Photo courtesy Feather Down Farm Days.

Here’s yet another new camping trend: farm camping. While farm camping is a pretty far cry from glamping, it’s certainly something that more and more families may consider as gardening and urban farming trends continue to sweep the US. Campers stay in rustic, furnished “tent cottages” that feature a stove, bedroom(s), and in some cases, even flush toilets (though most do not have electricity). Depending on the farm and location, campers may find themselves collecting eggs from the chicken coop, milking cows, or harvesting fruits and vegetables.

Die hard campers may not view farm camping the same as a trip to the local state park but it’s similar in many ways. Camping is all about simplicity and farm camping allows families to reconnect with common activities from simpler times. For many of us, camping isn’t about a tent or sleeping bag - it’s about being outdoors and spending time with the family. Farm camping certainly makes that possible.

The idea for farm camping got started in the UK but there are already a few farm camps set up here in the US from Iowa to New York state. A four-night stay for a family starts around $800 and includes fresh linens and firewood. While that may be a little pricier than a typical camping trip it’s a steal when you consider the price of a stay at a ranch or hotel. Besides, the experience of milking your own cow is priceless!

Via Springwise.

Listen up kids! Don’t let your parents tell you there’s nothing educational on television…

Last week 9-year-old Grayson Wynne became separated from his parents on a hike in Northern Utah and spent survived 18 hours alone in the forest. Wynne credits tips he learned from watching Bear Grylls’ Man vs. Wild on the Discovery Channel with his survival.

The young outdoorsman tore up his yellow rain jacket and tied the pieces to trees as he hiked toward safety, hoping that rescuers could find his path. He also remembered Grylls’ advice to follow a stream down to a larger body of water where there is a greater chance of finding civilization. Ultimately searchers on horseback spotted the child in a meadow where he was rescued. Fortunately he didn’t have to resort to eating bugs or drinking swamp water like Grylls often does

Now I’m not sure if REI invented the concept of “trailgating” but admittedly it’s the first I’ve heard of it and I gotta say trailgating sounds kinda cool. Just think: instead of setting up the grill and chairs in a hard, flat, asphalt parking lot you could “trailgate” in the great oudoors, just steps from your favorite trailhead or fishing site. Trailgating is a much smaller committment than, say, overnight camping but with many of the same benefits (grilled foods, cold beverages, and a social atmosphere).

I’m a big fan of the hiking day trip - driving a couple hours to an unfamiliar scenic trail and eating a picnic lunch on the trail or grabbing a bite in town nearby. But, with just a little extra planning I could be trailgating! The concept of trailgating also adds a social dimension that’s often missing from my hikes - enjoying the day with friends and other hikers is much easier when there is food and comfy chairs are set up.

Of course REI has plenty of trailgating products to get you all prepped but in reality you don’t need much. Just be sure to check local regulations wherever you decide to trailgate - many parks and forest areas don’t allow alcohol, for example. Happy trailgating!

Regular readers know I’m a bit of an outdoor guidebook junkie so I was stoked to get my hands on a copy of The Creaky Knees Guide: 100 Best Easy Hikes in Washington by Seabury Blair Jr. Although I haven’t hiked in Washington (yet), from what I can tell this book is a valuable resource for anyone who is looking for fun, scenic, and low-impact hikes in the state.

First of all, don’t let the name fool you: these hikes aren’t just for your grandparents. In fact many of the hikes in this book are entirely appropriate for families with young children and even four legged companions (dogs, though I suppose you could bring your cat along on a hike ). At the front of the book you’ll find a quick guide to the 100 trails with check marks next to hikes that are recommended for families and/or pets. Nice!

Some hiking guides I’ve used include very basic, almost cartoonish trail maps but the Creaky Knees Guide is different: it shows trails overlaid on topographic maps. The maps also include elevation profiles for those who aren’t well versed in reading topo lines, though in some cases you may need to get out the magnifying glass to see the details.

