Some goals

I realize it's a little late for this as people typically make their resolutions in January, but I've decided to set some goals for myself this year in regards to outdoor activities.  My hiking, camping, backpacking and such have tailed off miserably over the past few years and I feel that it's time to change that.  So I've hereby decided that in 2018 I'm going to get out for 40 hikes, and 10 overnight trips.  Hikes will need to be a minimum of 5k to count, which should not be hard to pull off.

A little ambitious?  Probably.  But I actually was inspired by stumbling on to the 52 Hike Challenge site.  As we are already almost 1/4 of the way into 2018, 52 seemed a bit like a stretch goal so I decided to land on a nice round number:  40.  40 is achievable if I get out just about every weekend from now till the end of the year, which I have been wanting to do anyway. 

I also got some additional random inspiration from a guy by the name of Kolby Kirk who has a whole bunch of really cool blog posts about journaling hikes and backpacking trips.  Check out his site The Hike Guy if you have a few minutes - his journals are awesome.  He was doing 100 hike challenges a few years back and that helped get me motivated to get out at least every weekend.

As for the overnighters, I plan on doing a bunch of one-night campouts but also a longer trip or two over a long weekend.  I love backpacking but feel like I never go.  Time to change that.

My hope is that having a goal will push me to get out of bed in the morning on the weekends.  Stay tuned for updates on my progress...

Happy adventuring!

Why woodsmoke?

Great question.  I don't think it's at all uncommon to be a big fan of campfires - the warmth, the mesmerizing dance of the flames in the dark, and the intoxicating smell of burning hardwoods.  The campfire has always held a bit of a sacred place in my heart and the term "woodsmoke" is a somewhat romantic expression of one of the many things I find enjoyable about a camp fire.  

Furthermore, there are two verses that I have heard over the years that I just love, both using the term "woodsmoke".  The first one is from "The Feet Of The Young Men" by Rudyard Kipling, and the stanza in question reads like this:

Who hath smelt wood-smoke at twilight? 

Who hath heard the birch-log burning?

Who is quick to read the noises of the night?

Let him follow with the others,

For the Young Men's feet are turning

To the camps of proved desire and known delight!

The second one is an old campfire opening from scouts, and reads as follows:

Woodsmoke at eventide soothes the soul

And makes an easy ladder for a prayer

May the smoke of this fire carry your thoughts heavenward

It is my hope that you will enjoy your time here at my wood-smoke lodge and that your soul may be soothed a bit.  Happy adventuring!

Welcome To The Lodge

Hello, and welcome to my new home on the web.  As part of my 2018 resolutions I have vowed to get outdoors much more and get myself in better shape.  That means more hiking, backpacking, camping, walking, etc.  And what better than to write about my adventures?  Stay tuned for more posts coming soon!