On the Trail 2015

The summer 2015 backpacking season has begun! A week and a half ago I finished my first trip of the year which was to circumnavigate Trout Run Valley in West Virginia. It was a three day hike covering 27 miles and, for me --- it -- was -- tough!

The whole trip was up and down, up and down and that was at an elevation of 2000 to 3000 feet and it was on incredibly rocky terrain:

But there were many gorgeous views:

And lovely flora too:

And of course fun around the campfire with the others:

I have a couple other trips planned for this summer but I'm hoping they won't be as tough as this one! In the end though, I did it and it was quite an accomplishment!

So now I'm on to more jewelry -- stay tuned!

Local Blooming

[Original Posting Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2008]

I've just found out about this very cool idea which I find quite exciting. It is called Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and it is a mutually beneficial way for local farmers to survive doing what they love to do and for consumers like me to have healthy, home-grown food. You buy some "shares" of a farm and in return receive weekly boxes of super-fresh locally-grown produce! Isn't that great?!

I'm very into it! I have always wanted to do some farming of my own but the reality right now is that I just don't have the time (or the knowledge) to tend to needs of a backyard vegetable garden. Well, with CSA I can still have a garden. It's someone else's garden but I help them to maintain it and I am rewarded with their results. I love this healthy, good for the environment and good for my farmer neighbors solution.

Here in Ohio the full gardening season is just about ready to get started. I am looking forward to lots of stir-fries and veggie soups all summer long!

If you are interested here is a link to Local Harvest