Get Outside and Get Dirty today....
What is "getting dirty" all about?
My Philosophy
For me, “getting dirty” isn’t just about soil under your nails or sweat on your brow—it’s about choosing movement, connection, and presence. Whether I’m planting in the garden, pedaling along a trail, dipping a paddle into still water, or simply walking through the neighborhood, I’ve learned that being outdoors restores both body and mind. The rhythm of weeding or cycling quiets the noise in my head; the sun on my back reminds me that life is bigger than the day’s worries. Motion is lotion, not only for aching joints but for a weary spirit. Getting dirty means leaning into the simple truth: fresh air, movement, and a little mud are some of the best medicine we’ll ever find.
About me.
In 2023, I lost my wife and partner of 34 years after her courageous two-year battle with stage 4 terminal cancer. For more than three decades, we worked side by side—designing, building, and maintaining large residential and estate gardens. Our livelihood was never just a business; it was a shared passion that wove our lives together, stone by stone and season by season.
After her passing, I returned to the things that had always grounded us: the healing rhythm of nature, the power of movement, and the purpose found in meaningful work. Whether I’m riding the trails, kayaking still waters, or working out at the local YMCA, I’ve come to fully embrace a truth we discovered during her physical therapy: motion is lotion—not just for the body, but for the soul.
Through this website and my social platforms, I share that journey forward. My hope is to encourage others—especially those navigating grief or simply carrying the weight of life—to step outside, move with intention, and rediscover joy in the everyday beauty that surrounds us.
Interactive Getting Dirty Trail Guides
I’ve always been drawn to what I call destination bike trails. These aren’t the quick loops behind the neighborhood—they’re the kind of trails that pull you into a story: new towns to explore, local diners with steaming cups of coffee, quiet rivers to cross, and stretches of pavement or gravel that test your legs and reward your soul.
But early on I discovered a problem—there was no single place to find all the information I wanted. Sure, I could track down a trail map, but what about the things that really shape an adventure? Where’s the best place to stay nearby? Is there a café that serves the kind of breakfast that makes you linger before the ride? What’s the actual condition of the trail—smooth, cracked, shaded, exposed?
That gap is what led me to create my interactive guides. They’re not just maps; they’re stories layered with detail, built from miles ridden and meals enjoyed. To make them even more useful, I developed a 220-point rating system—a way to measure and share the full experience of a trail. It goes beyond mileage and scenery, capturing everything from surface quality to food stops, lodging, safety, and those intangible moments of joy that make one trail unforgettable while another fades from memory.
I believe numbers tell part of the story, but when you pair them with personal experience, you get a much clearer picture. My hope is that these guides save you the guesswork, inspire you to try new places, and help you squeeze every ounce of joy from the ride.
Because in the end, it’s not just about spinning the pedals—it’s about the story you come home with.
Getting dirty with Glenn outdoor guides
Interactive Guides
I invite you to explore these guides which may help you be truly present during your next trip instead of stressed planning the trip. These guides include an interactive 22 category rating system along with Relive videos of the trails along with extensive photo galleries . Simply click on the link and be taken to an in-depth overview of each experience. I am currently working on adding more trails.
INteractive Bike trail guides to help you "get dirty"
Southern Wisconsin
Eisenbahn Bike Trail
Coming Soon! A quiet little trail with big rewards.
Interurban Bike Trail
Rating 86/220
Follow this link to see the in-depth interactive trail guide rating, relive videos and other great content.
Mariner Bike Trail
Coming Soon! 6.5 miles along Lake Michigan...how do you beat that!
Northern Wisconsin
Bearskin Trail
Coming Soon! Feel like you are in the middle of nowhere with some of the best scenery, while riding over 15 trestles, which transport you over water and wetlands.
Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail
Rating 184/220
Coming Soon! One of the two trails I consider as the gold standard for delivering an outstanding multi-use trail to outdoor enthusiasts.
Michigan
Tart Trail System
Rating 193/220
Coming Soon! One of the two trails I consider as the gold standard for delivering an outstanding multi-use trail to outdoor enthusiasts.
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