The Gear Needs of a Trail Runner

The needs of a trail runner are few. Namely, shoes, socks, shirt (optional), and underwear. Another optional gear item includes gaiters. They keep all major debris out of your shoes and are a blessing in disguise. However, some trail runs require a bit more logistical planning. My typical weekday morning trail runs are usually no longer than 5 – 6 miles long and really doesn’t require much more than the list above. My long runs however require a bit more thought as they can range anywhere from 10 – 30 miles. We’re talking water, fuel (food, gel, etc.), rain-gear (if you prefer to stay somewhat dry on your run), headlamp(s) (if you plan on running in the dark), etc.

 Here in East Tennessee, we have the blessing of all four seasons. Sometimes spring can be just a couple of weeks, and others it could be a full season complete with warm and cold temperatures. Fall can be the same way here too. Regardless, a trail runner’s needs in each season can and will change.

In the early spring it is still cold as the winter chill lingers in the air. Usually I wear long sleeve running shirts, shorts or sometimes running tights or base layer bottoms (such as Terramar Smart Silk), wool quarter crew socks, and good trail running shoes (currently Brooks Cascadia). Additionally, depending on how cold it is, I might wear a beanie and possibly even gloves but it’s rare as we all know, running generates heat. It’s also important to regulate that heat by dressing in layers because you never know when you might get stuck out there and you want to mitigate the risks of hypothermia.

Review: 2Toms Stink Free Sports Detergent - Part 2

So, if you didn't catch Part 1, 2Toms Stink Free Sports Detergent got the stink out of Tim's running socks. It was a HUGE accomplishment really. I was ready to throw them in the trash after them having sat lonesome in one of Tim's pair of running shoes for a week.

That got me thinking... I wondered if 2Toms was up to the challenge of getting the STINK out of our shoes - namely Tim's Vasque Mindbenders, Tim's Merrell Barefoot Trail Gloves, and my Merrell Barefoot Pace Gloves. --- Those barefoot shoes - I don't care who you are or what kind of anti-microbial it's treated with - STINK to high heaven after about 6 wears. 

I threw them in the wash - hot cycle, cold rinse - with half the 2 oz package of 2Toms. And what'd ya know??

They came out clean. Both Merrell's smelled great - fresh even - almost like new shoes. But Tim's Vasques... there's no hope for those. Unless maybe I soak them in a bucket of 2Toms. 

There's just some things better left stinky.

Read about the 2Toms Stink Free Sports Detergent Specs on Part 1 of this review.

And if you have some stink you need to get out...

Buy some detergent here!

Happy Trails!

Robin & Tim

Review: 2Toms Stink Free Sports Detergent - Part 1

There's one thing about living with a runner that I loathe - his laundry. Typically, I try to wash his running clothes the same day he goes running, because if you don't - well, your nose will pay the price.

More times than not, he'll come home muddy and sweaty, throw his running shoes in the laundry room, and then shower. I'll grab up his clothes that he's placed wherever (it's a hunt every time), and either strategically place them in an area where they can air out or wash them immediately.

Well, this past week my 6-year-old LG front loader decided it was going to quit spinning. Long story short, laundry piled up... and piled up... and piled up while we waited over a week for the part to get here.

At one point, laundry had gotten so out of hand that I took some loads over to my mom's house to wash. That was when I found THE SOCKS.

5 Tips for Fall Foliage Photography

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.

Gear Review: GoGirl

Ok Guys... if the title didn't tip you off, let me further expound that this gear review is for Girls Only. So go ahead and hand the reigns over to the outdoor woman in your life. Believe me, she'll be interested in reading this. You? Probably not so much. Don't say I didn't warn you.

So, ladies. I have owned and used my GoGirl for almost a year, and I've mentioned it in passing a few times. It's just not something that we all want to discuss with the public - our bathroom habits are private endeavors. Well, it's high time the GoGirl makes its Review Debut on our blog.  This little piece of medical grade silicone has changed my life, and is always near the top of my packing list.

