A Guide to Adventure

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Nothing quite says summer in the south better than being on a beautiful lake, watching the sunset, with a cold drink (sweet tea for most of us will do) in hand. On a hot summer day, there is no better way to spend the day than fishing, swimming, and relaxing on the lake. Dive into this list of the Must-See Lakes in the South, and plan your holiday vacation southern style! 5. Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina  Tucked away in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, Lake Santeetlah, once known as "Lake in the Sky" has 76 miles of shoreline protected by the national forestry service. Boat rentals are available, in all varieties and sizes. Enjoy a quiet day on a canoe or paddle board, or secure an 8 person deck boat. Primitive and car camping sites are available, so there is a place for every type of camper!  4 . Lake Fontana, North  Carolina Outdoor enthusiasts and thrill seekers need seek no more. Opportunities for adventure abound along the untouched mount...

What better way to cool off on a sweltering summer day than to enjoy thrill of a waterslide? I'm not talking about a backyard slip-n-slide, or the neighborhood pool though. What I have in mind is way more exciting. All across the world - even here in the states - the most intense, and terrifying waterslides can be found. Here are the Top 5 most terrifying water slides in the world!! 5. Tantrum Alley, Dubai  Start off this slide by climbing into the 4-person raft, go through the first tornado to get your speed up. Then there is a downhill drop, followed by another tornado. Add one more downhill drop, and tornado and the slide is over. 4.  Città  del Mare, Italy  We know some of the best stuff comes from Italy, Olive Oil, Wine, etc. So naturally, they said no more sliding into a pool. At this resort, hewed from the rugged and gorgeous Sicilian coast, you can ride a series of waterslides into the very Mediterranean itself 3. Big Thunder, Florida...

Public nudity is something frowned upon in the United States - many of us are thankful for that -, although in Europe most beaches are nude friendly. If you want to feel a little more free, and looking for a new experience, then check out these top five nude beaches in the United States.  5. San Gregorio, San Mateo County, California  The small town of San Gregorio, home to only 287 people is just south of San Francisco. This is the oldest nude beach in the United States. San Gregorio is popular with the Bay area gay community, who are typically found on the northern part of the beach, and straight visitors tend to stay on the southern side. With two-miles of beach to explore there is a spot for everyone. No matter what side you are on, everyone stays to watch the sunset.   4. Black's Beach, San Diego California Tucked away between La Jolla and Torrey Pines State Beach, Black's Beach is incredibly secluded. Surrounded by high cliff walls, an...

State parks in South Carolina are so underrated, as a South Carolinian I know the struggle of wondering what to do on my days off, "go to the mall, too old for the skating rink, they tore down the civic center Volcano, hmm movies are expensive, so let's go out to go eat." That thought process has gotten so old, that I 'just can't even' anymore. When you actually look to see what the state has to offer, South Carolina has state parks everywhere! From small ones like Saddlers Creek on Lake Hartwell, to Jones Gap and Table Rock in the mountains. All within an hour driving distance, from Anderson, Greenville, Clemson, and Seneca areas. You can literally go somewhere new every weekend! This brings me to my list of Top 5 State parks in beautiful South Carolina! Table Rock State Park, Pickens County, SC Table Rock is one of most commonly known state parks in South Carolina, most people have been there at least one on either a class field trip, or for a summe...

Mid-June in South Carolina is HOT , and   humid , increasing the chance of pop up showers and thunderstorms. Tuesday afternoon was no exception to this, after leaving the falls to prepare for the storm that was rolling in over the mountains, we had plenty to do at camp before it rained. I was scavenging for firewood - the sites are pretty cleared out of the easily accessible wood - I could feel raindrops starting to fall, hearing thunder in the distance I brought Derek the small amount I gathered, and just as a cool breeze blew through the trees and 3 foot tree limb falls on Derek's head! It could have been much worse if the branch had more force, or landed in a different way, he was okay, startled by his near death experience we moved the tent over a few feet, away from the towering pines.  Since our campsite was only a short walking distance from our car, we had some extra pillows, a book I really wanted to finish reading, and a few luxury items. We also ...