Camping, backpacking, hiking, et al

[thrill]

I saw the fattest bobcat I've ever seen walking outside the window of my office a few weeks ago. It's funny moving from AZ, where every critter was lean and mean, to Florida, where they're all fat and happy. It's obvious, but still fascinating to me how much life is in this state, often despite our best efforts.

[lukethedrifter]

I saw the fattest bobcat I've ever seen walking outside the window of my office a few weeks ago. It's funny moving from AZ, where every critter was lean and mean, to Florida, where they're all fat and happy. It's obvious, but still fascinating to me how much life is in this state, often despite our best efforts.

Can't recall if I ever told the story of working at the Fisher Island Club http://www.fisherislandclub.com one summer back in the mid 80s. At the time, iirc, only Emerson Fittipaldi and developer Bill Rebozo lived on the island. Waited tables etc, used golf carts to run from here to there and Rebozo's shih tzu's used to hitch rides then jump off wherever they were headed. Funny. Anyway, we would set out their canned dog food out back of the restaurant. One time after doing so I noticed that the dogs were standing around front and not eating so I went around to take a look and I saw three of the biggest freaking bullfrogs that you could imagine chowing down on the dog food. Honestly they were well bigger than I thought a frog could get.

[thrill]

And now Fisher Island is the wealthiest area code in the country.

[lukethedrifter]

I squandered a lot of [expletive] that summer.

[Freed Roger]

outdoor-survival-hacks

A few of these are pretty cool, even if not really survival, but making life easier outside. gonna have to try gum wrapper/battery fire starter. as well as using foil to use AAA batteries in a AA device.

Some are frankly, dumb - I didn't know toilet paper was a challenge -zip lock - der. Or better yet - widen your stance for a cleaner launch. And the stoves - I've made my own bf- it's cute, but really why and you still need the fuel source. And i can't see myself ever needing a home made [expletive] bucket, unless the laws and/or conditions prohibit digging a cathole.

I do like the milk carton lantern (I'd probably use one of my clear/opaque water bottles though rather than lugging the milk jug0. The water filter idea is handy. Pencil sharpener. That's smart.

I'll add that hand sanitizer burns like a mutha. And dryer lint is good easy tinder to carry.

[Freed Roger]

Aw yea - I'm definitely reading the book about this guy

The Secret Life of America's Last True Hermit
A new book reveals, in vivid detail, how Christopher Knight escaped society more completely than most anybody else in human history

He Hates Henry David Thoreau....He branded Thoreau a “dilettante” and said others like him who published and commodified their thoughts were false hermits.

[Freed Roger]

saving this for future use. Nat Geo topo maps

http://www.natgeomaps.com/trail-maps/pdf-quads/

[thrill]

iOverlander is a great iPhone app that can give you research for overlanding trips you might take as well as nearby trails and roads. Even free overnight car camping spots based on your location.
http://ioverlander.com/

[tlombard]

I just saw Qube tents on FB and really want one... but of course they aren't available yet and stupidly expensive for my tastes (didn't do the conversion but 325 pounds for the 4 person). I love the idea however. They set up in less than two minutes and you can zip multiple ones together via tunnels to set up your own little multi-room structure. Plus they are 7 feet tall and the four person is nearly 8'x8' which would be awesome for the lake since I don't have a camper or anything. If they weren't so dang expensive, and actually available to purchase already, I would love to have a few of those to throw up on my lot at the lake for camping instead of having everybody bring their own tents and such. I have a great spot on the lot where we could throw a few together and have a great setup.

Why is all the cool stuff so freaking expensive!!! I just can't bring myself to invest in multiple Qubes at that price and just one is pretty much worthless on it's own when a normal tent is so much cheaper.

[Swirls]

I just saw Qube tents on FB and really want one... but of course they aren't available yet and stupidly expensive for my tastes (didn't do the conversion but 325 pounds for the 4 person). I love the idea however. They set up in less than two minutes and you can zip multiple ones together via tunnels to set up your own little multi-room structure. Plus they are 7 feet tall and the four person is nearly 8'x8' which would be awesome for the lake since I don't have a camper or anything. If they weren't so dang expensive, and actually available to purchase already, I would love to have a few of those to throw up on my lot at the lake for camping instead of having everybody bring their own tents and such. I have a great spot on the lot where we could throw a few together and have a great setup.

Why is all the cool stuff so freaking expensive!!! I just can't bring myself to invest in multiple Qubes at that price and just one is pretty much worthless on it's own when a normal tent is so much cheaper.

Just get the UEV-440: