Lauralee Bliss's Blog, page 4

Where Should I Go? Six Things to Consider When Determining Your Hiking Trip

There are so many places. So many trails. So many adventureswaiting to be had.Lots of trails. Lots of choices. What to do? Where to go? First, take a deep breath. Yes there are lots of places to explore.Maybe this is not the year though to do the big trails. The shorter trails, even trails in your own state, can bring great satisfaction and unique experiences than just the big

Planning for the Unexpected – When Trip Plans Go Awry

In my last blog, I talked about the excitement of my summer trip and preparing for it. But who knows that even when one prepares, it may not go off as planned.

Yellowstone roads washed away

That’s exactly what happened to me. I traveled as far as Missouri to see my son and then I found out about the horrific flooding in Yellowstone National Park. They ended up closing the park for over a week, and there went my plans to visit and stay in the park.

Because of this unfortunate circumstance, I wasn’t sure what to do. My plans for the Tetons and Craters of the Moon all hinged on Yellowstone, and with that gone, it didn’t make much sense to head to that area. Especially with evacuees from the park all streaming into the Tetons.  So I made plans to return home. On the morning of my departure, and with a hotel reservation in Kansas I could not cancel, I realized there was still time to make something out of this trip. So getting out the trusty atlas again, I looked West and ended up visiting a good friend in Colorado, hiking a beautiful trail to an alpine lake near Aspen, 

Along the American West Trail near Aspen, CO

and then heading into Utah to see Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, and the intriguing beauty of Canyon de Chelly and the Petrified Forest in Arizona.

Sand ArchCanyonlands, Needles Unit, UtahCanyon de Chelly, ArizonaPetrified Forest, ArizonaThe Painted Desert, Arizona

I wandered about the parks and took in all I could while reveling in what I saw. These beautiful areas told a story of God‘s creative touch long ago that still shows today. I understand now when Jesus said even the rocks will cry out in praise (Luke 19:40 ). Gazing upon an arch just sitting there in the middle of nowhere or seeing petrified wood turned to quartz from long ago, one cannot help but be astounded.

The unexpected and unplanned and even a disaster can turn into something good if one just pauses, puts aside the frustration, and waits. One thing God was telling me to do was wait, though at the time it didn’t make much sense. Yellowstone would not open in time. The plans appeared fouled for good. But I refused to scuttle everything, albeit at the last moment, and instead waited on Him, moved out in faith. and was treated to a trip into His glory.

Preparing for the Unexpected on the Trail - Review of the Jase Medical Kit

Preparing for the unexpected sounds like a misnomer. How can one prepare when you don't know what may happen? Especially in the area of medical treatment with hiking and backpacking long distances. I have already covered in a blog on first aid kits but was contacted by an interesting group of physicians that have come up with an emergency medical kit for people like us as well as travelers, etc.

Planning for an Adventure

One of the great things about being a writer and a hiker is the adventure. I’ve planned multiple hiking excursions that have taken me over 10,000 miles (yeah that’s a lot!) along trails in the east from Florida to Maine and, as of this writing, as far west as Colorado.

But I also like to travel which entails driving and times car camping—a whole other kind of adventure. This season I am endeavoring to hit some major national parks and monuments out west, particularly Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. The trip planning didn’t start out that way though.

These days people plan trips via cell phone apps, but many years ago the large road atlas was the go-to for trip planning. I can see the roads laid out before me and interesting places to visit along the way. Since I have family in Missouri and my husband plans to fly out of Denver, I checked the trusty atlas for ideas on where to go. Travel the state of Colorado? Or head north into Wyoming and some of the state’s great and beautiful country.

Ye Old Raod Atlas

I had basically set my sights on touring around Colorado until I was reminded of a novella I wanted to write that takes place in Yellowstone during its founding days. Suddenly I was trip planning with Yellowstone in mind all the campsites and hikes. Then west to Craters of the Moon in Idaho which I once visited as a youngster and impressed me greatly. And so the wheels of a plan were moving to bring the parks of Wyoming and Idaho into my adventure realm and use it for future books.

Craters of the Moon National Monument (from Dangtravelers.com)

Now I am hip deep or rather room deep, gathering the gear necessary for camping and traveling. A roomy tent and sleeping bag, my thick and comfy air mattress I would never lug in a backpack, cooking equipment, first aid, a headlamp, and clothing for a variety of temperatures and elements. It’s an adventure all its own—getting ready for the trip and making sure I have what I need to be safe. I also have to budget, particularly for gas as it’s the highest it’s ever been on record at over $5.00/gallon. Money is a major factor in planning. Budget for the gas, lodging, and food, and cut where you can to make it manageable. The Dyrt app, for instance, can point you to free or cheap places to camp.

The other area is planning the homefront in my absence. Gardens and houseplants watered. Arrange sitters for the pups and house. I unplug electronics in case of thunder boomers. Pay any bills. Stop mail delivery. Clean out the fridge, and take out any remaining garbage. And I like to vacuum.  

So there is my list for trip planning on a car adventure. Stay tuned for future blogs as I bring the fruit of that planning to you.

Listen to my podcast on trip planning for hiking and backpacking!

Backpacking Planning Blog

The All-Important Hiker Tramily

Have you ever heard the word “Tramily”? We know, of course, ourregular family, but to a hiker, Tramily means the hiker family, and a uniqueand special family at that.After walking thousands of miles of trails, I am happy to saythat the experiences have knitted me with many wonderful hikers that havebecome a “tramily”. We share our love of the great outdoors, meeting in ways weknew would

The Unexpected Way of God

Over 25 years.

Yes…that many years had passed since I had darkened the doorstep of attending a writers’ small group.

