A Guide to Adventure

      We all make mistakes, but when you are hiking, or going camping, mistakes can be deadly. Anything from wearing the wrong shoes, to not having enough clean water to drink can be inconvenient at home, but in the woods it can turn into a matter of life and death. Here is my life of top 5 mistakes to AVOID this summer. 5. Over/Under Packing When getting ready to go on a hike it can be so easy to cram a weeks worth of stuff into your pack, even if you are only going for a day or two. Extra clothes, that really cute sun hat you never get to wear, towels, extra shoes etc can all add weight to your pack that you don't need or want on a long hike. While you may think it is worth the extra weight in your pack, your back and neck will be hating you for it later. Packing light and only bringing the necessities can be scary at first, but once you realize you don't NEED all of that stuff,  you will find yourself less tired and sore than you would with a heavier bag. ...

After a long, hot summer, its finally fall here in South Carolina, and even though its still pretty warm outside, there are lots of great places to go camping right now. The beautiful fall foliage is one of the first things that comes to mind, but there are so many benefits that go along with camping this time of year. Here are my Top 5 favorite things about camping in the fall:     1. The Weather Let's face it, hiking in the summer can be miserable, and trying to snuggle up in a hot, and sometimes sweaty tent is not always the best way to get the good night sleep you need. However, in the fall, the air is cool, and crisp, and wrapping up in your sleeping bag at night is so much more enjoyable. Waking up, and drinking a cup of fresh coffee, and eating warm bowl of oatmeal is a perfect way to start your morning. By mid afternoon you can shed a few layers, and enjoy the lingering warmth of the sun, and when it sets in the evening you can sit around the campfire...

Hiking and camping can be so much fun, or it can be a nightmare if you are not prepared. From Leave No Trace to who has the right of way, today I am breaking down the 5 Things You Should Never Do On The Trail.  Bonus Tip: Leave Rock Cairns alone. They are used as trail markers, and many people rely on them. Don't add or take away from them. LET THEM BE.  Don't Travel Alone.  Many people swear by solo hiking, and I know I would enjoy the time to myself as well. However, it can be very dangerous, and lonely (especially at night). When you are going on more than just a day hike alone, your chances of getting injured are greatly increased. If you fall and break your leg, and you are out of cell range what are you going to do?  Bringing your best friends, or significant other along is a great bonding experience, and there is nothing better than roasting marshmallows around the campfire with the people you love. If you insist on going alone, let s...

I have always been a tent camper, I like having some space to sit up, stretch out, and be able to still move around once the sun has gone down. There is a sense of security inside the tent once it is zipped up that I found comforting the first time I went camping, so I stuck with it. That being said, the past two or three times I have slept in my cozy tent, my body has hated me for it the next day. It can be very difficult to find perfectly flat ground, then I have to clear the spot of any rocks, tree limbs and debris that will be in my way. It is just a lot of extra work that I do not enjoy.  Although once everything is all set up, I have a spacious home away from home. Its especially nice when having friends along because we can all hunker down in the tent together if it starts raining or gets too cold. I love taking my dogs camping too, the thought of leaving them somewhere gives me anxiety, so being able to have them in the tent next to me is a plus as well. There are SO man...

Not many people know that Morgan Island in South Carolina is home to about 3,500 monkeys! The island has appropriately been dubbed Monkey Island. It is home to one of two Rhesus Monkey colonies in the United States, the other is located in Florida. The island is owned by the SC DNR (Department of Natural Resources) located near St. Helena island since the 1970s.  They originally were located at a research center in Puerto Rico. After several monkeys infected with a virus escaped and caused outbreaks among locals, the monkeys were moved. That's where South Carolina stepped in. The state offered the island for research and about 1,400 monkeys were brought to Beaufort County. Now the breeding colony is used by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which is part of the National Institute of Health, for research. That research helps develop life-saving preventions and treatments for diseases affecting public health, according to the institute. But i...

On the outskirts of Charleston, SC hidden in plain site is a lost and forgotten national park. Castle Pinckney is currently being lost to the sea in the Charleston Harbor.  The story of this forgotten fortress began in 1791, when George Washington visited Charleston, South Carolina , saw that a little island in the harbor (Shutes Folly) was strategically located, and ordered that a fort be built there. The good people of Charleston, who were tasked with funding and building it, decided that it should be named Fort Pinckney in honor of Charles Cotesworth Pinckney , a local planter, Revolutionary War General, and delegate to the Constitutional Convention. Castle Pinckney played no role in the War of 1812 and was demoted to “secondary line of defense” status in 1826. The very next year, the construction of Fort Sumter , a bigger and better fortification, got underway at a more strategic location across from Fort Moultrie at the harbor entrance. By the late 1820s it was a...

Camping in the fall can be so much more magical with all of the changing leaves, a cozy fire, and a warm sleeping bag. The summer crowds are gone, as are those pesky bugs. The East Coast of America is full of beautiful places to camp this fall! These five camping spots are perfect for the adventurous fall camper!  Dry Tortugas National Park- Florida  Dry Tortugas National Park , accessed by ferry from the coast of Key West , is one of the most scenic primitive camping destinations in the world. The 100-square-mile national park features seven picturesque islands. Come to the campground prepared, because you have to bring everything you need (including toilet paper and water). However, the pristine beaches, crystal-clear water, abundant marine life and fluorescent coral reefs will make you forget about the lack of facilities in no time. Park campsites are adjacent to the island’s Civil War-era Fort Jefferson, and they’re available on a first come, first served ba...

Growing up in the Southern part of the United States has definitely got its perks. Everything from spur of the moment adventures, to delicious homemade cuisines, and that sweet Southern Charm everyone talks about the South has so much more to offer than a thick accent and a camouflage hat. That is why you don't want to miss out on these Southern cities, and everything they have to offer.  Durham, North Carolina Durham is one of the most unique towns, not just in North Carolina but in the South, thanks to incredible food, a relaxed vibe, and cool warehouse buildings (this is an old tobacco city). It’s full of perfect spots to enjoy nature, listen to local bands, and taste finely brewed beer. Durham’s Brightleaf Square is a hub for restaurants and shops, housed in renovated tobacco warehouses. If you love food trucks (and Durham helped snowball the trend, with its Food Truck Rodeo ), the city has some goodies: Pie Pushers , Chirba Chirba Dumpling, and Only Burger . If...

When you are tired of the crowds and cheesy tourist attractions that are scattered across the United States, and want to experience and one-of-a-kind adventure, visiting a national forest is the best way to go. The number of people who visit America's national parks is staggering—the sites hosted record-breaking 307.2 million visits in 2015.  With 155   protected national forests to choose from, you can plan a trip across the country just visiting these hidden treasures. Hiking is not the only thing to do in the wild terrain of these forests though. Here are some of the most adventurous and unique national forests and experiences found throughout America's wildest terrain.   Bunk in a fire lookout tower. Get a birds' eye view of wild landscapes by camping in a historic fire tower at the top of a mountain . You may need to hike farther and pack extra but you will have a unique experience indeed. Peak-top cabins offer comfortable living space, 360-degre...

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...