A review of the Surly Troll steel-frame touring bike and all of its wonderful features.
Hiking – AT SOBO – Ashby Gap to Trumbo Hollow (Interstate 66)
11 Mile Section hike from Ashby Gap (US Route 50) to Trumbo Hollow (Interstate 66). It is not a very strenuous hike. There are two big climbs but otherwise the terrain is relatively flat. You will pass by two trail shelters and a few viewpoints located slightly off the trail.
Hiking – AT NOBO – Harpers Ferry to Crampton Gap
Starting the Maryland section of the Appalachian Trail (NOBO)...well sort of. We skipped the first few miles along the C&O Canal and started at Weverton Cliffs along the ridge of South Mountain to Crampton Gap. 6.3 miles one-way.
Another weekend backpacking in Dolly Sods – Blackbird Knob and Red Creek Gorge
Total Distance: 9 miles (plus wandering) Dolly Sods Trail Map Route Map Elevation Gain: ~1,500 feet It was time for a long overdue hike into the woods. 2020 has been a strange year to say the least. It seemed like something came up every time I tried to make plans for a long-term trip. And …
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Hiking – AT SOBO – Snickers Gap to Ashby Gap (The Roller Coaster)
The Roller Coaster is one of the most challenging sections of the AT. The terrain is as follows: climb, descend, repeat. You gain nearly a mile in elevation over the course of 12 miles on the roller coaster and finishing the section is a fulfilling accomplishment.
Hiking – AT SOBO – Old Forge, PA to Pen Mar (featuring trail magic)
Day hike of the Southernmost section of PA on the AT. 7.6 miles from Old Forge to Pen Mar Park. Elevation gain of 1,900 feet.
Hiking – AT SOBO – Keys Gap to Snickers Gap
Section hike from Keys Gap at the VA/WV border to Snickers Gap, VA. One AT shelter, three overlooks, and 13 miles of what you would expect on the AT.
Hiking – AT SOBO – Harpers Ferry to Keys Gap
Day hike from Harpers Ferry, WV to Keys Gap along the Appalachian Trail. 12 miles round-trip including Civil War remnants, a conversation with a thru-hiker, and some cool wildlife and plant specimens.
Cycling – Rockville, MD to Washington, DC National Mall (with COVID shut-down coverage)
A 50 mile loop from Lake Needwood in Rockville, MD to the National Mall in DC and back. It seemed like the time was right to explore via bike and investigate the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in the nation's capital.
Exploring – Green Ridge State Forest by truck
It appears that winter is already over. In fact it seems like it's been over for a month. It's been unseasonably warm with temperatures in the 70s on multiple days in Maryland. I suppose I didn't take my own advice all that much this winter to go outside in the cold, but we wrapped up …
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iOverlander – How to find a place to stay on the fly
This post is about the iOverlander App. It is the best tool I know of that finds you free or very cheap places to stay when traveling and exploring the outdoors. It's geared toward RV travel, but it can be very useful for finding places when traveling by car, van, bike, or even walking. Many …
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Exploring – a stroll through Manassas National Battlefield Park
Suggested hiking route through a Civil War battlefield PLUS a possibly historically inaccurate history lesson
