Everyone, let us introduce our newest addition to the family. Miss Dinah Marie Bird made her entrance into this world and stole all our hearts in an instant, at 5:56am on the morning of December 20, 2011. She weighed in at a very healthy 8lbs. 14.2oz. (I don't know what those ultra-light folks would say? :P) and measured 21 1/4in.
We promise to get better quality pictures of her posted once we get into a groove but right now we are all taking our time absorbing every little moment with her at this time as it will only last so long. So if you don't hear from us for a while I'm sure you can all understand.
Well another week has come and gone and still our newest addition has decided she's not quite done yet. So we continue to anxiously await, with a certain nervous excitedness, her arrival. It won't be much longer now. Hopefully by the end of the weekend we will have the news posted somewhere, everywhere. Wouldn't that be fantastic. We like to think so, and I know you all think so too as you all wait patiently with us. Until that time though, here's something else to get all excited about...Yep that's right, another edition of the FGR. If we can't have a baby yet, let's win some gear instead.
First up is a sweet giveaway. We all love to keep our tootsies nice and toasty warm, especially on these cold winter morning, when there's frost on everything. Well for the next week, you have a chance to get entered for a prize pack of 12 pairs of Goodhew socks. That's 12 pair of their best selling socks. If you remember correctly Robin won two pair along with her Vasque Taku GTX from the Outdoor Blogger Network and even did a review on them. These are great socks, and the good folks over at The Adventure Post, will hook up one lucky winner with 12 pairs. You can enter with a comment, or tweet daily and there's another bonus entry you can get if you say something about it on Facebook. You have until December 16th to get those comments in, so don't delay. Head over to the giveaway post for all the rest of the warm and fuzzies.
Happy December to all and once again thank you to all our readers and supporters for making Appalachia & Beyond what it is today. It's hard to believe that we just have under a month before 2011 is over and we'll be ringing in the New Year 2012. However, before I get to far ahead of myself and let this post run away into a post that should not be as of yet, let me get down to the business that this post is all about. It is December after all and as a tradition we've held since I think the first of the year, it's time to give thanks, love, shoutouts, to the blogs, bloggers, and webmasters who continue to refer readers to us, therefore giving us reason to continue writing. With this special group of people we wouldn't enjoy updating the blog for everyone like we do. So without further ado, Special Thanks goes out to:
Welcome to a new edition of Friday's Giveaway Roundup. We apologize for not having one the past couple of weeks. With twice a week doctors visits, the Thanksgiving Holidays, and all things baby, it's a wonder we even have time for sleep these days. Well this week isn't much different. We are at the 38 week mark as of this past Tuesday and we are just waiting for the chain reaction to start. Until then let's get you up to speed on some great gear giveaways going on in the outdoor blog-o-realm shall we?
Image Courtesy: Hiking in Finland
You are going to love this one. Earlier this week Hendrik, of the well known Hiking in Finland blog and creator of the upcoming video series Ultralight A-Z, has announced the Hiking in Finland Advent Calendar giveaway. Every day starting on December 1st, Hendrick will be giving away a piece of utlralight hiking/backpacking gear, climbing gear, or bicycling gear to 1 lucky reader per day. There will be different things you will have to do to get your name in the hat, and you can only win one prize through the 25 days of Christmas. So you will have to be very strategic as to what pieces of gear you are willing to win. Head over to Hiking in Finland for the rest of the details on this uber-awesome giveaway.
So we've been teasing you for quite some time now about our upcoming little hiker's nursery. In yesterday's trail report, we even offered a photo that was a small spoiler of what the nursery looks like. As you know the nursery was at one time a full fledged bathroom complete with commode, bathtub, and his/her sinks. It also had a nasty carpet on the floor and beige walls. It is now a nursery fit for a little hiker girl and now we are patiently awaiting Little Ms. Dinah's arrival. If she's anything like Robin and I, she will be late, and stuck in the procrastinators workflow, where she's usually found somewhere between Find Food and Randomly Browse the Internet (with mom of course).
So the moment you've all been waiting for (other than the announcement of her birth) Robin and I proudly give you: Dinah's Nursery.