Each hike in the book includes the length, total elevation gain, estimated time to complete, an “effort index” to describe difficulty, and a recommendation for the best season to hit the trail. Of course you’ll also get a description of the hike along with directions to the trailhead. Trail descriptions are grouped by location and each book section features a photo from a trail in that group to give you a feeling for what the scenery is like.

Seabury Blair, the author of the book, has been described as “the Willie Nelson of the outdoors set” and has written several other hiking guide books covering the Pacific Northwest. Judging by the picture on the cover I see the resemblance to Mr. Nelson but I can’t help but wonder if that’s where the similarities end…

If you’re a beginning hiker or even an experienced hiker looking for the best easy trails to take your kids or pets hiking, pick up the Creaky Knees Guide to Washington. A quick read will make you want to get “On the Road Again” to hit the trails!

Photo of El Capitan I took a few years back using a simple Canon Powershot S45.

This summer Canon will be hosting free photography classes in select National Parks where visitors can even test the latest and greatest photography equipment. Along with the classes, Canon is also holding a photography contest with prizes including photography equipment (natch) and free trips to National Parks.

Photography sessions are held twice daily at the parks with an evening presentation as well. In June Canon will be at Yosemite; Grand Canyon in July; and Yellowstone and Acadia in August. Even if you can’t make it out to one of the free sessions, Canon has some photo tips posted online, along with more information about the program.

I recently had a chance to try out the Princeton Tec FUEL headlamp and I have to say… headlamps have come a long way since the old days. I remember winning a headlamp in Boy Scouts in the ’80s and back then it was pretty uncool to strap what looked like a car headlight to your head unless you were exploring a cave. Of course I was a cool kid so I only used my headlamp for spelunking trips Anyway, all of Princeton Tec’s headlamps have a cool factor that their bulkier predecessors didn’t have plus the FUEL is much more than a headlamp.

Princeton Tec Fuel

The Princeton Tec FUEL light retails for $19.95 to $24.95. It comes in three colors – pink, grey and green. According to Princeton Tec, the FUEL weighs 78g, emits 35 lumens of brightness and can last up to 160 hours on three AAA batteries. The light has three brightness settings and a strobe setting, allowing the light to be used for general outdoor hiking, reading in your tent, or as a beacon in case you want to attract attention in an emergency.

The three ultra-bright LEDs give off plenty of light. The most noticeable feature is the wide field of view or what Princeton calls “Focused Wide Beams.” The light uses three bright LED bulbs to send a beam in front of you and a beam to your left and right. Unlike a light with a single bulb pointed in one direction and a reflector that diffuses the light, the FUEL’s three LED bulbs produce a wide swath of bright light that fills your peripheral vision. As a result, I didn’t feel like I was walking down a tunnel.

You can easily adjust the direction of the light by rotating the base up or down. The head strap seems comfortable and is easy to adjust. Most importantly, the strap kept the light in place while walking. I didn’t try running with it, but I suspect it would stay put even while jogging.

Aside from the basic functionality of the FUEL, the one feature that really makes the FUEL more than a headlamp is the fact that you can easily remove the light from the elastic head strap and attach it to any 1″ webbing.

I was able to attach the light to the sternum strap of my backpack and illuminate the trail in front of me without wearing the FUEL on my head. I also attached the FUEL to some gear with Molle webbing, which kept the light out of the way but immediately accessible when needed. With its long battery life, compact shape, excellent wide illumination and overall versatility the FUEL light is a great addition to your kit. I anticipate using it in place of a regular handheld flashlight. Overall, I give the light two thumbs up!

I gotta admit it: I’m a big fan of flip-flops. They’re super convenient, take up very little space when packing, and are generally pretty comfortable. For these very reasons I probably wear them many times when I shouldn’t, like when walking in the woods or to formal occasions. Anyway, this spring I got myself a pair of Teva Elixer 5 flip-flops and they really improve on the advantages of the classic flip-flop while adding some impressive outdoorsy features.

