cover/poster ( me in my usual evening walk gear this time of year) so that was new for me.I likely won’t post it on my channel though as it isn’t really focused on a certain topic ( hike, gear, etc. ). If you have an established channel yourself – I am always open to hear about your journey as well!

Hope ya’ll are having a great week and Namaste!