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Showing posts with label hiking. Show all posts

Monday, March 21, 2016

The Best Hiking, Camping, and Tiny House Pillow Ever Made

The Therm-A-Rest pillow is an amazing little pillow. It is marketed and highly recommended as a lightweight pillow for hikers. I had purchased mine to meet the immediate need of a comfortable and easy-to-pack travel pillow -- with eventually using it for camping trips. And now, as it turns out, I have found that it is also the best little pillow for tiny home living!

The Therm-A-Rest compressible pillow comes in a variety of sizes and colors. My pillow is the medium "denim" style. While I will be referring to that pillow specifically, each of the pillows are "compressible" and have the built-in draw string storage pocket.

Compressible for Easy Travel

I want the comfort of my own pillow when I travel. Even in hotels. It's not so hard to drag your own pillow along if you are taking a roadtrip. But you might as well forget about taking your own pillow on a plane.

I have tried several different "travel" pillows that can be purchased in airports. You know, the kind that loop around your neck and are considered convenient for naps during flights. I hated them. I didn't like the material, the snugness around my neck, and it drove me crazy that they often gave my hair static. I have to admit that looping them around my carry-on handle as I boarded and disembarked was handy. But that was the only thing I liked about those travel pillows. Those annoyances were what led me to purchasing the Therm-A-Rest pillow.

The little Therm-A-Rest pillow compresses and rolls up into it's built-in storage pocket. It is then small enough to fit into my carry-on bag easily. It was just large enough to fit behind my head or between my head and the plane window.

I am including a video that shows just how small this "medium" pillow is when it is rolled up.

Lightweight and Durable for Hiking, Camping, and Outdoor Activities

While my pillow is the medium "denim" pillow, it is not made of denim. I suppose that is the color descriptor. The material is a durable - but comfortable - "brushed polyester". Because it is machine washable, it is easy to wash and dry after camping trips.

I am not a true back-packer, but I carry a pack on many of my walks. This pillow fits nicely into my backpack. I've carried it along to the woods and to the beach.

Perfect for Minimalist and Tiny Home Living

Living in a small home can be a wonderful thing.But it is also challenging to downsize both the amount of your belongings as well as the actual size of each item. I spend time in a small camping "Shack" as often as possible and I plan to retire there. Space is limited. Between the air mattress, sleeping bag, and this Therm-A-Rest pillow, I am very comfortable at night.

When I leave the "Shack", I place all of my textiles - and all other items that are tempting to mice for nests - into containers. The beauty of this little pillow is that it is wonderfully comfortable when in use and then rolls up to a small roll that takes up little space in the storage container.

I imagine that tiny homes with miniature loft "bedrooms" would be the perfect place for these pillows. If I remodel my place to include a tiny loft sleeping area, I know I am already prepared for it.

Related Links:

How I Stay Warm at Night. The cold weather sleeping bag I use in combination with this amazing pillow.

Tips for Traveling Light. How to pack for vacation. The trick is knowing how to pack light.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Monday, October 20, 2014

Visit Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

I have many favorite places to visit in the mid-Atlantic, but Harpers Ferry, West Virginia is a special place. I wish I could visit every weekend. Frankly, I wouldn't mind living in the area. But so far, I've only taken day trips to the beautiful little town.

Photographic print by Jeffrey D. Walters

Personally, I go to Harpers Ferry in order to enjoy the scenery and to climb the hill to the Maryland Heights overlook. Or I spend the day walking around the town among the old buildings. Occasionally, I stop before I get to the town, and sit at the river's edge and watch the flotilla of humans, enjoying the river in innertubes, kayaks, and canoes. I love the look and feel of this little water community; tucked in at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. Where the states of West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland meet.

Recommending Harpers Ferry as a place to visit is easy for me since I think everyone can find something they like while there. People who like historical towns, architecture, outdoor recreation, civil war and black history will especially enjoy their visit.

Hilltop Church Harpers Ferry by Greg Dale

A bit of trivia, Harpers Ferry was originally spelled with an apostrophe (Harper's Ferry) and continues to be found this way in literature. However, It is now correct to spell it without an apostrophe. I don't know what caused the change but I do know that I tend to revert to the apostrophe version frequently. I am trying to break that habit. But you will likely see it spelled both ways.

Outdoor recreation

Tour the area by raft, zipline, horseback, or bicycle. There are several different adventures and outfitters to choose from.

