The Wandering Fox

     If there's one thing travel-addicted people agree on, it's that when opportunity knocks, you can bet we're going to answer. Some of my best adventures are the result of taking up an unexpected opportunity  road-tripping through British Columbia , backpacking in Western North Carolina during quarantine, and taking spontaneous day trips with friends in Hawaii , to name a few. There is a part of me that thrives off of the adrenaline and excitement of taking these opportunities as they come and strapping in for the rid e, unknowns and all.      The one caveat of spontaneous adventures, though, is that you don't always have the exact gear you need at the exact right time. For example, when I got the opportunity to camp and road trip in British Colombia with some friends, I was in a different country without any kind of camping gear. I was able to find what I needed by going to thrift stores, improvising (admittedly sacrificing a bit of comfort along th...

(A stop on St. Cuthbert's Way, photo by Julie Guthrie)      I am excited to share this guest post by Noah Guthrie. Noah is the mind behind The Green Phoenix , a website that "strives to use writing and online dialogue to cultivate a healthy and holistic relationship with the natural world." Without further ado, enjoy. --Cami Hiking The Sacred      Some of my favorite hiking memories come from St. Cuthbert’s Way , a Scottish pilgrimage trail that my family went on in the spring of 2019. The trail goes from Melrose Abbey to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, and many believe that it traces the footsteps of St. Cuthbert , a 7th century hermit renowned for his miracles. My family took this journey mostly by foot (occasionally aided by taxi), and it lasted four days, starting at the Eildon Hills.      My most vivid memories of the Eildons involve the gorse. These were huge bushes, some of them as tall or taller than I was, rolling up and down the sl...

     Max Patch is one of many balds scattered across the Southern Appalachians, but I am convinced that there is nowhere else quite so otherworldly. Max patch first took its recognizable bald form in the 1800’s when farmers cleared the 350 acre mountain top and used it as pasture. Later on, the mountain lived a second life as the highest airstrip in the East, where bi-plane shows were conducted in the 1930's. Nowadays, Max Patch is a popular spot for picnickers and stargazers. The summit can be accessed by a short 1.7 mile loop from the parking area. If you’re in the mood for a longer trip, though, the Appalachian Trail crosses right over the mountain top and offers endless opportunities for extra mileage with less crowds (start in Georgia anyone?). This lesser-used route from Lemon Gap makes a great one-night backpacking trip with beautiful views and a diversity of landscapes. Camping on top of Max Patch is a truly breathtaking experience that makes the hike well worth i...