Now For Some More Give-A-Ways

There appears to be quite a few different contest/give-a-ways/raffles going on in the outdoor blog-o-realm this week. So just to bring all the ones I've come across into one place, it's another edition of Outdoor Blog Give-A-Ways Round-Up.

The first give-a-way is from our good friend Karl @ Live Free and Hike New Hampshire. Karl recently made a trip up to Mount Washington Observatory and picked up a surprise item to give-a-way on his blog once the blog's Facebook page reaches 300 fans. So all you need to do to get in the running for this sur-prize, is go to Live Free and Hike New Hampshire's Facebook page and like it. It's that simple, and if you are already a fan, then you are already entered. So what are you waiting for, get on over there and click that like button and tell Karl how cool he is for giving something away from Mount Washington Observatory.

The next give-a-way comes from another good friend, Steven, over at My Life Outdoors. Steve has reviewed and is giving away a pair of Perfect Curve Gloves by Glacier Glove. This time around Steven has simplified it to only one entry per person, and all you need to do is get the word out about the give-a-way. You can blog about, tweet it, or post it on Facebook. Once you've done that simply go back to MyLifeOutdoors.com and leave a comment on the give-a-way post by May 10th and you are in like Flynn. When you leave your comment be sure to tell Steven how awesome he looks with those gloves on. I'm sure it will make him giggle. :P

Branden and Sarah at The Daily Hiker has another T-Shirt give-a-way. To win a Daily Hiker t-shirt, just send your best Spring Picture to the email address listed in their give-a-way post/announcement. In about a week from now they will choose their favorite photo and award the photographer their very own Daily Hiker shirt. Be sure to include in your email that you think Branden and Sarah are the coolest thing since slice bread and their T-Shirts are the grooviest you've ever seen. You come to think of it, I think Appalachia & Beyond needs a T-Shirt too.?! o_O

Over at SectionHiker.com Philip recently had a chance to try and review an Osprey 46L Hornet backpack. Because of this, Osprey was kind enough to offer one of the packs for a give-a-way. To get a chance at this sweet pack, you just need to head over to Section Hiker, and leave a comment on the give-a-way post. There's a catch though. No ordinary comment will do. Philip wants to know who your hiking mentor is/was and don't just say someone's name, but rather give some detail, a story if you will. While you are at it, tell Philip how cool I think he is that he's section hiking the AT. One of these days I might be as cool as him. ;)

Wooo.. Man that's a lot of give-a-ways don't you think? No, you want more? Okay well here they are.

Tyler at MyCampMate.com (Yes the one and only social Camp Trip Planning App for the iPhone) is giving away a camping trip up to $50. That's right a camping trip, who couldn't use one of those right about now. So here's the scoop, May is National Invite a Friend Month at MyCampMate.com and to win the camping trip, is join MyCampMate.com and invite people your friends to join/register. The first 4 people that invite and have 50 friends win a camping trip up to $50 anytime anywhere. Just let Tyler know when and where and he will get it booked for you.

Over at The Adventure Blog, Kraig (aka KungFuJedi) is having a weekly give-a-way called Ditch the Deet. Every Week for the next couple/few weeks he is giving away some pretty cool shwag. You've missed the first week but there may still be some time to get in on this weeks and of course the rest of the give-a-ways he has. All you have to do for this is send him and email with your plans for outdoor adventure for the next couple of months and how the gear he is giving away would benefit you in those plans. So what are you waiting for? Head on over to The Adventure Blog and get all the details and send those emails in. While you are at it let him know you think he's the greatest for giving away such awesome stuff cause you hate gnats and skeeters and all those winged little buggers you run into in the woods.

Finally, the fine folks over at PAHikes.com is currently giving away a magnesium fire starter and a Granite Gear Toughsack. Every month this year they are giving away some cool stuff and the fire starter and Toughsack from Granite Gear is the special gear they are awarding for May. All you have to do is go to there site find the listing for the May give-a-way (don't worry, currently it's the third item down from the top, May 1st post) and click the register link and fill in the info on the subsequent page. While you are there hit their feedback link and let them know they have a great site and some pretty cool give-a-ways.

Ok that's all the give-a-ways that I've got for you for now, well.... there is one more. That's right there's that give-a-way over at Vasque Footwear's Facebook wall going on right now that currently I'm in the "running" to win. If you remember the "I Need You" post, I really need everyone's vote as the competition has really heated up. All you have to do for this is go to Vasque Footwear's Facebook page and like them, if you haven't already. Then scroll down their wall and find my post (Timothy Bird) and click like on the post. That's it. If I win I end up with a free pair of Vasque Mindbender Trail Running shoes and free entry into Rock Creek's Scenic City Trail Marathon and 1/2 Marathon. Once you've done that, if you are feeling really ambitious, tell your friends, family and everyone else you know to do the same. I would really be most appreciative and who knows might even have a give-a-way right here. I'll definitely write up a great post about the shoes and the race experience. Who wouldn't want to read that?

