Exploring the Great (Virtual) Outdoors

Since exploring Desolation Wilderness four weeks ago, I haven't been hiking much. Okay, that isn't true. I haven't been hiking at all, but I only have myself to blame. More accurately, I only have my low tolerance for high temperatures and high gas prices to blame.

To hold me over while I find the will to leave this air-conditioned dwelling to fill the tank, I've been hiking and visiting parks virtually. Thanks to the wonder of blogs, folks are sharing stories and photos from their latest hiking and backpacking adventures online. They're also offering advice about gear and suggesting parks to explore. It doesn't beat venturing outside, but it keeps me from going stir crazy. Here are some of my favorites:

Two-Heel Drive - Tom Mangan surfs the web and finds all sorts of interesting links related to hiking and backpacking. He also includes his own trip reports from time to time.

The Wildebeat - Steve Sergeant produces this informative, quality audio journal about "getting into the wilderness" (as the host says every podcast). There are interviews, gear reviews and trip reports. Each entry is about five to ten minutes long.

Dan's Outside - Dan Mitchell combines his love of the outdoors with his love of photography. He most recently took some wonderful photos (like this one) of Yosemite and Mono Lake.

Yosemite Blog - Speaking of Yosemite, this one covers everything happening around California's most famous national park - the rockslides, the road closures, the missing hikers, the bears and the fires - all the reasons I love the park. Oh, and he has an entry every now and then showing Yosemite's beauty.

National Parks Traveler - Kurt Repanshek doesn't limit himself to just one park. He talks about them all and issues affecting them. He also covers anything related to the National Park Service, which lately seems to be making decisions that aren't in line with its mission to "preserve the value and natural and cultural resources" of the nation's parks.

Go on and check them out and then get outside! (And don't worry, I'll be heeding my own advice very soon.)