by Collin Stuart Chambers
In my earlier post about our latest adventure in the Great Smoky Mountains, I mentioned my hiking partner rolled her ankle and went on to hike more than 35 miles. I thought I would elaborate and share how we assessed whether to turn back or continue with our planned...
by Collin Stuart Chambers
LEAVES OF THREE: POISON IVY AND ITS SNEAKY LOOKALIKES Wow, did I learn what poison ivy was the hard way, as so many of us do. Years ago, I was clearing English ivy vines in the wintertime, in short sleeves, in an overgrown part of my yard while living in Atlanta....
by Collin Stuart Chambers
BUT IT’S JUST A FEW FLOWERS… I saw several different groups picking wildflowers on my patrol at Max Patch last weekend. Handfuls of them. Some with their kids right beside them, little bouquets clutched in little fists, everyone smiling in the sunshine...
by Collin Stuart Chambers
Blame It On Bobby! Our imaginary hiking buddy we cursed to survive 4-days in the Smokies My friend and I just got back from four days and 45 miles in the Great Smoky Mountains, chasing another chunk of our “900 Miler Map.” For the uninitiated, that’s a delightfully...
by Collin Stuart Chambers
AVOIDING THE BITEY THINGS! (A NO-PANIC GUIDE TO TICK SEASON) Every year… the posts, the warnings, the hand-wringing… “The ticks are worse than ever!” And this year? They might actually be right. The CDC reported in April 2026 that emergency room visits for...
by Collin Stuart Chambers
Mystery Solved (Again.) Out on my walk today, I was trying to figure out why I felt so grumpy. I had gone to a community gathering the day before and met some lovely new neighbor friends and ate lots of good food. For the most part, I chose things I knew my body...
