Reflections, ruminations and realizations about outdoor recreation.

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Posted on 11/13/2008 9:48:10 AM by Vanessa Orr -- Comments (0) -- [Report Post]

An Interview with Katie Spotz

This past summer, Katie Spotz, 21, swam the length of the Allegheny River, raising money for charity and becoming the first person to complete this feat. An endurance athlete now living in Mentor, Ohio, the recent college graduate took time from her busy sc Read full article »

Posted on 11/13/2008 9:41:08 AM by Vanessa Orr -- Comments (0) -- [Report Post]

A View from the Road

Pittsburgh 250 bike riders on their way to join up with Trailblazers and community cyclist.

Last Saturday morning, 90 cycling enthusiasts loaded their bikes on a box truck and themselves on a bus and traveled to Washington, D.C. to start the journey of a lifetime—the Venture Outdoors 250 Bike Tour. For ... Read full article »

Posted on 11/13/2008 9:29:11 AM by Vanessa Orr -- Comments (0) -- [Report Post]

Brian Root Wins Walls Are Bad Contest

Everybody knows that walls are bad, but some of us are more poetic about it than others. Brian Root, 27, shared his views on why walls are bad in our online contest, and as a result, he and a number of students at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg are ... Read full article »

Posted on 9/3/2008 4:40:27 PM by Vanessa Orr -- Comments (0) -- [Report Post]

A Toast to the Hash House Harriers

While I’m all about being outside, I’m not a big fan of exercise. Basically, it seems like a lot of work and not a whole lot of fun. And of course, it doesn’t involve beer.

But there is one group that manages to combine the best of both worlds—the Pittsburgh ... Read full article »

Posted on 8/29/2008 2:38:24 PM by Vanessa Orr -- Comments (0) -- [Report Post]

Show Some Common Courtesy, Please

Leave it better than how you found it.

For most people who spend time outdoors, that mantra is second nature. In order to truly enjoy a wilderness experience, it needs to look like wilderness—not somewhere that many others have traveled before.

That said, I’m now beginning to think ... Read full article »

Posted on 8/29/2008 2:34:49 PM by Vanessa Orr -- Comments (0) -- [Report Post]

A Little Something for the Little Ones

I’m always encouraging families to get outside and spend time together, but sometimes this is difficult when you’ve got younger children or little ones still in strollers. But an event coming up on September 13 at Frick Park is tailor-made for those families who want to spend time outdoors while ... Read full article »

Posted on 8/4/2008 1:20:01 PM by Vanessa Orr -- Comments (0) -- [Report Post]

Camping the Medieval Way

As anyone who reads this blog knows, I like to go camping. And one of my favorite annual events is the Pennsic War, which is held at Cooper’s Lake Campground north of Pittsburgh. I just came home from a few days on-site to catch up on my blogging, as well ... Read full article »

Posted on 8/4/2008 1:15:37 PM by Vanessa Orr -- Comments (0) -- [Report Post]

Trail System Blazing the Way for New Businesses

One of the issues often raised around the request for money to create new green spaces and trails is how these outdoor amenities will provide a return on investment. While most people agree that it’s nice to have somewhere to hike, creating trails and providing for their maintenance is rarely ... Read full article »

Posted on 7/22/2008 4:57:46 PM by Vanessa Orr -- Comments (0) -- [Report Post]

Friends of the Riverfront Helps Erase Pittsburgh’s Smoky City Image

Calling Pittsburgh a 'smoky city' is like calling Britney Spears a pop star. While there might have been some truth to this moniker in the past, the fact is, times have changed.

A recent article (July 18, 2008) in USA Today by Jayne Clark tries to put this tired old idea ... Read full article »

Posted on 7/3/2008 2:32:51 PM by Vanessa Orr -- Comments (0) -- [Report Post]

Urban Mommies Makes Discovering Pittsburgh Fun

For stay-at-home moms, getting outside for exercise requires a little more preparation than just putting on some tennis shoes and taking a walk. Anywhere they choose to go needs to be stroller-friendly, and it's often hard to meet other moms for a little adult conversation while wandering through the neighborhood. ... Read full article »

Posted on 7/3/2008 2:05:10 PM by Vanessa Orr -- Comments (0) -- [Report Post]

There's Nothing to Do in Pittsburgh? Get Real!

