Category: Fitness

Exploring Shawnee National Forest, Illinois Garden of the Gods + Earn a Junior Forest Ranger badge

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    Shawnee National Forest Garden of the Gods - Christie Dedman
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    Shawnee National Forest Garden of the Gods - Christie Dedman
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    Shawnee National Forest Garden of the Gods - Christie Dedman
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    Shawnee National Forest Garden of the Gods - Christie Dedman
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    Shawnee National Forest Garden of the Gods - Christie Dedman
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    Shawnee National Forest Garden of the Gods - Christie Dedman
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    Shawnee National Forest - Christie Dedman

If you’re ever in Southern Illinois you must make a stop in Shawnee National Forest to hike. When you think of Illinois you might only think of the main attractions in the northern area...

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Tips for visiting Congaree National Park with kids + Don’t miss the Junior Ranger Badge

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    Congaree National Park - Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Congaree National Park - Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Congaree National Park - Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Congaree National Park - Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Congaree National Park - Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Congaree National Park - Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Congaree National Park - Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Congaree National Park - Photo by Christie Dedman

Congaree National Park just south of Columbia, South Carolina is worth a detour off I-20 if you’re ever in the area. Dedicated National Park enthusiast know this is South Carolina’s only National Park. It’s...

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Tips for Hiking Foster Falls at South Cumberland State Park, Tennessee

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    Foster Falls Tennessee Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Foster Falls Tennessee Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Foster Falls Tennessee Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Foster Falls Tennessee Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Foster Falls Tennessee Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Foster Falls Tennessee Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Foster Falls locator park map courtesy of Tennessee State Parks

During the fall we chased colorful leaves and flowing waterfalls one weekend in South Cumberland State Park in Tennessee. We hiked down to the bottom of Foster Falls. A challenging, slippery and fun hike...

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Hiking Tennessee State Parks Great Stone Door, Greeter Falls & Laurel Falls with children

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    Greeter Falls, Tennessee Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Great Stone Door, Tennessee - Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Greeter Falls Trail, Tennessee Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Greeter Falls, Tennessee Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Laurel Falls, Tennessee Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Laurel Falls, Tennessee Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Laurel Falls, Tennessee Photo by Christie Dedman

There’s a section of the Savage Gulf Natural Area in Tennessee that is packed with enough hiking to satisfy anyone’s need for woodland therapy.  From steep trails, rocky cliffs to incredible views and flowing...

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Climbing and hiking at Perry Lakes Park and Birding Tower Marion, Alabama

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    Perry Lakes Park - Alabama Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Perry Lakes Park - Alabama Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Perry Lakes Park - Alabama Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Perry Lakes Park - Alabama Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Perry Lakes Park - Alabama Photo by Christie Dedman

Have you ever been to Perry Lakes Park in Marion? It’s a cool swamp with a restored 100 foot fire tower in the heart of Perry County, AL. We hiked through the swamp then...

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High Point Climbing & Fitness Birmingham Review, Tips & Ways to save

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    Logo courtesy of High Point
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    High Point Climbing and Fitness Photo by Christie Dedman
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    High Point Climbing and Fitness Photo by Christie Dedman
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    High Point Climbing and Fitness Photo by Christie Dedman
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    High Point Climbing and Fitness Kid Zone Photo by Christie Dedman
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    High Point Climbing and Fitness Kid Zone Photo by Christie Dedman
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    High Point Climbing and Fitness Kid Zone Photo by Christie Dedman
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    High Point Climbing and Fitness Kid Zone Photo by Christie Dedman

Sometimes climbing rock walls, foam columns and nets can be therapeutic. Sometimes it wears you out completely. If you’re lucky it will do both. Recently the kids hit the walls at High Point Climbing...

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Hiking beneath the falls: Frozen Noccalula Falls Gadsden, Alabama Winter 2018

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    Hiking beneath Noccalula Falls - Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Hiking beneath Noccalula Falls - Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Hiking beneath Noccalula Falls - Photo by Christie Dedman

Hiking is always therapeutic for our family. It never fails being on the trails always makes us forget about stresses, focus on exploring God’s creation and enjoying funny things we see or think of...

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TopGolf Birmingham Review, Tips & Ways to save money

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    Overlooking TopGolf's lobby in Birmingham. Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Swipe your club across the sensor to receive your ball. Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Waiting and gaming area overlooking the Birmingham skyline at Birmingham TopGolf. Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Opening weekend at TopGolf Birmingham. Photo by Christie Dedman
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    The golfing area is completely heated. You can select your own temperature. Birmingham TopGolf - Photo by Christie Dedman

If you’re thinking about taking a swing at TopGolf Birmingham (or any new location) then go ‘fore’ it. See what I did there? Here is my review of Birmingham’s newest addition: The facility is...

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Hiking: Irondale Furnance Ruins Trial in Mountain Brook, AL

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    Irondale Furnace Trail Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Irondale Furnace Trail Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Irondale Furnace Trail Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Irondale Furnace Trail Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Irondale Furnace Trail Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Irondale Furnace Trail Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Irondale Furnace Trail Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Irondale Furnace Trail Photo by Christie Dedman

Irondale Furnace Ruins Trail is an easy hike through the woods, by a creek and into the Civil War history of Birmingham. This blast furnace was built under a contract with the CSA to...

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