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
Seeing the prolific amount of buckeyes on the ground this time of year conjurs up several memories for me, mostly as sweet remembrances of fall hiking on trail. By far my oldest memory of a buckeye, however, is of the good luck token that lived permanently in my...
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
FIRST THE FLOWERS, NOW THE BERRIES… I’m about to share an unpopular opinion, and I’m going to post it anyway, because that’s apparently my whole personality these days. I already spend a fair amount of time asking people to leave the wildflowers...
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
BABY, IT’S HOT OUT THERE! HOW TO STAY COOL (AND ALIVE) WHILE WALKING IN THE SUMMER HEAT It’s July. Much of the country is melting. And somewhere out there, someone is lacing up their boots and heading for a trail in 98-degree heat because “it’ll be fine.” I have...