Indoor recreation (a.k.a shopping)

There is no mall or superstore type of shopping located in this town. Not that I have seen. But there are many little shops offering beautiful items for sale. Shop-a-holics can find great gifts or treats for themselves.

Appalachian Trail (AT)

Harpers Ferry is considered the "psychological halfway point" by the AT thru-hikers. Because of the close proximity to the AT trail, Harpers Ferry is also an excellent place for day hikes on the AT.

Maryland Heights Trails

The Harper's Ferry National Historical Park is a highly recommended walking park and offers 20 miles of trails. There are riverside paths, battlefield trails, and my favorite Maryland Heights trail. Maryland Heights is across the Potomac river from town and up that giant hill. It is miles long and a steep and difficult (for me anyway) trail. But it is well worth the effort when you are able to see the town from the overlook area. The first photograph in this article shows the breathtaking sight from that area.

Civil War and Black History

Abolitionist John Brown Wax Museum Photo by Joel Sartore

I can't even being to share the importance of this town to both civil war history and black history, and history in general. The John Brown raid precipitated the civil war in Harpers Ferry. Three civil war battles occurred here. Harpers Ferry was the site for the first academic college for freed slaves (Storer College) as well as the site for the US of the Niagara Movement (which later became the NAACP). I was aware of the civil war history in the area but only became adequately aware of the importance in shaping history for freed slaves when I accidentally parked in a parking lot between the Storer college buildings in order to get my bearings. I was there that day to hike, I will return to look more closely at these buildings and the self-guided tour.

Maybe you can begin to understand why Harpers Ferry is one of my favorite places to be. This is just the smallest peek at what this town has to offer.

Replica of John Brown's Fort by mamaGeek cc by 3.0

If you go, I have two important bits of advice. Be sure to wear good walking shoes and bring water. Parking in this area is limited because of the layout of the town. Tourists have several parking lots to use but the closest fills up early. I have seen days where there is no parking in the park or at the train station. There are shuttles from the more distance parking lots. Also, if you plan to walk or hike, pack plenty of water. I always walk farther than I meant to. Being thirsty is not safe or comfortable when you hike.

If you ever have the chance to visit Harpers Ferry, I hope you take it. It is a wonderful place to experience.

Written by Dawn Rae

Disclosure: In affiliation with AllPosters.com, Dawn Rae is a blogger and content writer who may earn compensation from the sale of AllPosters products.

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Monday, April 28, 2014

Primitive Camping in the Mid-Atlantic: Green Ridge State Forest

Have you ever known about a place or a thing so special that you wanted to keep it all to yourself? You were afraid to let others know about it? Well, that’s how I’ve felt about Green Ridge State Forest in Flintstone, Maryland for several years.

I’m now ready to share my special place with you.

As compared to all other places I’ve gone camping, and there have been many, I rate Green Ridge State Forest as a 10 out of 10.

I am aware that anyone who goes camping will have their own criteria for rating campgrounds. As a woman, I am aware that many of my female friends require parking spots large enough for their RV, electricity for their curling irons and blow dryers (their statements, not mine), and modern bathroom facilities complete with hot running water. I do not share these sentiments with my friends.

My top requirements for a campground include:

Privacy – I don’t want my site right on the road or in close quarters with others.
Natural setting – I want to see the plants, birds, and wildlife. I don’t want the only four-legged thing I see to be a lawn chair.
Cooking over an open fire.
Low-cost. If I am spending just a few dollars less than a cheap hotel room (and I’m that close to the campers next door) I’d rather be in the hotel room.
Amenities that include only the great outdoors. Pinball machines and putt-putt golf are not reasons I go camping.

I’ve experienced primitive camping at Green Ridge as a lone woman and as part of small groups. My favorite times were the times that included my son.

I have shared information and my photographs about Primitive Camping at Green Ridge State Forest and will soon share my last personal adventure there that was a solo and minimalist overnight stay.

If you love camping, and are in the Mid-Atlantic states area, you must consider seeing Green Ridge State Forest. And remember, whenever you are in an outdoor setting, especially natural settings, practice the art of “leave no trace”. The earth is good to us, let’s keep it clean.

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Monday, April 21, 2014

Experience the Mid-Atlantic Region a Few Steps at a Time.

