national forest
A leashed dog is a safe dog
(This is a blog I wrote years ago but think it is worth repeating every now and again. As folks begin to start planning for their 2021 camping adventures, I want to repeat it as a reminder that a leashed dogs is a safe dog. Stay safe.) The other day we received an email about Read More >>
Dr. Seuss Lorax Forest is in South Carolina
In the heart of South Carolina’s Francis Marion National Forest is where the real Dr. Seuss Lorax Forest. Just off State Route 41, between Huger and Jamestown, SC, is a stand of Longleaf pine animated by a passing breeze and not a cartoon character. The trees are tall and full and oh so healthy. The Read More >>
Firewood tips to contain nonnative critters
Perhaps the only thing better than sitting around a campfire at the end of a summer’s day might is sitting in front of a fireplace with a roaring fire on a cold winter’s night. As cold winter temperatures settle across the country and many people cozy up next to their warm fires, experts warn that Read More >>
Wonderful surprise – Ocean Pond cg
If you live near Jacksonville or Gainsville, FL, are you a lucky person. About a 45 minute drive north from Gainsville and 45 minutes west of Jacksonville is, in my opinion, the sweetest campground in Florida – Osceola NF’s Ocean Pond campground. Who would have thought there would be such a lovely national forest campground Read More >>
Trails we have hiked and enjoyed
There are lots of books on the shelf for spectacular trails such as the Appalachian and Pacific Crest trails. There are books of lesser known and equally glorious hiking trails. The trails mentioned in these books beckon the young and athletic who enjoy while challenging their endurance. But there are also numerous hiking trails for Read More >>
No Ash trees in our national forests? Say it ain’t possible
A tree with many uses Black ash, a dominant tree species of forested wetlands in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, serves several purposes. It provides multiple ecosystem services. It is a valuable resource for Native American basket-makers. Now the ash tree’s existence is threatened by the emerald ash borer (EAB). It is killing virtually all ash Read More >>
Morel Mushrooms – yummy
As a results of last year’s 41 Complex and Saddle Complex wildfires, which burned more than 47,000 acres on the Bitterroot and Salmon-Challis national forests, conditions are expected to provide a bounty of morels mushroom. This means you, private citizen, can pick up to five gallon per day or 20 gallon for the season of Read More >>
Take a Hike – Things to bring
What is the difference between hiking and walking? Well, Fred and I “walk” downtown and “hike” along the San Pedro River in Arizona every week or so. In other words, walking is a leisurely physical activity in a “civilized” environment while hiking requires more perspiration and sturdier shoes while enjoying the “natural” environment. When we Read More >>
Ski areas galore in national forests
In the USA, there are 122 ski areas in 13 states using a total of 182,095 acres of Forest Service-managed land offering downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing opportunities. How many can you name? Don’t feel bad if you can only name a handful. Most Forest Service employees can’t do much better. Click here for Read More >>
Sandboarding on the Oregon Dunes
While at a overlook in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, a caravan arrived and out climbed a hoard of young people. Their plan was to hike about a mile to the “really big” dunes and sandboard to the water’s edge. From our explorations Fred and I knew there were some pretty tall dunes (they Read More >>
