No I’ve not abandoned my blog. I apologize to those of you who have been checking and reading my blog but have been greeted with only “silence” over the past months. I hope to get things back up to speed. But life creates different challenges and at this time when the economy hasn’t been at [...]
As always, whenever I photograph or do just about any kind of driving for any kind of reason, I enjoy finding and exploring new places through running or hiking. The internet and all the technology out here has provided a great way to explore “ahead of time”. Through websites such as mapmyrun, everytrail, Garmin [...]
Everything happened as visualized, except for the ice in the bottom of my boots. I couldn’t get my boots on! My bare feet & toes were so so cold but I could move them. I attempted to get my boots on once by putting my liners onto my feet first (Baffin boots are like a [...]
someone was looking over me and I fell into an absolute calm once I knew that fretting about what I didn’t have was not going to do anything .. I had no cell service, my satellite phone was in my car at the trail head ( remember, this was a day hike!), I didn’t have [...]
I was driving a few days ago through the country, not far from my home when this barn and silo combination caught my attention. The barn was left with just a face – no sides to house any animals or to stash any alfalfa bales or straw. The light was heavy in the clouds behind [...]
**Kristen Westlake Galleries – the old way** For those of you that liked the format of my past online galleries … these are the categories that you knew. If you click on them they will lead you to the same images as well as updated images on my new website. Please let me know [...]
Buy two photo luster prints and get your third print (same size) for just a DOLLAR!! Buy three photo luster prints and get two luster prints (same size) for just a DOLLAR each!! Buy five photo luster prints and get five luster prints (same size) for just a DOLLAR each!! Start shopping and saving!
Mark your Calendars for Three Special Pre-Holiday Events in December. Meet the artist and get unique photo gifts at Promotional Prices Just for the Holidays! December 11, Saturday: 1 – 4 pm Lake Geneva, WI 335 Wrigley Drive Lake Geneva, WI 53147-2034 (262) 248-2100 Bella Vista Suites Lakeside Luxury Shopping Boutique Sat. 12/11 from 1-4 [...]
A Lovely Compilation of wintery images seem to be appropriate with the recent turn in sub freezing weather. No snow yet here in Southern Wisconsin but I find myself looking forward to it … My feet will welcome that first fresh white powder with near naked feet. Running through it is as innocently blissful as [...]
Running based on how I feel is a dance with the Earth. Feeling the earth, its hardness or softness, its wet or dryness, is a massage to my feet that travels up my body as a whole. It’s most invigorating to set my “schedule” in each moment. I may find an interesting new trail or [...]
Just Run – Running My own Race between A and B I did my first race in roughly seven years last Saturday. A Turkey Trot trail 10K .. With no idea what to expect, yet still somehow expecting to be somewhere between where I had started from and where I had ended just seven years [...]
Try the Kettle Moraine Blue Loop or any of the many trails in the Nordic Kettle Moraine ! I went running in the Kettle Moraine today as kind of a whim… Didn’t really think about handling hills more aggressively yet or the extra 1.6 miles above my 7 long ( while still adjusting my tendons [...]
A busy weekend included a variety of people events for me. Saturday I gave a motivational speech at the Abbey Avani Spa in Fontana. I’m working on the online edition of that so stay tuned if you live too far away to have attended the local event. Earlier in the week I joined MeetUp (you [...]
Featuring photography from my travels West over the last year or so. This video is part of a motivational speech that tells a story about connecting with your passions, overcoming your fears to have the courage that it takes to embrace and chase your dreams. http://www.Kristenwestlake.net Follow my never ending story … “Dream a dream [...]
The race course for the 6th annual Turkey Trot 5K & 10K (sign up!) has been GPS plotted! For those of you interested in running the course prior to the Turkey Trot race: 1. Check out the course below (add to your GPS device to see yourself as you run it) and/ or 2. Run the [...]
The last day on Coronado … A fun morning, out at Sunrise. The tide was high so the slant of the beach was a bit steep which is kind of hard on the feet and legs but it was ok as I go back and forth a mile at a time. The waves splashed in [...]
