This blog is part of our #redbudroadtrip series this summer, Life Lessons Learned in the Woods. One of my favorite parts of backpacking and canoeing trips is that you literally carry everything you need to survive. While I’m in love with this idea, it does present some challenges when packing. What do you carry, and what can you leave behind? Bring the essentials, leave the unnecessary stuff behind, right? Simple as that. Not always. For example: Food, water, shelter, those are given. But what about extra chocolate? A little wine? And should I take the thick fleece, the lightweight longsleeve...

Showering in the woods can be done many ways, but in my experience there are a few things that will make the experience better, both for you and nature. #1  A lesson in Leave No Trace (LNT) ethics Found a gorgeous waterfall? Awesome. The perfect place for your wilderness shower? Well, maybe... as long as you're not using soap. Just like you wouldn’t want to find someone’s macaroni floating around the lake the day after they left camp (ew), no one wants to stumble across (or drink) your leftover bathwater. Maybe one shower won't make too big a difference, but with billions...

Update: Scroll down for links to all 7 posts as they're released this season. If you had to choose your own adventure, what would it be? Would you hike, bike, paddle, climb, or surf? We're drawn to the outdoors for many reasons. The thrill of adventure, the peace of running water, the desire to find wildlife, or the chance to kick back and relax. It may be to find solitude, or to make memories with people we love. Sometimes feels impossible to get away, and yet we do it. Why? Because it’s always worth the effort. I go for many reasons, perhaps you...