It's been a couple of months since our last hike, and with Robin in her 9th month, there's not much chance she'll be visiting any trails in the near future (unless of course we go for a short walk on the Songbird Trail at Norris). Since our last hike was in June, I've been jonesing to get into the woods for a walk. Like a crack addict, I was willing to go off without my trail partner and tramp around on my own. I had hoped to do this the prior weekend but a little cold virus got in the way of that. It was more or less God's way of telling me I ought not leave Robin home to go play forest boy.
This past weekend however, I was determined to get out no matter what. I had originally planned on going on a much longer hike than the 6 miles I actually did. The original plan included 10+ miles of hiking at Big Ridge State Park and covered all but two trails in the park and half of the Lake Trail. By the time all was said and done, I ended up cutting out over 4 miles. For one, there was weather imminent and I didn't want to be caught in the rain. For two, it was 11am by the time Clover and I reached the Dark Hollow/Big Valley Junction. I wanted to be off the trail by 1pm at the latest so I could get home and be available to assist Robin's dad in troubleshooting our water heater (he's got more plumbing experience than I do).
Have you ever wondered how or why you happen to have such good fortune? You know when everything seems to be going just right? As though the stars just happen to be properly aligned or something like that for you to receive a bounty beyond your imagination? Maybe I'm exaggerating a little here. The past couple of weeks we've had the fortune/misfortune of ending up on a couple "Best Of" lists and I've seen a couple others pop up here and there for the outdoor (e.g. hiking, camping, backpacking, etc.) blog world.
The first was last week sometime when we received an email that we had made it on to the Top 100 camping bloggers list hosted by justbackpacksonline. It goes on to say that they are going to widdle the list over the next few weeks from 100 to 75 to 50 and so on until they arrive at the best blog and award said blog a gift card (btw, I've yet to receive any notification as to whether we've made it to the next round or not). The criteria that the site mentions for widdling down the sites is a combination of content updates, and traffic sent to their site through the award badge they've provided for your blog. I have since removed the badge but have included the image here for you to see.
I really didn't hype this race or anything on Facebook or Twitter like I did when I went to run in the Coalfield 5k or when I ran the Man Run with the kiddo. Maybe it was because I wanted to make sure I met my goal so I didn't want to jinx it by talking it up. More than likely it's just been the fact that we've been so busy with doctors appointments twice a week, baby shower, nesting, etc. etc. With all that's been going on, we really haven't had a whole lot of time to do much in the way of the blog and because of that, the social network aspects of the blog and our lives in general have "suffered?".
Well I don't know that that is totally a bad thing, you know not spending the majority of our time on Facebook, Twitter, Google +.... you get the drift. After all, we are outdoor bloggers and Robin's been on to me for quite sometime about this social networking addiction I have. Something along the lines of, "people will see right through you if all you do is spend time on Twitter and Facebook. How can you enjoy the outdoors like you blog about if you are consumed?" Yes, the lesson is definitely being learned. Because I've not put so much time in front of the computer, I can tell a difference in myself and in the relationship with the family. I'm more present and I can tell they like it.
We hope that everyone had a wonderfully spooky Halloween. You should all be well on your way to hiking off all those extra sugary calories that have been consumed by the mouthfuls the past couple of days. Of course if you aren't then we completely understand. We had a good Halloween as always, complete with some pumpkin carvings and the girls getting dressed up to get some loot. Kiddo went this year as a Panda Bear and the Joders went as a Kitty Cat. Next year will be a different story as Dinah will be here and will be almost a year old. I wonder what we will dress her as? I guess we will find out next year.
With everything going on we haven't really had time to post or have time to do things to post about. Regardless though we are still getting traffic to the blog and that in a large way is due to you our fellow bloggers who link out to us. That's right, once again it's time that we show our bloggers some love and say thank you for all that you do. So without further ado, we'd like to thank the following for the traffic they generate for us:
Again thank you all for doing what you do, getting outside and sharing it with the rest of us. Here's to a fabulous November, and be sure to stay warm.
Seriously, who's ready to win some stuff? There's a few great giveaways going on in the outdoor blog-o-realm so let's get right down to business shall we? First up over at Live Free and Hike New Hampshire, our buddy Karl has two copies of Following Atticus to give away to two lucky readers. It looks like these are hard back copies and they would make for a great gift for someone, or better yet a wonderful edition to your own personal library. You have until Nov. 11 before Karl picks the two lucky winners so get over to his blog for all the entry details.