San Diego – Coronado Island running on the beach: Today was a blast! It was raining for the first half of my run and it felt great. After a mile or so of warming up I relaxed into the run and just flowed. The gulley areas were full of water from a wilder ocean and [...]
View my youtube video from the Ice Age Trail near Devils Lake State Park! Oh, and I have more Devils Lake images to view … pssst, you can buy them for a song! So this day was absolutely stunning .. kind of overcast but warmish, like low 70s or so. I’ve been bit and piece [...]
Get any of my brand new Devil’s Lake Photos (along the Ice Age Trail) below at the very low price of $20 per image as a promotion ( that runs through November ) – and the more you purchase the greater your savings. All images are printed on glossy paper and surrounded with a stunning [...]
What if there were a way to wade through all of the bells and whistles on your camera to find out what is really relevant to making good pictures. What if you found out that most of the “extras” on your camera are really there just to sell the product but they don’t do much [...]
In honor of one of my Best Friends … My parent’s dog Packer passed away yesterday at age 14. He was a beautiful and loving dog, kind hearted, … Loved to kiss and hug! I was fortunate the last time I was home to be able to say good-bye. He looked at me as I [...]
The first day of my new running club produced just Donny and me … but that’s not all bad since we are still getting lost on the course while GPSing the 5 and 10K race routes. I guess that’s not so bad seeing as we were just given a map yesterday and the race does [...]
The sixth annual Turkey Trot at the Big Foot Beach State Park is November 20. Hosted by the good folks at Clear Water Outdoor and Friends of Bigfoot, the “Trot” brought in over 500 runners to the event last year! The proceeds raised from The Big Foot Turkey Trot support the beautiful park and it’s [...]
Only $575 per person for a 4 day Affordable Bosque del Apache Photography Workshop! January 16 – 19 includes Full Moon Bosque del Apache Bird and Landscape Photography Workshop and Tour – with option to sign up for additional days at White Sands National Monument January 16 – 19. New Mexico’s Bosque del Apache (see [...]
Today I continue to feel the amazing gratitude that comes over me when I run. It seems that when we feel that we need to crazily control our surroundings or our destiny that things indeed do seem to fall apart. After all, there really is no such thing as control .. but somehow or for [...]
Please contact me with your speaking inquiries. Check here for common booking questions. I speak on a variety of subjects, all of which incorporate my photography and adventure stories that go with the pictures. All speeches have a motivational / inspiring message. My approach is entertaining, humorous and engages the audience with images and the [...]
If you live near me in Lake Geneva, check out my one day nature photography workshops for a single photographer. My newest addition to my unconventional workshop approach is the on location traveling workshop. If you (or a small group of friends) have a travel destination you can now contract me to turn some or [...]
Transitioning to barefoot or Vibram running from the traditional running shoe involves some time. The number one requirement is Patience, especially true for those of us who are used to going out and sailing through miles of trail at a time. I’ll tell you what …, after being patient (or kind of patient) now for [...]
Olympic National Park of the Olympic National Forest is located on the Olympic Peninsula in the northwest corner of Washington State. The Olympic Peninsula is an amazing conglomeration of five major landscape settings: rain forest, mountains, rivers, saltwater beaches, and lowland lakes. One such amazing lake is Crescent Lake. When I visited in February of [...]
February 2010 I was one of the few fortunate photographers to witness and photograph a very healthy young bobcat … quite close. I’ve blogged about this amazing experience earlier this year but have just processed a few more images from this time … so it’s time to share! As you might imagine, seeing a bobcat, [...]
Just over a year ago I was visiting Yellowstone National Park with my friend Kimberli. My trip was part of a 3 1/2 week trip through parts of the West, mostly National Parks. I wasn’t so enthralled by the many tourists but yet I was in a way enthralled with them because I am happy [...]
Yellowstone National Park is colorful in all seasons. Last September I photographed the fabulous colors within the pools of hot springs. At dusk I set out to photograph the bison. This February I spent time in the snowy elements of Yellowstone National Park, with far fewer people around than I had seen in the summer. [...]
This placed WOWed me as I came down the state of Utah from Canyonlands earlier in the day. I explored the beautiful and remote canyonlands before sunrise and by hiking early in the day. As the day grew on I drove South towards Monument Valley. It had been a hot day hiking down into the [...]
