Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 18:21:54 GMT -8
I can't believe I haven't gone in search of a decent hiking forum sooner!
My name is Desiree, I'm 26 years old and I live in boring ol' Kansas. I was born and raised in New Hampshire - New Englander through and through. I left NH when I was 18 to move to Kansas for my then at the time, boyfriend. We got married, Kansas turned into my home.
With some current life stress, I've taken a huge interest in hiking and road tripping. Just recently I took a solo road trip to Colorado, my first time out there. Just me and my dog. Ever since that trip a week ago I've just fallen in love with the hobby. SO, here I am. I'd call myself a Newbie.
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tigger
Trail Wise!
Posts: 2,547
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Post by tigger on Oct 5, 2016 18:39:14 GMT -8
Excellent! If you can make it the first trip and still smile, you may indeed be a backpacker. It only gets better...and, errrr worse from here. Welcome to the campfire. Pull up a stick and a marshmallow and tell us about yourself.
What's your favorite trail treat, what do you think about bacon, and what are you willing to drill out or shave in order to save weight...?
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rebeccad
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Writing like a maniac
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Post by rebeccad on Oct 5, 2016 19:42:01 GMT -8
Welcome, @desiree --we're a sort of crazy bunch, but in a good way. So sorry about Kansas But at least you are close to CO. Sounds like you'll be getting your gear together, so feel free to ask questions, and be sure to read the pinned thread in the gear section. We even have a couple of discussions going on right now about hiking with your dog!
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Post by swimswithtrout on Oct 5, 2016 19:53:39 GMT -8
Welcome aboard !! I love CO, I've been living here since '72, but Kansas has some awesome hiking as well. Ever been to the Flint Hills ? I love them.
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Post by CompassRds on Oct 6, 2016 3:39:06 GMT -8
(edit because thoughts got jumbled during cut and paste)
+1 for heading to the Flint Hills, lets see...There are some nice contrasts with the eroded limestone where it shows. Any time during the bloom (mid-june-ish) is great. Not advocating storm chasing by foot, but if you happened to be out when one pops-up, it's amazing to watch a storm roll-in across the hills.
Also on not too far away in NW Missouri and W Iowa is the Loess Hills, more of the same prairie mix with more trees thrown for some fall color. If you are more SE Kansas there are some great spots in the Missouri to Arkansas Ozarks even Eastern Oklahoma. Though it won't replace New England, some of it might be closer to what you were used to growing up.
Western Kansas and you are likely headed to the Rockies. But if you are in NW Kansas don't forget that the badlands are beautiful and that there is a nice section of those in the Oglala National Grasslands in NW Nebraska, and that Badlands NP is not to far beyond that along with the Black Hills.
BTW welcome form Illinois.
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crawford
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Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
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Post by crawford on Oct 6, 2016 3:46:43 GMT -8
Glad you found the place. Being centrally located, you will have access to some great hiking areas! That's one benefit of Kansas. Some folks might come on here asking if you like okra. Don't be afraid to tell them it is disgusting
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Post by Lamebeaver on Oct 6, 2016 3:50:27 GMT -8
Howdy Dorothy, er I mean Desiree. The good thing about Kansas is that it's relatively close to Colorado.
We do need to know your feelings on:
beer scotch beets bacon okra Brussels sprouts kilts
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2016 3:57:53 GMT -8
Welcome aboard @desiree! You'll find this place to be full of it! ("It" of course being wisdom and sage advice on all things backpacking related.)
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amaruq
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Call me Little Spoon
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Post by amaruq on Oct 6, 2016 4:38:54 GMT -8
If I lived in Kansas, I would turn to whoever was next to me every time I left the state and say "I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."
Every. Time.
Welcome to the forum from a Canadian with no shame for overused and obvious jokes.
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Post by hikingtiger on Oct 6, 2016 5:45:03 GMT -8
Welcome.
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grace
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Post by grace on Oct 6, 2016 7:27:44 GMT -8
I can't believe I haven't gone in search of a decent hiking forum sooner! Here that you guys? We're decent. Keep your kilts on! And Welcome from CA.
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Hungry Jack
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Living and dying in 3/4 time...
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Post by Hungry Jack on Oct 6, 2016 7:58:24 GMT -8
Welcome Desiree! Now that you have "discovered" hiking in CO, you're not in Kansas anymore!
Are you in western KS? I am a seasoned traveler of I-70 thanks to skiing forays from my native St. Louis into the Rockies. I have vivid memories of pecan log rolls from Stuckeys, the Flying J, and that beautiful view from westbound I-70 just east of Limon when the whole Front Range spreads out before in purple majesty above the fruited (thanks to irrigation) high plain.
Question: Have you attended LB Brewery in Fort Hays? It's worth a stop.
Also, if you intend to frequent CO, you must check out 14ers.com for all sorts of hiking beta. There is a sister site for 13ers too. That said, the 14ers get all the attention and glory, but some of the best hikes are on lesser (known) peaks. You can avoid the craziness of I-70 in Summit County, and Rocky Mtn Park, by venturing into some great wilderness areas nearby. I just returned from a trip to the Rawah, west of Ft. Collins. Commanche wilderness, also west of The Fort and adjacent to Rocky Mountain Park (it's a great back door without the crowds at trailheads), is another gem.
If you are east, then the Missouri Ozarks are a very good destination. Check out the Ozark Trail Association and their FANTASTIC web site for trip planning. I did a lot of trail work on a few new segments. It's great hiking. There is some cool stuff in eastern OK, though I have yet to visit. Someday...
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Westy
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Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
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Post by Westy on Oct 6, 2016 9:44:42 GMT -8
Greetings and welcome from Salt Lake City! As for Kansas, I drove through it once. As for New Hampshire, grew up there and have a genetic disposition for the Red Sox.
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Post by Lamebeaver on Oct 6, 2016 10:56:24 GMT -8
Also, if you really want to pamper yourself on the way back to Kansas, you may want to stop here
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Post by paula53 on Oct 6, 2016 11:06:11 GMT -8
Hello from Nevada.
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