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Exploring the American Wilderness and Other Adventures

Creative chaos, new places, wild beauty, and spontaneous adventures

Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, managed by the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, on the Snake River and the border of western Idaho and northeastern Oregon

“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity.” – John Muir Hells Canyon is located on the border of Idaho and the Seven Devils Mountains (I very badly want to backpack) and the Oregon Wallowas (I also want to […]

Towell Falls and Escure Ranch, Central Washington

Did you know that Washington is the location of SIX biomes? When we think of Washington, we think of the temperate forests of the Seattle area, but it is also home to prairies, wetlands, estuaries, shrub steppe, marine waters, and grasslands. I love the vibrant greens of the forests in western Washington, especially in the […]

Olympic National Park, Port Angeles, Washington

Being one of the last temperate rainforests in the US, with over 3,000 miles of rivers, more than 600 miles of trails, 73 miles of coastline, 60 named glaciers, and over 12 feet of rain, the Olympic National Park (ONP) is a vibrant paradise.  I had reserved a spot with a women’s adventure group to […]

Shoshone Falls Observation Deck Trail and Dierkes Lake Trail, Shoshone Falls Park, near Twin Falls, Idaho, and Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Walking Trail, Willard Bay Upward Game Recreation Area, Brigham City, Utah

Boise, Idaho -> Farmington, Utah: 330 miles Listening to: Alt J Radio on Pandora Hike: Shoshone Falls Observation Deck Trail and Dierkes Lake Trail, Shoshone Falls Park, near Twin Falls, Idaho, and Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Walking Trail, Willard Bay Upward Game Recreation Area, Brigham City, Utah  Lodging: Stayed with friends, CHX2 Dinner: homemade […]

Quail-Harrison Hollows Loop at the Hillside to Hollow Reserve, Boise, Idaho

Walla Walla, Washington -> Boise, Idaho: 254 miles Listening to: Taylor Swift Radio on Pandora Hike: Quail-Harrison Hollows Loop at the Hillside to Hollow Reserve Lodging: The 36th Street Urban Yurt in Large Garden Oasis Dinner: Vegetarian Tacos at Highlands Hollow Brewhouse  …… Yesterday was draining. I never forgot my dreams, but while I have […]

Mill Creek Recreation Area, Walla Walla, Washington

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho -> Walla Walla, Washington: 134 miles Listening to: The Revivalists Hike: Mill Creek Recreation Area (Mill Creek Recreation Trail to Mill Creek Dam, Bennington Lake Trail, Whitetail Trail) Lodging: The Finch Dinner: Phoumy Thai Cuisine (Tofu Pad Thai) ….. I often feel left out, isolated, and angry when I hear people talk […]

Mineral Ridge National Recreation Trail, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Mineral Ridge National Recreation Trail, in Coeur d’Alene, was Idaho’s first recreation site by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It is number 22 in the 100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest and accurately described as “one of the prettiest hikes, suitable for a wide spectrum of hiking abilities.” It is just over 3 miles […]

Q’emiln Park, Post Falls, Idaho

For many years, my New Year’s Day activity has been to run and walk the number of miles of the year we are in. For example, last year was the New Year of 2022, so I completed 22 miles. I was already sick, with my primary symptoms being chronic pain and nausea, and I had […]