Spring Cleaning Your Gear: Trekking Poles

So how many of you actually clean your trekking poles after every use? *insert oooopsy look here* Yeah, neither does Tim. I don't have trekking poles, but Tim uses two Leki Makalu Ultralite Titaniums (discontinued now). I use one of his occasionally, but I usually just deem anything extra in my hands as unnecessary. I am a photographer after all, and a camera is a permanently attached appendage. That doesn't leave much room for a pole or stick.

After last weekend's hike, Tim decided that the filthy things needed a good cleaning. So yesterday, during the gloomy, cold weather we were having (as opposed to the weekend's near 90's), Tim embarked on the retractable-pole-cleaning-quest. I thought it best to sit back and enjoy watching him clean something for once, then attempt to describe to you what I observed.



First things first: gather all the things you'll need one item at a time. This includes a pole cleaning kit, a towel, a thin old rag, a piece of fine grit sandpaper, a large bowl, water, fabric softener, and some mild detergent and a sponge (or go the quick route and use baby wipes). Make sure when you're fetching these items that you become engrossed in a rerun of SNL and promptly forget what you were after, twice per item. Add a few miscellaneous items into the mix to confuse anyone looking at the pictures.

After being reminded four times, put the towel down so your wife doesn't kill you to catch the mess and protect the table surface. Better yet, have her give up and do that part for you. Next, wait for the pizza to be ready. A man needs fuel, and this is going to be a half-evening job. After that, be a hero and disassemble your poles.

Once you've accomplished this daunting task - which I'm sure is easier if they're not as filthy as Tim's - you'll need to remove each retainer clip from the plug and screw. Fiddle with this about six times just because it's a neat little contraption.

If your poles are like Tim's, they'll be four screw sets total, and each will be two separate parts. It could be one piece on yours, in which you will remove it from the screw and treat it the same way. Clean the threads of the screw thoroughly in between ginormous bites of pizza.

Next, sand the top of the clip (or your one piece plug/clip) a bit with some fine grit sandpaper and place it back on the screw. Realize you were supposed to sand the plug instead, and sand it too. This provides a better seat for the screw - so says Tim. It also improves friction and the performance - so says Leki. Honestly, I can't see how it made that much of a difference.


The next step will require the trekking pole cleaning kit, but a gun cleaning kit may work just as well if you happen to have one. You'll want to use this to clean the insides of the shafts after you've smeared more pizza on your cheeks.

Notes on this: If you have titanium poles like Tim, then it's probable that the insides have been anodized for anti-corrosion and wear-resistance properties. The cleaning kit came with brass cleaning brushes, but I wouldn't recommend using them on anything. They will damage the anodized surface of titanium, and will shred carbon fiber. I would suggest you use the loop attachments that come with the cleaning kit and a soft piece of fabric, like a handkerchief.

So, cut a small piece of fabric to fit the shaft cleaner loop attachment that took you ten minutes to find the adapter for, then run the cleaner up into the shaft. Realize that you may have cut the fabric a bit too large, and ascertain that the cleaning wand and the pole have now become fused as one. Point the metal tip at your belly, and puppy-eye your wife into a tug-o-war to get the wand out. Let her remind you that you're going to stab yourself in the gut, move the pole to your side, then laugh hardily when she nearly topples over from having to put all her weight into pulling the cleaning wand out.


Cut the fabric into a smaller piece, rethread it into the loop attachment and then clean throughout the shaft making sure to "dump" any dirt out that has become loose. Repeat this step a few times because it's just too darn fun not too. Grin at your wife in the middle of the pumping motion. Give her the eye. She'll love it.

By the way, never use a lubricant on your poles - inside or out. I have seen some people recommend using WD-40 to wipe down rust, but it would be better to call the manufacturer and discuss replacing the section that has rusted.


Next, clean the entire pole with the mild detergent and sponge - or do like Tim did and use baby wipes. They are mild, easy to use, disposable, and we have a ton of them lying around because Q likes to sleep in baby wipe boxes houses.







Make sure to wipe the grip, too. Then, eat more pizza (is this humanly possible?!) while you allow the sections to dry.




While the bottom sections are drying, soak the straps in a bowl of warm water with about 1/4 cap full of fabric softener. Put the Hercules-death-grip on the cap of the softener so wifey can't get it open on laundry day. Let them sit for 10-20 minutes while you finish off the pizza.



