Backpacking at Providence Canyon

Went for a 2-nighter down near Columbus with Renee for our anniversary. Backpacked at Providence Canyon park. This was a neat place with some beautiful canyons, which were formed as a result of poor agricultural practices in the 1800s. The hike out was just under 3 miles but there were considerable hills. We had to hike back to the visitor's center to refill our water supply once. Total miles hiking was approximately 15.

Thoughts from the trail:

No matter how in-shape one is, backpacking is still a fitness tester
Showers are overrated
Always bring extra water (absolutely no water sources at all in the park)
A crystal clear, starry night away from light pollution where one can see the Milky Way is worth the price of admission
There is nothing quite like daybreak at camp
There is nothing quite like dusk at camp
A campfire is the perfect way to end the day
Re-hydrated food is convenient and relatively tasty but we also to brought along "junk," such as beanie weenies and vienna sausage, candy bars, etc for a needed break from reconstituted foods.
Coffee makes it alright
Barred owls calling to each other in the middle of the night is worth being awake
It is interesting to note how priorities and concerns change and simplify in the wilderness ; gathering wood, making sure to have enough food and water, staying warm.
There are simple pleasures such as a bird sharing it's morning with you at the campsite
The adrenaline rush of coming upon an active yellow jacket nest right on the trail and having to strategically scurry past
Always check your pack before picking it up (large hunting spider)

Full-size photos from the trip: https://goo.gl/photos/QuyUGNsoiVifsjcC6

Allatoona Creek trail run race report

First year doing the Allatoona Creek race. Missed it last year because I had a duathlon on the same day. This course is sneakily difficult with the most challenging being the Mason's Bridge section. On a bike, it's easier and more fun because you can roll through all the dips but running through those is really tough. There aren't very many climbs and no big hills but that course is a grinder. There was a torrential rainfall a few days before the race so the first 3 miles was a mud run through open cross-country. I really liked this part though felt I got off to a slow start. Pacing is so difficult because I don't know how much energy I need to spare. Feet were wet out of the gate but it was no big deal. There's a twisted part of me that prefers adverse conditions. Went in to the singletrack section at Rusty Bucket and shuffled through twisty sections, not very fast through there. In fact, I felt leaden the entire race. I had ran the da...

Solar Eclipse 2017

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Thundering Silence: Backpacking on the Appalachian Trail

Ventured out on my first backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail, or AT as its known in the hiking community. I hadn't been backpacking since I was in the Scouts, when we did a 10-miler at Kennesaw Mountain. My wife Renee had never been backpacking although we had both been primitive car-camping before and we each share a love of the outdoors. This trip had been in the making for a few years with us sharing a "Wouldn't that be awesome," conversation or two. I also recall my dad saying how neat it would be to hike the entire AT when I was a kid, a lofty goal to be sure. Renee and I are both in pretty good shape from running and bicycling so we figured that a 2-night trip on the AT would be feasible. We were right...mostly. We purchased our backpacking and camping gear the week before and took a practice hike at a local trail. We did a trial run at Sutallee Trace in Canton to test the waters and get the packs dialed in. I felt some new muscles being wor...

Mountain Bikes, Bass Guitar, and other stuff I like

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