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...

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...

I am so excited to now be making and selling customized Tye Dyed shirts (ranging in all sizes from infant to adult) and bandanas as well. Shirt prizes:   Basic T-shirt with custom colors and design are $10.00 or Two for $15.00. Infant sized clothing are $8.00 a piece. Custom colored Bandanas are $6.00 a piece. If you want to make an order email Radbatgirl@gmail.com with the size, colors, and design you would like.  (Spiral, yin yang, or crunch, bullseye, or galaxy) for each shirt.  For Bandanas just list the colors you would like. I will promptly contact you back and begin your orders!!

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...

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 expect...

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...

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...

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 needl...

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 than...

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...