Hikes & Hops

Hikes & Hops Hiking my way through the world one brew at a time

February 💕This month was full of snowy hikes, good food, early nights, and taking things slow. Highlights:❄️ Taking the ...
03/01/2026

February 💕

This month was full of snowy hikes, good food, early nights, and taking things slow.

Highlights:
❄️ Taking the coldest hike of my life to see frozen waterfalls with

🧊 Many local hikes with my cute little family including a birthday hike for my mom!

🍽️ Sunday morning run and Indian buffet with at the delicious

❤️ Valentines treats from our favorite local bakery

I hope you’ve been finding the beauty in the slower pace of winter knowing that spring is on the way!

❄️🥶Winter blues ❄️🔵This has been a tough winter. There’s been historic snow levels and weeks of frigid temps. Between th...
02/11/2026

❄️🥶Winter blues ❄️🔵

This has been a tough winter. There’s been historic snow levels and weeks of frigid temps. Between the challenges of postpartum, getting over an injury, and the constant barrage of bad news, the winter blues are hitting me harder than usual.

So the past month I’ve been trying to live more in the moment and send less time on my phone. These are some of the things I’ve been doing to unplug!

Not pictured: reading a good book, coworking with friends, grabbing a treat from a coffee shop, trying a new recipe, building a puzzle.

How have you been fighting the winter blues this season??

❄️ Winter hiking baby steps ❄️Winter has been the most daunting season yet for getting outside with baby. Between frigid...
01/21/2026

❄️ Winter hiking baby steps ❄️

Winter has been the most daunting season yet for getting outside with baby. Between frigid temperatures, shorter days, and the unpredictability of a 7-month old, some days it feels easier to just stay home. But I’ve been trying to fight that feeling and keeping getting out there!

I’m no expert here are some things I’ve learned about getting outside in the winter with an infant:

❄️ 20 minutes is better than nothing
⛄️ A walk in the neighborhood is also better than nothing
❄️ Layer strategically - warm layers on bay with a windproof outer layer. BUT make sure not to overdo it, they can still over heat! Invest in a quality snowsuit but go budget on fleece layers.
⛄️ If babywearing, wear one less layer than you usually would. Hiking with 15lbs on your chest means you heat up VERY quickly
❄️ Keep hikes short so you don’t have to do a frigid diaper change. Or put them in an overnight diaper.
⛄️ Put final outer layers on baby in the car. Try to limit time out in the cold!
❄️ Try to plan a hike during naptime. We’ve had some wonderful sleepy hikes!
⛄️ Practice with new gear at home first. We carried baby around the house in the hiking backpack before hitting the trail. They need time to get used to new things!
❄️ Be kind to yourself, know when to give up and head home. But also know what one bad hike doesn’t mean failure. Just try again another day.

‼️ Moms, if you’re hiking and babywearing, make sure to keep up your core and pelvic exercises! Postpartum leaves your body pretty loosey goosey and it’s easy to injure yourself even if you feel strong and are active. Trust me, I’ve learned this the hard way‼️

What tips do you have for other hiking parents?

🥾 Clear Creek State Forest 🍺 Trails to Ales Brewery 📍Venango County, PA Travel north of Pittsburgh to the Kennerdell Tra...
01/13/2026

🥾 Clear Creek State Forest 🍺 Trails to Ales Brewery 📍Venango County, PA

Travel north of Pittsburgh to the Kennerdell Tract of Clear Creek State Forest to tackle this beautiful loop on a ridge over the Allegheny River. Afterward, venture to the town of Franklin to grab a brew and a bite at Trails to Ales.

THE HIKE: Dennison Point Overlook
🥾 4.5 miles, 650 ft elevation gained
➡️ Moderately challenging
✨ Leashed pets, hiking only
🚗 Large lot off Dewoody Rd
❄️ Great for a winter hike!

