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...

    Mount Pisgah has a rich and varied history. First populated by the Cherokee tribe, the mountains were home to rich primeval forests. In later years, the Pisgah area was used for farming until George Vanderbilt acquired the land in 1888 and used it to start one of the first forestry programs in America. The hike to Mount Pisgah is a quick but steep 1 mile trek that offers amazing views from the top. The trailhead is right off the Blue Ridge Parkway, making this a great stop during a day of exploring.  Getting There At the beginning of the trail you will see a sign, nearly encased in lush folliage, that reads: "This trail leads through Pisgah National Forest to the summit of Mount Pisgah. Named after the biblical mount from which Moses first saw the promised land. This peak affords a panoramic view of Western North Carolina."      The sentiment seems so poetic at first. I imagine travel-weary settlers looking out over the lush, achingly beautiful blu...

     Black Balsam is one of the most unique areas in Pisgah forest. While most of the mountains are covered in thick deciduous forests, this area is a patchwork of Balsam forests and balds. The road to Black Balsam is the jumping-off point for many epic destinations including Shining Rock and of course Black Balsam Knob itself. However, one of the best ways to get acquainted with this beautiful place, and one of my long time favorite hikes, is Sam Knob.      Sam Knob is a strangely saddle-shaped mountain that pops out of the middle of a meadow. From the top, you can see all the other mountains circling the Knob like a ring, and there are some rock outcroppings to take in the view from.  The loop I'm covering in this post ascends Sam Knob and then swings by Flat Laurel Creek before returning to the parking area. On the trail, you will be able to pass through much of the varied scenery that Black Balsam has to offer including distinctive Balsam forests, ...

     John Rock is a well-loved destination for many Pisgah goers for its beautiful views and quieter scene than neighboring Looking Glass Rock. At the top of the mountain you can relax on the exposed face of John Rock and take in the view of the main spine of Pisgah Forest. There are many backpacking campsites scattered around the trail and streams border the mountain on both sides making this a great destination for an easygoing backpacking trip. Whether you’re going for a day hike or making a stop on a longer excursion, John Rock is definitely worth the time.     At its most basic John Rock is exactly what the name implies: a rock. However, in more scientific terms, John Roc k is a roughly 200 foot tall granite face on the side of the mountain that has been exposed over hundreds of years of erosion. The rock reflects the age of the Appalachian mountains as a whole-- the oldest mountain range in North America. While most of the surrounding mountains are bl...

    Fryingpan Lookout Tower is one of my favorite places to stop off on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I have climbed the tower in the morning, at sunset, and in the middle of clouds on a misty day and I can tell you that it is an awe-inspiring experience no matter what the weather. Ascending the 70 feet to the top of the tower always gives me a little burst of adrenaline that somehow makes the panoramic view from the top look even more beautiful.      The lookout tower was built by the forest service in 1941 to keep tabs on any wildfires in the area. Until the 1990's, rangers would live in the cabin on top of the tower and watch for impending blazes. After it was decommissioned it was added to the National Register of Historic Places and is now a popular site for catching mountain views. The name of the mountain it rests on, Fryingpan Mountain, is as classic Southern Appalachia as it gets. Most people think Fryingpan Mountain and its neighbor Fryingpan Gap w...