I’m a form follows function kinda guy so I’ll start by talking about the features you’ll find on the Elixer 5 flip flops. The soles truly feel like they came right off a trail running shoe and provide great traction even in wet conditions. Speaking of wet conditions, you know how your foot slips off most flip-flops when you try to walk with them in the rain or across dewey grass? Not an issue with the Elixer 5s - the foot bed is extra grippy and comfortable. Teva knows how to design wet footwear and it shows.

I’ve been wearing my Elixer 5 flip flops on frequent hikes in the local nature preserve and I’ve found that sticks and rocks aren’t even noticeable underfoot. The toe area is also curled up slightly which is great at protecting toes from stubs and sticks on the trail. The uppers on these flops are constructed from suede and neoprene, making them feel solid and dependable - I’m sure I’ll be wearing these for years to come. The foot bed (or topsole in industry terms) is treated with Microban to control foot odor - too bad I can’t just douse my feet in the stuff

In terms of style, you won’t find a better, more outdoorsy looking flip flop. The suede leather almost gives these a sandal look and I’m almost tempted to wear my Elixer 5s to church this summer. These flip flops look so good I actually feel guilty for having such ugly feet - maybe a pedicure is in order

If you love flip flops but are looking for a more solid footwear choice for the campground or the river, do yourself a favor and pick up a pair of Teva Elixer 5s. Just don’t email me when your boss says you can’t wear them to work.

Okay, so I’m not sure how official this is since I couldn’t find anything about it on the Google but according to a press release I read, the North Face is promoting National Camping Month in June with free events and sweepstakes. The idea is to encourage and inspire Americans to get outdoors and camping is a certainly great way to immerse oneself in nature. Plus camping also requires finding and purchasing the right gear which seems to be right up North Face’s alley . Just looking for a place to camp? Check out our campground reviews.

Excerpts from the press release:

To kick off National Camping Month, The North Face and Travelocity are presenting the Explore Moab sweepstakes, which gives people a chance to win a grand prize trip for two to Moab, Utah, including airfare, lodging, meals, and guided hikes and tours, as well as a $2,000 The North Face gift card. Ten Runner-Up prizes include coveted national park passes and The North Face gift cards. Details are available at www.thenorthface.com. In addition, those who enter Explore Moab in June 2009 will receive free shipping for online orders of $125 or more at www.thenorthface.com.

“We are dedicated to fueling passion for the outdoors and encouraging appreciation of outdoor activities among individuals of all ages and abilities,” said Aaron Carpenter, vice president of marketing for The North Face. “The North Face sends expeditions to the world’s highest peaks and most remote locations, but the goal of National Camping Month is to get people outside anywhere - a summer-long backpacking adventure, a week-long camping trip, a one-night campground outing, or simply a backyard tent.”

“This is a great opportunity to teach others about the importance of respecting nature and proper outdoor ethics while having a great time,” said Carpenter. “Programs like National Camping Month are vital for life-long outdoor commitment and enjoyment.”

On Saturday morning I went out to Sope Creek to volunteer for National Trails day and I was blown away to see nearly 200 volunteers ready to work! For those who don’t know, Sope Creek is just a few miles outside Atlanta, GA and is part of the National Park Service Chattahoochee River Recreation Area. Thousands of trail users run, walk, hike, and bike the trails every week but unfortunately the trails weren’t designed for that kind of abuse. In fact, many of the park’s trails are old roads used more than 100 years ago to access various mills that operated on the river and have seen serious erosion over time.

Early stages of adding sticks and logs to a closed trail.

Where’d the trail go? Trail closure complete.

The local mountain bike club (SORBA Atlanta) organized groups of volunteers, many of whom registered through REI, to help complete trail re-routes and close down old trails. My group was picked for trail destruction and it’s pretty incredible what we were able to accomplish in just a few hours. The new trails were cut using a machine several weeks before and volunteers worked hard to put the finishing touches before the trails were officially opened Saturday.

