Ride to the Hills

My hubby and I have a goal to lose 10 pounds by November.  Ambitious you say?  Well, we aren’t so much gym rats (blah! Can you believe people actually enjoying going there?), so we decided to exercise and shed the pounds by doing activities we enjoy.  So this weekend we headed up to the world-renowned Snowbird Resort to see the beautiful fall colors and do some hiking.  I popped a few Akavar 2050 (whatever helps, right?), grabbed a few Clif Bars for lunch (can you say tasty?), and we headed up.  Unfortunately for us, Oktoberfest was going on…so we didn’t get as much hiking done as we would’ve liked and we stuffed our faces with roasted almonds and polish dogs.  Hey, there’s always next week, right?

(We did take some pics..but lo and behold, my camera isn’t working, so enjoy these breathtaking views).

If you are anything like me, you just can’t wait to get out of your cubicle this summer and have some real adventure. I am adding to my already huge list of summer activities that I will experience. Here are some of them:

• Camping: This is a summer must (at least once). I am going to find a nice, beautiful lake that I can sleep right next to. Nothing is better than camping and then swimming. But one problem I run into when I go camping at the lake is all the bugs. I admit; I detest bugs. That is why I am brining my mosquito net hat. No joke; I really am. I am not going to let anything ruin this summer!
• Hiking: A few day trips of hiking is all it takes to feel summer-fulfilled, if you will.
• River Rafting: What is more fun than a little risky adventure?

I must admit, I couldn’t be more excited for summer. This winter has seemed long and I really didn’t get out for much cold weather camping. Most of the time I’m either at home reading outdoor/ski/mountain biking magazines or glued to my computer screen trying to make a go of my drop shipping work. August is going to be different however…it’s out of doors and Moab time!

Every year an ever increasing group of friends and friends of friends get together to hit up slickrock, Arches, Canyonlands, etc for a long weekend of crazy fun.

Last time we found an out of the way watering hole big enough for cliff jumping. This year we’re going on a guided river-rafting tour. Every time we go it just gets bigger and better.

Now I just need to figure out how I’m getting my bike down there this year.

Did you know that the beehive state is the most concentrated center for canyoneering in the United States?  Outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world travel to Zion National Park (located in southern Utah) to experience famed Utah Canyoneering.  Zion boasts nearly 50 technical canyons, including the Narrows, a section of canyon on the North Fork of the Virgin River.

The great state of Utah is by far one of my top vacation destinations - it’s an absolute paradise for the outdoor enthusiast, with miles and miles of diverse and scenic landscape.

It’s one of America’s most popular winter playgrounds, with world-renowned ski resorts and the “greatest snow on Earth!”

Southern Utah is home to a plethora of bizarre yet awe-inspiring rock formations and landscapes.  With mild temperatures most months of the year, it attracts visitors from all over the world and offers a myriad of different outdoor activities from mountain biking to rock climbing to camping.

Utah parks and recreation is a great resource to start planning a Utah getaway - if you do make it to the Beehive state, let us know!  We want to know how you enjoyed your time there.

With the summer fast approaching, people are starting to come out of hibernation and think of the outdoors again. I heard from some friends that Arizona has a new hot spot for outdoor recreation…a little city called Greer, up in the white mountains. If you like to get away, they’ve got accommodations for every taste, from upscale luxury lodge rooms, to family family cabins. I also hear the fly fishing is tremendous! So if you’re in AZ, make sure to check out Greer Rental Cabins.

This summer I did some pretty fun hikes while I was in Utah…I really think that there are very few places that can beat its natural beauty. If I had to choose a favorite hike however, it would have to have been the Narrows in Zion National Park.

The Narrows is a hike along the riverbed that runs right through the heart of the park. The crazy part is that you’re actually hiking in the river for most of the time. We went about five miles in, and then hiked back out. The steep canyon walls were beautiful, and there were plenty of places to sunbathe and relax along the way (be careful of sunburn though! If you get one, treat it carefully!). It really is a unique hike, and I’d suggest it to anyone who enjoys a somewhat challenging, adventurous hike.

So I have to take a minute to preach and advocate my new favorite product. As an avid hiker, camper, and all around outdoors woman person enthusiast, I often find myself in heavily wooded areas, or outside during the dawn and dusk hours when mosquitoes are out in peak numbers. Introducing the mosquito hat, a practical and efficient answer to all those blasted bugs!

The hat looks like a bucket hat and has mesh netting sewn into the rim, that completely covers your face and neck. The end of the netting can be cinched to secure the opening and keep any bugs from flying up into the netting. Brilliant, right? There is nothing more obnoxious and frustrating than having a bunch of flying insects biting your neck and face.

Too bad I didn’t think of this idea…I bet whoever did is one rich son of a gun.

I just finalized plans with my buddy to spend a week up in Alaska next month. We’ve got a tour guide and we’ll be doing some hunting/fishing/camping, etc. I’m crazy excited.

I’ll keep you posted as the details and trip unfolds.

I know it has been mentioned on our blog before, but Swiss hiking is some serious “ridin’ the hills.” 

World renowned for its beauty, the Alps attracts thousands of outdoor enthusiasts each year and is it any wonder?  Imagine hiking amidst some of the most majestic peaks and glaciers in the world?  Or trekking through lush alpine meadows and staying at charming chalets and alpine inns?   Sounds sweet, right?