Last updated: April 19, 2026
This is the privacy policy for Just Chillin Outdoors (justchillinoutdoors.com), a personal outdoor adventure blog focused on the Carolina Piedmont. I keep things simple. This page explains what I collect, why, and what rights you have.
Who runs this site
Just Chillin Outdoors is an independent blog operated from Cornelius, North Carolina. You can reach me through the contact page.
What I collect and why
Analytics and site performance
I use Google Analytics 4 to understand how visitors find and use the site (pages viewed, time on page, traffic sources, approximate location). This helps me write content people actually want to read. Google Analytics uses cookies and may process your data outside the country you live in. You can read Google’s privacy policy here.
I also use Microsoft Clarity to see anonymous heatmaps and session recordings of how people interact with the site. This shows me which buttons get clicked, which sections people skip, and where the design is confusing. Clarity does not record sensitive form inputs. You can read Microsoft’s privacy statement here.
Email signups
When you sign up for the newsletter or download a free guide, I collect your email address and first name (optional) through MailerLite. This information is used only to send you the content you requested and occasional updates about new posts, trip reports, and gear. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link at the bottom of any email. MailerLite’s privacy policy is here.
Contact form
When you fill out the contact form, your name, email address, and message are sent to my inbox and stored by WPForms within the site database. I use this information only to respond to your message.
Comments
When you leave a comment on a blog post, I collect the data shown in the comment form plus your IP address and browser information to help detect spam. An anonymized hash of your email may be sent to Gravatar to pull in a profile image, per the Gravatar privacy policy. Approved comments and profile pictures are visible publicly next to your comment.
Affiliate links
Some posts contain affiliate links, most often to Amazon. If you buy something through one of these links, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend gear I’ve actually used. Affiliate links are disclosed within individual posts. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Cookies
Cookies are small files stored by your browser. This site uses cookies for:
- Analytics cookies from Google Analytics and Microsoft Clarity (only if you accept them via the consent banner)
- Comment cookies that remember your name and email if you leave a comment (expire after one year)
- Login cookies if you have an admin account on the site
You can control cookies through the consent banner when you first visit the site, and you can clear or block cookies through your browser settings at any time.
Embedded content from other sites
Posts sometimes include embedded videos, images, or maps from other sites (YouTube, Instagram, Google Maps). These embeds behave as if you visited the original site and may collect data about you, use cookies, or track your interactions. I don’t control how these third parties handle your data.
How long I keep your data
- Newsletter subscribers: until you unsubscribe
- Contact form submissions: kept indefinitely for reference unless you ask me to delete them
- Comments: kept indefinitely so follow-up comments from the same person can be auto-approved
- Analytics data: Google Analytics retains data per their standard retention policy (currently 14 months for this site)
Your rights
You have the right to:
- Ask what personal data I hold about you
- Request a copy of that data
- Request that I delete your data
- Unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time
- Withdraw consent for analytics cookies through the consent banner settings
To exercise any of these rights, use the contact page. I’ll respond within 30 days. Note that I can’t delete data I’m required to keep for legal or administrative reasons.
Where your data is stored
This site is hosted by DreamHost in the United States. Email data is stored by MailerLite. Analytics data is processed by Google and Microsoft according to their respective privacy policies. If you’re visiting from outside the US, your data may be transferred to and stored in the US.
Children
This site is not directed at children under 13. I don’t knowingly collect personal information from children.
Changes to this policy
I may update this policy to reflect changes to the site or to how I handle data. The “Last updated” date at the top of this page will show when the latest changes were made.
Questions
Questions about this policy or how your data is handled? Reach out through the contact page.