Using a Compass

Although the books and Youtube videos all say that the Appalachian trail is well marked and that it would take an idiot to get lost on it, I find the thought of hiking 2,000 plus miles without a map and compass a bit foolish.
So, I bought a compass and watched a few Youtube videos on how to use it.
Ya, right.
This is not something I feel comfortable relying on the Internet for, though many people believe that if it's on the Internet, it must be true.
With that in mind, I have signed up for a one day class in October through REI on how to use a compass and map.
Might be fun.  Might be daunting.
Couldn't hurt.

Self Publishing

So, in an effort to get all of my writing in one place and saved on a computer, I have started using Createspace.
Createspace, is a free self publishing page by Amazon that will publish books on demand.  They get most of the royalties, but I keep possession of my writing and can republish anywhere later.
My reasoning?
When I wrote Contending for the Faith in 1996, I saved it to a 3.5 inch floppy disc on Word 96.  Then, computers changed, my old one died and the new ones didn't support the floppy disc anymore.  So, I used a friend's computer to resave my work onto a CD.  This has happened with many of my files over many years.
Now, I have learned that while electronic media is great for saving files, it sucks keeping up with the latest technology.  So, by self publishing, which costs me nothing, my work is saved on a data base that I don't have to necessarily keep track of .
I will continue to update my files of course, but if I miss something, at least I know I can order a book and have a copy anytime.
Pretty smart eh?

Hiking Boots

Fahgetaboutit.  The big, heavy, unbreathable hiking boots are unnecessary when backpacking with a light load.
Tennis shoes are the way to go.  They are light and breathable and they dry quickly.  The US Army, and you KNOW you can trust them, ha,ha, did a study and learned that every pound of weight one carries in their shoes equals 6 pounds on the back.
I can attest to the difference in speed and agility.  I have a pair of hiking boots.  Not the huge clumpers, but high top boots.  They are heavy and I do clomp in them.  In my tennis shoes, I can walk farther without fatiguing so fast, and they breath so my feet don't sweat so much, and I haven't even had an inkling of a blister, though the shoes are new.
As for ankle reinforcement, just a wrap of athletic tape does the trick, and, it's breathable and can be replaced.
Such a deal!

2013 Family Reunion

 

 

A motley crew we look like here in Hobie's front yard after a couple hours together.  I was happy to finally see some family I had not even met yet, and others who have been away too many years.

It seems that it isn't that hard to get most of the family together for a gathering and, I hope we don't wait another 16 years to do it again.

Thanks to all who participated and a special thanks to Shannon who was under the weather, Hobie who cleaned his pool, and his lovely daughters who babysat the many little ones present.

 

 

 

Hiking every Day

Took a hike today on Lily Lizard trail.  Very pretty and a bit steep.  Steep enough for me to feel winded.

There's a lake about 5 miles up this trail where I read that one can camp.  Don't know that I'll make it this year for an overnighter, but next year for sure.
There is a burn-ban in effect right now even though it is very green here.  I guess the fires on the east side are eating up resources here so they don't want to take any chances.  So, I wouldn't be able to have a camp fire or even use my nifty stove.  Ah well.

Here's a cool tree I walked past.  Made me wonder what it was growing around to get that shape.
Tomorrow I will hike this again and hopefully get a bit farther.  I think I only did 1.5 miles one way.

The Kitchen Set Up

I finally found the cord to my camera so I can show pictures again.  Hazzah!
Here is the picture of my backpacker's kitchen.  On the left is a pot cozy I made from a YouTube video out of one of those car window reflector things and duct tape.  I love duct tape.  Also, under the cup is the cat food can stove.
In the cozy is a Zip Lock bag as an example.  So, you boil your water and then take out a Zip Lock you have put your dehydrated meal in like oatmeal or pasta.  You pour the water in the bag, put the cozy lid on it and let it steep.
Vioa! You have dinner, or breakfast.  That means, ya don't have to depend on those overpriced backpacker meals ya see at REI for 8 to 10 bucks each.

Backpacking stoves

There is almost no end to the types of stoves for backpacking.  It almost made me cry.
I started with buying this folding Esbit burning stove.

Cost about 10 bucks and weighs 3.25 oz.  Not bad.
Then, I read about a homemade stove that is absolutely ingenious.  Made from a Fancy Feast cat food can with a hole punch.  Even I could do this.  Set the pan on top, put some denatured alcohol in it or an Esbit tablet and ya got fire.
Best of all, it weighs in at a paltry .3 oz.  Woot, woot!