Okay, so that's all I've got now so until next time...

(Edited by Tim) - Another give-a-away that I forgot to mention: OutdoorInformer.com is giving away a pair of Vasque Skree hiking shoes. Check out their post for the give-a-way for the details, I think you enter multiple times but each time there is something you need to do for the entry. Check them out and drool over all the great gear they review. Tell them Tim @ Appalachia & Beyond sent you.

Happy Trails and Vote for Tim,
Tim and Robin

Just a Little Hike - Interpretive Trail Loop - Frozen Head State Park - 5/1/2011

This past Sunday, we were itching to get out and into the woods after spending all day Saturday doing yard work and other various chores around the house. We knew it had to be something short and easy because well let's face it, just getting out was asking a lot. With Robin only being in her seventh week of pregnancy, we are very limited due to how she may be feeling at any given moment. Of course she hates that that is the case but it is what it is and we make due with it the best we can.

So to accommodate the mixture of pukeyness and fatigue that comes from making a baby, we decided the Interpretive Trail Loop at Frozen Head State Park would be a perfect little trail to take to enjoy some fresh air and the splendor of mother nature. You might remember this trail from a couple years back when we took the kiddos for a hike and some playing at the park.

The trail starts behind the visitor center at the Visitor Center Trail which is only .3 miles to the actual interpretive loop. At .1 mile, if that, you come to an intersection where you can either go right up to Chimney Top or turn left to the Interpretive loop. The next .2 miles meanders through the woods to the loop with a small boulder field in the middle of the trail at one point and a major downhill that loses about 50 feet or so of elevation. We decided that after that descent, we'd take the road back from the Old Mac Trail once we were done.

Upon reaching the Interpretive Trail after .3 miles you come to a foot bridge that begins the Interpretive Trail on the other side of Judge Branch. Prior to this point there was an excellent spot next to the creek to let our trusty sidekick Clover off the leash to play in the creek. Boy did she have fun but she did think the water was a little cold.

Upon crossing the footbridge you can stay straight on the loop to the Old Mac Trail or turn right on the loop. We opted to go right and walked along creekside for about .3 miles. Along this part of the trail you can see remnants of what used to be part of the old CCC camp that helped build the park and trails back in the 1930's.

At about .4 miles on the loop there is a nice bench next to the creek with a big spot in the creek that is deep enough to take a dip if one so desires. There is a nice waterfall/cascade down the rock face at this point, too. We decided to sit on the bench and let Clover play in the creek some more. We sat on the bench amongst the hemlocks listening to the birds chatter away and watching butterflies flit to and fro all while Clover enjoyed her romp in the water. She just absolutely loves the water so long as it isn't too deep.

After this spot it's about .1 mile to the intersection with the South Old Mac trail. At this point you can turn right to continue up South Old Mac to Judge Branch Trail or Spice Branch Trail or stay on South Old Mac to the Fire Tower. To the left is Old Mac trail that leads back out to the Picnic Pavilion at the Old Mac trailhead. It's a straight shot to the trailhead from here with an intersection on the right at .15 miles to North Old Mac trail and another trail junction at .3 miles, just before the trailhead, back on the Interpretive loop to the Visitor Center and Chimney Top trails.

Considering we didn't want to have to ascend the one descent we had coming down the Visitor Center trail we headed out to the trailhead at the picnic pavilion and across the road to the Flat Fork Walking Trail back to the visitor center. The walking trail starts at the road to the campground and follows Flat Fork creek all the way back to just before the visitor center. We ended up heading back to the visitor center of course after a short Clover detour to find the perfect spot - if you catch my drift. At the end of the walking trail you have to walk onto the road to cross the bridge across Flat Fork Creek.

On the other side of the bridge, there is an open field area to the right and the visitor center on the left - which is bordered with some very showy rhododendrons this time of the year. Next to the field is a big pool area of the creek that, when the creek levels are up like they are now due to all the rain, provides for another great swimming area. Of course, Clover had to have one last dip before we headed back to our car to finish the hike.

Once we were done we had hiked a total of 1.77 miles. Of course it was probably more like 2 miles if you count the major Clover detour, but total trail miles ended at 1.77. Total elevation gain was 115ft. So if you are looking for a nice scenic and easy trail, the Interpretive Loop at Frozen Head is a great one to take. It offers a lot of scenery, plenty of cool views in the woods, cool dips in the creek, and makes for a pleasant walk in the woods.


Happy Trails,
Tim and Robin

Trimble Trail Details:

Tim Needs Your Help

So I've decided I would see what kind of social networking muscle we have here at Appalachia & Beyond. We've been hard at work building our subscriber levels, Twitter Followers, and Facebook Fans and I think we've done a wonderful job. We must be doing something right or you wouldn't stay right? Well I thought I would put it to the test.

You see I used to run religiously about 5 or 6 years ago before a job change brought me working close enough to home to go home for lunch everyday. Since then I haven't hardly run much and have lately been feeling the desire to get back at it. I've put it off for far too long, minus the occasional spurts of running Robin and I would get into around the Spring and Fall each year. I suppose, the kiddo making the track team might have sparked the fire again and that's really awesome. During the off season she plans to continue training so she can run cross country next year and continue running track.

So I have one motivation to start running again, to train the kiddo. Another major motivation, in case you missed it, is that we've got another hiker on the way. Being 35, almost 36, I need to get myself back into shape to keep up with the little booger and to make sure I'm around for a long time to continue to support the family. Other than the hiking and evening strolls, I need something else to really whip my tail into shape, and running did it for me before and can do it for me again.

So now that you have the back story, here is the front story and the reason for the post. I need your help. I've entered a little give-a-way that is being sponsored by Vasque Footwear and Rock Creek Outfitters in Chattanooga. They have teamed up to give away a new pair of Vasque Mindbender Trail Running Shoes and free entry into the Scenic City Trail Marathon and Half Marathon in Chattanooga. To win I had to leave a post on Vasque Footwears Facebook wall and whoever's post gets the most likes by May 9th wins.

It's that simple. So with that said, lets see how many likes I can get on my post on Vasque Footwear's wall. Go to their Facebook page and like them, then scroll down their wall and find the post by me, Timothy Bird and click like. If I win I'll be sure to write up a wonderful review of the shoes and a race report of the 1/2 marathon. It should be a blast and it's not too far from home either.

Thank you in advance and Happy Trails,
Tim and Robin

Thank You Fellow Outdoor Bloggers - May Edition

It's a new month and once again we have been seeing an increase in our blog traffic. One reason is our search engine traffic has picked up quite a bit since we revamped everything back in October and got a new address. Our other main reason is because of our fellow outdoor bloggers, our friends, our brethren. It is through you that we receive the bulk of our traffic, and we thank you all. We hope that we are sending traffic to you as well and would like to send more. So without further ado, here is a special thank you to our compatriots in the outdoor blogger realm, be sure to check them out and get a taste of their outdoor worlds.

Hendrick @ Hiking in Finland - Hendrick tells of his hiking, ultra light backpacking in Finland and provides us with gear reviews and as always a wonderful week in review (a round up of great posts from outdoor bloggers).

Allyson @ High on LeConte - Allyson, along with her husband Chris, is the caretaker of LeConte Lodge on top of Mount LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. She shares a small snapshot of everyday life on top of the mountain.

Joe and Rebecca @ Outdoor Blogger Network - This is a directory and social network for outdoor bloggers. They also have a blog to help promote fellow outdoor bloggers that are in the directory and have gear review giveaways. If you have an outdoor blog, check them out, get listed, and join the fun.

Karl @ Live Free and Hike New Hampshire - Karl is a day hiker in, you guessed it, New Hampshire. He shares his tales of hiking in the mountains of New Hampshire, provides gear reviews, how tos and more. Additionally Karl has featured us a guest blogger recently and for that we say thank you. Oh did I mention, he and his wife Jill are about to have a little hiker in their family. We are so excited for them and can't wait for posts about hiking with Lylah, "The Peanut".

Owl Jones of Owl Jones.com. - Owl is a fly fisherman in Georgia. He shares his fishing tales and colorful commentary on a variety of topics and is always a "hoot", get it? Thanks Owl for all you do. He is also a moderator of the forums at the Outdoor Blogger Network. 

Mamabug @ Mamabug's Nature Photos - Mamabug loves nature, photography, and traveling. She's in Florida and shares her wonderful photography almost daily. She also like to frequent our neck of the woods and we love her for it.

Jeff @ Meanderthals - Jeff is a fellow Appalachia and provides us with trip reports from the Blue Ridge area of North Carolina and the Smokies. Check out his reports, they're very detailed and full of great information.

Greg @ Hiking Fiasco - Greg is good ole mate from Australia who loves to walk with everything in his pack for days at a time. Of course by the name of the blog you might guess that something always goes south on his walkabouts. For a good laugh definitely head over and check out some of his adventures along with his great photography. Did you know a photo of a leaf of his was actually published?

