Hiking Safely in Arkansas: A Woman’s Guide to Preparedness, and Peace of Mind

 

I’ve always hiked in Arkansas in the fall. It’s my season when the air turns crisp, the leaves ignite in color, and the waterfalls run clear and cold. But this year, when my hiking buddy canceled, I found myself hesitating. After the tragic murder of a couple hiking with their children this past summer, I couldn’t shake the question: Are there trails that feel safe for a woman and her dog?

This blog is important for all women who are in the same situation because we don’t have to pass up an activity we love, not if we put safety first, bring our dogs, and prepare with intention. Fall hiking in Arkansas can still be beautiful, restorative, and empowering. Here’s how.

Some of Arkansas’s most beloved fall trails remain safe, scenic, and dog-friendly. Whitaker Point, also known as Hawksbill Crag, offers iconic bluff views and a small waterfall along a moderate 2.9-mile out-and-back trail. Mount Magazine’s North Rim Trail provides sweeping overlooks and creek crossings, with cell service available in most areas. Seven Hollows Trail at Petit Jean State Park winds through grottos and forested canyons, while Lake Catherine Falls Trail is a shaded, family-friendly option with a gentle waterfall. For those near Bella Vista, the Tanyard Creek Loop is an easy 1.9-mile walk featuring caves, creeks, and fall foliage. All of these trails are dog-friendly, but leashes are required in Arkansas parks.

If you're hiking with a dog, bring water for both of you, and avoid trails with steep bluffs or narrow ledges if your dog is reactive. Always pack waste bags, and check for ticks after your hike. Arkansas is tick-prone in fall. Leashing your dog isn’t just courteous it’s required, and it protects wildlife, other hikers, and your own peace of mind.

Before you hit the trail, tell someone your plan. Share your trail name, estimated return time, and route this is non-negotiable. Pack the Ten Essentials: a map, compass or GPS app, flashlight, first aid kit, extra food and water, layers, fire starter, knife, emergency shelter, and sun protection.

Dress in layers fall mornings are chilly, but afternoons can warm quickly. Avoid bulky coats and opt for breathable fabrics. Wear proper hiking boots with tread; flip-flops are a trip hazard. If you’re hiking alone, don’t advertise it to strangers on the trail.

Stay on marked paths fall is snake season, and wandering off-trail increases risk. Download trail maps ahead of time using apps like All Trails or Gaia GPS, and make sure they’re available offline, since cell service can be spotty.

Confidence is part of safety. Walk with purpose, even if you’re unsure. Trust your instincts if something feels off, turn around. Carry a whistle or personal alarm, and avoid wearing headphones so you can stay alert to your surroundings.

Emotional safety matters too. We hike because the forest heals. Because waterfalls don’t ask questions. Because grief, fear, and uncertainty deserve a place to breathe. This fall, let’s hike with intention. Let’s hike with preparation. Let’s hike for the joy of reclaiming what’s ours.

 

Trail Blessing and Closing Words

To every woman who hikes alone, with her dog, or in quiet companionship: may your boots find steady ground, may your breath sync with the rhythm of the trees, and may your instincts guide you home. The forest doesn’t ask you to be fearless it asks you to be present. To listen. To prepare. To honor your own safety as sacred.

This fall, don’t let fear steal what the season offers. Let your dog be your companion, your preparation be your protection, and your love of the trail be your compass. Share your plan. Pack with care. Hike with purpose. And when the leaves fall around you, know your part of something ancient, resilient, and worth protecting.

You don’t have to give up what you love. You just have to hike like you mean it.

 

🧭 Resources for Confident Fall Hiking

• 🗺️ Trail Maps & Reviews
  AllTrails – Arkansas Trails
  Gaia GPS – Offline Navigation
• 🐾 Dog-Friendly Hiking Tips
  BringFido – Arkansas Trails
  ASPCA – Hiking With Your Dog
• 🎒 Safety Gear & Essentials
  REI – Ten Essentials Checklist
  Sabre – Personal Safety Alarms
• 📞 Local Park Info & Emergency Contacts
  Arkansas State Parks Directory
  National Park Service – Ozark Region

This article published by Susan Golis, Freelance Writer, blogger, and Content Creator.  Image credit:  AI created by Susang6 and Original photographs captured by Golis while hiking in Arkansas and SW Missouri 

How to Decorate Your Bathroom for the Fall Season

 

A cozy guide to transforming your bathroom into an autumn sanctuary without breaking the bank.