Then rinse well, squeeze out the remaining water, and hang to dry on your wife's kitchen curtains which has become a catchall for anything outdoorsy that needs to dry out.









Wipe down all the parts in their entirety once more with a dry, soft rag, then reassemble the poles. Stand back and be proud. You may have cleaned some poles, but be real - you just devoured a whole pizza!

Now get out there and work it off with a long walk in the woods.

Happy Cleaning!

Robin & Tim

What to do About Fido?

Just the other day someone found Appalachia & Beyond by searching one of the search engines for the search terms "frozen head state park dogs". I don't think they found exactly what they were looking for, at least not directly, but perhaps they used our link over there on the right side to the park's website. This gave Robin and I the thought that maybe we should provide some of the pet policies at our area parks for our readers and visitors.

So you want to go camping or stay in a cabin at one of our parks, but you don't want to leave your four-legged pal(s) at home. If you are camping, renting a cabin, or some other variation in-between, don't fret. Pretty much all the parks in East Tennessee are pet friendly to some sort of degree or another. I won't break down each park specifically, at least not the state parks anyway. That would be one long post as there are at least a dozen or more state parks in our neck of the woods. I will break down the major national parks in our area however as they are a bit easier to do so.

Tennessee State Parks
For all the Tennessee State Parks, the pet policies are pretty much standard. There may be some slight differences and for any specific questions or concerns, it's always best to call the park directly for more information. However, as a general rule of thumb, all the state parks here in Tennessee are pet friendly.

In the campgrounds, Fido and Fluffy are both allowed so long as they remained leashed, crated, or caged at all times. Your dog(s) and/or cat(s) cannot be left unattended at any time. Additionally, park officials may request proof of rabies shots and a physical description of your pets at any time. Furthermore, park officials reserve the right to restrict any pet from the park if they pose a threat to anyone. One other restriction, pets are usually not allowed in certain areas such as swim/pool areas, food service areas, etc.

There are several state parks in Tennessee that offer other lodgings aside from campgrounds. These include, rooms at an inn, lodges, cottages, and/or cabins. For our four-legged companions most of the same rules apply. Pets must remain leashed or otherwise restrained at all times, and cannot be left unattended. Park officials again have the right to prohibit pets that pose a risk to other people and/or animals at any time. If you plan to stay in one of the available lodgings, it's best to call and reserve your accommodation ahead of time as the parks only designate a few number of rooms, and one cabin  as pet friendly.

Other rules/policies/restrictions that apply to pets staying in the lodges, cabins, etc. are as follows:

• There is a $15 per night pet charge.
• Additional fees may be charged for any damage done to carpet and other furnishings of the room/cabin.
• Rooms/Cabins will not be cleaned if pets are present.
• Extra fees may be charged for disruptive pets that results in complaints from other guests or refunds to guest that leave due to the disruptive pets.

Most of the trails at our state parks are pet friendly as well. Just be sure to keep them leashed or restrained at all times. Additionally, if pets are restricted from particular areas or trails, there will likely be a sign signifying such. Of course this doesn't apply to service animals as all State and Federal lands have to abide by ADA laws. If you have any other questions or concerns about the state park's pet policies you can check out the Tennessee State Parks FAQ page, their park policies page or call the specific park's office/visitor center for more information.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Pets are allowed in the campgrounds, picnic areas, and along roads in the Smokies. Of course the national parks are no different than the state parks when it comes to keeping your pets leashed or restrained. All pets are required to be leashed, crated, or caged at all times and if on a leash it can be no longer than 6 feet in length. Also, pets are not to be left unattended in RV's or other vehicles.

As for hiking with your trusty side kicks, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park have banned pets from all BUT TWO hiking trails in the park. The only two trails that you can enjoy with your furry friends are the Gatlinburg Trail at the Sugarlands Visitor Center and the Oconaluftee River Trail at the Oconaluftee Visitor center. You must keep your pets leashed or otherwise restrained at all times while on the trails and you must pick up after your pets as well. (Moving on).