My images from last September in Colorado Rocky Mountain National Park are available for viewing and for purchase. This amazing place was one of the many amazing National Parks that I visited on a 3.5 week trek across the great American West (before my more recent 2 month journey). Please enjoy the vistas via my [...]
Images on this page at the very low price of $20 per image as a promotion (that runs through October 16) – and the more you purchase the greater your savings. All images are printed on glossy paper and surrounded with a stunning black border. Please consider a great deal on photographic prints which helps [...]
It’s here with much more than my competitor’s (AM) guide has for $50… Mine is just $35 and contains : 30 page printable PDF with GPX files to load into your GPS device, KLM files to SEE the lay of the land before you get to Bosque, photography tips on how to photograph the birds of [...]
For just $35 you’ll have your own instructional guide for photographing at Bosque del Apache. Though group workshops have their benefits they can be costly and if there are too many people in a group and you lose individual attention from the instructor. You may find yourself in a line of many others, photographing the [...]
I have been on task with an effort to eliminate the soreness that I experience in my achilles tendons while wearing Vibrams. I am still not quite certain if it is the shoes pressing against my achilles that are the culprit to the soreness or simply the adjustment and perhaps overuse of the tendon due [...]
It’s been a few months since my last IAT post. Today was a trial to see how my Achilles tendon would fare on the hilly and rocky terrain that is known as the Ice Age Trail. My tendons have been doing well under my care remedy of Arnica massage 4 times a day, eccentric calf [...]
Download your Alkali Trail guide here! (Includes a printable PDF guide, gpx files for your GPS device, and KLM files to view your trail in google earth or google maps!) Overview: Enter White Sands National Monument and drive the scenic loop about 8 miles to get to the Alkali Trail. The drive itself was one [...]
Because I have quite the arsenal of images stashed in chunky hard drives, I go through from time to time and discover an image or more that I meant to get back to but the boardwalk of life’s journey kept me going forward … Since I really move in much more of a circular, non [...]
Having a little bout with Achilles tendonitis has me researching my old running diaries to see my history with dealing with it .. twice… But the research has turned into a ton of fun! I’ve been a runner for 31 years and just now, with minimalist footwear (Vibrams) and barefoot I am enjoying it as [...]
This image was made in Horicon a few years ago. It was a really cold day … I started out by setting an alarm for 3 am and then drove around 2 hours to get here before sunrise. I’d been here before to spend time with this little male so I went to his favorite [...]
The more of these posters you buy the more you save! Each poster is available in 8 x 10 or 16 x 20 inch size. You may mix and match sizes to save! Buy 3 posters and save 33% • Buy 5 posters and save 40% • Buy 10 posters and save 50% Please click [...]
I’ve been running near barefoot for nearly 2.5 months now and have not experienced a really bad day … So I hit a few stones with my forefoot or toes, but my gait is light and childlike … that is what I love. Running light and easy versus with the feeling of weighted boxes on [...]
I pulled up to run the Kettle Southern Nordic Trails and was instantly greeted with treats that didn’t stop. It was the 50th wedding anniversary of a couple and friends had gathered to celebrate by running a 50K (thats 31 miles) in the Kettle trails. So, you ask, if it’s their 50th anniversary, how old [...]
Open publication - Buy e-books – Buy e-trail guides My running has been phenomenal since my first run in my Vibram fivefingers sprints. I had my first run (in Vibrams) on the Kettle Moraine Blue Loop on June 25. Today I repeated that run in Vibram Sport Treks, which my sponsor Clearwater Outoor has provided me. [...]
.. the Lake Geneva trail guide is ready for businesses to advertise in .. Look here! … Its as easy as adding your choice to your cart to begin ! I’m diligently working on my trail guides that put tools in the hands of more and more people, getting them out to experience hiking .. [...]
As you know my blog is all about sharing the experience, whether it be pictures, trails, trail guides, or e-books, etc. So it wouldn’t be any surprise to you that I would enjoy sharing anything that gets me closer to the earth, right? Running in the Vibram five fingers has been such a delight to [...]
