Back To Hiking: Basin Trail

Oh, how I've missed hiking! I couldn't even remember the last hiking trail I posted. So, I took a little stroll through the archives and found this one from our trip to Big Sur last winter. Not our typical hike since we were on vacation but that is the last time we hiked. Ok, maybe we did fit in one hike in the Great Smoky Mountains on the Gatlinburg Trail which was gorgeous :) But I promise that was the last time we hiked before last Saturday. I have really missed hiking and am so glad we got back out in nature! I hope we can keep it up! AND if you live there or get stationed in Southern California, take advantage of the trails! Here are a couple of our favorites I know you will love:

Devil's Slide Trail in Idyllwild

Griffith Observatory and Trail in Hollywood

The difference between SoCal hiking and NC hiking is night and day. Hiking in SoCal is mountain and desert trails. In Coastal Carolina, 

we hike around the water. 

This particular trail was called Basin Trail located in Kure Beach, North Carolina.

It was a nice mix of beach terrain.

Lots of different things to see and wildlife (our favorite).  

I loved this elevated walkway through the marsh.

This trail goes behind the Fort Fisher Aquarium which is shown here in the picture. 

We visited the aquarium last summer. I posted about it here, if you want to see more of the inside.

My husband found this creature right off the trail. I'm so glad I walked right past him!

Here is the end of the trail.

There was a nice little sitting area to look out across the water.

Always a great way to end a hike.

Great Smoky Mountains Adventure

Another PCS adventure for the books. This one was in the Great Smoky Mountains on the Gatlinburg Trail. I love hiking. I love seeing new things. I am so glad we made the decision to make our PCS trip into a mini-vacation. Have you done this? When we moved to Japan we spent only one day in Seattle before our flight to the mainland. This trip we made every day a little bit of vacation. And it was fun!

I can't speak enough for the beauty of Southern Arkansas, all of Tennessee, and Eastern North Carolina. 

Of course there was hiking. Partly because we're outdoorsy like that and partly because we had the dog. PCS-ing with a dog. Now there is another lesson we learned the hard way. There is not nearly enough information out there about PSC-ing with dogs, so we were limited on our entertainment choices.

When things look this beautiful, you can't be too upset about spending time outdoors.

There you go. The Great Smoky Mountains. Put it on your bucket list! 

Or your next PCS travel list.

Cedar Falls Trail

Cedar Falls Trail in my new favorite state of Arkansas. A trail we hiked when we PCS'd to the East Coast. Our whole PCS road trip was centered around exploring Arkansas and the Smoky Mountains. It was so much more than what we imagined!

Have you ever been to Arkansas? I swear it is the most overlooked state in the country. I was thinking flat plains. Poverty stricken. Nothing as far as the eye could see. Well, it's nothing like that. 

It's green and trees and rivers and waterfalls. Oh, and elevation changes and nature!

We walked along this river until we got to the waterfall. Then we climbed our way around the edge of the rocks to get under the waterfall.

And took a shower. In the waterfall. 

The world needs more waterfalls!

And more people visiting Arkansas!

Hiking Ewoldsen Trail Big Sur

Standing next to a Redwood makes me feel so teeny tiny. Ewoldsen Trail is a walk through Redwoods. I never pass up an opportunity to walk through primitive looking trees. Where there is a Redwood, there is a stream and overpasses and paths to be explored. Ewoldsen Trail is all about those things! 

Check out McWay Falls hike in Big Sur!

Hiking McWay Falls

Postcard perfect. The only way to describe Big Sur, California. How we avoided traveling up the Central Coast of California all this time is beyond me! When I think California I think freeways and shopping centers. Driving up Highway 1 proved me all wrong. So if you are basing your opinion of California on San Diego or LA, my advice is go a little farther north. You will fall in love!

We knew when we got to the Big Sur area we would hike some popular trails. McWay Falls was the first and Ewoldsen Trail the second. I am so so glad we visited this area of California. McWay Falls is pretty well known, I'm sure you have seen plenty of pictures similar to the one below. I could watch the waves crash in swirling all around for hours. But my husband isn't patient enough for that :) 

The sign at the trailhead.

Pathway under Highway 1 to get to the falls side of the trail.

Another view of the cove around McWay Falls.

Foot bridge for a better view.

That water and rocks had me feeling like I was in the Mediterranean. What I wouldn't give to get down to that beach. It's a no go, the beach is off limits. Couldn't you see yourself sitting up on that rock near the sand though?

Check out Ewoldsen Trail at Big Sur!

Potato Chip Rock Hiking

Potato Chip Rock seems like the most popular hike in San Diego County. Everyone talks about it. Posts pictures about it. All the hype really made me curious to see Potato Chip Rock for myself.

That flat sliver of a rock is Potato Chip Rock. 6 mile roundtrip for that. I thought I might understand after seeing firsthand but not so much.

The views are pretty cool. Mountains, oceans, lakes. Not bad. 

The incline is killer on the flexors. One of the most challenging climbs we've done.

Lots of little paths to climb off the main trail. Always a big hit with the kids.

The beginning of the hike when everyone is still smiling.

The higher you get the bigger the rocks.

Which is fine by this kid!

There are a couple well hidden secrets. First, nobody tells you about the multiple cell phone towers at the top. It's not very serene...at all. The towers kind of ruined it for us. And the line of 50 people waiting to take their picture on the rock sliver. And that the trail is really just a utility road for the cell tower people. Not really a nature hike by any means :(

Sedona Hiking

After a day at the Grand Canyon, we made our way south to Sedona. Most well known for the red rocks. We didn't spend much time but we made a quick hike at Midgley Bridge Trail. Making our way down to the trail was more than enough for my nerves. It was steep! But the views down by the river may have been well worth it!