There aren't many things that annoy me more than when I hear people whining about the fact that " there's nothing to do in Pittsburgh."   Unless you live under a rock, there's something going on every week, in practically every neighborhood, and all you have to do is get ... Read full article »

Posted on 6/25/2008 by Vanessa Orr -- Comments (1) -- [Report Post]

Q & A with Richard Louv
If you&rsquo ve ever wondered whether children today were spending enough time outdoors, Richard Louv&rsquo s landmark work, Last Child in the Woods, answers that question. And the answer is not good. A recipient of the 2008 Audubon Read full article »
Posted on 6/18/2008 by Vanessa Orr -- Comments (0) -- [Report Post]

Point of Pittsburgh Sailing League Brings Sport to City Waters
Someday, seeing sailboats racing along the Allegheny River might become as commonplace as watching barges pushing coal along its coastline. A new organization called the Point of Pittsburgh Sailing League hopes to bring sailing to the city of Pittsburgh by encouraging high schools, colleges and businesses to participate in the ... Read full article »
Posted on 6/18/2008 by Vanessa Orr -- Comments (0) -- [Report Post]

America’s Best Outdoor Cities
So I don&rsquo t know if you&rsquo ve been reading Forbes magazine lately, (which by the way, you should be perusing while sitting under a tree outside), but they recently published an article by Rebecca Ruiz entitled America&rsquo s Best Cities for the Outdoors. Now I know what you&rsquo re ... Read full article »
Posted on 6/18/2008 by Vanessa Orr -- Comments (0) -- [Report Post]

New Studies Show More Health Benefits of Being Outside
I’m not a doctor, and I don’t even play one on TV. But even I know that spending time outdoors provides a lot of healthy benefits. But just in case you don’t believe me (and you really should), a couple of recent studies back up this most basic of beliefs.

According ... Read full article »
Posted on 6/5/2008 by Vanessa Orr -- Comments (0) -- [Report Post]

How to Cut Down on Fuel Costs
Biking also reduces healthcare costs, damage to the environment

If you drive a car, you know the bad news: gas prices continue to rise and show no sign of decreasing anytime soon. The fact is, every day it costs more to commute, and that doesn't even take into account the rising ... Read full article »

Posted on 6/4/2008 by Vanessa Orr -- Comments (1) -- [Report Post]

Alternative Modes of Transportation
As I'm writing this, the cost of gas is $3.86...no, wait...$3.87...hold on...$3.88 a gallon. And if I don't write faster, it's going to go up again before I can finish this blog. And while I could rant and rave about the cost of filling up my truck, the fact is, ... Read full article »
Posted on 6/3/2008 by Vanessa Orr -- Comments (2) -- [Report Post]

Camping in the Rain
Welcome back to those of you who spent this glorious Memorial Day weekend outside, enjoying the sunshine and warmer temperatures. Whether you went camping, hiking, biking, kayaking, picnicking...whatever...you couldn't have had a better weekend to do it.

I mention this with a pinch of jealousy, because I spent last weekend camping ... Read full article »

Posted on 5/18/2008 by Vanessa Orr -- Comments (2) -- [Report Post]

Why Walls are Bad
Having come to the site, www.wallsarebad.com, you've probably already realized that we've taken a pretty strong position on the idea that for people to be happy and healthy, they've got to get outdoors. Who are we? Well, to start with, a coalition of 60-plus outdoor recreation organizations and agencies in ... Read full article »
Posted on 5/18/2008 by Vanessa Orr -- Comments (0) -- [Report Post]

Ten-day Weekends Don't Come Around Very Often
If you've ever wanted to try biking, bird watching, rock climbing or kayaking, now's your chance. From May 16th-May 25th, Pittsburgh is celebrating Great Outdoors Week and you're invited to attend. Events include National Bike to Work Day, the Venture Outdoors Festival, and a Learn to Row session that are ... Read full article »
Posted on 5/18/2008 by Vanessa Orr -- Comments (0) -- [Report Post]

Good News for Park Lovers
In the last month, people who love to spend time in outdoor parks-both urban and rural-got some great news. In late April, the state of Pennsylvania acquired a 10-acre tract next to Moraine State Park's Slippery Rock Creek Natural Area in Butler County, which will be incorporated into the park's ... Read full article »
Posted on 5/18/2008 by Vanessa Orr -- Comments (1) -- [Report Post]

My New Favorite Quote
“The woods were my Ritalin.”

How can you not love that quote? Written by Richard Louv in his book, Last Child in the Woods, he continues, "Nature calmed me, focused me, and yet excited my senses."

If only more people knew about the healing effect of nature and its ability to relieve ... Read full article »

Posted on 5/18/2008 by Vanessa Orr -- Comments (0) -- [Report Post]

Even 10 days Isn't Enough to Celebrate this Weekend
If you've been looking for an opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors, there's no better time than this Friday to get started. From Friday, May 16th through Sunday, May 25th, all of Pittsburgh will be celebrating Great Outdoors Week, sponsored by Sustainable Pittsburgh and its outdoor recreation partners.

So what can ... Read full article »




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