New trail opened just in time for National Trails Day!

Volunteering at the local trails always feels good and it’s a great chance to meet and interact with other trail users. Contact your local hiking or biking club to get involved!

The American Hiking Society is promoting National Trails Day tomorrow and they’ve set up a website to help you find hiking events in your area. Even if you aren’t able to make it out to an official event, here are a couple ideas for celebrating trails tomorrow:

1. Volunteer at your local trail. Local hiking and biking groups around the country are hosting trail work parties this weekend but you can also help out just by clearing deadfall on the trails as you hike. Of course check applicable regulations and never remove anything living from the trail.

2. Take a child or beginning hiker on a trail. Getting more folks interested in hiking leads to stronger advocacy for new and improved natural areas for recreation. Way more fun that doing trail work but just as important

What are your plans for National Trails Day?

Last month we held a contest to see who could add the most new campgrounds, hiking trails, reviews, and photos by May 31 and although we were pretty underwhelmed by the response, we were still able to pick the first and second place winners.

HannaD715 added one campground and two reviews and won (!) a $50 gift certificate to Cabelas.com (thanks again to OutsideHub and Cabela’s). Now, don’t you wish you had added just a few more reviews to get the $50 prize?

Second place was actually a tie so we had to look at lifetime contributions to determine the winner: Mongoose from Melbourne, FL. Mongoose squeaked in on the 31st with a single campground and review but it was enough to win a $25 REI gift card.

So… we’re holding another contest this month (June) and hopefully this time you’ll be paying attention! Same rules as before, same point values - just add your information, reviews, and photos to Tripleblaze for a shot at one of two $25 REI gift cards this month! Contest ends @ midnight, June 30.

As if US National Parks weren’t already one of the best outdoor recreation values around, this summer the Department of the Interior is waiving entry fees at 147 parks one weekend each month. The idea is to boost local tourism and economies near the National Parks which are already preparing for a busy season as travelers look to spend less this year.

Of the National Parks that charge entry fees, prices range from $3 to $25 at popular destinations like the Grand Canyon. Each National Park I’ve visited has been worth every penny of the entrance fee so even if you can’t make it one of the free weekends this summer, know that you’re getting a tremendous value. The dates for free entry are as follows:

• June 20-21
• July 18-19
• August 15-16

Fees for things like campsites, concessions, rentals, etc. will still be charged during fee free weekends - only entry fees to parks will be waived. Where will you go on your free weekend?

First off, my apologies for the lack of news this week - where did the time go? I do have an excuse though, and it’s part of my report on my Memorial Day trip to Western North Carolina. Here it is:

On Friday afternoon we left Atlanta in the rain but were happy to find the skies mostly clear in Andrews, NC where we’d be spending the night. On Saturday morning we went mining at Sheffield Ruby Mine near Franklin, NC where Leah found a “honker” of a ruby - 38 carats! Before you start drooling, let me tell you it doesn’t look like much and I suspect most of those carats are dirt.

On the way back from the mine we drove by the Nantahala River and saw plenty of catch-and-release trout fishermen and even got out and hiked a bit along the river. After grilling out for dinner we hiked around a bit and enjoyed the cool weather.

After returning, sometime around Sunday night / Monday morning I came down with a nasty stomach virus. By Thursday the virus was still around and although I felt better today I went to the doctor just to be sure. According to the doc, there’s a good chance I may have been infected by giardia, a parasite that likes to hang out in the water, particularly in mountainous areas. Let’s just say that next time I stick my hands in a dirty mine flume I’ll wash my hands thoroughly before digging into a footlong sub. Lesson learned

Death Valley National Park photo courtesy NPS/US Department of the Interior

This week an Ohio man was found dead in Death Valley National Park on a day when the high temperature was 112 degrees. Authorities say the man may have been lost and it’s unclear if he had water with him but it’s a cautionary tale about knowing your limits at the beginning of the outdoor season. Whether you’re hiking, camping, mountain biking, canoeing, or all of the above this weekend, just remember to take it easy so you don’t injure yourself - there’s plenty of summer left to enjoy!