Next up, Trail Sherpa has launched it's first gear review, offered by none other than our lead sherpa Tim Miner. He's reviewed the Geigerig Hydration System and in so doing has decided to celebrate the first gear review post on Trail Sherpa by giving away a Geigerig 1600 day pack with inline filter. How awesome is that? Pretty dang sweet if you ask me. Like the first giveaway mentioned, there are multiple entries available for this one, but you only have until Nov 3rd to get them in so head over to the review post and get entered now.
Robin and I have been very fortunate in our outdoor blogging exploits. We've won some sweet gear, been on some wonderful hikes, seen some awe inspiring places, and above all else, have met some really great people along the the way. One person in particular that we have had the pleasure of getting acquainted with and knowing more and more is Tom Ryan and his four-legged companion, Atticus M. Finch. For our Tennessee fans and readers, as well as any of our fans and readers, if you've been living under a rock or somehow missed our postings on Facebook and Twitter about Tom and Atticus, then let us take the opportunity to tell you why you should get and read their book, "Following Atticus".
Tom Ryan is a master wordsmith. An ex-newspaper man from Newburyport, Mass. Tom has an uncanny knack for writing in a way that makes you feel as if you were there with him in his recently published book "Following Atticus." Considering that I can only dream to be half the writer Tom is, I can't begin to convey how wonderful this book is. I think Tom's words speak for themselves. But let me warn you, this is not just a book about a dog. It's not just a book about adventure. The mystery is never rectified. But you will be left with a heart-warming sensation - a newly acquired approach to the way you view life - and probably even the lives of the pets you love.
To be quite honest, for me to try and describe the book wouldn't do it much justice. It really does speak for itself and you'll just have to read it to see. However, I guarantee once you have read it, you'll be glad you did, for it will fill you with so much joy and inspiration.
This book definitely has it all. It will send you on a roller coaster ride of emotions in just a couple of chapters and back again. The relationship shared by Tom and Atticus, and between the two of them and everyone and everything they encounter together along the way is something not to look lightly upon, for this is the way I believe we should all live our lives.
Seriously, go buy the book. Then go home, put on your pj's, grab a mug of cocoa, and lose yourself in the White Mountains, the bond between man and beast, and the world they share from their eyes. Better yet, hike to a mountain or a forest glen and read it. If you don't fall in love with these two "characters" then maybe I'm missing something. You can order a copy from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or from various other merchants. Also be sure to check out their blog: The Adventures of Tom and Atticus. You can also keep up with the duo on Facebook and Twitter for that matter. If you're still not convinced, check out the trailer for their book below:
Happy Trails,
Tim and Robin
P.S. To Tom and Atticus: Thank you guys for sharing your adventures with us. It's always refreshing to see you two facing the impossible and showing us all that it's really not as bad as it seems. In reading the book, I see so many similarities in my life in so many ways that you have described in yours, Tom. It's actually kind of heartwarming. Continue the good work and keep up the good fight you two. We look forward to the next adventure.
I know what you're asking... "Hey Appalachia and Beyond! Where've you been?? Don't you do anything fun anymore?!?" Well, to be quite honest, we've been really busy with baby, and I suppose it's time for me to air out the nest a little bit. There's been quite a bit going on that we've kept to ourselves - or rather, I've made Tim keep to ourselves - mainly because I've been hoping it would clear up on it's own, blow over, go away, miraculously disappear, etc.
But now it's time to realize that it's not going to be so. Because of that, we want our readers to know that if they sense a lack of involvement on our part, it's only because we are being very diligent and involved in the health of our baby girl. There are certain things I can't do right now - and certain things Tim doesn't want to do without me because he feels the need to stick close to home in case we need him. All of this is so very new to me.
As some of you may know, we are contributors for TrailSherpa.com. We were invited by Tim Miner to join the team of contributors and we gladly accepted as it would be a mutually beneficial relationship. Well our first trail report has just been posted on the site. This trail is the Ewing Trail up to White Rocks in Cumberland Gap National Historic Park.