Details Waterfall Details Carvers Rock Park IAT update: For those of you wondering what happened to me and the Ice Age Trail, it hasn’t left my heart. I have had to put it on the shelf until we have cooler weather. I’ve been couped up now for quite some time itching with hives, skin rashes [...]
Laughter really is the best medicine! Enjoy the video and my own sharing of some of the funny animals that I’ve photographed .. From my website.. click to view the thumbnails larger : Details Snowy Egret Details Gulls on Lake Geneva Details Squirrels & Chipmunks Details Squirrels & Chipmunks Details Squirrels & Chipmunks Details
… ah, lots and lots of new items are being added to what I offer.. After all, the trails that I hike not only aid me in my mission to share the beauty through photographs but in this time of slower economy the trails have aided me in ideas.. Ideas that work from one another [...]
Fresh off the press today! Kristen Westlake of Take a Hike! Feel Good announces … Bryce Canyon t-shirts and memorabilia .. Here’s the design a little closer: I designed this logo and tee shirt this morning from my logo, of course and from the tracks that I hiked out in Bryce Canyon on the Fairyland [...]
The Southwest desert is teaming with color, shapes, and textures. The rock is soft enough to be shaped … and thus created within what we call rock are the fascinating colors of hoo doos and formations that I present you with below: Images on this page at the very low price of $20 per image [...]
Bryce CanyonTrail Guide Bryce Canyon Fairyland Hike – Bryce CanyonTrail Guide … Images from Bryce Canyon … Tee-shirts and Memorabilia … See all things Bryce Canyon Turn the pages in the flip book below to read the trail guide! Click the book to see it in full screen click the book cover to the left [...]
“Feeling the earth under my feet, the mud between my toes, I run quietly in this silent sport to where I meet other animals closely and they know I am one of them ..” KW
The products that you see in galleries and exhibitions and that you buy for your walls are the result of experiences that involve a passion deeper than the prints. The prints make me happy and remind me of what went into them .. the experiences of hours of hiking, wandering, waiting, wondering, a bust for [...]
Now Available at my new Cafe Press Store : T-shirts and Gear from the Shore Path of Lake Geneva! Stay tuned for more trail tees and gear from other trails … See All things From the Shore Path The Front The Back See More Lake Geneva Shore Path t-shirts (lots to choose from) and other [...]
Current Adventure: Hiking, Running, Photographing the Ice Age Trail with sprinklings of other loop trails along the way … Not my Normal Nature Images .. but the scenic sites of the Riviera (and Stone Manor) in Lake Geneva are loved by many local residents and visitors.. so I thought I’d share. I made these images [...]
Get in on my spontaneous special! 25% off this Ring-billed gull photo or any photos from my Lake Geneva Collection Today Only! (July 23) enter code “spontaneous” upon checkout and the discount will automatically be applied to your cart total. In case you miss today, get 15% off on the same (all photos from Lake [...]
Lake Geneva Shore Path – Wisconsin The People’s Path – 21 Miles Purchase the Lake Geneva Shore Path trail guide here Enjoy! .. Cheers! .. Kristen – Take a Hike! Feel Good … If this little story has you chomping at the bit to take on the challenge of hiking the Lake Geneva Shore Path and [...]
The second trail of the day … And much longer than the first. So when you see two blog posts from today, don’t scratch your head wondering if I’m just catching up. I’m not… I’m actually crazy enough to have run/hiked/photographed 2 trail systems enroute back today from the Chippewa Moraine… Levis Mounds is one [...]
I gave a talk at the Chippewa Moraine Ice Age Trail Headquarters last night and fell asleep last night, a guest of Pat and Richard, to the serenade of loons and barred owls. Oh, it was one of the best night’s sleeps ever! Thank you Pat and Richard for opening your home to us and [...]
Thank you! .. and no worries… Lotti will still get her cat food! … Start searching for your canvas print and free frame!
