What kept Jacqueline Tourville sane when her daily commute came to a grinding halt in Boston traffic? Thinking about her hiking gear stored neatly in the trunk, ready for another weekend away from the urban hustle and bustle. From beginner-friendly, low terrain treks to alpine adventures in New England's higher elevations, Tourville’s Saturday escapes gave her the chance to explore just about every peak and valley in the incredibly diverse six-state region.

Now living in New Hampshire with her husband and two children, when not out on the trail, Jacqueline is a busy freelance writer, penning the popular “Are We There Yet?” family travel column for Parenting New Hampshire and writing numerous articles about health and outdoor living for web and print publications. Jacqueline’s first blisters from her first pair of hiking boots were the result of her first real hike, climbing New Hampshire favorite, Mount Monadnock. She writes about outdoor activities from the perspective of someone whose heels still wear a few scars from that day—sympathetic to beginners, but also with an eye on what experts want to know.

Before becoming a writer, Jacqueline worked for many years as a public school teacher in the Boston area (she hold a master's degree in education). Social studies teacher by day, Jacqueline also led school-wide hiking retreats to Mount Monadnock, Mount Agamenticus (Maine), and Mount Tom (Massachusetts). Maybe it's because she grew up in the shadow of New York State's Adirondack Mountains, but to Jacqueline, it's just not right for kids to grow up without regularly breathing in some fresh mountain air!