A Guide to Adventure

August is practically here, which for many means going off to college, taking kids back to school, and soon enough fall will be here. Swimming holes, trips to the beach and sun bathing will become a distant memory of an adventurous summer during the winter months. Before the summer is over, I challenge everyone to do at least one (preferably all) of things on this bucket list worthy list of things to do before the summer comes to an end!!  Go Camping! (DUH)  My summer has been filled with adventure because of a simple tent, a sleeping bag, and sleeping in the woods. Camping disconnects you from the stress of everyday life, and brings you closer to nature, which goes a long way in building a stronger mental and physical self. Put your dog on a leash, get your best friend to go with you, and enjoy a few days in a nearby state park, or for even more adventure go somewhere totally new and camp there! Just be sure to tell someone where you are going, and when to be expecting you b

Hey everyone I just wanted to take the time to say thank you to everyone who has shared my posts, regularly view this site, and overall helping me grow as a writer, an outdoors(wo)men, and most importantly by supporting my site you are showing me that I made the right decision, and will continue to work hard and put out content for all of my viewers!! In the first month or two that I began this site I had very limited knowledge of how to "properly" share my page on other forums and outlets. Unfortunately, a little over a month ago my Google+ account was suspended for violating some terms and conditions. :/  The main issue with that happening is that I can no longer comment on my own page.  That prevents me from communicating with ya'll on this page.   << That seriously sucks!!!! I am in the beginning stages of making and selling Outdoor Olivia T y e D y e d T-shirts on here and after that I want to start a Youtube channel! Since comments are no

You don’t need to be rich to travel. Today's post is all about the ways you can travel for virtually free. You don’t need a lot of money to begin. Even if you don’t earn a lot or have debt (my student loans never seem to go away), there are ways to go overseas still. If you feel that no matter what you do you will never get ahead by saving money, check out these travel hacks and see the world super cheap! Teach English Overseas : One of the best ways to make money for travel is to teach English overseas. You can make a lot of money teaching. All you need is the ability to speak English fluently and maybe a TEFL degree, depending on the country you work in. The world is yearning for teachers, and this is a job in high demand; many companies in Asia will even pay for your flight over. Always do your research thoroughly before leaving the states, and verify everything to protect yourself in a foreign country Stay with locals for free: There are many services that connect t

Moonshine Falls Area (4 places!) Greenville, Cleveland, SC WILDCAT FALLS : You get two for the price of one here at the Wildcat Wayside State Park. Wildcat Falls are a very popular falls, largely because they are roadside on SC 11 (the Cherokee Scenic Highway). The first falls are in two sections with a 10-foot freefall upstream and the 20-foot cascade down a slab of exposed granite into a shallow pool. About 100 feet to the left of these falls are a number of steps that ascend to a quarter-mile trail to another falls. The trail crosses just above the 10-foot free-fall on a wooden bridge and snakes its way through the woods to a 130-foot waterslide. The photo below isolates the lower portion of the slide. Be prepared to do a little boulder-climbing to reach the base of the waterslide, but please don't attempt to climb the falls themselves. To get here : Stay on RT 276/11 west for about 5 miles past where RT 11 joins RT 276 and look for a pull off (unsigned) on the right (

As a regular camper/hiker I have quickly learned how to not take for granted how easy life is a home. Fresh water, a warm bed, showers, and a kitchen full of food. The further I trek into the wild, the more I realize how easy it would be to get lost, have limited to no cell service, and only have the items in my pack. Here are some important things you need to know in order to survive if you get lost or injured on your adventure, and return home safely! Know what S.T.O.P means Don't panic if you’re lost. Panic is more dangerous than almost anything else, because it interferes with the operation of your single best, most useful and versatile survival tool: your mind. The moment you realize that you are lost, before you do anything else, stop. Take a deep breath and stay calm. Before you act, follow the tenets of the acronym STOP: S = sit down T = think O = observe your surroundings P = prepare for survival by gathering materials X Marks Your Spot Get oriented. Wher

The highly secretive arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture known as Wildlife Services killed more than 3.2 million animals during fiscal year 2015, according to new data released by the agency. The total number of wolves, coyotes, bears, mountain lions, beavers, foxes, eagles and other animals killed largely at the behest of the livestock industry and other agribusinesses represents a half-million-animal increase over the 2.7 million animals the agency killed in 2014. Despite increasing calls for reform a century after the federal wildlife-killing program began in 1915, the latest kill report indicates that the program’s reckless slaughter continues, including 385 gray wolves, 68,905 coyotes (plus an unknown number of pups in 492 destroyed dens), 480 black bears, 284 mountain lions, 731 bobcats, 492 river otters (all but 83 killed “unintentionally”), 3,437 foxes, two bald eagles and 21,559 beavers. The program also killed 20,777 prairie dogs outright, plus an unknown nu

