Welcome to the end of 2020. It will not be missed but it will surely be remembered. While looking through photos I took this year and reading journal entries, there were a lot of very good times sprinkled in among all the challenging times. In my current mindset, I would go as far to say … Continue reading End of 2020 Reflection
When talking about my hiking and backpacking pace, I joke that I am an overweight asthmatic. It is also the truth. I feel no shame and in fact, I use the way my body is as a source of empowerment and motivation. My body is powerful and strong and is capable of doing incredible things. … Continue reading Mantario South to Caribou East
Trails in Southern Manitoba are bursting at the seams with new-to-the-outdoors explorers. While it is great that people are going outdoors, I am also concerned because risk management and safety may not be a priority or even on the minds of new hikers. Numbers have spiked in local Facebook hiking groups and many new hikers … Continue reading Risk Management in the Outdoors
Within my role at Backcountry Women, I started a Monthly Members “Fireside” Chat. It is an informal yet structured and unique learning opportunity that brings women together to talk about topics related to the outdoors. The goal is to learn from one another, meet new people, and enjoy local restaurants. We went to Prairie Ink … Continue reading Packing Our Fears
My pace, my adventure, and my reasons for hiking. What is not to love about being solo on the trail? Sometimes it's nice not to have a human companion but still want someone to talk to, to feel safe with, and to relax with. That is when Asha comes hiking with me. My dogs are … Continue reading Is it solo hiking if my dogs join me?
My breath was taken away as I moved myself and my heavy backpack over demanding terrain. Blue Jay floated along effortlessly, full of spirit and song. She's a good morale booster. We were out for what would be her first overnight on Mantario on August Long Weekend, along with a friend and her son. The … Continue reading Navigating my Garmin inReach
My daughter and I are cut from the same cloth and sometimes it creates challenges because we are both relentless, independent, and strong-willed. We are also both kindhearted, loving, and charismatic so overall, we are well-rounded and awesome. Our strong personalities sometimes get the best of us. It's not something I am proud of and … Continue reading Trusting Ourselves
My family and I hiked overnight to Tilson Lake in Riding Mountain National Park on June 22. We hiked a total of 16 km as part of a 38 km loop. Tilson Lake is on the west side of the park and is rated as difficult. I will most definitely return to this trail and … Continue reading Feed me on the trail: overnight hike with my family
I am preparing and planning for my family to hike overnight this weekend. This will be my third overnight since Easter weekend and the second trip for my husband (Bear Hug) and daughter (Blue Jay.) Our gear is fairly organized and ready to be packed. I am a little type-A when it comes to my … Continue reading A trail food chat
At one time I considered my family to be carb-junkies. Every dinner included either pasta, couscous, rice, quinoa, or potatoes (and sometimes garlic bread too!) I would follow dinner up with evening snacking and a high-carb breakfast and lunch the next day. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. I have lowered my carbohydrate intake for a couple of … Continue reading Giving Low-Carb Food a Whirl on the Trail
Wild Woman Wisdom 