Back To Running (Barefoot?)

As some of you might know, I'm somewhat of a wannabe runner. A couple of weeks ago, I finally got to get back to it a bit when Robin and I struck a deal, she got to go to a movie she was wanting to see while I stayed home with our Little Bug. In return, she let me go for a trail run. Let me tell you, it's been awhile and my legs felt it for sure. I haven't let that stop me as I've been running regularly for the past couple of weeks now and that's a first since Miss Dinah Marie came into our world a whopping 5 months ago. Where does the time go? This time around however, Robin has decided to join in the running with me and I couldn't be happier. Running alone gets lonely once you hit a certain point and you're slogging out mile after mile with only your thoughts to rattle your cage.

Coolest Camper Ever Contest Reminder

We've had a wonderful Blogiversary celebration over the last couple of weeks, complete with sweet giveaways and several winners of those packages. We will get those out in the next few days so be on the look out for your prizes. For our fans and readers who didn't win, we're sorry but thank you so much for your loyalty and for participating, if not for you guys we wouldn't have a reason to do this as much as we do and for that a big THANK YOU to you all. And since you all love a good giveaway, we would like to remind everyone of the current Coolest Camper Ever contest that is still open at Sylvan Sport.

Five Year Blogiversary Giveaway Day 5 (Miscellaneous)

Welcome to the final day of our 5 Year Blogiversary Celebration. Today is "Miscellaneous" day and we've got a great package for everyone out there. There's a few different items that can suit just about anyone. We want to thank today's sponsors, Bass Pro Shops and Cobrabraid for supplying the main prizes in today's giveaway. You never know there might be a couple other prizes to go along with it. So who's going to win this package?

Five Year Blogiversary Giveaway Day 4 (Runner)

Welcome to Day 4 of our 5 Year Blogiversary Celebration. Today is "Runner" day and we've got a great package for the runners out there. Whether it's out on the road or trail, or after the run, these items are sure to come in handy. We want to thank today's sponsors, Headsweats and Hyland's Homeopathy, for supplying the prizes in today's giveaway. So who's going to run away with this package?

Five Year Blogiversary Giveaway Day 3 (Survival)

Welcome to Day 3 of our 5 Year Blogiversary Celebration. Today is survival day and we've got a couple tools that will definitely come in handy when out in the backcountry, camping, or if you find your self in a sticky situation. We want to thank today's sponsors, Cobrabraid and COAST Products, for supplying the prizes in today's giveaway. Let's get to the package details shall we?

Five Year Blogiversary Giveaway Day 2 (Food)

Welcome everyone to Day 2 of our Blogiversary Giveaways. Today we are thinking about food and how good it is after a tough day hiking, backpacking, or even camping. We have a few great food items which are perfect for the pack or while camping. A special thanks goes out to Hungry Hikers and Vasque Footwear for sponsoring today's prizes. What's up for grabs you ask? Well let's get to it.

Five Year Blogiversary Giveaway Day 1 (Hiker)

Happy 5 Year Blogiversary to Appalachia & Beyond. We hope everyone is just as excited about this as we are. We've been anxiously waiting for this day to get here. As you all know we have decided to have 5 full days of giveaways just to celebrate the occasion. Also, just to be clear, you have a full week to enter on each day's giveaway starting on the day of each giveaway (e.g. Monday's giveaway will stay open until Sunday, Tuesday's until Monday, etc.).

Gear Review - Cobrabraid 550 Paracord Survival Bracelets

Just a couple of weeks ago we were contacted by Cobrabraid in hopes that we would like to review their 550 Paracord Survival Bracelets. Well knowing that rope is always handy in many a situation (e.g. string up an antenna, replacing a broken bootlace, etc.) we said we'd be more than happy to. Wouldn't you know it, in a few short days they sent us 2 large bracelets, 2 small bracelets, key chains to match, and a DIY kit.*We'll be giving away a bracelet and key chain on our Survival Day giveaway and the DIY kit on the Miscellaneous Day giveaway next week.*

Upon receiving them Robin and I both put our bracelets on. We noticed at first how stiff they were but after a few days of wearing they've loosened up a bit and we are now wearing them comfortable almost every where we go. Upon adorning our bracelets, the big kiddo, as if on cue, whined, "Where's mine?" Well how can you deny that type of plea from an almost 16yo who has a thing for bracelets. She is in love with hers by the way. We all have to take ours off however if we are holding the bug, as the velcro sometimes want's to catch her leg or the buckles tend to poke her in the legs.

COAST's Rapid Response 3.00 Knife - Gear Review

When out in the wild day hiking, backpacking, or just camping, you never know when you're going to need a good blade. Knives come in handy in all sorts of situations. Whether you need to cut some rope to string up a tarp, sharpen sticks for whatever, or just whittle some wood, the needs are endless. Enter COAST's Rapid Response 3.00 knife.

COAST sent me one for review purposes and I've been carrying it around in my pocket like any other East Tennessean does. Compared to my other "Crocodile Dundee" knife (aptly named by Robin) it is much lighter (3.7oz - 1oz. less than the "Croc") and doesn't take up as much space in my pocket.