From hiking and paddling through old growth forest, to camping and mountain biking at nearby Poinsett State Park, adventures abound in this overlooked corner of South Carolina sandhills. Learn more about this lesser-visited NPS unit, and the surrounding region, in the latest issue of Blue Ridge Outdoors!
Becoming Backpackers in the Great Balsam Mountains
High above the Blue Ridge Parkway in Pisgah National Forest, the fall scenery was beautiful. But when it came to our backpacking skills, it wasn’t pretty. Read about fun times and comical blunders (hint: we also became hitchhikers) in the fall issue of Blue Ridge Outdoors!
Discovering the Outlaw Trail: Sunset Magazine Interview & Excerpts
“There’s no doubt that the fascination with the Wild West lives on today. And for those looking to travel in the footsteps of the region’s storied denizens… the recently released book is a hybrid of historical storytelling and adventure…” Read the full interview and some excerpts at Sunset Magazine!
Back at Big South Fork
Mountain biking and more at this remote National Park Service unit on the Tennesee-Kentucky state line, including hiking to rock arches, exploring historic sites, making up for past mistakes, and dodging bears. Read more at Blue Ridge Outdoors!
New Meets Old at Kentucky’s Red River Gorge
A vibrant outdoor scene evolves in a historic area of ancient rock arches. Learn more about the Red, including hiking, paddling, rock scrambling, and geologic formations in Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine!
Paddling & Not Paddling Southeastern National Parks
Sometimes, the only way to know if a park is worth paddling is to go check it out. From Congaree to Everglades to Mammoth Cave, learn about our (mis) adventures on water and land–with cameos by herpes-infected macaques and friendly manatees–at Duct Tape Diaries!
Exploring the Historic Forts of the Southeast Coast
From Florida to the Carolinas, many forts mix history with outdoor activities. At first, my wife and I stumbled across these sites when we began exploring the region. Eventually, our goal was to see them all. Visiting these forts reveals vibrant scenery and some of the violent history of this coastline. Learn more about our favorites at Blue Ridge Outdoors .
Getting to Know a New Camper
A shakedown trip to North Carolina’s Coastal Plain leads to mountain biking, mysterious lakes, a state educational forest, and plenty of debates about how to hang wet towels. We even named our camper–well, three names (but not like a serial killer). Continue reading at Blue Ridge Outdoors!
Seven Ways to Explore Space Without Leaving Earth
From astronaut training sites to working spaceports, these spots across the United States put a terrestrial spin on space travel. Read more at Smithsonian Magazine!
Photo: Aubrey Gemignani/NASA
A Tale of Two Big Pineys
Big Piney River is a lush float stream in the Missouri Ozarks. Big Piney Creek is a Wild & Scenic whitewater river in the Arkansas Ozarks. Each offers a different experience, and both are worth paddling. Learn more in the summer paddling issue of Terrain Magazine!