🔸 The first part of the hike is on state game lands. Wear orange during hunting season 🔸

THE BEER: Trails to Ales Brewery
📍Franklin, PA
🥾➡️🍺 12 miles, 22 mins
⭐️
🍕 Full Kitchen menu
✨ Indoor seating, no pets, nearby 2nd location with live music and self service taps

First day hike!Frigid temps and lots of snow made us stay close to home for a hike. We walked along Chartiers Creek in T...
01/02/2026

First day hike!

Frigid temps and lots of snow made us stay close to home for a hike. We walked along Chartiers Creek in Thornburg and saw lots of birds. We even saw a spot in the snow where a hawk swooped down and snatched a bunny!

What a joy to share this new years tradition with Baby R. Even more of a joy that she slept pretty much the whole time.

Did you get outside today? 🥾☃️

The best way to ring in the new year? Go for a hike!! 🥾For the past six years we’ve hiked on the first day of the year. ...
12/30/2025

The best way to ring in the new year? Go for a hike!! 🥾

For the past six years we’ve hiked on the first day of the year. Sometimes we’ve gone on our own and sometimes we’ve joined friends or a group!

Many of the state parks have first day hike events! Check out their events page to see if your local park has one you can join!

Make sure to pack your hand warmers this year 🥶

Will you be hiking on January 1?

The best gifts are handmade! 🎄📚My mother-in-law made this adorable ornament of my book for my Christmas tree. It’s proba...
12/27/2025

The best gifts are handmade! 🎄📚

My mother-in-law made this adorable ornament of my book for my Christmas tree. It’s probably one of the most thoughtful gifts I’ve ever received!

It’s almost hard to believe that my book came out just this year. So much has happened since then! A huge thank you to everyone that purchased a copy, came to an event, or reached out to say how much they loved it. It means the world to me!

I hope you’ve been able to do some Beer Hiking this past year!

Merry Christmas from my sweet little family to yours. I’ve been taking a little social media break to fully enjoy this f...
12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from my sweet little family to yours.

I’ve been taking a little social media break to fully enjoy this first holiday as a family of three. But I’ll be hitting the trails (and breweries!) again soon! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and get to spend it with people who love you.

Outdoorsy Gift Guide: Low cost and no cost options! On a day that’s trying to get you to buy more and more, here are som...
11/28/2025

Outdoorsy Gift Guide: Low cost and no cost options!

On a day that’s trying to get you to buy more and more, here are some meaningful and budget-friendly ideas for the outdoorsy person in your life:

🗺️ Purple Lizard Map - the best hiking maps out there! Now with locations in PA, MD, WV, VA, OH, and Puerto Rico

📚 A copy of Beer Hiking PA/NJ - 35 of the best hike and brewery pairings in the two states! Great for hikers and beer lovers. Order from your favorite local bookstore or from Bookshop.org

🇺🇸 Annual Pass to US National Park - For $80, you can gift access to over 2,000 across the US including our national Parks

🧦 Darn Tough Socks - The only socks a hiker needs. Made with Merino wool, these socks are comfortable, durable, and guaranteed for life

🌳 PA State Parks & Forests Passport - everyone loves a challenge! With the passport, you can try to “See Them All” and get a stamp at every state park and forest in PA

🥾 Year of AllTrails Pro - Give the gift of navigation. The paid version always you to download maps and navigate offline

💰 Donate to a park or land trust - Put your money where it will do good! Trail maintenance and land conservation costs money and the hiker in your life will appreciate your support of the great outdoors

📝 An IOU for a hiking day together - the best gift you can give is your time. Plan a hiking day with your bestie and give them a break from planning logistics

🍫 Hiking Snacks - A quick and easy option that any hiker will appreciate! Especially if it’s homemade

🎁 Giftcard to local outdoor store - not sure what gear to get? A giftcard is always a great option, especially when it’s to a small business!

What’s on your Christmas list this year?

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Pittsburgh, PA

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