May 29th, 2008 | by Pam | published in BWCAW, Camping
So, did your Boundary Waters camping experiences become limited at best after having kids? Do you feel like you need everyone potty-trained before you set your sights on a jack pine again? If you have borderline feelings about hefting the canoe while chasing the two year old for 160 rods, let us assure you: [...]
May 28th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Camping
No packing list will ever be complete now, without one of these S’more 101 t-shirts. Gotta get me one o’ them…
May 15th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Camping, Hiking, Outdoor Living
As Minnesota commemorates its Sesquicentennial, it’s great to see a number of the celebrations are in the best places our state has: the Outdoors.
On June 1st, for example, day admission to all state parks will be free, as they host the “Great Minnesota Picnic.” The aim is to encourage folks to bring their picnic lunch, [...]
May 2nd, 2008 | by Andy | published in Art, Camping
Seeing this photo reminds me of about a hundred perfect moments I’ve had in the BWCA.
April 25th, 2008 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Camping, Canoeing, Food, Outdoor Living
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 [...]
April 21st, 2008 | by Andy | published in Camping, Gear
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 [...]
April 21st, 2008 | by Andy | published in Camping
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 [...]
April 11th, 2008 | by Arthur | published in Camping, Hiking, Resources
It’s official, we are approaching the time when hardy northwoods people everywhere will walk out their front door, blink their eyes a little and realize that the mukluks and parka are a little excessive. Until this time of showing off pasty white skin we need to find a way to channel our outdoors enthusiasm.
A new [...]
April 9th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Camping, Outdoor Living
Sometimes when I hear self-described ‘non-outdoors types’ bemoan why they hate to camp, I catch myself chuckling inaudibly. Comedian John Pinette’s reasons had me laughing out loud.
Via Uncooped.
April 3rd, 2008 | by Andy | published in Camping, Resources, Wildlife
Research findings of a Brigham Young University wildlife biologist show bear spray to be a far more effective deterrent to aggressive bears, than guns are. On average, it takes four shots from a gun to stop a bear, with your odds of success being about 66%. But based on the research, opening up a can [...]
April 2nd, 2008 | by Andy | published in Camping, Food
I just may have to try this on my next trip, it sounds pretty tasty. No, for obvious reasons, the recipe is not true sushi. But I like the foil-packed salmon solution, and it seems you could add more touches/substitutions still, if you wanted (did someone say, ‘freshwater jellyfish’?) The recipe comes via Freezer Bag [...]
March 28th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Camping, Gear
“Hmmm…Veneerware disposable bamboo sporks, huh?” I was skeptical of these at first. And if you’ve already spent your REI dividend on a set of ultra-light, pure adamantium utensils, you may be tempted to turn your nose up at these sporks, too. I think we all can agree you should never put any kind of spork [...]
March 26th, 2008 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Camping, Canoeing, Resources
If you’ve been to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, we want to hear from you. We’re starting to build an online planning tool that will be a fresh, unique resource for folks like all of us. Yeah, we’re pretty jazzed about it.
This site will be for you. So we really need your help and [...]
March 25th, 2008 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Camping, Canoeing, Kayaking, Resources
I’ve never taken a kayak into the BWCA, but while touring a stretch of the St. Croix a year ago, it didn’t take long to see some differences between kayak-camping and canoe-camping. Wish I’d read this article by seasoned kayaker Rob Lyon, there are great tips you can take away, even if you can’t afford [...]
March 24th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Camping, Food
Let me make a stand on something: I’m against smothering the Real Meaning of Easter. Plain and simple, I don’t think after all Jesus went through for humankind on this historic weekend, that the guy deserves to play second string to clucking bunnies and creme-eggs.
That said, here’s a slightly lesser stand: I don’t believe there [...]