Driving through the mid-Atlantic, you can get a bit of a feel for the beauty of the area. This is especially true if you stray from the Interstate 95 corridor. However, I don’t think a person can know what an area is like without pulling over and getting out of the car.

For example, I can say I’ve been to St. Louis, Missouri. I’ve seen the arch. But I drove through, looking out of the windows at 65 miles an hour. Even though the kids (they were young then) put Nelly’s CD in the player all of the way through Missouri, and we watched from the windows pointing out different things to each other, I didn’t leave the state knowing the area.

A rugged portion of a Baltimore County, MD trail.

Getting outdoors in an area is the best way to know an area more intimately. I think hiking is the best way to do this. Understand that I use the word “hike” loosely. I say I hike. But what I do is walk along paths for a short period of time. I participate in what are called day hikes. All through the mid-Atlantic there are great places to take day hikes. There are great places to take even shorter walks. Best of all, the Appalachian Trail runs through part of the mid-Atlantic region. That means the best of the best hikers do section or thru-hikes here. In terms of trails, there is something for every level of hiker (walker) here.

A lush portion of the same trail.

Whatever type of hiker you are, I encourage you to get out there and see the land. It is possible to hike here in all four seasons, in a variety of terrains, and I love them all.

MysticTurtle shares her thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail (AT). While thru-hiking the AT is a very serious adventure, there are many places to jump on the trail and do a short hike. Beginning hikers, like myself, can still enjoy sections of the AT trail.

Hiking more difficult terrain in western Maryland.

In 2012, Clare Lochary wrote an article for the Baltimore Sun, listing the 10 best Mid-Atlantic hikes for fall foliage viewing. I’ve been to many of the places on Ms. Lochary's list and the rest are on my too-see list. I agree with her list and think she’s chosen some really great places for day hikes, no matter the time of year. Be advised, if you use her list, do some research because some of the entry fees may have increased. But the information in the list itself is very helpful.

I hope you find a way to get out and really experience an area, whether it’s the mid-Atlantic region or your own. The following photographs are from a few of my experiences in this area.

Walking the islands and beaches in the mid-Atlantic.

Hike the tidal rivers in Maryland.

Sidling Hill, Maryland in the wintertime.

Tidal marsh areas.

Michaux State Forest, PA

Near the Western Maryland/Pennsylvania state line.

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Monday, March 10, 2014

The Squidoo Community Sharing Mid-Atlantic Tales

When I was an “aspiring writer” I imagined writing as a solitary endeavor. That image in my mind has changed from pecking away at a clacking typewriter to the quiet whispering clicky-click of a laptop. But the image of the tousled-haired hermit bent over a desk has continued in my mind.

Since discovering the Squidoo community, I am learning that writing does not have to be a solitary thing. Sure, I can’t chat away while doing the actual writing of a piece, but I know that my fellow Squidoo writers are only an instant message or email away. It’s an amazing feeling to have all of this support while writing. I highly recommend that writers join the Squidoo community.

While I currently hold the title of Mid-Atlantic States Travel contributor on Squidoo, there are plenty of other writers who write amazing lenses about the area. While it’s hard to know exactly where to start, I’d like to share a few of these remarkable lenses with you today.

I’d like to introduce you to Ramkitten on Squidoo. She is also known as Deb Kingsbury and is a hiking expert. I have been interested about the Appalachian Trail and have read a variety of articles and books about the subject over the years. Some weren’t helpful and some were helpful but weren’t very entertaining. Ramkitten gives information with a sense of humor that makes me laugh out loud for real. I especially like her descriptions and humor in her lens Hiking the Appalachian Trail: What You Really Need to Know.

While lighthouses are not limited to the mid-Atlantic region, you can find Chesapeake Lighthouses by mbgphoto on Squidoo. I had a hard time choosing just one of her lenses to share because she is an accomplished writer and photographer. All of her lenses are beautiful..

Angelatvs on Squidoo made me feel like a very happy writer when she jumped on my Review Your Favorite Assateague and Chincoteague Island Items and did a wonderful book review of Aassateague Island of the Wild Ponies. If you like wild ponies, you should definitely check out this book review.

Speaking of Chincoteague, I am hosting a Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry book giveaway at my blog to help celebrate the magic of the islands. You can enter by filing out the raffle form on my blog until March 14^th.

Until next Monday, happy and safe travels to you all.