Tag: hike

Jockey Hollow Hike – Morristown National Historical Park

Many people are unaware of the amount of Revolutionary War history that exists in New Jersey.  George Washington actually spent more time in the state than any other during our country’s battle for freedom.  Some historic sights are identified by roadside markers or large stone monuments, while others have been preserved as part of the National Park System – in 1933 Morristown became the country’s first National Historical Park; protecting the site used as a winter came for Washington and his troops. Continue reading →

Vasque Breeze 2.0 GTX Hiking Boot: Gear Review

1 Comment

I wore my last pair of Vasque hiking boots for five years before they got to a point where they needed to be replaced.  They were perfect from day one through day 1,825 (or so).  When I headed into REI to look at new boots, I naturally picked out a pair of the Breeze 2.0 GTX hikers.  I can happily say that I’m very satisfied with the performance of the new Vasques after about 20 miles of mixed hiking – despite getting off to a rocky start (I’m not talking about the terrain). Continue reading →

Warm weather hiking on Mount Tammany – NJ

I spent most of the winter exploring the Sourland Mountain Preserve (a local park that has become my unofficial training ground).  I love that I have a cool spot so close to home, but felt like I needed a challenging hike to officially open warm weather adventuring season. I thought about the day hikes I most enjoyed last summer and decided to hit the Mt. Tammany loop in Worthington State Forrest – part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.  Continue reading →

How a GoPro put me back in touch with nature

Most of the pictures I’ve taken on While adventuring were taken with a Kodak Advantix (remember those?), a Cannon Power Shot (10mp point and shoot), or one of my various iPhones (3GS, 4S, and 6).  When I purchased my GoPro Hero 3+ last year I knew it would change the way I documented my adventures, but I never expected it to change the way I experienced my adventures Continue reading →

Teton Sports Oasis 1100: Review

The only experience I’ve had with water hydration packs was while sharing one with a few friends hiking in the Tongass National Forest near Juneau, Alaska.  We were saving the water in my water bottles for cooking, since it would be easier to manage once we got to camp.  The hose leaked, the mouth piece was chewed up, and I questioned the last time it was cleaned.  I didn’t let it ruin the amazingness of the hike, but it did leave a bad taste in my mouth.  Continue reading →

escape to point mountain

New Jersey’s highlands are packed with great hikes of all difficulty levels.  Today, Mojo (my Australian Cattle dog) and I completed a hike on Point Mountain in Warren County, a new spot for both of us.  The 3 mile trek covered an elevation gain and drop of about 1000ft and took about an hour and a half to cover. Continue reading →

mounting Jumbo in Juneau

3 Comments

I’ve been thinking a lot about my 2009 trip to Alaska recently.  That trip involved a lot of firsts.  In addition to being my first time traveling solo, my first time sleeping in a hostel, my first time kayaking in a glacier lake, and my first time west of the state of Kansas; my trip to Alaska was the first time, and currently the only time, that I had the opportunity to summit a mountain.  On my final full day in Juneau, my sister and I climbed more than 3,000 feet to the peak of Mount Bradley Jumbo.

Continue reading →