After reading Heather’s blog on her Pullman Bucket List I was inspired to make a list of a similar sort. I made a short list of items that I will do this summer (old favorites or new activities) and then update you on how they went! -The first thing that I would like to do is take advantage of the Chipman Trail. I love using this feature of the Palouse throughout the summer months. I like to run and rollerblade along the path. -Secondly, I would like to explore more of the trails on Moscow Mountain. I know there are miles of trails just a short drive away and yet I have never gone. -Third, this summer I will make it a point to go to the top of Steptoe Butte. I have heard that the view is great on a clear day. -Lastly I would like to grow a few of my own plants and herbs. I will need to be planting those seeds now if I want to see a successful harvest. I will most likely pick low-maintenance plants to start with. Thank you Heather for the inspiration and motivating me to make the most of my summer here in the Palouse!

I’m a senior and I plan to graduate in a short week and a half. I’ve heard some of my peers talk about their Pullman bucket list and I want to get in on the action; UREC style.  I enjoy running and I’ve ran a couple miles into the Bill Chipman Palouse Trail, or as I usually refer to it as the Moscow/Pullman trail, but I’ve always wanted to ride a bike all the way to Moscow, Idaho.  So my first entry to the bucket list is: Ÿ       Ride bike all the way to Moscow, Idaho, on the Moscow/Pullman Trail. Next on the list is more relaxed.  My friend and co-worker, Kerri, told me about this wonderful place where you can pick your own bouquet of wildflowers for $7!  There was even an article about Jane Stratton, the woman who started this business, http://bit.ly/K5wuhu, in MaryJanesFarm magazine.  The second entry of my bucket list includes: Ÿ       Pick a bouquet of wildflowers at Stratton Farms. The bucket list activities listed above include accomplishing things I have yet to do.  I’ve already done a considerable amount of unforgettable adventures during my time as a student at WSU.  I hiked Kamiak Butte last summer with a group of close girlfriends, the hike was easy and my friends kept me laughing all the way to the top.  I went miniature golfing with my Dad and little sister, Meagan, during Dad’s Weekend in far-to-cold weather (I recommend enjoying golf in the warmer months).  I’ve attended a variety of WSU athletic events in Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum to Martin Stadium.  I was a tag along for a white water rafting trip.  And I cannot forget green bikes have been a close companion on my quick trips across campus. I’ve done so much but I do want to accomplish a few more things in the Palouse before I have to leave.

Living here in Pullman since February of 2000, I have had my fair share of outdoor experiences in and around the Pullman area.  One place I really enjoy is Moscow Mountain-just across the border in Idaho.  Some of my friends at the Outdoor Recreation Center (ORC) introduced me to a group of mountain bikers in the area who traverse the trails of Moscow Mountain on the regular.  Being the adventurous gnome that I am, I quickly gathered a group of friends to check out the trails of Moscow Mountain.  To my surprise, there are a bunch of interconnected trails all over Moscow Mountain.  After my first trip to Moscow Mountain, I was hooked and have been going back often throughout the year for the past 10 years. The great part about Moscow Mountain is the diversity.  With a bunch of different trails weaving in and out of other interconnecting trails, the options are almost limitless.  There are trail lengths and difficulties ranging across the spectrum, Moscow Mountain is a perfect place to learn the sport of mountain biking or to challenge your biking expertise.   My first trip out there was more of a feeler, trying to get used to the terrain and ensuring I knew where I was and where I was going.  Now, I hit the ground pedaling and don’t look back, it’s truly a great place to bike! While the majority of the land is private, the Moscow Area Mountain Bike Association (MAMBA), a group out of Idaho, maintains 39 mountain biking trails.  This non-profit organization conducts trail restoration events throughout the year.  Their website requires a donation to access the most detailed information about the trails, but the free access to the site is sufficient for most (bikemoscow.org). Additionally, some information about mountain biking trails can be found on the Moscow Chamber of Commerce website (moscowchamber.com) and Trails.com website. Having such an amazing place to go mountain biking just down the roa... [More]

Don’t let the snow covered ground (which is quickly melting) keep you from enjoying all of the hiking trails scattered around the area.  This week’s Getting to Know Your Gear blog will show you how to enjoy hiking regardless how much snow we get this winter by using snowshoes and trekking poles.  Snowshoeing has been thought to be around for roughly 10,000 years.  The basic principle of snowshoes is the ability to distribute body weight over a larger surface area allowing people two walk across snow covered ground with greater ease.  In the past, snowshoes were used in snowy areas so hunters/trappers could continue to provide for their family during the winter months (and to escape the ever lurking Yeti).  Now, snowshoes are more of recreation accessories so outdoor enthusiasts can hike in deep snow. While there are a few different types of snowshoes available, the most common is the recreational/trekking type.  Other styles include backcountry/mountaineering and aerobic/running snowshoes.  Running snowshoes are usually shorter and less wide than both recreation and backcountry.  Additionally, for the same size person, mountaineering are going to be a little longer and wider for more difficult terrain.  Each of these types of snowshoe have either fixed/limited-rotation or full/pivot-rotation bindings.  Racing snowshoes usually have fixed-rotation bindings which do not allow the toe to pivot below the bottom plane of the shoe.   Unfortunately, fixed bindings have a tendency to kick snow up the back of the user’s legs.  Full-rotation bindings are normally preferred for traditional and mountaineering snowshoes because they allow for greater traction and mobility. One of the best accessories for recreational or mountaineering snowshoeing are trekking poles.  Poles help hikers maintain balance on most types of terrain, can help with knee pain and often increase the speed of the hike.&... [More]