One of the biggest dangers many campers and boaters will face this weekend involves alcohol and it’s always important to know your limits.  If you’re heading out on the lake know your limits and always designate a driver. Even if you and your family aren’t drinking be on the lookout for those who are - it just might save your life!

I’ll be doing some hiking this weekend in Western NC and perhaps a little lake relaxin’ as well. Where are you headed for Memorial Day?

The Nevada Division of State Parks is holding two family camping programs at state parks this summer where families will learn basic outdoor skills. Registration is open through June 3 but just 5 families will be selected for each program which will include hiking, fishing, and “great food.” No word on whether there is any cost to the program but since it’s so limited I’m guessing it will be free to participants (though don’t quote me on that). Trips will take place June 27-28 at Washoe Lake State Park and July 18-19 at Fort Churchill State Park. More details here.

This definitely sounds like a great program for introducing families to camping and the great outdoors, though it’s a shame that participation is so limited. Either way, it does seem to be a good way to get people thinking about state parks and gearing up for a camping adventure this summer! Let us know if your family gets selected - we’d love to hear how it goes…

On the map, the Eagle Trail at Peninsula State Park in Door County Wisconsin looks like a short loop of little consequence.  But, this rugged and challenging trail is nothing short of an adventure.  For those of you locked in weekly office politics and paper pushing, the Eagle Trail offers a fantastic opportunity to escape.

The trail itself is only 2 miles long but the adventure starts within minutes as you begin to wind your way along rocky outcroppings, steep cliffs and quiet pine needle trails down to the Eagle Harbor shore.  When I first hiked this trail, I planned to take just 1 hour.  However, because of the rugged terrain, you should plan at least 2 hours to hike and up to 3 hours if you stop to explore the caves, Eagle Terrace, numerous geological formations, 500-year-old cedars and animal hideouts along the path.

Halfway, you will find yourself hiking along a narrow rocky path between the quiet shores of Eagle Harbor, a large bay fed by Lake Michigan, and along sheer cliffs that jut 150 feet skyward.  This is the perfect opportunity to have a snack, explore a few caves, and watch sail boats pass by in the distance.  If you are lucky, you may see an eagle skimming the surface of Eagle Harbor, catching a meal and then taking refuge among the rocky outcroppings of the Eagle Bluff cliffs.  The second half of the trail will provide a great workout as you ascend the rocky terrain to the top of the bluff overlooking Eagle Harbor.  Depending on which end you start from, you can spend some time on the Eagle Terrace, a large terrace cut out of the cliffs by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.  In the end, the Eagle Trail will leave you satisfied, both mentally and physically.

The trail is well marked, but it can be treacherous after rainfall.  I recommend bringing plenty of water, a snack, first aid kit, cell phone, sturdy hiking boots and several layers of clothing.  You will build up a sweat on the ascent back to the top of the bluff, but the weather can get chilly among the tall pine trees and along the Eagle Harbor shore.

If you’re thinking about exploring the hiking trails of Texas, take a look at E. Dan Klepper’s new book, 100 Classic Hikes in Texas. Klepper says he hiked 98% of the trails in the book (guess that means there are 2 trails he didn’t hike) and logged more than 500 miles along the way. That’s a low average (5 miles each), especially since some hikes included like Caprock Canyons State Park trailway are more than 50 miles long. The good news is there are plenty of short to moderate hikes perfect for families.

This article on DallasNews.com talks about the book and lists some of Klepper’s favorite hikes in Texas. Klepper even offers some basic hiking tips for those venturing out for the first time this summer. Hike on!