If you have any questions or need additional information check out their pet policy page and as always, you can call any of their visitor centers and a staff member will be more than happy to assist you.

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

Big South Fork NRRA is a pet friendly park. They allow us to bring our canine/feline companions to camp and hike with us so long as we keep them leashed as usual (have you distinguished a pattern here yet?). Here at Big South Fork, the leashes are to be no longer than 6 feet in length. Being that the Big South Fork is a river park, if you plan to have your pets on the water with you, it is recommended that your pet, along with you as well, wear personal flotation devices. The currents in the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River are usually swift and unpredictable so use caution here.

There is one exception to the leash rules at Big South Fork. There are certain areas in the park where hunting is allowed (I don't know the specifics as I don't hunt so be sure to call the office and always make sure you have all the appropriate clearances, certifications, permits, etc. before hunting). If you are hunting in these areas and you have your pet hunting with you, they are not required to be on a leash if they are actively pursuing game with/for you. However, if you enter a safe zone,  the you must restrain your pet immediately upon entering said zone.

As always, if you need further information please check out the park's pet policy page or call the park office.

Cumberland Gap National Historic Park

Cumberland Gap NHP is a pet friendly park. (YAY!!!) It even says so on their website's pet policy page. Remember that theme I mentioned earlier? Pets are required to be leashed/restrained at all times and cannot be left unattended. Of course I'm sure most of the other rules apply as well and if there are trails that your pooch can't be on, it will likely be designated as such at the trail head. As always, you can call the park office/visitor center for more information.

As you can see, most parks (State and National) in East Tennessee are pet friendly to one extent or another. Just be sure to use some practical common sense when it comes to your pets in the parks, you'd be surprised at how many don't. If you are ever in doubt or have a question about specific rules or policies, be sure to give the park in question a call and ask. Better safe than sorry I always say. Pretty much all the parks have their office/visitor center numbers listed on their websites. Furthermore, we have most of the State and National Parks websites linked over there on the right side of the page listed under East Tennessee and Surrounding Area Parks.  Have a fun and enjoyable trip with your fuzzy, four-legged friends.

Happy Trails,
Tim and Robin

Spring Cleaning Your Gear: Sleeping Bags

Clean, clean, clean. Don't neglect your gear! It's time to get that musty, storage smell out of your bags! I know it was time for ours to go through a good cleaning.

This is a very delicate topic. Most people are more than a little timid about washing their own sleeping bags, and for good reason! You spend good money on them, they work wonders to keep you warm, they fluff well, they're cozy and perfect, and one bad washing cycle will have you shopping for a new bag. Oh Nooooooo! But it's not as complicated as it's made out to be, and if you're still uncomfortable with it, there are professional bag cleaning services available.

First, the do NOT's:

• Never put a sleeping bag in a machine with an agitator. 
• Never dry clean a sleeping bag. The chemicals are just too harsh.
• Never use harsh detergents.
• Never use any detergent in high quantity.
• Avoid washing with hot temperatures.
• Never dry your bag on a hot setting.
• Never use dryer sheets.

Now, the do's:

• Do use a large capacity front loader. This may mean going to a laundry mat.
• Do spot clean any hard-to-remove stains prior to washing the bag in the machine.
• Do use a gentle liquid fabric softener in the wash.
• Do an extra rinse to make sure all the detergents are rinsed out.
• Do press extra liquid out - don't wring.

Those rules apply regardless of fill type. Tim and I have synthetic-fill bags. Down bags have a couple extra guidelines to follow (like using down soap), but generally - if your cleaning in a delicate way, it will all be okay.

I'm lucky enough to have a ultra capacity front loader (4 cu. ft.). When we shopped for new washing appliances, I wanted the ability to wash comforters, quilts, and pillows. It was a bonus that a sleeping bag would fit comfortably as well! So thankfully, I don't have to make a trip out in order to wash our bags. Most sleeping bag guides are going to suggest you use a front loader, but that's because they don't have an agitator. If you happen to have one of the newer, top-loading machines that doesn't have an agitator, you can use that as long as the capacity is large enough for the bag. Your bathtub also makes a great vat to hand wash a bag.

