The Baylor Canyon Trail is a six-mile hike in the Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument. The trail goes up and over the mountain range through Baylor Pass and is the only maintained trail that goes over the Organ Range. There are trailheads both on the east side, starting at
The Honest Backpacker, A Practical Guide for the Rookie Adventurer over 50, by James and Nicole Klopovic is an encouraging guide to those with the desire, though maybe not the confidence, to get on the trail. Written for older adults, it covers important information that will benefit anyone preparing
There has been much talk about ticks this year. Experts are predicting that after a mild winter, this summer will be the worst tick season in memory and that Pennsylvania will have among the highest numbers. Besides the fact that no one likes having these blood-sucking pests on themselves or
Sometimes the best gifts are experiences, not things. A good way to sample a new activity is to enroll in a class or participate in an event. Some local branches of national outdoor outfitters (including REI, LL Bean and Eastern Mountain Sports) offer classes in a variety of outdoor activities
Books and other publications always make great gifts. There are many options for the outdoor enthusiast or for someone you want to encourage to spend more time outdoors. Picture books depicting nature, especially those about animals are good for young children. You can find books on a particular animal or
While many outdoor activities require little or no equipment, or items you can easily rent or borrow, sometimes it is nice to have your own gear, especially if you plan to do these things more often. There are of course the big items such as a bicycle, canoe, kayak, stand-up
The number of gadgets seems to be endless. While many of these are not necessary, some of them can make things easier and/or more fun. Some you may need infrequently, but be glad you have when the need arises. When spending extended time outdoors, such as when camping, having a
Though many don’t think of clothes as being particularly exciting gifts, pieces designed to wear while exploring the outdoors may be the exception. There are specialized clothing options for any outdoor activity. Though these items are not generally necessary to enjoy these activities, they are designed to improve performance and
We are all used to traveling to get to a destination. It is a change of mindset to think of the journey as the destination. Though toddlers are especially good at rambling, this idea of walking to get to a place is instilled in our children fairly quickly and as
My introduction to Volkssmarsching (literally, people walking) occurred while staying with friends in Germany. This was a common weekend activity for our friends. The day started with looking up the list of available 5 or 10k walks to see where they were located and what sort of prize was