7 Notes On Visiting Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is small & compact, but very underrated. It’s a very special Park.
7 Notes on Visiting Olympic National Park
Olympic is one of the most underrated National Parks.
4 Reasons To Try Bicycle Tours of Atlanta
Bicycle Tours of Atlanta is the perfect way for anyone visiting, moving, or living in Atlanta to get to know the city.
7 Notes on Visiting Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier National Park is an incredible, beautiful, and underrated National Park.
5+ Reasons To Buy a Hunting & Fishing License (even if you don’t hunt or fish)
If you are able to support environmental causes, look at buying a hunting / fishing license. It’s leveraged & incredibly effective.
Fog on Chestnut Lead Trail in the Cohutta Wilderness
The Cohutta mountains in Georgia’s section of the Appalachians are not especially high, but their topography is unique enough to generate their own weather.
3 Reasons Why Gardening Is Underrated
I’ve always been intellectually interested in gardening, but once I finally got around to doing it properly, I discovered a…
3 Reasons Why Walking Is Underrated
I think some people own dogs and do the 10,000 steps thing just to have an excuse to walk. Walking…
3 Reasons Why Replacing Traditional Lawns Are Underrated
Replacing a lawn puts the land to work, requires less work, and brings in (mostly) good plant species.
3 Reasons Why Beginner Botany Is Underrated
I stumbled into a whole new world of knowledge when I downloaded the Seek app and bought Sibley’s Guide To…
3 Reasons Why Astronomy Is Underrated
Looking at the moon and stars has always been so magical…and so daunting to me. To be focused on the…
3 Reasons Why Public Beaches Are Underrated
I really have nothing against resort owners and beachfront property owners personally. But the beach is for everyone. Anyone who…
Atlanta’s Memorial Drive Bike Path Is Finally Happening
More than 5 years after the Georgia Dept of Transportation first said they were open to reworking one of Atlanta’…
3 Reasons Why City Parks Are Underrated
City parks are the workhorses of free, public space. They are amazing but also taken for granted.
3 Reasons Why Native Plant Species Are Underrated
The exotic plants at big box homegoods stores? They look cool in the planter but can’t compare to native plant…
3 Reasons Why Historical Landmarks Are Underrated
Historical landmarks are completely underrated. And not just historic sites, I’m talking about those random metal signs on the side…
Whitley Gap Shelter on the Appalachian Trail
One of the best short day hikes in Georgia is up to Cowrock Mountain from Tesnatee Gap. However, the hike…
3 Reasons Why Birdwatching Is Underrated
Birdwatching is completely underrated, even by enthusiasts.
3 Reasons Why National Forests Are Underrated
I spend soooo much time in my nearby Chattahoochee National Forest. National Forests are the most underrated public lands on…
3 Reasons Why Sunrises & Sunsets Are Underrated
Everyone loves them, everyone knows them…but when was the last time you watched one?
3 Reasons Why Picnics Are Underrated
At every park around the country, there are thousands of picnic tables going unused and I have no idea why.
5 Notes on Visiting Don Carter State Park
Don Carter State Park is a relatively new State Park along the north side of Lake Lanier near Gainesville, Georgia….
3 Reasons Why Public Pools Are Underrated
Public pools have a bad reputation in many circles in the US, at least. I don’t know why. They are…
3 Reasons Why Wildlife Refuges Are Underrated
Wildlife Refuges are not built for people…but we absolutely benefit.
Solo Stove Lite Review After 10+ Years of Use
10 years ago, I bought a Solo Stove Lite for my backpacking kit. I’m glad I have it. It was…
Hiking Wise Creek Trail in Oconee National Forest
I went hiking on the Wise Creek Trail in the Oconee National Forest in the spring of 2023. I started…
10 Notes on Visiting Cumberland Island National Seashore
I was able to visit one of Georgia’s best places – the Cumberland Island National Seashore. It is one of…
10 Notes On Visiting Cloudland Canyon State Park
Cloudland Canyon is a Georgia State Park in the far northeast of Georgia. I’ve been able to visit several times…
4 Best Ways Anyone Can Help Preserve & Protect Wilderness & Public Lands
I got to talk with the US Forest Service’s Wilderness & Trails Technician for the Conasauga District in the Chattahoochee…
The Chattahoochee River Through Georgia
The Chattahoochee River is Georgia’s River. It’s also one of the hardest working rivers in America. I’ve been able to…
4 Notes About Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery
Oakland Cemetery is one of Atlanta’s best places. It is owned by the City and maintained in partnership with the…
4 Notes on Visiting F.D. Roosevelt State Park’s Liberty Bell Swimming Pool
I got to check out the Historic Liberty Bell Swimming Pool at F.D. Roosevelt State Park last summer. Here are…
4 Notes About Visiting Providence Canyon State Park
I was able to visit Providence Canyon State Park for the first time since I was a kid. Here are…
How To Get a Solo Stove Lite Going Quickly with Less Soot & Smoke
The formula is cotton balls + petroleum jelly + oak sticks.
