The C & O Trail (Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park) runs 184.5 miles from Georgetown, D.C., to Cumberland, Maryland. The historical canal was built along the Potomac River to move goods both ways and avoid portages (see Sunday's hike last week at Great Falls...), but the train eventually took over once it was… Continue reading C & O Trail: Lock 38 – Shepherdstown
Author: Sarah
Ol’ Reliable Finally Wasn’t
Have you ever had a piece of clothing that was your absolute favorite? It went on so many hikes? To multiple continents? It went from Alaska to Antarctica. For me, it was a Columbia Sportswear quarter-zip top. With the "space" fabic, in a blue/gree/purple hue. It wasn't particuarly a perfect shirt, but it wicked, you… Continue reading Ol’ Reliable Finally Wasn’t
Great Falls Park
Just 15 miles from Washington, D.C., and down the road from Langley (CIA), Great Falls Park is a National Park Service unit that feels like you are standing in the wilderness, not in the 8th most populated area of the United States. This shows how popular the park is. It was the first time I… Continue reading Great Falls Park
Sweet Run State Park: Farmstead Loop/Mountain View Loop Trails
In the summer of 2025, we hiked the AT from Route 9, at Keyes Gap, to the power lines, where it connects to Sweet Run State Park. A day later, at the annual AT festival in Hillsboro, VA, I talked to a Virginia State Parks ranger, who gave me a "get in for free" pass… Continue reading Sweet Run State Park: Farmstead Loop/Mountain View Loop Trails
New Gear: The Countertop 360 Freeze Dryer
We have had a Harvest Right Large freeze-dryer since 2022 and have used it extensively. Often in ways I wasn't expecting. If you'd like to see all our posts on creating shelf-stable food, check them out here. This fall, Harvest Right announced an all-new freeze-dryer, designed from the ground up. It wouldn't be big; it… Continue reading New Gear: The Countertop 360 Freeze Dryer