Welcome to the Jonathan Paul - Fitovers Blog

Thanks to the confluence of geological realities and political partitioning, some states got the raw end of the deal in the mountain department, no question. The high points of more than a few states are little more than hills—and sometimes more like gentle swells on the landscape that are tough to pick out on the skyline. Does this mean hikers in places like Rhode Island or …

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I’m a West Virginian at heart. I’ve had a love affair with the verdant and rugged topography of the Appalachian Mountains my entire life. I’m a firm believer that, with the bullet-hard sandstone of the New River Gorge, the trifecta of the Cheat, New, and Gauley rivers, and the technical mountain biking in Canaan Valley, we’ve got world-class everything right here in our backyard. My girlfriend, …

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Everyone should spend a week paddling in a canoe, if not every year, at least once in their life. There’s no better way to get to know someone than being stuck in the same boat for days on end, and it’s been the boat of choice for hunters and anglers for centuries. There are paddling routes all across the world, and many in your backyard. Some …

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5 Mouthwatering Burger Recipes As part of our Guide to Your Next Great Staycation series as we all #StayHome, we parsed the internet for the most mouth watering hamburger recipes. From Allrecipes.com to Epicurious, this collection of recipes is sure to delight your taste buds. 1. Best Hamburger Ever A bold claim but with over 500+ positive reviews, this Allrecipes.com burger might just live up to … READ MORE

Funds (or lack thereof), unforgiving work schedules (to secure said funds), nasty weather—all sorts of realities and contingencies can conspire to keep our wanderlusting, adventure-starved selves shackled to the boring old neighborhood of home. You crave soaking up sea-of-mountains views, running back-of-beyond wildwater, trekking that ingeniously routed thru-hike you’ve had schemed out for years; what you get is suburban humdrum, small-town stifle, big-city jungle, sprawl-scape bleh. … READ MORE

A little bird once told me…well, a lot. That twittering song isn’t just the sound of relaxation, a sign of spring, or nature’s alarm clock. It’s a language that can convey valuable information to the trained ear—even when that ear belongs to a human. With each real-world chirp, cheep, and melody, the bird is sending a potent message. It might be a male’s love poem, designed … READ MORE

Mount Rainier National Park is a beloved summer destination, but make no mistake about it: Wintertime opportunities for outdoor adventure abound on the flanks of the state’s highest peak. (So long as your idea of a good winter’s day includes snow, that is.) Snowshoeing, skiing and snowboarding, skiing (both downhill and cross-country), and even some good old-fashioned sledding are all prime for the picking this time … READ MORE