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Upcoming trips and adventures:  Bentonville, AR: Rooftop Tent Pick-Up In one week, I’ll head to Northwest Arkansas to pick up a rooftop tent from Free Spirit Recreation (FSR) in Springdale, AR. Then test out the new tent in Bentonville. I can’t wait. I considered a rooftop tent for years, and it never felt like the right fit, but now I believe it’s exactly what I need. I think the rooftop tent will help in two ways. First, I’m excited to try it, and I honestly think it will make short weekend camping trips easier and more fun. Second, I’m heading to Southern Colorado this summerRead More →

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Upcoming trips and adventures:  Indiana Trip: Purdue Basketball This December, I’ll spend one night at my cousin’s house in Nashville, TN, then head up to Indianapolis, IN, for the Indy Classic basketball tournament. After the Indy Classic, I’ll head to West Lafayette, IN, and camp at a local state park. I have no idea what the weather will be, and I’m prepared for a cold, snowy night. I’m taking a risk camping in mid-to-late December in the Rust Belt, but what’s an adventure without ice, snow, and cold? I don’t have a diesel heater yet, but I’m planning to pick one up at some point;Read More →

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Many people choose to live in Colorado, and everyone has their own reasons for choosing the Centennial State. Some may move here to partake in the legal drugs available, while others are mountain lovers and hit the slopes or trails most weekends. While living in Colorado has downsides, it also offers incredible reasons to live here in this Rocky Mountain state.   Before I give you a few of my favorite reasons to live in Colorado, here’s my list of reasons Not To Live In Colorado.  Here are 10 reasons to live in Colorado: 1. The Great Outdoors (Beauty and Awe) Outdoor enthusiasts love Colorado becauseRead More →

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I love Colorado. It’s the perfect spot for outdoorsy types and anyone who loves cold weather and snow. Colorado is ideal for climbers, hikers, trail runners, fishermen, and winter sports fans.  For the active, Colorado is paradise, but it’s not for everyone. Here are 10 Reasons not to live in Colorado: 1. You Don’t Like Being Outside  Colorado’s great because of its outdoors. The Southern Rocky Mountains give the state beauty and challenge the hikers, runners, and climbers who attempt to tackle them.  The rugged landscape, high elevation, snow, hail, dangerous driving conditions, and cold are just a few reasons that people may love orRead More →

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You’ll find gorgeous views while hiking the Spruce Creek Trail in Breckenridge, CO. The first few miles are heavily wooded with a bit of an incline, but the trail continues to Continental Falls with 360-degree views.  The entire trail is beautiful, but the waterfall and views at the end of this 6.2-mile hike are fabulous and well worth the trip. This trail is well-traveled, so hiking it solo does not feel like you’re alone in the wilderness. I like being in the middle of nowhere, but sometimes it’s nice to know people are nearby. The trail is well maintained and easy to navigate until youRead More →

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How to Hike in the Mountains and Woods without getting Lost or Dying Getting outside and being in nature is one of the best ways to stay mentally and physically healthy, but wilderness hiking comes with challenges and potential danger. The benefits and rewards of hiking and being on the trails far outweigh the risks; however, we still have to mitigate those risks and dangers as best we can.  Why is planning and preparing so important when hiking? Planning and preparation keep us safe and help us have a fun, positive experience. So we can go back and hike again and again. If our experienceRead More →

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What is Raw Land Expeditions? Raw Land Expeditions (or Raw Land Exp.) is a website dedicated to my favorite outdoor activities, experiences, and lessons learned. It’s also where I share my plans to build a small cabin on raw land I’ve purchased. Until I start building my cabin, I’ll spend a lot of time camping on it during the summers to get a feel for the area.  While my cabin build is still several years away, I figured now is a good time to start this website. I’ve wanted to start one for years, and now I can dedicate time to it. I’ve always lovedRead More →

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Product Review: Goal Zero 10 Watt Foldable Solar Panel  Jess Carpenter Sept. 21, 2026 My First Solar Panel Experience   On September 19, 2026, I bought my first solar panel and tested it out later that day. I purchased the Goal Zero 10-watt foldable solar panel from Rack Attack in Frisco, TX, where I’m getting a Thule roof rack installed.  I bought a small solar panel to test it. I don’t have any solar experience, and I plan to buy a decent solar panel system before summer 2027 to use while I’m camping for a month or two.  First off, this was awesome. Watching a solarRead More →