About

What is my purpose and passion?

    I have been blogging for others since 2009 on two previous sites. I've written primarily about my outdoor adventures with my kids and students. My first blog, Hiking Along Trails, featured trail reviews for families in the DC area which turned into a book entitled Best Hikes with Kids: Washington, DC, The Beltway and Beyond, published by Mountaineers Books. My second blog, Hiking Along, featured stories about outdoor adventures with my family around DC and to US and Canadian national parks. I've also shared my stories and thoughts with the National Parks Foundation, the National Parks Conservation Association and Women's Adventure magazine.
    This blog is for me and my children whose lives are merging towards adulthood. Most posts are written as a letter to my children sharing perspectives about our adventures, life as a passionate teacher, venturing outdoors as a feminist and a desire to blow steam as an environmental activist, a productive citizen and a mom.
    I hike for mindfulness and peace and for the joy of moving my body. I write to release. Sometimes there is one prominent voice in my head, sometimes more. Whether I'm on a trail or typing here, the words flow, maybe eloquently maybe not so. I write to breathe out and share who I am.

Who am I?

At least on paper because there is a lot more to me than my bio.

     Jennifer is an author, middle school Science teacher, environmental educator, former small business owner, mom and outdoor adventurer.
    In 2013, Jennifer published a children’s book, Watershed Adventures of a Water Bottle. In 2014, she published a hiking guide book, Best Hikes with Kids: Washington DC, The Beltway and Beyond.
    From 2004 to 2016, Jennifer was CEO of Hiking Along, LLC; a business dedicated to engaging children in exploration of the natural world and to encourage them to appreciate and learn about the environment and how humans impact it while hiking on scenic trails around the DC region.
    Jennifer teaches middle school Science and is an outdoor/environmental educator at The Siena School; a private school whose mission is to educate college-bound students with mild to moderate learning differences.
    As a steward of the land, Jennifer built and continues to maintain the Northwood Chesapeake Bay Trail, was the Chair of the American Hiking Society Board of Directors and was the Maryland State Advocate for Leave No Trace.
    She lives in Silver Spring, MD with her husband, two children and dog who are an active outdoor family.