Tag: outdoors

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 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!

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.

Day Hiking Vs. A Thru Hike

Posted on by Lovie Price

Maybe you aren’t really sure about committing to a thru hike just yet, and i completely get it. I’m still not 100% sure..but in the meantime, i do know i love to hike, and i plan on continuing to day hike regardless of what i decide.

So, what’s the difference when planning for a day hike vs. a long multi day trail? A lot! I have already covered the general gear ( to the best of my knowledge and research) that i would include for a thru hike. So , i’ll focus on my short trips ( of which i do absolutely have knowledge).

Day hiking can be simply a fun 4-15 mile hike in a local park or perhaps just a few hours away. I try to shoot for less than a 45 minute drive to any trail for day hiking but i have driven over 2 hrs one way(and it was so worth it!). My daypack items are slightly different and the weight is a lot less, so if i want to take a few extra things, i can. My total pack weight is always 7 lbs or less on a day hike..This enables me to go faster in the boring parts, do more technical trails, and feel a lot less sore afterwards.

  1. Basically, i will automatically eliminate my tent, and sleep system. They are the bulkiest and weigh the most in total. However, i DO take a cheap emergency reflector blanket, and a disposable rain poncho( it can be a make shift tent and/or add a layer of protection/warmth) because you never know..

2. If i am taking food, usually it is just snack foods like crackers, pop tarts, or trail mix..so i can also eliminate my cook system ( another weight and space savings) . But if i will be gone most of the day and want to plan for a stop to make something warm , like a prepackaged meal, oatmeal or coffee, i would still take the kit (very rarely).

3. Water ..i always take a little more than i think i’ll need (generally, 2 large smart water bottles at 750 ml each ). It really depends on how long i will be out, and if i will need to use some for cooking or washing my hands or utensils. I also carry my sawyer mini water filter and back flush syringe.

4. DEF take your first aid items. My basic kit is simple- a few alcohol wipes, hand sanitizer, triple antibiotic, one or two band aids, a safety pin, tweezers, sunscreen stick , some OTC meds( Benadryl, Antidiarrheals, Ibuprofen), and a few days supply of my prescription meds. I carry 2-3 bandanas- one for a “pee rag”, one for sweat, and one for an emergency bandage for any large cuts or scrapes.A small amount of TP, and a small pair of scissors OR a knife OR a swiss army /multi purpose tool ( not all three).Lip balm.I pretty much just keep these items in my pack at all times- so it’s not like i have to think them through each time i leave.

5. an over- the head bug net and a floppy hat.Soon i will invest in pull over bug netting that will also protect my arms in really buggy places.

6. My Garmin Inreach mini (although i don’t usually turn it on for short hikes, but do like to test it out occasionally). Better safe than sorry- Yes, you can send a link to friends and family that you choose when you create your account that lets them know your location and one of 3 short preset messages that you create- such as “i’m Ok, just checking in” , “Done with my hike” , or “Need help”, etc. You can choose to have it sent via text or email or via The Earthmate app that it uses from your cell phone-which also can let them track you online, but i haven’t figured all that out yet.

7. Ball cap and sunglasses. If you wear/need glasses normally, take an extra pair. i now also take a buff or two along because they are awesome for so many things!!

8. Regular rain gear ( in addition to the emergency poncho) if there’s even a slight chance for rain in the forecast. Plus one extra layer clothing for warmth if it’s even slightly chilly- because it will be cooler in the woods and if i take longer than i plan, it will cool off as evening approaches. Something orange to wear ( whether it’s hunting season or not).

9. several ziplock baggies- one for collecting stuff, and one for ( cough) just in case you have to go #2 – i once just brought my handkerchiefs and had no where to put it after- lesson learned. Same would apply to TP because you should always at least TRY to use Leave no Trace principles and pack out your trash.Third one for any trash you bring like snack packaging.

