It's been too long since my last through hike, the Abel Tasman Trail in New Zealand. I was there in 2004. That's nearly six years with only taking day hikes.

My cousin Chris suggested remedying this. He planned to hike the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail in October/November, and invited me to join him. I couldn't resist the offer to hike, or the chance to see him (we haven't seen each other in over 20 years).

I will be heading to Atlanta in October to meet up with him, and we'll complete about 80 miles of the trail.

Tags: outside

I recently got the chance to watch a BBC nature documentary, Unexpected Wilderness, also known as The Wild Places of Essex. Instead of focusing on huge expanses and "untamed" wilderness, it focuses on small wild areas. There are forests sandwiched between highways, mud flats, and overgrown areas. When people envision wild places, they often overlook areas like this that are right under their noses. Programs like this are helpful to remind us that nature and beauty can be found in urban areas.

Update: Here is a video clip from the show.

The Wild Places of Essex from AGB Films on Vimeo.

Tags: outside