Please click on the images below to be taken to a larger dewy grass image and to see details about my available frames for canvas prints! … If you enjoy this serenity, take a look at more serene and colorful grassy images ! More Grassy Images: Details Dewy Grass Details Details Dewy Grass Details Prairie Grass
“Psssst! … Did you know that you can get beautiful photo luster prints on Kristen Westlake’s website for just $45? .. click on my picture to see the dropdown menu under “photo lustre prints”!” …
One reason for my GPS tracking the loop trail systems is to provide a trail guide service that has not been offered before (GPX files for your GPS device). Ahhh, a service! .. I can offer a service! .. The print business has literally tanked with the economy slow down and it seems that people [...]
Since I hiked the Shore Path of Lake Geneva the other day I thought it to be appropriate to add some of the Lake Geneva images that I had from around the lake! enjoy … and more to come! Details Seasons Details Red Leaf Details Dewy Grass Details Seasons Details Mushrooms Details Seasons Details Tiger [...]
Wisconsin Lake Geneva Shore Path, Lake Geneva, WI – Get your Lake Geneva Shore Path Trail Guide Here! This blog post has taken a few days to get out … sorry about that! This trail is very close to me and I am usually working with my video posts, my trails, pictures and all that [...]
Wisconsin Richard Bong State Recreational Trails – Kenosha Trail Description: Mostly prairie and some wooded sections make up this trail system. Come prepared for bugs (deer flies in the prairie and mosquitos in the woods) in the summer time. Trail use for running, hiking and mountain biking. Great Cross Country skiing in the winter time. [...]
Your support of this promotion helps me to keep bringing you back the images and stories that you love. While living the dream is the ultimate in its joy, mine also brings economic hardship. My greatest joy is knowing that what I do brings happiness to others and inspires.. and since that is what I [...]
Wisconsin Southern Kettle Moraine – Nordic Trails Trail Description: Mostly wooded trail system, which makes for cooler running or hiking in the summer months. However, come prepared for mosquitos in the summer time. Great Cross Country skiing in the winter time. These trails are for running and hiking (no mountain bikes) when there is no [...]
I just added a new Squirrel and chipmunk gallery to my .org site … and with that I thought that a little celebration is in order to welcome the new gallery with older pictures .. most have never been seen until now! .. Simply click on the image(s) below .. add the print you wish [...]
I’ve tracked trails now two times in order to record the six loops at Bong. The horse flies were horrendous the first day as well as today. However today I got there just about an hour later and by the time I was on the last loop (and my last leg.. I was tired today) [...]
I was tracking oodles of loops today in the Nordic trails in the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine.. exactly 5 different loops to be exact .. all for fun and also for the purpose of having all the tracks here tracked for the purpose of my “Take a Hike” trail guides with GPS tracks! [...]
Tonight! July 9 Lake Geneva – Clearwater Outdoor 7 – 8 PM Lost in a Sedona Canyon: How I Survived Overnight as the temps fell to 19 degrees. Find Clearwater Outdoor: View Larger Map Get a Head’s up on the adventure I will be speaking about here and even more here
Kenosha, WI: Double story today as I tracked both the red and the orange loop at Bong State Recreational Area, near Kenosha, WI. We started at 7 am and ran the red 8 mile loop and then traded running for hiking to almost repeat what we had done on the red minus a few miles [...]
Coyote Buttes North to the Wave Buy your guide here Where? Bordering Utah/Arizona Trail Description: Incredible off the beaten path trek! No marked trail though footprints in the sandy areas will clue you in as to where you want to go (or where you don’t!). Once you have a permit you are allowed to go anywhere you [...]
My Story about Hiking the Ice Age Trail: I am now just slightly (just over 300 miles in.. by about a whooping 2.7 ! ) yet quite embedded into a focused effort (part of a dream) to hike the entire IAT. It seems as though the fantasy turned into a reality by accident… so often [...]
A two hour drive got us up to about 4 miles of the John Muir Park, where I met with Kathleen McGuin for an interview. I’ll be giving another presentation on August 7, featuring stories from the trail but mostly my philosophy and love for the outdoors … How it makes me feel. Trail Conditions: [...]
Blogs are great because they allow people to add so much content and thought to their pages each day or week .. or minute for that matter .. as often as they choose and as often as they think. I handle my blog as a way to express the stories behind my adventures .. writing [...]
On the Trail With Kristen The landscapes are getting hillier and prettier as I get further North which presented some nice photo opportunities today. … We always check the IAT Trail atlas prior to hiking each day and give or take a mile or two we’re usually pretty close. Today, however was a different story. [...]
