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Monthly Archives: April 2008
Woodsy-looking USB memory sticks…get it?
Honestly, I swear: I do not own a single piece of cheesy log furniture. But these Wooden USB Memory Sticks are pretty sweet. Each is made with a unique, hand-picked stick, with up to 2GB storage. And obviously, they look great plugged into both Macs and PCs. Might not look so hot, stuck in your pocket though… buyer, beware.
Fish Bum, Volume 1: Mongolia – Not your father’s fishing show
When a fishing show can not only reel in a non-fishing dude, but compel him to buy a DVD, call that show a Success. Yup, there it is, fellers, I gone ‘n’ done it.
Fish Bum, Volume 1: Mongolia follows four fly-fishermen across the globe as they they travel on “horseback, camel, bush vehicles and hiking boots” in search of their prize: the Taimen, deemed the world’s largest trout. “So? When’s an angler not looking for the biggest fish” you ask.
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Your weekend plans served: Outdoor Adventure Expo
I couldn’t even begin to cover half of the presentations, speakers, demos and exhibitors scheduled this weekend for Midwest Mountaineering‘s Outdoor Adventure Expo. I certainly won’t be able to attend all the ones that I’d like to. So help a guy out and go to the Expo yourself. We’ll compare notes and share our goodie-bags afterwards.
A few recommended picks:
“Canoeing Wabakimi Wilderness Park” – The 5-million acre Canadian wilderness area that saw only 700 paddlers last year. Biologist Bruce Hyer will unpack a headful of knowlege about all the natural wonders there (I have to say it again, ‘FIVE. MILLION’).
“Backcountry Baking Demonstration” – A hands-on workshop with NOLS Instructors Rich Brame and Kary Sommers. Participants will learn how to make amazing things happen with their camp cooking.
“BWCA Trip Planning” – Some of my dearest friends here in UpNorthica, have never actually been in the Boundary Waters. Take this opportunity and learn how to make your first trip, a good one. Bert Heep of Piragis Northwoods Company will unpack a headful of knowledge and you’ll know just what to pack.
I just did horribly on a canoeing skills quiz…
…but i do know which end of the paddle goes in the water at least! Will you fare better? Test your Canoeing IQ on this quiz, over at Field & Stream. I answered a shameful 9/16 correctly. How’d do you, bigshot?
A canoeing clinic you could afford to miss
This promo for a canoe poling clinic, feels like a waterborne version of all the Rocky movies’ training sequences.
Now don’t get me wrong… I would be thrilled, no! Most Honored to learn the lost art of Canoe poling. I would even kneel and submit to the teachings of rare experts like Dr. Palmer here. But if my training entails me butt-bouncing on trampolines and dry-humping canoes in a pool?…Nobody gets anywhere near me with a camcorder.
Not-All-That-Great Ways to Re-Use Your Old Nalgene Bottle
So what if Nalgene is phasing out production on all polycarbonate bottles? Who cares if they leach BPAs that result in low birth weights and delayed puberty? You’ve gone thru both of those already; you’re clear, right? That bottle and you have been through a lot together, ever since your company stamped their logo on it and doled them out at last summer’s employee picnic. Well, even if you want to play it safe, don’t throw away that bottle, re-use it! and feel good about yourself when you do. Why, just look at all the uses:
- In-car Port-a-Potty – For the long drive up north
- Bait bucket – But only as long as the leaching doesn’t hurt the leeches
- Single-use diaper genie – Once you can squeeze it in past the bottleneck, you’re golden!
- Dumbbell – Fill it up with sand for your cardio class
- Storage container for your super cute, smaller-sized Nalgene bottle
- Musical instrument – For old-timey jug band entertainment ’round the fire
- Status symbol – Nothing says “I’m outdoorsy” more than classic Nalgene doorstops, bookends and paperweights
- Firefly Lantern – (Punched holes not included)
- Port-a-potty for midnight pee breaks in your tent,
which of course leads to… - Hot water bottle for your sleeping bag - After all, it’s all about multi-function…
Surely there must be at least several other great ideas out there, so shoot ‘em my way!
Great Ways to Re-Use Your Old Nalgene Bottle
Despite the recent hysteria over BPA and adverse affects of chemical leaching in the popular water bottles, I’m having a hard time with the thought of pitching mine. Nalgene bottles are handy, multi-functional and can survive being dropped out of a plane. So while I can’t recommend drinking from them, I’ve compiled a modest list of alternative uses:
- Hot water bottle – The bottles retain heat incredibly well and save your feet when winter camping overnight
- Airtight storage for pack-out garbage
- Dry bag alternative – Because regular dry bags aren’t buoyant
- Guyline weight for your bear-bag rope setup – Or any task that a good heavy weight could make easier
- Collectible – Until 20 years from now when they tell us BPAs are loaded with antioxidants and promote reproductive health
Got any ideas or uses that have worked for you? The comments section is open, throw ‘em in there!
Saving the Big Wild of Canada
I recently got a taste of Canada’s beautiful wilderness, from the presentations at the Far North Symposium. I’ve never been in those parts, so I found it incredibly inspiring. One of the presenters in particular urged us all to visit these vast waterways and woods soon. His reasoning: Many of the rivers had radically been altered by hydro-electric development (therefore made no longer navigable) between his repeated visits. This, I found, was rather sobering.
I just filled out a poll and petition to help preserve Canada’s wilderness areas on TheBigWild.org. Impressions left from the Symposium are but only part of why I did. I’m also reminded of the forecast for dramatic changes in ‘our own wilderness’ in Minnesota. Changes like the moose population’s retreat to cooler year-round climates and the northward migration of the boreal forests. And it dawns on me that the things I love to see in the Boundary Waters, may only be seen in Canada, come a few decades from now.
The site’s beautifully made, from the messaging’s seamless integration with an interactive poll, to its listing of opportunities to assist with conservation initiatives. Not to mention the gorgeous design. As Earth Day approaches, take a moment to visit the site and consider involvement in preserving a wilderness that may someday require a much-longer drive time.
Canoe poling up a river
Dang, this looks fun enough to try, and soon! And it’ll be even better without the extra-thick syrupy rendition of Kaw-Liga being piped in for a soundtrack.
State trails projects moving forward
Although a whopping $208 million in capital investment projects were cut from the bonding bill by Governor Pawlenty, thankfully the veto treaded lightly on our state parks and trails. Here’s a list of trail improvement projects that are moving ahead this year, and how much money’s going into each. I’m especially glad to see a few of my favorites included.
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