Campground Review:

Over the past year my wife and I have gotten much more into rock climbing and particularly into bouldering since we have such great gyms in birmingham. We were very excited to visit Cherokee rock village because of the amazing climbing and the great views. We were not disappointed at all. The climbing seemed to go on and on and you would never run out of top rope, lead, and bouldering routes and the area is well maintained. In terms of camping you pay an additional $5 per car and it is a free for all in terms of where you can set up a site. There is also a pump for drinking water. The camping here is clearly set up for people who want to climb and stay over the night which was perfect for our purpose. There is also a playground for kids and a covered picnic area that could be used for groups. We did some hiking in the rocks and they were impressive to see even without having climbing gear. If you are in the area and willing to take a little drive up the mountain this site is well worth your time.

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Product Review:

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get to test products. At this campground, I tried out the new TredAgain Hawthorne Boots. It is really great to have a pair of shoes that can go straight from the office to the trail and the style of these boots are perfect for both situations. Some of the things I really loved about the Hawthorne boots are:

1. Style: I initially picked these shoes because I liked how they looked on the website and I was even happier with them when they arrived in the mail. The design and color is very unique and worked with the clothes I wore to the office but also fit in out on the trail. The leather is a dark green and the folds at the top of the laces are very interesting. I also liked how the earthy colors keep them looking clean even when hiking outdoors.
2. Comfort: These shoes are made with recycled tire rubber soles, which I discuss more below, and have a very thick and impact absorbent base. When walking around this was a wonderful feature and they were incredibly comfortable. It also makes them very durable across multiple terrains. I would say they are perfect for light trail hiking but probably not suited for any heavier duty trekking.
3. Environmental Impact: One of the major pluses to buying shoes from Tredagain is that they make them from recycled tire rubber that would otherwise be sent to a landfill. Being an outdoor enthusiast I am always trying to decrease my waste footprint and these shoes were a great step in that direction.

The shoes do run a little big so maybe go a half size smaller than what you usually wear.