10. my ID and house/car keys

11. Cell phone , one battery pack and charger cord. Even if i am not using a trail app, i am always taking pics and videos.I download all maps before i leave.

That’s about it. It varies from person to person, climate to climate, and of course length of time. If i want to take any extra items, it’s usually a sketch book and a few pencils, etc. Some people take some fresh fruit along- my daughter even took an avocado on one of our day hikes. But to be honest, i really don’t like fruit( i know, i know- i’m just weird. I also hate bacon..), plus it weighs more than i would like (lol). I would most likely take some jerky as a treat instead.Some take binoculars, or their journal or maybe some take their butterfly net…i don’t know…lol

Please feel free to add or give any advice below or comment with questions. i am always learning:)

Namaste.

Financing Your Thru Hike ( or any big adventure)

Posted on by Lovie Price

One of the things that really thwarted me years ago, and sometimes still does is the costs of planning a long thru hike such as the AT, CDT, or PCT. These trails require months, not weeks, away from home. Obviously most people have expenses such as mortgage/ rent, a car payment, health care costs, insurance( of all kinds) , not to mention utilities, groceries, and other life necessities. Planning an adventure of any kind can be expensive and for many, this is what prevents them from following their dreams.

While some long to go on a safari, drive cross country in an RV, or take a European tour some day the basics of what needs to be considered include not only paying for the trip itself, but how to assure enough to pay for regular, ongoing expenses while away home for an extended period. Even if it is possible to shed all of your worldly goods prior to embarking, chances are you will eventually have to return home some day. And when you do, the loss of income from a regular job will dramatically affect what you will be coming back to. This breaks it down into 3 categories :

1. saving enough for the trip( including food and transportation)

2. saving enough to pay bills while you’re away

3. saving enough to cover a transition period when you return

For thru hiker hopefuls- #1 can be anywhere from $7-10,000 just for the hike itself including gear( initial and replacement), food, hotel or hostel stays, doing laundry, permits, shuttles and miscellaneous ( like phone service, satellite SOS subscription, attending trail events or making side excursions , etc). Even hot showers and towels at a truck driver’s “station” usually cost money.Depending on lifestyle and income(#2)=5- 6 months of bills that must be paid in your absence which can be anywhere from $1 -5,000. And (#3) if you aren’t positive you will be able to come back to the job you left , you will need a buffer of 1-2 months living expenses on top of that. My estimate at this point is around $10-15,000 more( not counting the gear i’ve already bought) that i will need to complete a thru hike.

I mean you CAN save money on some of it.. for instance, explore used gear sites and look for stuff on Ebay:

My Fave Hiking Shoe -Altras -First pair was new- the rest i got from Ebay at a discount

In the grand scheme of things, a simple no frills walk in the woods seems like it would hardly cost a thing. After all, you aren’t staying in 5 star hotels, getting massages or eating at upscale restaurants! And by comparison , the bang for you buck is much cheaper than the same amount of time spent at a luxurious tropical resort. But it isn’t “free”.

One of the most frequent ways of financing this ( so i have heard) is to take on a 2 job or some type of part time work to supplement and save, save, save. Many “pro” hikers profess to regularly working at odd jobs for half the year to make just enough to hike the other half. Others have sold their homes, or downsized , traded in newer cars for used, and sold off most of their material belongings online. Less frequently, someone has a sponsor or even a partner helping them financially. (P.s.- it’s often less expensive to go with a partner or buddy as well to save on rooms, as well as being able to share gear.)