When I wash our bags, I unzip them all the way and turn them inside out (even unzipped, ours still stay together at the foot). Then I tuck them inside the washer, and set it for a delicate cycle with a gentle spin and an extra rinse.

I use a little less than 1/2 cup of Borax for the wash cycle, a half-cap-full of gentle fabric softener, and if the bag is particularly smelly, I'll use just a teeny-tiny bit of HE detergent in the pre-wash slot. Woolite is really nice to use (I've read), but I've had allergy issues with it in the past.

After the washing is complete, I usually run an extra spin cycle set on gentle or low to get any extra water out.

You can choose to tumble dry your bag with the lowest heat setting. Just add a tennis ball to the dryer to fluff up the bag. I choose to line dry our bags, and it is the safest way to dry. Plus, the dryer takes just as long on that lowest setting, and then I'm not consuming any unnecessary energy!

Spring Cleaning Your Gear: Water Bladders

It's monsoon season here apparently. We've had nothing but rain for most of this week and last week. Plus, it's turned cold on us again. People are saying it's Dogwood Winter, but I don't think so. The dogwoods bloomed about two weeks early this year, and at the same time as the Redbuds. I, personally, think this is Redbud Winter, and we're still going to have a Dogwood Winter around mid-April, like usual.

So, while it's rainy and cold, I've decided to do a little spring cleaning around the house. In general, I'm the type that believes at the start of Spring everything has to be gone over with a fine toothed comb (or toothbrush, ha!). That does not exclude all our gear. All of that needs an extra cleaning, too. Today, I tackled the water bladders for a thorough cleaning. I'd suggest you rinse them with hot, hot water and air them out after every use. There's a gazillion ways to clean your hydration bladder, but here's how I do the deep cleaning on them.

First, I don't have any fancy water bladder cleaning utensils, so I use what I have. Vinegar and baking soda are staple cleaners in my house. They're safe to use on just about anything, not harsh, and they are awesome deodorizers. So, for cleaning the bladders, I gathered the two - plus a sanitized bottle brush, sanitized cleaning toothbrush, a pipe cleaner, a bag clip, a wire coat hanger, and a pair of pliers.

I opened the bladder, eyeballed about two cups of distilled white vinegar and added about a teaspoon or so of baking soda. Now, you'll want to keep your bladder open because of the CO2 by-product. Wouldn't want to risk the bladder popping. After the fizzies have settled down, I use the bottle brush to scrub, scrub, scrub the insides of the bag. I use the toothbrush to get in the crevices and close to the seams.

Next you'll want to prop open the drinking spout with a bag clip and let the vinegar solution run down into the tube. This will loosen any algae that may have built up there.

Afterwards, fill the bag with the hottest water out of the tap and let it flow out the tube. Repeat this step a couple of times to rinse out all the vinegar and baking soda.

Next, use a pipe cleaner (make sure you fold over the end so it's blunt and the wire isn't sticking out) to clean inside the mouth piece and up the tube where any build-up is. If you have excessive algae build-up, you may want to use a bleach solution and use a special cleaning kit, or just get a new bladder. We've never had this problem though.

Do one more quick rinse, then use the pliers to undo the coat hanger and turn the end in so it's not going to poke the bag. Then wind it up a bit, and stuff it inside.

Hang to dry, leaving the bag clip on the end so water can drip out and the tube can dry out.

Ta-da! Clean water bladder!

Happy Cleaning!

Camp Activities

Other than cooking and gathering firewood, which at times seems like that's all you do at camp, there are plenty of activities to make the trip pleasurable and worthwhile. Even though there is a definite Thoreau-esque sense of accomplishment when staying in the woods all week with minimal essentials to accomplish all the camp chores, what's the point of living in the woods for a couple days to a week if you can't enjoy a walk in the woods, some photography, or a good book?

When we go on our camping trips, there's always different activities that we look forward to, and if you've brought the right "gear" you can get closer to nature and enhance the relaxation it can provide.

