The Long Trail - Training Hike

The Long Trail is a 273 mile foot path in Vermont. It follows the main ridge of Green Mountains from the Massachusetts / Vermont line to the Canadian border. It is the oldest long distance hiking trail in the United States.


I've hiked all but the northern most 88 miles of the Long Trail. I plan on completing it this June. I'll start at the Canadian border and hike south to Rte. 2 in Jonesville. 


In preparation I've been doing a series of training hikes. The general plan is to hike every other day. On each hike I'll increase the amount of weight I carry. After I max-out the weight I'll start increasing my distance. This is my normal training hike routine. 

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

America's Best Idea - the national parks - gets even better with several fee-free days at more than 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees.*

Mark your calendar for these fee-free dates in 2012:

• April 21-29
• National Park Week
• June 9
  Get Outdoors Day
• September 29
  National Public Lands Day
• November 10-12
  Veterans Day weekend

1922 A.M.C. White Mountain Guide

It's a safe bet to say that probably every hiker in New England owns a copy of the Appalachian Mountain Club's "White Mountain Guide". It is the go-to guide book for hiking the trails and summits of the White Mountain National Forest and surrounding areas.

The Appalachian Mountain Club was founded in 1876 and published their first White Mountain Guide in 1907. It has been updated regularly over the years and is now in its 29th edition.

Thanks to Google Books, you can take a trip back to the past and view a digitized copy of the 1922 White Mountain Guide.

I find it fascinating to see how things have changed...

L.L. Bean ParkFinder

L.L. Bean Introduces ParkFinder. Search Thousands of National Park, State Park, and Public Lands across the United States. 


Powered by Oh, Ranger!, L.L.Bean ParkFinder is a database of all Federal and State Managed Public Lands throughout the United States, complete with directions, seasonal tips and suggested outdoor activities.

Hiking at Bradbury Mountain - South Ridge Trail

What better way to spend a warm early spring-like day than to take your grandson hiking at Bradbury Mountain!

The original plan was for 3 of us to grab a bite to eat and then take a walk, but Gage said to Meme "I'd really like to take a Grampy Hike... just me and him"

Meme was OK with that so I took Gage to Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownell Maine. In case you don't know, 4 year olds have a short attention span. Hiking is what we call it, but playing is what it's all about. Playing outdoors!