One of my absolute favorite things to do in the world is to hop into my trusty little SUV and drive west to explore this country’s rugged landscapes and the many gorgeous western National Parks this country has to offer. This past fall I was able to revisit the national park that completely stole my heart: Glacier National Park.
As American citizens, we have a unique and wonderful right, the right to enjoy beautiful public lands that are set aside for all of us. It’s a right rooted in the democratic idea that the country is for the people. This notion that land should be made available to every citizen, not just the wealthiest and most privileged among us, has long been a cherished part of our American fabric.
At Gitchi, we feel pretty deeply about living life to the fullest and making the most of our time on this beautiful planet. We opt for experiences that make us feel fully alive. Hiking up mountains with amazing vistas, bombing down hills on bicycles, gazing up at the night sky and feeling part of something so much bigger. And we believe that the recipe for a life fully lived is actually pretty simple.
The air outside has a crisp edge to it, and the humidity and bugs have finally started to disappear. The first few yellow-tipped leaves are scattering across the grass, making the truth undeniable: like it or not, the fall season is comin' in hot.
In the Northwoods we take this time seriously, as it seems to come and go in a matter of days. And what better way to cherish the beautiful golds, burnt oranges, and bright reds of the season than by getting outside for a hike? There are many exceptional places to take in the fall scenery, but today we'd like to put in our plug for Jay Cooke State Park in northeastern Minnesota.
At Gitchi, we're always looking to raise the bar for our sustainability standards. Sometimes that means being mindful of big things -- like examining the environmental and social impacts of every product we put out into the world -- and at other times, it's simply making small but significant tweaks in the way already we do business.
One small step we're proud to take is investing in carbon-neutral shipping. You've probably heard the term "carbon neutral," but what exactly does it mean? Let's break it down.
At Gitchi, we hail from the Midwest and we’re well aware of our reputation in the hiking world as “flatlanders.” In spite of that, we love hiking all over the globe and enjoy the grueling feeling of a nice elevation gain. So in our home state of Wisconsin, we try to marry the beauty of the Midwest with any elevation we can find, and one of the best places to do this is at Devil’s Lake State Park.
We’ve got some news for y’all and we’re pretty darn excited about it! Today we are officially a member of 1% for the Planet, an organization that connects businesses and consumers with nonprofits, to create positive change for the planet and its people.
There are the things you do because they are required for daily living. The errands and maintenance that simply must get done.
There are the things you do because they’re pleasant ways to pass the time. The neighborhood walks or the afternoon nap in a sunny park.
Then there are the things you do because they light your very bones on fire. The breathtaking, soul-fulfilling, make-your-heart-sing kinds of things. We believe these are the things that make us feel fully alive.
