I'm so please to have the ever awesome Tara Tyler here today! I'm huge on the outdoors. We get a state park pass every year and love to explore. Here are some hiking do's and don't's from Tara.
When I was younger, single, and carefree, I didn’t know how great I had it! The freedom was ridiculous compared to now. It was basically just me and my dog, Cody. Greatest dog ever!
We lived in scenic Georgia, and Cody and I would go to parks and hike all the time. Loved going to waterfalls, rivers, and mountains. Nothing major, but it was a lot of fun. I miss those times!
Today, I’m sharing a few pics and some do’s and don’t’s for hiking!
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| CODY! |
- Do Scope out the park before you go - if you’re a beginner, don’t do a five mile hike through rough terrain. The levels of difficulty are usually marked.
- Do Pay attention and watch your step - roots and branches and rocks pop up out of nowhere! - some side paths are not meant for you! - shady trails dry slowly, watch for slippery mud.
- Do Use a “map my walk” app - it keeps track of how far you walk and you’re less likely to get lost.
- Do Be aware of wildlife, you’re walking around in their house.
- Do Wear comfortable, sturdy, not afraid to get dirty shoes.
- Do Dress appropriately, trails are usually cooler than the temperature predicts.
- Do Bring water.
- Do Remember where you parked.
- Do Donate if there’s a box for it. Save the parks!
- Do Take only pictures and leave only footprints!
- Don’t litter!
- Don’t jump in the river - it may look inviting on a hot summer day, but rivers are quick-moving and frigid year round! Fishing is fine if it’s legal
- Don’t go too far. Pace yourself. If you start to feel winded or tired, head back. Unless you’re doing a loop, remember the return trip is as far as the trip out.
- Don’t freak out if you lose reception - I never had a phone in my hiking days, no one did for thousands of years and we survived! - use the sun as your guide
- Don’t be afraid to go by yourself, I did most of my hiking trips with just me and my puppy and many times I never saw another soul. But these days, bringing a friend might be safer…
Recently, I brought my boys hiking on one of the easy trails near my parents. Unfortunately, it was spring and the bees were happily buzzing in droves, so these “citified” boys didn’t enjoy it as much as they should have.
In Beast World, the young beasts have to hike around in uncharted territory, facing many dangers in unmarked forests. They experience more Don’t’s than Do’s! Gabe is hardly an outdoorsman, but he is determined. And with his werewolf buddy, Rove, they’re able to traverse the wilds.
Kids these days need more exposure to fresh air and nature and discovery! My recommendation to everyone in this stressed out, virtual world of technology…
TAKE A HIKE!
Thanks so much for having me, Christine! Always love stopping by here. Do you guys have any hiking experience or advice? I'd love to hear it!
WELCOME BACK TO THE FOREST!
CRADLE ROCK, Beast World Book Two
by Tara Tyler
Gabe the goblin just saved his town Broken Branch Falls from splitting apart. He also revealed that humans--horrible creatures of myth and legend--may actually be part of their history! But seriously? Nah!
Now Ona, Gabe’s girlfriend, is headed thousands of miles away to Camp Cradle Rock for Spring Break seeking evidence of humans. Gabe knows better than to tell a stubborn ogress she’s crazy, so he’s letting her go and spending the break at the beach like a normal teenage beast. And he’s determined to have a good time without her, whether he likes it or not.
But when Gabe hears Ona went missing, he and his friends set out for the wilds of the west to find her, no matter what dangerous creatures get in his way. Not even humans.
Tara Tyler has had a hand in everything from waitressing to rocket engineering. After moving all over, she now writes and teaches math in Ohio with her three active boys and Coach Husband. Currently she has two series, Pop Travel (techno-thriller detective capers) and Broken Branch Falls (fantasy adventures). To squeeze in writing, she economizes her time aka the Lazy Housewife. Make every day an adventure!Talk to me!
Author Blog ~~ @taratylertalks ~~ Facebook ~~ Housewives Blog
I'm also giving away signed copies of Broken Branch Falls and Cradle Rock, some Beast World swag, and a $20 GC!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Yes, people hiked for centuries without cell phones. You'll survive an hour without it.
ReplyDeleteCody looks like he was an awesome dog!
Enjoyed the post and pictures. You made it look fun. Not a hiker myself, but you made me wish I could (back problems) and did.
ReplyDeleteHa! I remember when my citified son used to be so scared of butterflies that he couldn't walk through a butterfly house without freaking out. Sigh...
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! Cody looks so precious. Interesting to see how hiking comes into play for Beast World, too. Can only imagine how skilled a werewolf would be at outdoorsy activities like that!
ReplyDeleteYeah I was never big on hiking and even less so with early onset arthritis. I hurt my knees just stepping out into my back yard too quickly sometimes. No to bees, no. Fresh air is lovely though and seeing nature up close has it's pluses. But I need to be assured I won't be bucking into bears, snakes or bears. And going alone...ha...never. I'll go to the book shop by myself and today even that can be risky. Nice post Christine, it was interesting seeing Cradle Rock mixed with your joy of hiking.
ReplyDeleteGeorgia does have some nice places to hike. I've been doing a lot of exploring with my daughter. I didn't know about the hiking app. I'll have to check that out. Congratulations on the new book. It looks good!
ReplyDeletealex-funny to remember life w/o cell phones & internet & cody was awesome!
ReplyDeletejuneta-i hear ya! i'' not as spry and fit for hiking as i used to be...
ken- my boys had a fear of butterfly phase as well it was hilarious yet sad, ah well
heather- yes I miss my precious puppy and sometimes wonder if I based road on him subconsciously
sheena- arthritis can be very limiting, and beasts in nature can be as well, hiking is braving the wilds all right!
thanks for the comments you guys and thanks again, Christine for having me !