I think honestly it is a matter of what you’re comfortable doing, and how long you are willing to wait to start. As i previously posted, so far i am on year FOUR of planning( not full time planning, mind you, but off and on until this past year). I had to really buckle down in 2023 and tell myself that I would never even have a chance at my dream unless i took viable steps toward it ( literally and figuratively). I made it a point to stop daydreaming and actually buy my big three within the year (plus many of the other necessary items). Later, i may post a list of the actual costs- but a pretty good estimate is around 3 grand spent on the gear stuff alone so far and i still have to change up a few items( a bigger back pack for one). Like most, i had to keep paying my regular bills and such while i did it.Compared to other hobbies( bodybuilding, the cabin project, buying a home) and things i’ve invested in, this is less expensive. But, again- not free. I just made sure i paid everything off asap and didn’t let the debt linger on a credit card gaining interest. As with other things i’ve invested in, my extra income was mainly from working overtime, cutting back on other expenses and having roommates to help with costs. For me, when i sell my home this spring, a portion of the proceeds will also be kept in reserve for this endeavor.

What i’m trying to say is, there are a number of ways to accomplish you goals.But none of them will work unless you are committed and consistent. Outside of a financial windfall ( the lottery or an inheritance) every project and goal takes more than just passion, no matter what all the memes tell you. But it can be done…

Namaste.

Is Backpacking Right for You?

Posted on by Lovie Price

Confession: I struggled with a title for this one because basically, it’s more of a run through of some of the hiker lifestyle “simulations” i have “tried on for size” over the past few years. What i had really hoped for last summer through fall is get some experience hiking out, and then camping over night both in a tent and in a “shelter” a few times to get my proverbially feet wet so i could ascertain the ability to pursue my goals. I tried and tried to find someone to share my adventures both in person as well as online. Many people showed interest, initially.. but by the end of October, all i had managed to talk anyone into was a short day hike or two. Some didn’t have the time, some had no gear, but mostly i found that, when it came down to it, they really weren’t as enthusiastic as they thought.Even my partner eventually expressed that it just “didn’t sound like fun (to him)”. It was frustrating, but one thing i realized after the season ended is that I cannot and should not have waited for someone else. This was my mistake.

However, i did not waste all that time. I did over 380 miles of hiking. And since the beginning i have been doing a lot of experimenting. I’ve tried to recreate typical scenarios, situations, and daily routines of life on trail as best I can. Here’s just a few:

  • hiking or just walking in the rain and cold weather.
  • cooking on a small burner.
  • sleeping on the ground/hard surface.
  • eating a typical thru hiker diet for a few weeks.
  • trying different shoes.
  • trying a variety of clothing brands
  • walking on trails vs. on pavement.
  • packing and unpacking my back pack.
  • Financial cut backs/budgeting.
  • juggling logistics

I’ve tested lots of other things too( not including the above photo , although i am certainly not opposed-lol) : using a She-wee instead of squatting to pee ( didn’t like it), various sun hats, going without socks, walking with varying pack weights, pushing my limits on more difficult trails and trying new ones, hiking alone( most of the time), testing how long my phone will stay charged using the apps, testing out my devices and how long they take to recharge with the power packs, adding electrolyte powders to my water, carrying different water bottles and sizes, etc. The list is endless. I loved every minute of it.

But during these tests, i’ve definitely questioned myself a whole lot. Mostly when i am just getting home from work in the morning and wondering how in the world i am going to get through hiking 2000 miles enduring physical extremes if i feel this crappy after working only 8 hours. Or when i drive past that trail i’ve been wanting to do, but tell myself i’ll do it another day. Or when i wake up in the afternoon taking up to 2 full hours to get myself together even with all the creature comforts vs. trying to imagine crawling out of a wet tent in the cold, waiting for water to boil on a tiny flame for a single cup of coffee, taking down my tent /packing up and walking 20 more miles. I often have serious doubts as to whether I can truly do this…much less navigate mountain peaks and icy ledges. Ugh..

So how do i know? The simple answer is: I don’t. But what i do know is that 90% of the time, it consumes me and when i am out there, i feel alive. My attitude improves 1000% and i cannot wait to do it over and over and over again. Is backpacking right for me? Maybe, maybe not.

But who cares? I’d rather be doing nothing else right now.

YOLO.

Namaste:)