Just like any sport, or activity, camping has its own, and sometimes clever terms, by expanding your camping vocabulary you will gain a better, deeper understanding of camping. You will be able to communicate more clearly, and be better prepared on your next trip. You can even impress your friends with some colorful terms while in the bush!  1. Guy Lines – The cables tied to a tent and its stakes, designed to provide tension that adds to the overall stability of the tent. 2. Deadman – When the ground is too soft to stake a tent, campers often bury large rocks or sticks tied to guy lines to pitch the tent safely. Deadman is the slang term for this process. 3. Tent Pad – The tent pad refers to the ground under your tent. It’s distinct from sleeping pad, which is an actual piece of padding placed between your sleeping bag and the bottom of the tent. 4. Freestanding – A term for tents that do not need guy lines. 5. Boxing the Needle – The process of lining up a compass’s needle wi

A little knowledge can go a long way, especially when camping or spending time outdoors with a group of friends. All of the facts listed are specific to camping, and can be great conversation starters that will show off your knowledge of the outdoors to your friends.  1. About 3 million people camp at parks run by the National Park Service every year according to the Outdoor Industry Association. 2. Deer can jump as high as 10 feet in the air from a full sprint. 3. Wildfires are probably more common than you think. Over 100,000 wildfires occur every year in the United States alone. 4. Wildfires move quickly. Some reach speeds of 14 miles per hour, so never go anywhere near a wildfire and check for advisories before heading out to a campsite. 5. Ticks must be connected to their hosts for at least a day and a half–36 hours–to pass Lyme disease. 6. In 2009 alone, there were more than 30,000 reported cases of Lyme disease. 7. A mouse can squeeze through an incredibly small space thanks t

If you are from the Upstate of South Carolina, then you know the city of Greenville is packed with things to do. Shopping, dining, and recreational activities are unique and full of adventure. What you may not know is outside of the bustling downtown area (a lot of us have called it G-Vegas at least once in our lives, yes I am guilty of it too!) there are even more outdoor activities for all seasons! From swimming, hiking, and horseback riding outdoor Greenville, SC has enough adventures to keep you and your family busy making memories all year long! The Greenville Health System (GHS) Swamp Rabbit Trail The Swamp Rabbit Trail is a 21 mile multi-use park system that runs along the Reedy River connecting Greenville County with schools, parks, and local businesses. The trail will continue to grow every year offering fun, non-motorized recreation wherever it goes. This trail was made possible by Greenville County Council who purchased the old rail bed between Greenville and Tr

The Drought of Summer 2016  South Carolina, especially the northwestern part of the state is experiencing early stages of a drought. Only a half an inch of rain fell in Anderson and Pickens county in June. So far July has seen less than that. South Carolina saw record rainfall and flooding last fall and winter. Just nine months after the flooding throughout the state, the Drought Response Committee is meeting to discuss the current effects of a moderate to severe drought in the Upstate.  The drought South Carolina is experiencing this summer could have economic, environmental, and socially negative effects. When farmers lose crops, or have to spend extra on irrigation and animal supplies, they lose A LOT of money for that year. Farmers take pay cuts, some even get laid off. Businesses who supply farmers with equipment lose money because the farmers cannot afford to buy products from them.  Local farmers of corn, soybeans, and peanuts will be in danger of losing their c

Going hiking in South Carolina during the middle a summer drought, might not sound too appealing to most people. To me, it just means finding a shorter hike with a rewarding destination at the end. Each of these hikes listed below are homegrown, under five miles, and many of them have very easy trails. They also have waterfalls, creeks, and lakes for a way to cool off after or during your hike. Well, what are you waiting for? Follow the trails all the way down to the number one hike on this list!  5. Rainbow Falls Trail-Jones Gap State Park  Marietta, SC The 3.9 mile trail can be somewhat difficult with inclines and lots of rocky paths, but the view of Rainbow Falls is so worth it. Consider camping overnight for even more adventure and more time for exploration. 4. Yellow Branch Falls- Oconee State Park- Walhalla, SC With a 3.5 mile loop to Yellow Branch Falls you can get a prime spot at the bottom of the falls. The view is not only breathtaking, but the refreshi

Escape to this island paradise with me!  5. Bora Bora  The small island of Bora Bora (just 6 miles long and more than 2 miles wide) overflows with beauty. Dormant volcanoes rise up at its center and fan out into lush jungle before spilling into an aquamarine lagoon. In fact, author James Michener, who wrote "Tales of the South Pacific," called Bora Bora "the most beautiful island in the world." The 18th-century British explorer James Cook even coined it as the "pearl of the Pacific." The very definition of a tropical getaway, blissful Bora Bora abounds with luxurious resorts, sunny skies, warm waters and friendly locals. Many of Bora Bora's beaches are manmade and not much to write home about. The pristine lagoons are another story. 4. St. Martin - St. Maarten If you associate the Caribbean with a laid-back atmosphere, a tranquil beach and a quiet sunset, then you haven't been to feisty St. Martin and St. Maarten. W