I read an article on CNN.com last week about folks who are choosing to travel to dangerous areas despite government warnings. I’m always up for an adventure myself but I’m not so sure I’d enjoy vacationing in a war zone as one author claims to have done 36 times. (!) Sure, other places with travel warnings like Tijuana, Mexico seem harmless enough but I still wouldn’t plan a trip there just for the adrenaline rush you get from ignoring a travel warning.

In fact whenever you travel you face uncertain circumstances even if no warnings exist. My uncle was on a Central American cruise recently and while taking a stroll along a beach at one of the ports he was robbed at knifepoint. After refusing to hand over a bag containing his passport and some money a scuffle ensued and he was slightly injured. Even cruising isn’t completely safe.

Government travel warnings typically exist to keep travelers out of harm’s way and generally they should be followed. In some cases, though, the warnings seem to go too far. A friend was on a cruise to Mexico a couple weeks ago for his honeymoon when the CDC turned the boat around due to Swine flu fears. Despite the fact flights into Mexico hadn’t been canceled and most of the flu cases seem to be centered far from the Gulf Coast tourist spots, my friend spent his days at sea instead of in port.

Following travel warnings really comes down to common sense and it’s up to the traveler to decide if a trip is worth the risk. What risky spots have you visited?

We’re holding our first contest of 2009 this month to see who can rack up the most points on Tripleblaze in May! It’s really quite simple: add any new campground or hiking trail, review, or photo* to Tripleblaze.com and you’ll earn points (see chart below for specific point values). The member with the most points at the end of May will receive a $50 gift certificate to Cabela’s (thanks to Cabela’s and Outside Hub) and the second place point-grabber will receive a $25 gift card to REI.

Remember, you need to be logged in when you make your submissions (guest posts won’t count) and submissions made earlier this month will count toward the contest. The current frontrunner is teamfreak16 but with 19 days to go it’s still anyone’s game!

* All submissions are subject to approval.

Many long distance and through hikers tell themselves that they’ll blog about their trip in real time so friends and family back home can keep track of their progress - but often fail to deliver. Sure, updates come pretty regularly the first few weeks but then they typically trail off as the hike goes on. Mike McCollum is actually doing a pretty good job so far, though it looks like he’s posting his daily journal once every two weeks or so (not exactly real time). Mike did manage to invest in a Spot Messenger which shows his location on a map using GPS and he’s even posting videos along they way. Still, no one has figured out how to do a trailside version of Justin.tv…

Even in this hyper-connected age there are still places you can’t get wi-fi or even a cell phone signal (like much of the Appalachian trail) so live-blogging your hike is difficult if not nearly impossible. Here are some tips for providing frequent, nearly real-time online updates on your hike:

1. Get a Spot Messenger. This device actually uses satellites to pinpoint your location and beam it to a website where others can track your progress (no cell signal required). The Spot is great in emergencies but it also provides passive real-time location updates without having to touch a keyboard.

2. Keep your journal old school using paper and pen. Keeping a written journal each day will help you write your blog much faster during the times when you do have access to the internet. In the old days folks used to mail journal updates to friends and family so consider having one of your peeps type up and post your notes online for you. Or map out wi-fi hotspots before your hike and blast out the updates when you head into town for resupply. If you must bring your own laptop, get an inexpensive and lightweight netbook.

3. Apple iPhones are great tools because you can use them to access the internet and email but good luck getting a signal in wild areas. Still, bring your phone (along with a way to charge the battery) and consider using your phone to beam pics, journal entries, and even your location (using the built-in GPS) whenever you can.

4. Bring extra memory cards for your camera. Most digital cameras include features that allow you to capture audio and video which can be great for a trail blog. Just remember that audio and video eat up memory fast and also that you’ll need a fast internet connection to send the files to the web.

With a little planning you can provide frequent updates from the trail on your next backpacking adventure!