My Three Non-Negotiables

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Notes from Tanglewood Hideaway: Brown County Highlights – This is a weekly email I send sharing things to do, local updates, and ideas for everyday life in Brown County. 👉 [Join the newsletter here]

Sunset over rolling hills in Brown County with silhouetted trees and glowing clouds. Text reads Notes from Tanglewood Hideaway Brown County Highlights.

My three non-negotiables, plus a new adventure. A peek into the way I live my life (and run my businesses).

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what really matters to me—not just in life, but in how I run my businesses, show up in my community, and share information with you.

And after putting in the work recently to actually define my core values for both Barn Burner and Tanglewood Hideaway, I realized something:

My non-negotiables in business? They’re the same as my non-negotiables in life.

Here are three that help guide me:

1) Do more of what you love, every day.

I don’t believe in waiting for the “right” time to do the things that bring joy. You don’t need permission, an excuse, or some perfect set of circumstances to start living the life you want—you just have to decide to do it.

That’s exactly why Clint and I moved to Brown County 8+ years ago. We wanted more of what we loved on vacation—time outdoors, small-town charm, a slower pace—to be part of our everyday life. So we made it happen.

That same philosophy carries into my businesses. It’s why I build my schedule in a way that lets me meet friends for a Tuesday morning hike. It’s why I don’t overcomplicate travel and instead I focus on making trips feel fun, not perfect.

And it’s why I encourage people (including you!) to just do the thing. No perfect timing required.

2) Community over competition always, because a rising tide lifts all boats.

Or, as my kids like to say, “sharing is caring.”

I believe in an abundance mindset—there’s plenty of success, opportunity, and joy to go around. That’s why I share what I know, highlight incredible local businesses, and make sure that whether you’re a guest at the Barn Burner or just someone planning a trip to Brown County, you get the best information possible. No gatekeeping here.

For me, community over competition isn’t just about supporting small businesses (though I do that, too!). It’s about making sure everyone—locals, visitors, business owners—feels connected and welcomed.

Because when we share what we love and lift each other up, we all win.

3. Focus on real, practical advice—because the details matter.

I don’t recommend things I haven’t personally vetted. If I tell you about a trail, a restaurant, or a piece of travel gear, you can trust that I’ve actually experienced it myself.

Because let’s be honest—there’s a lot of vague, outdated, or just plain unhelpful travel advice out there, especially for Brown County. And that drives me nuts.

So I research, I test, and I figure things out firsthand. I want you to feel confident about your choices, whether it’s picking the right place to stay, knowing which hikes are actually kid-friendly, or finding the best places to eat in Brown County.

Which brings me to my latest project.

If you’ve been reading my emails for a while, you probably know I love hiking. And if this is your first email from me, well—I already mentioned hiking once in this email, so you could probably guess. 😉

I’ve hiked almost every trail in Brown County, but there’s one I’ve never fully completed: the Tecumseh Trail.

It’s one of the longest and most remote trails in the area (42+ miles!) with backcountry camping, gorgeous scenery, and a reputation for being a little…mysterious.

There’s no official online map, and the best existing guide has some contradictory info. Which means people who want to hike it don’t always feel confident actually doing it.

That’s where I come in.

Over the next two months, I’m hiking the entire Tecumseh Trail—section by section. Not just because I love hiking (which I do), but because I want to provide real, accurate, firsthand advice for anyone else considering this adventure.

And yes—you can bet that the things on my hiking essentials list will be coming along too.

So, if you’ve ever wondered about hiking the Tecumseh Trail, hit reply and let me know your questions! I already got some great ones on Instagram—everything from needing details on parking spots to backcountry camping—but I’d love to hear what you want to know so I can answer as I go.

Here’s to doing the thing, sharing what we know, and making adventure more accessible.

And remember, you don’t have to go far to get away.

Kara

P.S. 🚨 RED ALERT: A Thai restaurant is coming to Nashville! 🚨

If you’re local or visit often, you know how big of a deal this is. (Johnny’s Grub to Go is great, but it has limited hours and it’s a trek outside of town.) Normally, Thai food is my go-to treat when I eat out in Bloomington, so I’m thrilled to have an option opening here soon.

It’s called Hoosier Thai, and they’ll be taking over the old Our Sandwich Shop location. No opening date yet, but you can follow along on their Facebook page here for updates!

Selfie of a smiling hiker near a wooden signpost marking the junction of the Tecumseh Trail and Low Gap Trail in a leaf-covered forest.

Selfie from an overnight backpacking hike I did with two friends on the northern end of the Tecumseh Trail in November, 2022. I’m excited to hike the entire length of the Tecumseh over the next few months!