Hiking Cowrock Mountain in Winter
Cowrock Mountain is one of the most accessible, and best views on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. Unlike Blood Mountain,…
Desoto Falls
This photo is of DeSoto Falls in North Georgia. It’s a really incredible view and very accessible near US Highway…
Lake Conasauga Swim Beach
This photo is from the Lake Conasauga Swim Beach in the mountains of North Georgia. It is the highest elevation…
Hiking Nubbin Creek / Pinhoti Trail in Cheaha Wilderness
In March, I went on my first solo backpacking trip. It was only a single overnight. The weather forecast was…
South River at Constitution Springs
This photo is of the South River as it leaves the City of Atlanta on its way through Panola Mountain…
On Visiting Mojave National Preserve
I visited Mojave National Preserve on a short day trip within my business trip to Las Vegas in 2020. I…
Dick’s Creek Gap to North Carolina / Georgia Border on The Appalachian Trail
Six years after we finished our last section (Unicoi to Dick’s Creek Gap), my brother, Dad, and I decided to…
Hiking Burgess Mountain Trail in Oconee National Forest
The Burgess Mountain Trail is a short hiking trail in the Oconee District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Unlike other,…
Visiting Sweetwater Creek State Park’s Yurts
Sweetwater Creek State Park is one of the best state parks in Georgia. It’s “Atlanta’s State Park” and receives a…
Hiking Rabun Bald
Rabun Bald is the 2nd highest point in Georgia behind Brasstown Bald. But unlike Brasstown Bald, it’s only accessible by…
Hiking Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge
In April 2019, I went to hike the Red Cockaded Woodpecker Trail at the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge as part…
Hiking Raven Cliffs Falls
Raven Cliffs Wilderness is one of the most heavily trafficked Wilderness areas in Georgia. And Raven Cliffs Falls Trail is…
Hiking Kinnard Creek Trail in Oconee National Forest
The Oconee National Forest has been part of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest almost since its establishment. But it’s much smaller,…
Hiking Ellicott Rock Wilderness
In August 2018, I did a day hike along the Chattooga River in the Ellicott Rock Wilderness in North Georgia….
Hiking Hitchiti Trail
The Hitchiti Trail is a 3-ish mile trail near Jarrell Plantation that weaves along Falling Creek to the Ocmulgee River….
Hiking Forney Creek at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
In April, my brother-in-law, brother, my son, and myself all went on a 2 night backpacking trip to the Great…
Hiking Wolfden Loop on the Pine Mountain Trail
The Pine Mountain Trail system is one of the most extensive trail systems in Middle Georgia. It’s one of those…
Hiking Cheaha Wilderness
One of the major pros of living in Atlanta is that I’m within a two hour drive of several designated…
On Camping at Panola Mountain State Park
Panola Mountain State Park is a Georgia State Park about 30 minutes east of Atlanta, GA. Panola Mountain State Park…
6 Pros and Cons of Commuting and Getting Around by Bike in Atlanta
When I originally published this post in February 2013 – I had just moved to Atlanta, GA (metro area of…
Tourist’s Guide To Running In Atlanta: The Best Routes To Run
Running is possibly the best way to see any city. It’s fast enough to cover a lot of ground, but…
How I Cut 1:57 Off My Average 5k Time By Tweaking My Playlist
[Note: This post originally ran December 2012 back when iTunes was still a thing. You can skip down to the…
Cooper Gap to Woody Gap On The Appalachian Trail
In my quest to hike the entirety of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia, I had left out a short section…
Observations & Training Tips from My Second Marathon
It’s been 2 1/2 years after running in my first marathon, but on October 4th, 2014 I ran in my 2nd…
Unicoi Gap to Dick’s Creek Gap On The Appalachian Trail
Mid-March is thru-hiker’s season on the Appalachian Trail. The most common schedule for anyone planning on hiking all 2,000+ miles…
Observations & Training Tips from My First Trail Half Marathon
Last week, I ran in my first Trail Half Marathon – specifically the Mystery Mountain Half Marathon by GUTS at…
Springer Mountain to Cooper Gap on the Appalachian Trail
So far on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia, we’ve had both an idyllic experience, and a very miserable experience hiking overnight…
State Botanical Gardens | Best Places To Run in Athens, GA
Tour guides at the University of Georgia love to talk about how the State of Georgia Botanical Gardens and the…
Tesnatee Gap To Unicoi Gap On The Appalachian Trail
The last time my brother, brother-in-law, and I hiked a section of the Appalachian Trail – it was an absolute…
North Oconee River Greenway Trail | Best Places To Run in Athens, GA
If you live in or around Athens, GA – you simply must explore the North Oconee Greenway – especially if…
One Year of Running In Vibram Fivefingers Bikilas
I started running distance when I was 10 years old, and continued throughout high school. I was never particularly fast,…
A Bear Walks Into Camp
Or, Our Experience On The Appalachian Trail Overnight, And What We Learned Ever since I read Bill Bryson’s book A Walk…
Hidden Urban Trails | Riverbend Rd. Athens, GA Edition
I love the idea that even in the most urban areas – there are still really random trails to explore…
Cook’s Greenway Trail | Best Places To Run in Athens, GA
Around Athens, I generally stick to the UGA Intramural Fields. However, if you drive about 10 to 15 minutes north…
First Marathon Observations
Back on March 18th I ran the Georgia Marathon. It was my first marathon – and only my second long-distance…
5 Reasons To Start Biking For Transportation
I’ve been commuting around Athens, GA via bike for 3 years now. It all started with biking the .75 miles…
Woody Gap to Neels Gap on the Appalachian Trail
I lived in Georgia knowing about the Appalachian Trail for more than 12 years before I ever set foot on…