Day Hiking

Most times we like to camp at Frozen Head State Park for our longer camping trips. Being there at camp gives us a distinct advantage that we "late to bed and late to rise" folks otherwise don't have. With over 80 miles of trails, being there at camp allows us to get on the trail for a nice long hike and not have to worry about driving back home when we get off the trail, totally exhausted. The only things to worry about after a good hike while camping is getting the fire going and what easy food we want to eat that night.

Bike Riding

Another great activity that we all love at camp is riding our bikes. In the campground and throughout the rest of the park, there's very little traffic, and it's usually slower than the bikes.You can really enjoy a good bike ride in this fashion as you don't have to worry about getting hit by a car like you might when riding in the city or some of the twisty and hilly country roads around here. Family bike rides are always a lot of fun and even more so while camping. It provides great exercise and the scenery is wonderful. If you are camping at a park with trails, you might even get the extra bonus of trail riding, but make sure bikes are allowed on the trail before you peddle down it.

Photo Walks/Scavenger Hunts

For those of us with an affinity for photography, what better time to whip out our cameras and start snapping away? Besides that, you want to be able to cherish these trips for as long as you live. There's always plenty of flora, fauna, and wildlife to capture not to mention all the silliness the family gets into out there. You might also decide to go on a photo walk. Taking walks with the camera at camp with the purpose of finding those once in a lifetime shots are priceless. You never know what you might come back with. You can also arrange a photo scavenger hunt. Just come up with a list of things, or find one on the Interwebs, to capture on film or memory card and take off. This is a great way to introduce the yougin's to the wonderful world of photography and nature. Whoever wins can be king/queen of camp for the day. They can choose what's for dinner, who tells the first ghost story of the evening, or any other cool prize that will put a smile on their face and never forget their camping experience.

There's plenty of other activities you can enjoy while camping: throwing a football around or a frisbee, riding scooters around the grounds, playing at the playgrounds, fishing, you name it. However, camp just isn't camp if you don't indulge in some lazy activities as well.

Read a Book

Reading is a another favorite time of ours in camp. We finally have some time to read that trail book we've put off because of our busy and hectic lives. There are plenty of perfect, relaxing times to crawl into the hammock or on the lawn chair and get to reading that book you got for Christmas that now has an inch of dust on it. I don't know about you but I probably get more reading done in a week at camp than I do the rest of the year around home.

Play a Game

If you are anything like we are, we typically bring a deck of cards and from time to time an easy travel game like Yahtzee or UNO. This really gets the family together around camp for some good solid quality time without interruption of the TV or telephone. A good game of rummy or plain ol' poker are excellent card games at camp. And you can use rocks and sticks for money. After all, you are in the woods, right?

Tell Ghost Stories Around the Campfire

If you are like Robin, then you are very creative and haven't got a problem coming up with a ghost story or two on the spot. Heck, she usually has them thought up before we even get to camp most times. However, if you are more of the analytical/logical type like me and lack creativity or story telling ability, then there's nothing wrong with bringing a good ghost story book along. This is a great time to pass down traditions or teach lessons to the little ones about wandering around in the woods after dark and things like that. Your oldest kids - the ones wanting a BIG scare - might enjoy the story of The White Screamer. Tween ages like a bit of a scare, so a little acting and a story called Taily-Po will have them jumping, screaming, and laughing in no time. But if you've got little bitty ones, you might try some of the funnier, cuter American Indian stories like "Why the possum's tail is bare." You can usually get some good screams and laughs for that matter by acting out the parts, changing your voice around, and maybe even tossing things their way - like a previously hidden beach ball.

Park/Campground Hosted Activities

Usually, in the parks we camp at, there is almost always some sort of program/activity given by one of the park rangers. These are great opportunities to learn more about nature and/or the area you are camping in. Anything from Owl Prowls to Salamader Hunts, ghost hikes to astronomy viewings, you name it. Usually on any of the trail kiosks or the park/campground visitor's center they have a list of activities for the day. Be sure to check them out and take part. The rangers always love to teach and share with visitors their expansive knowledge of the area's history or natural wonders.

There's so many more different activities and plain ol' silliness that one can enjoy while camping. So many that it would likely require a week's worth of posts. However, we'd love to hear from you. What are your favorite activities while camping?

Happy Camping,
Tim and Robin