I woke up at about 3:30 excited to get back to hiking. Today was nice weather, not so humid as it’s been! Wisconsin’s Prairies continue to delight me, especially in the morning with their bath of morning dew! Most of today’s hike was on road but it was hilly, curvy and twisty country farmland.. Though [...]
Happy to get up and out earlier today.. Still ending at 1 which is in the heat of the day. Soon it would be best to break the day up by hiking 12 early and then finish up with 6 or 8 in the late afternoon. We are still trying to get a bit more [...]
now at least a few hours from any new trail head along the IAT the challenge has been getting up early enough to set out to get on the trail before it gets blistery hot and humid. I didn’t think I minded it too much but my body has been telling me differently. We’ve been [...]
High Five (fingers) x 2 = TEN Stars! for the Five Fingers by Vibram! .. Get them at Clearwater Outdoor online or if you are local to Lake Geneva, stop in and their wonderful and friendly staff is happy to help you with try ons and questions! .. I cannot say enough about these shoes.. [...]
and win my e-book “Dust of the Journey” … Contest runs June 25 – July 1. The first person to get the answer correct will win a download of BOTH of my current e-books and a one time 50% off
My sponsor, Clearwater Outdoor, has just provided me with something really REALLY exciting! .. Ok, so they look strange but you have to try them! .. a little background on ME .. : I’ve been a runner since age 15.. a trail runner .. thus my LOVE for trails in nature .. and I have [...]
Trail Conditions: varied. Good but wet in one section (IAT junction area) of prairie. – i enjoyed it! Hard to figure out where to go after crossing Hwy M into the golf course… Not marked. Animal Totems: RT Hawk pair, groundhog, doe with fawn, toad, cardinals Weather: Hot and Humid, 88 Highs: splashing through flooded [...]
The first day of hiking the Ice Age Trail, knowing that it may be the first day of the start of more .. much more .. much much more .. and now 223 miles later my footsteps are beginning to actually take on some shape in the state of Wisconsin .. ) See the trail [...]
Directions to self: Remy to Frenchtown left Badger trail right To end at Sun Valley Rd Moral of today’s story: Lesson Number 1. Never take off the Bug Suit Lesson Number 2. Never take off the Bug Suit Lesson Number 3. Never take off the Bug Suit Lesson Number 4. [...]
Good today for Fathers Day! 40 % off on all prints in my gallery Whether you’re a Dad or you’re not it’s my way of saying thanks to all of my friends and supporters! As I continue on my own Life Journey these promotions are my way of giving you something special … At the [...]
I meant to get out early today but had some huge technical issues with my blog this morning. It was like a “white out” online – nothing but white screen… I was up at 4 but suddenly it wasn’t to hike but to deal with techie issues… I’m stubborn but 6 hours later it was [...]
1. Click the link 2. Add e – book or books to your cart 3. Add the secret discount code to get your sweet discount … only the first 30 get this! 4.. the discount? … it’s “book” .. oh, I gave that away too too easily! 5. download your book (books) 6. Enjoy!
I’m really liking this course today. It’s been fun meandering through woods which come out to farm fields and tranversing a field to come back to the woods again. The only busy highway section today was on H and that was just a mile so it was tolerable. I really can tell a difference in [...]
Weather: sunny, 89 degrees F, I’m glad, so glad to be finished with this section of the IAT. I’d skipped and skirted it for a time, not looking forward to the long long straight road of busy Highway A… But that’s done now and I’ve officially declared this section as the least favorite part of [...]
As I’ve been hiking the IAT ( Ice Age Trail), one of the things I haven’t looked forward to are the paved road sections where there is no trail. But today was different … Duke joined me from somewhere on Bump Road.. I guess you could literally say he “bumped into me”… Lol Anyway, the [...]
to my Store .. Where you'll find Vintage Coach Purses & Bags & MORE!
Follow us and subscribe to our Feed!
Visit Kristen's Closet for rare Vintage Collectable Coach Bags and Purses, fur coats, leather goods and more © 2012. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by WordPress. Designed by 