Fall isn’t just for front porches and mantelpieces. Your bathroom deserves a seasonal refresh too, and with a few intentional touches, you can create a space that feels like a woodland retreat warm, nostalgic, and beautifully curated.

Start with Leaf Printed Towels

The easiest way to bring autumn indoors? Swap out your everyday linens for towels that celebrate the season. Look for digital watercolor prints featuring vibrant leaves, berries, and soft gradients in reds, golds, teals, and blues. Hang your bath towel on a vintage-style brass hook, then fold the matching hand towel and washcloth to rest atop your linen closet. The layered look adds depth and charm.

Style Tip: Choose prints with a crisp white background to keep the space feeling fresh and airy.

Shop Smart at Online Print on Demand

Love the look of fall colors but don’t want to break the bank? Head to Autumn Bliss Fall Bathroom Décor for beautiful leaf patterns on pristine white bathroom accessories. You’ll find high-resolution digital watercolor prints that elevate your space without overwhelming it. From towel sets to bath mats, these pieces feel artisanal and affordable.

Add a Matching Shower Curtain

For instant impact, pair your towel set with a coordinating shower curtain. The continuity of pattern draws the eye upward and makes the room feel styled from top to bottom. Choose a curtain that mirrors your towel’s leaf theme with maple leaves, and watercolor textures.

Style Tip: Let the curtain be your focal point. Keep other elements neutral to let the print shine.

Layer in Vintage Accents

To set the mood, add a few cottage-style accessories:  A Fenton glass bowl filled with decorative soaps A softly glowing pillar candle in ivory or honey tones A twig wreath hung above the candle to echo the season’s textures These elements bring in warmth, memory, and a touch of heirloom magic. They’re not just décor they’re ritual.

Your Bathroom, Your Sanctuary

Autumn is a season of transition, reflection, and quiet beauty. By decorating your bathroom with intention, you create a space that holds memory, comfort, and story. Whether you're sipping clean coffee or lighting a candle after a long day, let your bathroom be a place of peace and presence.

This article published by Susan Golis, Freelance Writer, blogger, and Content Creator.  AI images created by Susan Golis 

Harvest Magic & Handmade Purpose: Why These Afridrilles Matter

 

Crafted with care, styled for the autumn season, and rooted in ethical impact.

These Afridrilles aren’t just stylish they’re stitched with soul. Handmade in Maai Mahiu, Kenya, each pair is crafted by the Maker Mums, a collective of empowered African women who’ve transformed their lives through artistry and entrepreneurship. Many of these women are mothers of children with special needs, and through Ubuntu Life, they’ve found community, purpose, and economic independence.

The Afridrille journey began with a dream: to create Africa’s first fully customizable espadrille. Inspired by traditional East African cotton and the Spanish espadrille silhouette, the Ubuntu team partnered with Zazzle to bring this vision to life. The result? A shoe that’s breathable, durable, and deeply meaningful.

 Why We Love This Design

The Vintage Halloween Pattern on Gray Canvas brings playful nostalgia to every step. With black cats, crescent moons, bats, and spiderwebs dancing across a soft gray backdrop, these Afridrilles are perfect for pumpkin patch strolls, cozy porch hangs, and spirited October adventures. The design feels both whimsical and timeless pair it with a flowy skirt, a chunky knit, or even your favorite costume for a look that’s festive without being fussy.

Each shoe features: 100% East African cotton Hand-screened canvas Natural jute soles A beaded tab crafted by Maasai women near Kenya’s Ngong Hills

 Wear What Matters

When you wear Afridrilles, you’re not just stepping into comfort you’re stepping into a movement. Every purchase supports full-time employment, healthcare, and education for the Maker Mums and their families. It’s fashion with heart, and it’s changing lives one stitch at a time.

This article published by Susan Golis, Freelance Writer, blogger, and Content Creator.  AI images created by Susan Golis 

Autumn Renewal: When Friendship Begins to Fall Away

 

 

Autumn is a season of quiet transformation. The air turns crisp, the trees release what no longer serves them, and the world begins to slow. It’s a time of renewal of letting go with dignity, of honoring what was while making space for what’s next.

In this post, I reflect on a different kind of falling: the slow unraveling of a friendship that once felt safe. Not every ending is loud. Some arrive like autumn winds gentle, undeniable, and necessary. If you’ve ever felt the ache of growing apart from someone you once trusted deeply, this is for you. A story of boundaries, clarity, and the quiet courage it takes to choose peace.