Jim @ Husky Hiker - Brings us trail reports in the Massachusetts area and other outdoor anecdotal commentary. He's also wrote a book, "Best Easy Day Hikes: Berkshires". Check him out and if you are in Massachusetts area pick up a copy of his book so you can enjoy those day hikes as well.

Dave @ Fat Man of the Mountains - What can I say, we laugh heartily while reading thee posts Dave writes. He has a great writing style and always leaves us waiting for more. He covers the Massachusetts area as well as reports of his progress on New Hampshire's 48 4,000 footers.

Jeff @ The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog - Jeff provides with current news and happenings going on in and around Southern Appalachia, especially the Smokys and the Blue Ridge area, and more. Definitely a must add to the subscribe list.

Tom @ Two Heel Drive - Tom is always on top of things in the Piedmont area of North Carolina. A former Calfornian, Tom has made quite the place for himself in the Southern Appalachians and his blog is always a treat. Definitely full of good stuff.

Monty & Amy @ Cloud Hiking - Monty and Amy cover quite a bit of stuff. Avid hikers from the Nashville Area, they cover mountains, greenways, trails, and more. They even venture into East Tennessee from time to time and always provide great trail reports everywhere they travel.

Steven @ My Life Outdoors - Steven is down in Texas where everything is Big. Even his trips are big. He provides us with the latest news in the park in Texas and reports from his trips that span from Louisiana to Colorado. From hiking, to kayaking, to skiing, Steven does it all. He also has some pretty great give-a-aways from time to time too.

The Appalachia Irishman is from our neck of the woods and loves to hike House Mountain. That's not all though, he gets out to our other area parks too. Drop in check out his blog and tell him Tim and Robin sent you.

Brian Green @ Brian's Backpacking Blog - Brian is another outdoor blogger from the North Carolina area. Brian shares his knowledge, trials, and tribulations with becoming an Ultralight Backpacker. Additionally, he gives plenty of gear reviews, trip reports and more. Oh and he also has some great give-a-ways from time to time as well.

Jason @ Extreme Adventure News - Jason always has the latest going ons around the outdoor/adventure world. Constantly updated with worthy news items for the adrenaline junkies or plain ol' outdoor lovers.

Tammy @ Finger Lakes Trail Mix - Tammy has a passion for the outdoors and photography and displays both proudly with her thorough trail reports from New York's Finger Lakes area.

Craig and Gang @ Outcasts Hike Again - A group of firefighters from the Middle Tennessee area, always out backpacking it when not on duty. Craig and the gang provide with great trip reports from all over the Middle and East Tennessee area and sometimes Kentucky.

And finally,

Jenni @ Your Outdoor Family - From the Chattanooga area Jenni provide wonderful insights and commentary about enjoying the outdoors with her family. She's a pretty busy gal so posts are spaced out quite a bit, but you can guarantee when one comes out, it's always worth the read.

There you have it. All our outdoor companions who've helped make Appalachia & Beyond what it is and helped provide the traffic we receive and for that, thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. Be sure to check them all out, there's a little something for everyone.

Happy Trails,
Tim and Robin

P.S. If you have us linked on your blog and you don't see your blog linked here send us an email @ appalachiaandbeyond (at) gmail (dot) com. We'll be more than happy to list you on our links. Additionally if you are interested in a link exchange we are more than happy to do that as well so long as your blog is outdoor related. 

After Hours

Being outdoors is always relaxing for us. Even when we are out working up a sweat and pouring all our energy into climbing a mountain, at the end of the day we always breathe easier and find our spirits relaxed and renewed. And "outdoors" doesn't always mean "in the mountains," "in the park," "on the trail," or "climbing that mountain." Outdoors, for us, is just that simple. It means being outside the confines of walls. So, after a small hike today, we wanted to spend some relaxing time in our backyard by our flint-ringed fire pit soaking in the breeze, the smell of wood burning, and the tree frogs that sing non-stop this time of the year.

We don't really live too far from the city, but we're definitely rural. And when I say rural I mean, we can look up and see a million stars, we can close our eyes and try to count crickets chirping, we can listen to the fire crackle, and if we're really lucky, we can even hear the bloodcurdling calls of a barn owl or red fox.

But not tonight.

Because tonight, as we sit by our fire trying to relax for the week ahead (and burn up all the dead fall from last week's storms) we are being serenaded (once again) by our lovely neighbors who illegally operate a business in a subdivision in which they apparently must rev engines for hours, run diesel trucks that sound like high-powered generators, and mow their lawn at 10pm on a Sunday.

So, yes, consider this post a rant, at best. But it's very odd that we also live beside a legally-operated vehicle repair garage that never bothers us with this constant noise. Matter of fact, I rarely hear them even during business hours.

We just want our peace and quiet back. Is that too much to ask for? At least after dark? Please?