Gentle Trails journal

Because every great adventure start with one easy step

about

Hi, I’m melissa a Florida hiker and sailor who loves adventure, and simple outdoor activities, I have started this blog to help beginners feel confident exploring nature, one easy step at a time. you will find trail tips, snapshots and just fun times with me and a few wonderful friends and most of all my best friend yote, who happens to be a German shepherd.

February 11, 2026

“I’ve been sitting on this for a while. I originally wrote it a few months after our Christmas trip to Fort Jefferson on the Morgan 51, thinking I’d just leave it in my files for the kids and grandkids to find one day—something to give them a giggle and a memory of ‘the crazy sailing trip.’But after looking at it again, I decided why wait?As a Florida prairie girl my heart has always been in the woods , trading the pine trees for the open ocean wasn’t always easy, but it was definitely an adventure. Here is to our journey. 🌊⚓️” Hold on tight—it was a rough crossing, but a beautiful one.

⚓️🌊#TheSaltAndTheStone #Morgan51 #DryTortugas #SailingLife #FamilyAdventure