Once you see the trail report, you might be wondering, "How on Earth did Robin make it up that trail and 8 months pregnant?" We did this trail last year and decided since we haven't been out on the trail since our trip to Judge Branch, we'd do a write up on White Rocks. We hadn't done a report for this hike because we hiked up to White Rocks well before the "Blog Revitalization" effort back in October last year.
Anyway, head on over to TrailSherpa.com and check out our report. While you're there, if you aren't already a member, sign up and join the fun. There's plenty of like minded people who love the outdoors and hiking. You won't be disappointed.
Ahhh, the weekend is almost here. Another few hours and we can all breathe easier and relaxing knowing that the outdoors awaits our presence. This weekend should have plenty to offer for most, it is fall after all and there's plenty going on if you know where to look. Trails abound with color, and I'm sure there are plenty of Corn Fields that have mazes carved into them that you can try out. Just don't end up lost like the one couple we've heard about this past week (Thanks Dave for the heads up on that one. I agree with one blog I've read on that one, the dad has lost his man card permanently). We will likely be heading up to our favorite little town of Rogersville, TN for their Heritage Days festival at some point. We also have some fall portraits to make of Ashby and possibly our other rugrat, Jodi, not to mention some maternity portraits of Robin and the babe. So we hope you all get out and enjoy the weather and the colors. Until then, here are the latest, spectacular giveaways in the outdoor blogosphere this week.
We've all seen them. Those gorgeous fall photos that easily make it into magazines but don't seem to easily reproduce themselves on our memory cards. What we see with our eyes is rarely what we bring home and plug into our computer. So, how can you get your camera (yes, ANY camera) to soak in all those glorious autumnal pigments?
Diffused Light
Don't discount those overcast days. In fact, they are the best ones to photograph in. You've probably heard this time and time again, but if you haven't tried it yet, now's the time. The diffused light cuts down on the contrast, and the soft, diffused light actually enhances color. But don't put your camera away if it's bright and sunny either. Just make sure you are shooting with the sun at your back.
We hope everyone had a chance to get out this weekend to enjoy the perfect fall weather. It was perfect for most of us out in the east here, but I did see where there was some snow out west. Yikes! Snow in October?! I know that's not totally unheard of here but it would be unusual. Anyway, the leaves are turning color more and more each day. We are nearing peak around here in the East Tennessee Valley. From Cumberland Gap to Cherokee National Forest and down to Knoxville, the colors are magnificent. It won't be long before "Old Man Winter" is knocking on our doors. So if you haven't yet, you better get out and enjoy this weather before it gets too cold.
That's exactly what we did this past weekend, and look forward to doing just that over the next few weekends. We started the weekend by heading out to Coalfield, TN for the Coalfield 5K supporting the Coalfield Cross Country team. The race started at 8:00am and ran through a subdivision next to the school then through the cross country trail on the school grounds, back in front the school and down another road before turning around and heading back to the school for the finish. It was a pretty fast course with a nice little uphill just after the start. Then there was a nice 1.5 miles or so on the trail the cross country team uses to practice on. It's a graveled trail with a couple of foot bridges and two covered bridges. After the trail, it's back to the road and a slight up hill just before heading back to the finish at the school.
The weekend is finally here and tonight we eat pasta. I can't wait. If you haven't read the last post then you maybe wondering why I'm so excited to be eating pasta. Well aside from it being one of my most favorite things next to peanut butter, funnel cake, need I go on? It's the pre-race meal. You see, tomorrow I'm running in the Coalfield 5K tomorrow, so tonight is fueling night and pasta is what the doctor ordered. Is anyone else participating in any races or events this weekend? If so what are your pre-race rituals/meals/activities? With all this talk of races and stuff, I think it's time to get down to the real business of the post and start highlighting the giveaways going on in the realm this week.
Okay, well to be quite honest, I haven't seen a whole lot of giveaways going on this week. There are a few going on at Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine online. You can head over and get entered for those. They always have some pretty cool prize packs including trips, etc.
October is such a great month. It's almost as good as September. You start to feel a little nip in the night air. The leaves start to change colors, and harvest festivals are available to all who look for them. Football season is already well underway, but hiking and festival season is just getting cranked up.
