There is an abundance of beautiful trails in the Hudson Valley. The Catskills are never boring and each outing gives the hiker a little bit of everything. Compiling a list of my favorite hikes in the area was a difficult task, but I persevered and picked my (for the moment) favorites. Happy trails!

I am a child of warm weather. The hotter and more humid it is, the happier I am. I want air that I can swim through. But ever since I left Florida at age 11, I have only lived in places where the weather stubbornly remains cold for 4-6 months every year. I like New York, so I’ll stay here, but I do get just a touch grumpy as soon as the temperature drops below 50 degrees.

I never thought twice about hiking alone and whether it was dangerous or not. Now, after talking with others and hearing conversations, I realize that solo hiking can feel scary for many women.

I have always loved being outdoors. There is nothing quite like being surrounded by something so much larger than you.