After a full night of deep sleep and stormy dreams (thanks, tornado sirens), Kenobi and I slept in until after 9 a.m., which may be a record on this trip. We woke up slow and happy, the sun already high and the skies perfectly clear—a true Minneapolis summer morning. We made our way to Rustica Bakery, because... Continue Reading →
Adventure Prep & Trail Dreams: North Shore, Here We Come!
Alright folks, the countdown is on and the pre-adventure hustle is in full swing! Right now, it's all the less-than-glamorous-but-totally-necessary stuff—washing out the backpack bladder, airing out the hiking and camping gear that still smells like last summer (and other stuff), and saying goodbye to socks with more holes than fabric... you get the idea.... Continue Reading →
The Great North Reboot: Hiking Boots, Lake Views & Glazed Perfection
Alright, adventure crew — it feels like Kenobi and I have been in hibernation mode for way too long. Not totally off the grid, but definitely not chasing sunsets down winding highways or getting our boots muddy in the middle of nowhere like we should be. The wanderlust is real, and let me tell you... Continue Reading →
Reviewing Lessons to Move Forward
In June of 2015, I packed up all of my belongings and moved them into a storage unit in New York City for the summer. My dog, Kenobi, and I got into a rental car and started our trip out West. In preparation, I had mapped out all of the National Forests where we'd stay,... Continue Reading →
Making It Happen
It's time. What seemed to be a catastrophe is really an opportunity. Time is now on my side to tackle not the Ultimate Road Trip, but the The Optimal U.S. National Parks Centennial Road Trip. Yes, this one was created by Randal S. Olson, too and includes stops at 47 National Parks. Perfect! Again, he states... Continue Reading →
Full Day of Hiking
We were not up very early, but got a great start on the day's hiking. After filling up on breakfast, we prepared for the entire day out on trails. That means Kenobi was carrying a full back pack (Ruffwear Approach Full-Day Hiking Pack for Dogs, Orange Poppy (2017), Medium) with his water, treats, baggies, and... Continue Reading →
Day One–Road Trip to Grand Marais
We left almost on time on Wednesday just after noon and didn't face much traffic at all except for the two construction areas along 35W north. Even there, it wasn't bad--a single lane but not stopping. It was a gorgeous day for a road trip. Smooth and easy--from Minneapolis: 100 to 35W north to 61... Continue Reading →
Gooseberry Falls, MN
Kenobi and I headed north on Thursday, September 7, 2016 to camp and hike along the North Shore in Minnesota. It was a long, but beautiful drive from Chicago, through Wisconsin, past Duluth to our first stop, Gooseberry Falls campground. Thunderstorms were predicted, so I was anxious to get the tent up and fasten a... Continue Reading →
Hike 40 for Trail Advocacy
Kenobi and I will be hiking for a cause starting tomorrow. Our goal is to hike 40 trails. Check out the fundraising site and share it. Please donate if you can. Every dollar counts. https://www.crowdrise.com/hike40fortrailadvocacy/fundraiser/jennifermay1
On the Trails with Kenobi 