Last weekend was the Newport Harvest Street Festival. We went, walked around the town center, and quickly left. I hope this doesn't set a precedence for the other festivals we plan on attending for the next few weekends. Honestly though, we went last year and this time around, it really seemed to be more of a junk sale or there were too many booths for those who wanted to make a small buck selling by their gold, and not near as many crafters as we remembered from last year. Anyway, we decided people-watching in Gatlinburg would be more fun and I had an itch to check out NOC's new Great Outpost in Gatlinburg, located on the main drag just before you enter the Great Smoky Mountains. That place is huge and has all the outdoor gear you could possibly want, albeit at a much higher price than you can normally find online for most things.
October is here and we all know that means time for leaf peeping around these parts. Here the leaves are starting to turn. The Dogwoods have turned their normal dark red and other low lying trees as well. Up high in the mountains, the leaves are turning as well. Another week, and the autumn colors will be in full regalia showing off their grandeur. If you're anything like us, then you are out and about every chance you get hiking, attending festivals, or any other outdoor activity that affords you the opportunity to enjoy the brilliance of Autumn. So if you haven't already, get those plans together to get outdoors and enjoy the show. You can always check here for ideas and events for where to find prime leaf color viewing spots and of course any of the other numerous outdoor blogs out in the web-a-sphere.
Speaking of other outdoor blogs, that brings to the main reason for this post. Being that the first of October has finally made it here, it's time again to say thank you to the many outdoor bloggers with whom we've forged relationships with and in turn send traffic our way via links on their sites. So without further ado, let us thank the following blogs/outdoor websites and their owners for doing what they do best and for being our friends:
Thank you all for linking to us and sending traffic our way. We hope that we have been able to do the same for you all, and keep doing what you are doing. See you all outside.
This weekend is shaping up to be a gorgeous weekend in our area. Sunny and cool, perfect autumn weather the likes of which will have us out and about this weekend for a festival and very likely an easy hike somewhere. September is finally at it's end and we usher in October tomorrow morning, so what better send off can we give than the Friday Giveaway Roundup.
First up today is the new monthly giveaway at OutdoorInformer.com. This prize pack includes a nice hoodie and rain parka from Hi-Tec as well as a nice package of treats for your four-legged friend from Zuke's is included. Head over to the giveaway post for all the details and to enter. While you're there, enter one last time for the Salewa and Suunto giveaway.
We hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend and was able to get out and enjoy the wonderful weather. Where did you go? What did you do? We'd love to hear all about it. Did you get out for a hike, go camping, or just hang out doing yard work? Luckily for us, most of all the home buying work has been done so we had a free (for the most part) weekend to do what we wanted.
In Memory of Tom, KK4TA
As you know from our post last week, we had the Ten-Tec hamfest to attend on Saturday morning to sell gear for our friend who lost her husband to cancer earlier this year. We really couldn't have asked for better weather. The turn out was a lot bigger than in previous years thanks to the gorgeous weather. Robin and I arrived just before 7:00am and were swarmed by "old men" (don't worry, that's what they're called in Ham Radio) wanting a chance at the sweet gear we brought to sell. By 11:30am we had sold all we were going to sell (nearly everything!) and it was time to pack it up and head home to prepare for our next event of the day.
Thirty years ago today, I was 6-years old and if I remember correctly at school in the first grade. It was also the same day I became an uncle for the very first time. It's hard to believe that on that same day, the girl I was to spend the rest of my life with, was also born. At that time, the day was pretty special because my nephew was born. It was even more special, albeit unbeknownst to me at that time how much more special it was.
Robin grew up loving the outdoors (and apparently ice cream). Her parents were avid hikers and backpackers. If there was a weekend off and their gang could get together, they were on the trail headed to some destination for an overnight in the Cumberlands or the Smokies. When Robin was old enough, she would accompany them on those trips with her own little pack to carry her clothes, blanket, and stuffed animal. Many a night she spent under the stars. It makes me wonder and I believe that there were possibly times we were looking at the same stars. Then again maybe not because here in Tennessee she had more stars to look at than I did down outside of New Orleans.
Thirty years ago today my partner for life, my best friend, compatriot, wife, and confidant was born and overly joyous am I that she was. She keeps me anchored and grounded. She gives me reason to do what I do. She provides for us at home and I couldn't be more blessed to call her my wife and my best friend. We share the trail together, and I couldn't ever imagine having a more suitable trail mate. She completes me where I fall short and vice-versa. It is with great admiration and loving-ness that I wish Robin a most joyous and happy birthday.
