Category: Hiking

To each their own.

To each their own.

curt edgerton

To me there is something magical in a small campfire surrounded by a few friends under a star filled sky. Oh how many times I have pitched grand plans into a group of friends who excitedly made pacts and  commitments, yet cancel by Monday. Is it me, do I over plan, do I push for too many miles? Perhaps it’s the two hour free style harmonica solo’s? Is it  bad breath, or poor camping hygiene, I assumed it was normal to wear a single pair of underwear for a week of back-country hiking. Joking, sort of. Read more →

Enchanted Rock

Enchanted Rock

curt edgerton

Enchanted Rock is a formation one begins to experience long before they exit the highway. A solid pink granite dome lifting 425 feet above a terrain of  rolling hills seems so foreign some assume it long ago fell from  the voids of  space rather than lifting from the depths of  earth. Like most state parks it’s well maintained and held within the constant balance  of public use and preservation. There is a consistency to Texas State Parks, a fluidity in the architecture, and infrastructure, however, each park has its own identity and character. Read more →

Ogden Utah: Hidden treasures

Ogden Utah: Hidden treasures

curt edgerton

 

It is sometimes best to put the guides, and advertisements to the side, go to a dinner and ask the locals where the real treasures are.  We have found a fair share of amazing things following maps drawn on napkins and scrap paper. Over and over we were  told  of a trail on private property. A “fairy-tale trail” which was said to contain a freezing waterfall, picturesque bridges over a frozen stream surrounded by Cypress trees lightly frosted with fresh snow.  Read more →

Granola Smoking Hippies

Granola Smoking Hippies

curt edgerton

 

We had seen only three people between the back-country of Kolob and Zion National Parks, all of which were serious backpackers with experience, quality gear, and a solid back-country philosophy. As we descended the switchbacks leading toward the park there was an ever increasing realization that the company had shifted away from ecologically minded adventurers to spring break California coeds.  Read more →

Bear snacks

curt edgerton

 

While researching our trip to Utah I was taken back by the National Park alert posts, my favorite, an entire page on “Bear Etiquette “. What is “bear etiquette”,  is that when they use the nice silverware to eat you, like the little fork to the right and no elbows on the table kind of stuff? In South East Texas we have our fare share of predators, but none the size of a compact car, Read more →