Just Hyke

08/09/2026

Hi all check this out! My hiking buddy and podcast host has a special event coming up! Trailblazing Texas Podcast

WIN YOUR SPOT ON THE TRAIL!

Alright Trailblazing Texas family… this one is pretty special.

On Saturday October 3rd, the Trailblazing Texas Podcast is heading to Inks Lake State Park for a special SUNRISE HIKE with Ranger Andrew, and we’re bringing some of YOU with us!

This isn’t a hike you can buy a ticket for.

You have to win your spot. 😎

Here’s how to enter:

New to the Trailblazing Texas Podcast?
Follow the podcast on all social media and comment DONE below.

Already part of the Trailblazing Texas Podcast family?
Share this post and comment SHARED below.

That’s it.

We’ll randomly select winners to join us at Inks Lake State Park on Saturday, October 3rd as we hit the trail before sunrise with Ranger Andrew and watch another Texas day begin from the trail.

Spots are limited to 15, so please only enter if you can actually make it to Inks Lake State Park early enough for a sunrise start on October 3rd.

I can't thank Inks Lake State Park and Ranger Andrew enough for helping us put together something special for the people who support this little podcast. We will look to reserve a few camping spots for Friday night.

Who wants to go hiking with us?!

08/09/2026

Look closely! Can you see them?

One of my favorite things about walking outside is noticing what’s growing right under our noses.

On today’s walk, I spotted these muscadine grapes growing wild along the way. They’re still green, but before long many will ripen into shades of bronze, purple, or nearly black.

Muscadines are native to the southeastern United States and have been growing wild here long before we started turning them into jams, jellies, juices, and wine.

Have you ever found wild muscadines on a hike or walk? And if you have, what do you make with them?

08/07/2026

Fun project at the pollinator garden with Heartwood Master Naturalist. ❤️

08/05/2026

Camp coffee question!

Everyone has their own camping coffee ritual, and I’m curious…

How do YOU make your coffee when you’re camping or backpacking?

-Instant coffee?
-Percolator?
-French press?
-Pour-over?
AeroPress?
-No coffee at all?

Drop your favorite method (and your favorite coffee!) in the comments. Bonus points if you share a photo of your camp coffee setup!

Who knows you might inspire someone else’s next adventure.

08/01/2026

Found this great recipe. Have you ever made or tasted American Beauty Berries?

AMERICAN BEAUTYBERRY JELLY
(Do not try to make jam it turns brown.)

Recipe makes 5 pints.

Jar lifter
Debubbler
Lid lifter
Funnel
1 C vinegar

6 C washed beautyberries, ripe bright purple
8 C water
Place berries in a pot. Add water. Cover, Bring to a boil. Boil 20 min.

Pour berries and water through seive and cheese cloth
Do not squeeze, allow juice to drip

Boil jars covered in water.

Bring 3 C berry juice to a boil.
Add 1 box surejell per directions, stir until dissolved.
Bring to second boil. Add 4 1/2 c sugar. Stir to dissolve.
Bring to third boil.
Cook another 2 minutes.
Remove jars from water bath.
When you can’t stir the boil down, remove from heat; ladle into sterilized jars after skimming any foam.
Leave 1/4 in head space.

Boil lids and rings.

Debubble jelly with a swizzle stick or butter knife.

Wipe rims with vinegar. Jars are HOT use care.
Close lids fingertip tight.

Set in water, must have 1/2 in water above rims, add vinegar to boiling water to avoid spotting or film on the glass.
Boil for 5 min.

Remove jars, set on kitchen towel.

07/30/2026

Quick hiking poll! Which team are you on?

- Hydration bladder or Water bottles?

Have you ever switched from one to the other?

07/26/2026

Forest road 5 near Angel Fire, NM easy access free camping area.

07/24/2026

What has been your favorite road trip or outdoor adventure?

After nearly 6,000 miles, countless trailheads, mountain passes, campfires, and unforgettable views, this adventure is winding down.

We traveled from Houston to Calgary, across British Columbia to Vancouver, then south through Idaho, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. We hiked scenic trails, riding incredible bike paths, discovering hidden gems.

One last night camping in the national forest near Angel Fire.

Time to head back to Texas… soon.

07/23/2026

Would you drive this road, or would you turn around?

This might be one of the craziest roads I’ve ever driven. This is the Moki Dugway on Highway 261 in southeastern Utah. For three miles, the road climbs straight up the side of a cliff on a narrow gravel shelf, gaining more than 1,200 feet in elevation. It was originally built in the 1950s to haul uranium ore from the valley below. Today, it’s an unforgettable drive with incredible views around every switchback. Would you drive this road, or would you turn around?

07/21/2026

Virtual education series -Ever wanted to get better at identifying birds or wondered how experts tell one flycatcher from another?

Whether you’re new to birding or already spend time with binoculars on the trail, Flycatcher Week is a great opportunity to learn from leading experts during this five-day virtual seminar series, August 10–14. Topics range from identification by sight and sound to photography tips and the latest flycatcher research and every session is recorded, so you can watch when it works for your schedule.

An added bonus? Registration helps support the Rio Diablo Birding Youth Camp, making birding accessible for the next generation of young naturalists.

For more information or to register, visit Birding with Extension. Hope to see some fellow nature lovers there!

From the organizers:

Flycatcher Week is a virtual seminar series happening August 10-14, with a new speaker and topic every day starting at 12pm CST. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from experts about all things flycatchers! Topics will include tips and tricks for photographing flycatchers, exciting current research projects, and flycatcher identification skill-building, including learning how to make basic flycatcher identification by sight and sound.

All live virtual seminars will be recorded, so registered participants will be able to view the seminars later if they are unable to attend any live sessions. Additionally, automated subtitles will be optional during live sessions.

Flycatcher Week and all of our virtual education seminars act as fundraisers for our Rio Diablo Birding Youth Camp, which offers a week-long birding experience to teens at the most accessible cost possible and is the heart of our programming. Any ability you have to share information about Flycatcher Week would be deeply appreciated.

For more information about the event or to register, people can visit our website, Birding with Extension. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!