Wanderlust & Wild

The world is loud—but the backcountry is quiet, wild, and full of wonder.

Backcountry Travel & Trails is where I share my escapes into the wild—solo hikes through rugged Ozarks hiking trails, quiet mornings kayaking in the Ozarks, and those rare, perfect moments when the only sound is wind in the trees or water lapping the shore.

I’m not into tourist traps or crowded viewpoints. I like places that don’t show up on postcards—trails that twist through old forests, campsites with no cell signal, and rivers where you can paddle for hours without seeing another soul—and I’m always out there with my dogs, so everything I share is dog-friendly and tested by paws on the ground.

You’ll find me exploring Ozarks hiking trails, paddling through secluded kayaking spots, and chasing that rare feeling of total freedom. These posts aren’t about ticking off tourist lists—they’re about finding the kind of peace you only get deep in the woods or along a winding river with no one else around.

Lately, though, even kayaking in the Ozarks is starting to draw bigger crowds. What used to be peaceful, tucked-away spots are now showing up on travel blogs and bucket lists. If you want to keep your paddle strokes quiet and your mornings tourist-free, you’ve got to plan smarter—earlier launches, off-season windows, and a few tricks I’ve learned from trial, error, and sheer stubbornness. I might share how I navigate all that.

If you’re looking for real stories from someone who actually hits the trail, not just reposts drone shots from Instagram, you’re in the right place. I write about what I see, where I go, and why I keep coming back to these wild places.

Whether you're chasing remote hikes, planning your first solo kayaking trip, or just daydreaming about trading pavement for pine needles, this space is for you.

Let’s get lost—in the good way.