I’d been publishing fairly regularly, doing my own thing, until about eight years ago when any form of novel writing came to a screeching halt. Or rather publishing full-length novels. I still wrote on occasion, but the books sat in my computer, never seeing the light of day, despite sending out proposals and going to a writer’s conference.

Then last spring I sold a World War II proposal to Barbour Publishing in what was to become Escape from Amsterdam. What had been closed for so long and I thought was buried had risen from the grave.

So, too, did attending a writers’ group. Recently I was invited to one several hours from my home. I knew the leader as we had conversed about some difficult things health-wise and now she had entered into self-publishing—an area I was also interested in. Her invitation to the group intrigued me, and I accepted.

I drove the two and half hours to the writers’ meeting in Maryland. We all met at a market café to talk about God, our writing, and everything in-between. An older lady sat opposite me and shared how life was tough for her, very broken right now, beyond belief. I was sorry to hear this, of course. Everyone had been through a great deal these past few years with the virus issue and other challenges.

But when it came time to share about our personal journeys, her story struck me to the core. She revealed her close friendship with Joni Eareckson Tada at the time of her accident and afterward.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. You see, when I was a new Christian long ago, I immersed myself in Joni’s story of her paralysis from a diving accident; read her early works, watched the movie about her life and knew about this close friend who helped her in those early days. I asked if she was Diana. And she said yes.

I was totally floored! Joni’s ministry impacted me as a young nurse caring for quadriplegic patients on an orthopedic ward and did something deep within me that burst to life at this meeting. And I think my reaction also meant the world to Diana, that she mattered to others. That in God’s eyes, our interests, our concerns, the things that move us deep within, all matter to Him. And it doesn’t matter the length of time.

Diana’s book is ENOUGH – Learning to Survive and Thrive in Brokenness.

My heart was not broken but rather filled to the brim by the joy of sitting in Diana’s presence and the impact she had on a woman who would develop a ministry that reached so many with disabilities and hurts.

God is still the God of the unexpected. Even if it takes years.

Welcome to Adventure, the Bliss Way!

Welcome to Blissful Adventures!

Heartfelt greetings to my website that showcases adventures in novels and hiking adventures – all in one place!

On the Appalachian Trail in the Roan Highlands

I once said in my younger days I never wanted to live a boring life in a brick house behind a picket fence and do nothing. This is the only life we get to live, so why not live it to the fullest, using the gifts we’ve been given? This is what Blissful Adventures is all about—an author and a hiker living life to the fullest and sharing it with others so they too may have a life of adventure and purpose.

With this, I share aspects of my adventures, both in the written word and on the trails –

Blissful Writing Adventures

I’ve been a published writer since the late nineties, penning stories that I want to read. What does that mean? I personally don’t like the boring and the mundane. I like stories with plot and character twists, page-turners in their own right, with a message that speaks to one’s heart and soul. I want the story to reside within the reader long after the book is done. In my career, I’ve published over thirty works in both fiction and nonfiction. Soon you will see my past works breathe new life as I release revised novels with new titles and covers in the coming months. From the depths of Mammoth Cave to the lofty summits of the White Mountains in both historical and contemporary, it’s sure to be an adventure. Bookmark this website and click the Subscribe button below for upcoming announcements, giveaways, and to follow the journey in the coming weeks as I describe the events that led to the emotional retelling of heroes and heroines rescuing innocent children in Escape from Amsterdam. You will not want to miss it.

The Netherlands and the setting for “Escape from Amsterdam”

Blissful Hiking Adventures

I am an avid hiker, logging over 10,000 miles on many trails, from below sea level to summits over 13,000 feet, from Colorado to the entire eastern seaboard of the Florida Everglades to Maine, including the famous Appalachian Trail twice. I enjoy sharing my adventures in-person with eager audiences that range in age from elementary-age children to seniors as well as on the Blissful Hiking Adventures podcast, webinars, and by Zoom. I love to tell the tale of a trail and have also published the Hiking Adventures series on the Appalachian Trail and the Florida Trail, bringing adventure to hikers, dreamers, and those who may never get to walk the trail but who want to read about it.

If you want to witness people rescue the innocent like in Escape from Amsterdam, take a walk in nature, read tales of a trail in my Hiking Adventure series or hear me as a guest speaker, or read about the miracles that this blog will showcase in the coming weeks, you have come to the right place! Be sure to click on SUBSCRIBE. And coming soon – a giveaway!

Welcome!

NEW Series: Adventures in our National Parks - Guest Blog on Best Hikes in Mt Rainier

Blissful Hiking Adventures is proud to announce a series of blogs on great hiking, adventure, and opportunity in our national parks in the USA. To kick-off, we welcome Ten Adventures founder Richard Campbell with the best hikes in Mount Rainier National Park. Permitting for many backcountry camping and hiking in the parks begins soon. Plan your adventures now!Must-Do Hikes in Mount Rainier

Safety and Hikes in the Fall Season

Max Patch in NCThere’s nothing better than a backpacking trip in thewoods at the peak of leaf change. The air is crisp, the colors of the changingleaves brilliant, and the expectation is there for adventure and recreation. With that in mind, here are afew tips that will help your trip go smoother and more enjoyable. Changing Weather – Fall can be a time of changingweather patterns.

A thru hike of the Benton MacKaye Trail!

Blissful is proud to announce the accomplishment of a thru hike along the Benton MacKaye Trail! Blissful began the journey in late March and finished April 16th. The hike began near the base of Springer Mtn and wound its way through the northern Georgia mountains, fording creeks, hiking up and down many "lumps" as Blissful coined them, some gaining elevation to near 5,000 feet until linking again