Author: roamandrefine


  • Should You Workout While Sick: Introducing the Minimum Viable Workout

    We are in the middle of flu season, and people are passing around bugs like it’s March 2020. I caught it, you caught it, we all caught it, now the question is what should you do about it? You have been diligently working on your goals, improving your fitness, losing weight, and becoming a better…

  • Devils Tower National Monument: Guide to Best Things to Do

    Overview Of Devils Tower National Monument Inspiring awe for generations, Devils Tower is an igneous butte in Wyoming near the Black Hills National Forest. It rises 867 feet from its base and was established as our country’s first National Monument. Devils Tower holds spiritual importance for Native American tribes and was featured in Close Encounters…

  • Custer State Park Travel Guide: What to See & Do

    Overview Of Custer State Park Custer is a national-park-level state park, by far the largest in South Dakota, and is commonly listed within the top 10 state parks in the whole country. Located just north and attached to Wind Cave, this 71,000 acre state park is home to great hiking, scenic drives, and other recreational…

  • When to Visit Mount Rushmore for the Best View

    Overview Of Mount Rushmore National Memorial Mount Rushmore is an iconic American landmark.  At this site, you can see 60-ft tall George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, all carved into the rock.  Why Should I Visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial? Think of Mount Rushmore as an American pilgrimage. You have seen it…

  • Planning a Visit to Minuteman Missile National Historic Site: Everything You Need to Know

    Overview Of Minuteman Missile National Historic Site This park tells the story of the Cold War.  It is geographically distributed in South Dakota, showcasing a Visitor Center, Launch Control Facility, and Missile Silo.  These three sites are within 15 miles of each other. Minuteman is very close to Badlands National Park and makes for an…

  • Run Now, Live Longer: The Real Economics of Running

    You know that running is good for your health, but did you know that it can also add 3 years to your life? In this post, I will break down the costs of running, to show you that it is a low barrier to entry with a high payoff. You might be new to running,…

  • From Planning to Exploring: The Ultimate Park Travel Guide & Directory

    You already know where you are going for your next weekend trip – but how will you see it all?  This guide will teach you my strategy to hit all parks and other interesting features on your next trip.  You will learn to optimize your itinerary to find and see all of the parks and…

  • Jewel Cave National Monument: Complete Visitor Guide to One of the World’s Longest Caves

    Overview & Activities Jewel Cave is an epic and is severely underrated National Monument in South Dakota.  Unless you are a national park nerd like me, you have likely never heard of Jewel Cave.  If you are planning a trip to the Black Hills, you need to make this one of your stops. Our Experience…

  • How to Meet Your New Neighbors – A First Step to Building Community

    My wife and I moved into our first home a few months ago, and while it is near the city we grew up, we did not know anybody.  We really enjoy living in a safe neighborhood where you can wave at your neighbors and they wave back, so a goal of ours was to introduce…

  • The Three Types of Hikers: Which One Are You?

    There are at least three types of hikers and each enjoys a different type of hike.  If you are like me, you are married to a hiker in another category, so keep reading to find insights to help you survive the hike. The “A” Type Hiker The A-Type Hiker is the organized, prepared mountain climber. …