 

Autumn is a season of quiet transformation. The trees release what
no longer serves them and so do we.

The Quiet Kind of Heartbreak

Autumn is often called the season of letting go. Leaves fall, winds change, and the world softens into quiet reflection. But what if the falling isn’t just in nature what if it’s in friendship?

There’s a kind of heartbreak that doesn’t come from romance. It comes from trust slowly unraveling. From realizing that someone you’ve stood beside for years is no longer standing beside you. Not with cruelty. Not with confrontation. Just with silence.

It’s not the dramatic kind of betrayal. It’s the quiet kind. Plans are brushed off. Stories don’t add up. You start to feel like a stranger in a relationship you helped build.

You’ve been there for emergencies, late-night calls, family crises. You’ve held space, offered comfort, stayed on the line in hospital rooms. You’ve shown up not just once, but always.  And then, one day, they stop showing up for you. Not with anger. Just with deflection. A calendar that no longer has room for your name.

You don’t need every detail. You don’t need perfect alignment. But you do need honesty. Because without it, friendship becomes a performance and you were never acting.  So, you choose silence. Not to punish, but to protect. You step back not because you stopped caring, but because you started caring for yourself.

Maybe they’ll notice. Maybe they’ll ask. And when they do, you’ll tell the truth: “I’ve always been here for you. But lately, I feel like I’m being kept in the dark. I’m not asking for everything. I’m asking for honesty and respect.” Because friendship deserves truth. And you deserve peace.

The Autumn Hike That Never Happened Just like the trees shedding their leaves, we let go to make space for new growth. I had planned a hike with someone I once considered family. We were going to chase waterfalls in Arkansas, breathe in the crisp air, and feel the leaves crunch beneath our boots. But the plans fell through like so many things lately. So I went alone, with my dog. And in that solitude, I found something unexpected: peace.

 Raking Leaves with My Dog There’s something grounding about raking leaves. The rhythm, the rustle, the way the air smells like endings. My dog watched me with quiet loyalty, and together we made order out of the mess. It wasn’t the fall I expected, but it was ours.  Finding joy in the little things: crisp leaves, quiet moments, and a dog who never leaves my side.

Crocuses in the Snow

Winter will come not to harden us, but to cleanse. With frost and stillness, it clears the clutter. It offers rest. Reflection. Renewal.  Even in the coldest season, something tender begins to bloom. I learned to rest, to reflect, and to trust that healing was happening beneath the surface even when I couldn’t see it.

Healing doesn’t always arrive loudly. Sometimes it’s a crocus in the snow quiet, persistent, and full of promise.

Where the Flowers Begin Again

And then, spring arrives. Quietly, steadily. Opening the door to bloom again. To live in color. To welcome new connections rooted in truth.

Spring, at last. After a year of quiet hikes, solo lunches, falling leaves, and snow-covered beginnings, I’ve come full circle. The flowers are blooming again—not just in the park, but in my life. New friends, new laughter, and the kind of warmth that feels earned.

Every season held its own lesson: 🍁 Autumn taught me to let go. ❄️ Winter showed me how to endure. 🌷 Spring reminds me how to begin again.

Healing isn’t linear it’s cyclical, like the earth itself. And here I am, blooming too.

I walked through every season to find this one where laughter returns, roots deepen, and everything begins to bloom.

This article published by Susan Golis, Freelance Writer, blogger, and Content Creator.  AI images created by Susan Golis 

Fall Season Ceramic Tiles

 

As the air turns crisp and leaves begin to fall, it’s the perfect time to bring a touch of harvest magic into your home. My fall season ceramic tiles are more than just décor they’re miniature works of art that celebrate the richness of autumn with pumpkins, corn, acorns, and swirling leaves in warm, earthy tones.

Whether you’re styling a cozy kitchen nook or creating a seasonal focal point, these tiles offer versatile display options: Hang them Up: Simply attach a hanging device to the back and let them shine on your wall. They also look stunning when framed adding a polished, gallery-style finish.  Stand them up by displaying them in a wooden stand on your countertop, shelf, or mantel.

 It’s an easy way to add seasonal charm without committing to wall space. Use the tiles in your backsplash: For those who love a bold statement, these tiles can be integrated into your kitchen backsplash. Pair them with solid green tiles for a rich contrast that makes the artwork pop.

