Earth Off Trail

Lick Creek Conservation Area – Boone County Missouri

Patrick Stanley — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 02:24:45 +0000

Lick Creek (39° 9’0.34″N; 92°23’6.31″W) is a fun little conservation area for off-trailing. There really isn’t too much to it, but the trail which heads north from the parking lot leads to a nice little draw that takes you into a wide and moist lowland that is flourishing with life. After you have reached the [...]

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Merrell Chameleon 3 Stretch Review

Patrick Stanley — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 03:04:08 +0000

About a year ago, I bought a pair of Merrell Chameleon 3 Stretch hiking shoes. I purchased these shoes because I really liked the Chameleon 2 Stretch hiking shoes. The Chameleon 2’s were comfortable on- and off-trail. I used them as my daily use shoes as well. They were the most comfortable and durable shoes [...]

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Should I go off trail hiking? Part 3 Hats, Socks, and Packs

Patrick Stanley — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:00:43 +0000

I always have a hat whenever I am hiking. It is wide brim and made of synthetic fiber. I underestimated the importance of having a hat only once. This instance was also the only time I ever found myself somewhat lost while hiking. I happened to be hiking in conservation in mid-Missouri. I forgot to [...]

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Should I go off trail hiking? Part 2 Hiking Gear

Patrick Stanley — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 02:39:49 +0000

At first, I hesitated to write a series that included a discussion of clothing to wear while hiking. I didn’t want to write about something that on the surface seems simple. However, I have found over the years that few new hikers know what clothes are appropriate to wear in the field. For example, I [...]

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Should I go off trail hiking? Part 1

Patrick Stanley — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 18:14:50 +0000

This is a question that everyone should ask before going on their first off trail adventure. The short answer to the question is yes! The caveat is that you will need to gain the appropriate skills before doing so. Going off trail can be fun and lead you to things that other hikers usually do not [...]

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Deet free bug spray review (Repel Lemon Eucalyptus and Coleman Botanicals Insect Repellents)

Patrick Stanley — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:13:00 +0000

If you’re anything like me, you really don’t like the bug sprays that contain DEET. In spite of the EPA’s ruling that DEET is safe, there is a great deal of evidence presented by the Cornell Pesticide Information Project and the CDC that would suggest cause for concern. Many people, including myself, have experienced adverse [...]

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“Off Trail” in the Masai Mara National Reserve – Kenya

Patrick Stanley — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:08:15 +0000

One of my favorite “off-trail” hikes was within the Sarova Mara compound in Masai Mara, Kenya. I put off-trail in quotes because the people who run the safari camp strongly discourage you from actually going off-trail. That is for good reason! It is highly likely that you will be eaten if you are walking about [...]

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Have you been thinking about hiking the Upper Hillsborough Preserve?

Patrick Stanley — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:37:15 +0000

Upper Hillsborough Preserve is 9,961 acre water management district and conservation plot near Zephyrhills, FL. The Preserve is broken down into two tracts that include the Alston Tract and the Upper Hillsborough Tract. Today I did a bird census in the Upper Hillsborough Tract. The tract offers a decent hike. There are a bunch of [...]

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Robert K. Rees Memorial Park – Pasco County Florida

Patrick Stanley — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:44:10 +0000

Recently, on a beautiful day in Florida, I visited a park called Robert K. Rees Memorial Park ( 28°15’13.55″N; 82°45’25.15″W). Robert K. Rees is located in New Port Richey. The park is incredibly small at only 45 acres and has many deterrents to going off trail. Some of these obstacles include signs warning you to stay out [...]

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Three Creeks Conservation Area – Boone County Missouri

Patrick Stanley — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 02:52:09 +0000

I have always enjoyed hiking Three Creeks CA. The topography is variable and can be challenging if approached in the right way. There are also many gems tucked away in this unassuming conservation area. One of my favorite places to hike in Three Creeks is an unofficial trail that comes off the Tomlin Hill Road [...]

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