From fourth meal to first meal, Taco Bell now offers breakfast items.  And Washington made the list of states where they will test their new menu!  This news is probably exciting for a good number of my friends who drool over Taco Bell, but for me I’m just not sold.  Even though, “Taco Bell enters crowded breakfast arena,” from the Associated Press, applauds the fast-food chain for teaming up with popular brands, I wonder about the healthiness of items like the Cinnabon Delight (fried dough balls with an icing filling) (http://bit.ly/AjRGNH).  All of this breakfast talk jump-started me thinking, not only about the nutritional ramifications, but also why Taco Bell is serving breakfast in the first place?  “Right now we're not getting our fair share of that," said Brian Niccol, Taco Bell's chief marketing and innovation officer.  The ‘fair share’ mentioned is of a growing fast-food breakfast industry.  For more information about Taco Bell’s news-worthy changes, please visit the news clip below featured on today.msnbc.msn.com. Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy I understand convenience is vital to the fast-paced lifestyle of the ‘average’ American but how can a Cinnabon Delight from Taco Bell satisfy my nutritional needs in the morning?  There are healthier options on their menu but I’m not convinced it can compare to a healthy breakfast at home. I’ve attached a link to an article from the website realsimple.com, with recipes for a healthier breakfast made at home (http://bit.ly/12aL7U).  If you try any of these recipes, or the new Taco Bell breakfast, leave me a comment describing your experience.  The peanut butter waffle looks yummy to me!  

Start doing some hiking before the weather gets nasty.  As we are all aware, Pullman gets its fair share of snow in the winter, so now is the time to get out and enjoy the fall.  At WSU, we are centrally located amidst great outdoor activities.  Not only are these locations beautiful for sight-seeing and animal watching, they are also a great way to enhance mental, physical, and emotional health. Just recently I went out and hiked Boyer Park Bluffs and Kamiak Butte County Park.  Each provides a unique experience.  Boyer Park Bluffs is about a 40 minute drive west of Pullman nestled on the eastern bank of the Snake River.  The trail is roughly two miles out and two miles back and hugs the shoreline all the way to the Lower Granite Dam.  While this trail is paved and not very strenuous, the views along the bank of the river are breathtaking.  This park also has a vast area for cross-country hiking just inland across Lower Granite Road. Taking a hike either along the trail or in the wilderness is a great way to get some exercise, clear your mind, and improve your health. Last weekend a friend and I hiked Kamiak Butte County Park’s 3.5 mile Pine Ridge Trail.  Found about 20 minutes due north of Pullman off Highway 27 (Palouse Highway), this park offers one of the most amazing panoramic views of the Palouse area, even Pullman can be seen from the very top.  Depending on whether you prefer a tough ascend or tough descend will determine which way to go at the trail fork.  The path to the right is a much short route to the top, but has a greater degree of incline.  If a more leisurely ascent is your style, stay to the left and switchback nice and easy up to the top.  Either way is a great way to increase your heart rate, take in a picturesque view, and leave the stress behind.  While I have not been there yet, heading into Idaho we have Moscow Mountain.  This area offers a handful of interwoven... [More]

For those who love to bike and want to take advantage of the weather while it is still sunny, then The Palouse has a treat for you! The Bill Chipman Palouse Trail (Chipman Trail) is an 8 mile path that runs alongside the Moscow-Pullman highway. The trail is a great location to run, bike, rollerblade, walk, etc. One of my favorite warm-weather pastimes is to spend a portion of my evenings out on the trail enjoying a workout outdoors. It is a great place to work out with a friend, go for a ride on your own or create a low-key family event. What I love about this past year is the number of Green Bikes that I have seen out on the trail. It seems that many people are taking advantage of the Green Bike program, http://greenbike.wsu.edu/greenbike_home.aspx, and are using their check out time to exercise out on the trail. One great combination of the Green Bikes and the Chipman Trail is a Saturday morning ride to the Farmer’s Market in Moscow. This activity is a great option while the weather is still so nice out. This morning ride combines using a sustainable transportation option to exercise in order to buy locally grown food…what more could you want! So, grab your bike, rollerblades or your running shoes and check out the Chipman Trail before the fall semester slips away from us!