Each tile tells a story of harvest and home perfect for gifting, decorating, or simply celebrating the season in style. Whether you choose one or a trio, they’re sure to bring warmth and whimsy to any space. 

Ready to add a little autumn magic to your home? Explore the collection here.

This article published by Susan Golis, Freelance Writer, blogger, and Content Creator.  AI images created by Susan Golis 

Sunflowers Tablecloth for Two Seasonal Scenes

 

 

There’s something magical about the shift from late summer to early fall. The air turns golden, the light softens, and suddenly we’re craving warmth, connection, and a little rustic charm. It’s the season of porch dinners and cozy indoor gatherings when one beautiful tablecloth can carry the mood from sunlit afternoons to candlelit evenings.

This week, I created a sunflower tablecloth for two distinct spaces: a cozy farmhouse dining room and a breezy autumn porch. Same cloth, same season but two completely different vibes.

 

The Farmhouse Dining Room

Imagine walking into a room where wood shiplap walls wrap you in warmth, and the scent of cinnamon and clove lingers in the air. The table is dressed in a sunflower floral printed on a brown tablecloth.

At the center sits a milky white farmhouse style ceramic vase, filled with fresh-cut sunflowers. Around the room, subtle autumn touches like a wreath of dried leaves, a pumpkin on the shelf, and a view of falling foliage through the window complete the scene.

This setup is perfect for early fall dinners, Sunday brunches, or even a quiet moment with a cup of coffee and notepad for things to do list.

 

The Porch Gathering

Step outside, and the mood shifts. The same tablecloth now lives on a weathered wood table surrounded by crisp air and rustling leaves. The porch railing frames a view of golden trees, and the breeze carries the scent of dry grass and distant bonfires.

Here, the sunflower print feels playful and relaxed ideal for late summer lemonade or early fall cider. A white vase of sunflowers anchors the table, while pumpkins, dried grasses, and a rustic wreath add texture and seasonal flair.

This is the kind of space that invites lingering. Whether it’s a casual lunch with friends or a twilight harvest dinner under string lights, the porch scene celebrates the beauty of transition of seasons, of light, of gathering.

 

Why both settings work

What I love most about this tablecloth is its versatility. The sunflower motif bridges summer and fall, while the rich brown background adds depth and warmth. Indoors, it feels refined and cozy. Outdoors, it’s fresh and inviting.

It’s a reminder that seasonal styling doesn’t have to mean constant change. Sometimes, one well-chosen piece can carry you through weeks of evolving moods and moments. Add a few accents such as a vase, a pumpkin, a wreath and suddenly you’ve created cozy ambiance.

Final Thoughts

As we move from late summer into fall, I’m reminded that beauty lives in the in-between. In the way sunflowers bloom beside pumpkins. In the way one tablecloth can host lemonade one day and cider the next.

Whether you’re styling a dining room or a porch, I hope this blog post inspires you to create spaces that feel like home warm, welcoming, and full of seasonal magic.

View all of my fall season tablecloths at my Zazzle Store

This article published by Susan Golis, Freelance Writer, blogger, and Content Creator.  AI images created by Susan Golis 

Why Some Families Celebrate Thanksgiving Early

 

Recently, I was contacted by a customer who wanted custom Thanksgiving invitations and fall-themed home décor not in October or November, but in August. At first, I was surprised. But as we chatted, her story unfolded beautifully.

Her family had missed out on Thanksgiving gatherings during the pandemic, then her son was overseas, and this year, they decided not to wait. They’re hosting a full Thanksgiving dinner complete with all the trimmings before summer even ends. “We have so much to be thankful for,” she said. “Why not celebrate now, while we can be together?”

That sentiment resonated deeply with me. Gratitude isn’t bound to a calendar. Whether you’re celebrating in August, October, or right on Thanksgiving Day, the heart of the holiday is connection, reflection, and joy.

So, I got to work designing warm, welcoming invitations that matched their early harvest celebration. And it reminded me: if you're planning something special this fall especially custom invitations or seasonal décor it’s never too early to reach out.

 Thanksgiving orders are now open!
If you’re dreaming up a cozy gathering, a Friendsgiving feast, or a family dinner with heartfelt touches, I’d love to help you bring it to life.  View my template Thanksgiving cards andinvitations here.  

Let’s make this season one to remember for whenever you choose to celebrate.

This article published by Susan Golis, Freelance Writer, blogger, and Content Creator.  AI images created by Susan Golis