Ladies and gentlemen, kids of all ages, we have ourselves a winner for our giveaway. It is with great pleasure to announce that the winner of the ENO DoubleNest Hammock, ENO Slap Straps, and Headsweats Adventure Hat is none other than Lindsey @ OutsideMom.com.
Congratulations Lindsey! Does this mean that your husband doesn't have to make hammocks for Mini-Van camps anymore? Send us your mailing address via email to appalachiaandbeyond (at) gmail (dot) com as soon as you see this. We will get the prize pack out to you as soon as possible.
We would like to thank Eagles Nest Outfitters and Headsweats for helping us celebrate our 300 "Likes" which has since turned into over 400 "Likes" on Facebook. Additionally, we would like to also thank all of you, our fans, for making it all possible. Without y'all, we wouldn't have a reason to be doing this. Have a great weekend everyone.
You know that special announcement I mentioned in the FGR earlier this morning? We were invited by Tim Miner of TrailSherpa.com to become members/contributors to his dream team of outdoor bloggers - Team Trail Sherpa. What is Trail Sherpa you might ask? Think "Facebook" just for outdoor types like you, our fans, and other lovers of the outdoors. It's a place where hikers, campers, backpackers, climbers, etc. can all get together to share ideas, stories, experiences, trails and more. Basically it's just a bunch of like minded people sharing our outdoors with each other.
Now you might be asking what Team Trail Sherpa is all about. Well, Tim Miner had an idea, a dream if you will, to put together a solid team of outdoor bloggers that represent a wide array of outdoor experience from all over. With that, he put together Team Trail Sherpa so that we could provide content to Trail Sherpa members and readers. Not just any old content though, but quality content including trail reports, gear reviews, recipes for the trail, etc. I won't go into anymore detail, you'll just have to drop in, become a member (it's free), and hangout.
Other members of the team include Rebecca from Calipidder.com, Brian Green of Brian's Backpacking Blog, Tom Mangan from Two Heel Drive, Jeff Hester from SoCalHiker.net, John Roan from MountainUltraLight.com, Derek Loranger from 100peaks.com and of course our Lead Sherpa, Tim Miner of TrailSherpa.com. Be sure to check out these great blogs and look for future posts from the lot of us at Trail Sherpa. Also keep an eye out for new members of the team to be added in the near future and check out our Intro post on Trail Sherpa.
Happy Trails,
Tim and Robin
P.S. We hit the 400 "Likes" mark on Facebook. Thank you to our fans for helping us reach that mark. Additionally, thank you to Headsweats and ENO for helping us out with our Celebration Giveaway of 300 "Likes".
Hello and Happy Fall. We hope you've had a great week and are looking forward to getting outside to enjoy the first weekend of Autumn. We have a pretty busy weekend ahead and are looking forward to the cooler temps and I'm sure the rest of you are too. A lot of things have been happening this week and with the giveaways, well that's not much different at least not here. So let's jump right to it.
For the first giveaway, we have to go ahead and toot our own horn. Late last week we hit the 300 fan mark on Facebook. In so doing we were lucky enough to team up with Eagles Nest Outfitters(ENO) and Headsweats for a sweet little giveaway to celebrate the occasion. This prize pack includes an ENO DoubleNest Hammock, ENO Slap Straps to hang the hammock with, and a Headsweats Adventure Hat. To get in on this opportunity all you have to do is head over to our Facebook page before 8:00pm this evening, "Like" our page, and leave a comment on our wall telling us why you love ENO. Sometime after 8:00pm tonight we will draw a winner at random and announce it here on the blog and on our Facebook Page.
Everyone, let us introduce our newest addition to the family. Miss Dinah Marie Bird made her entrance into this world and stole all our hearts in an instant, at 5:56am on the morning of December 20, 2011. She weighed in at a very healthy 8lbs. 14.2oz. (I don't know what those ultra-light folks would say? :P) and measured 21 1/4in.
We promise to get better quality pictures of her posted once we get into a groove but right now we are all taking our time absorbing every little moment with her at this time as it will only last so long. So if you don't hear from us for a while I'm sure you can all understand.
