Dusk Snowshoeing

Always look for the extra in what would otherwise be an ordinary day.

Get out there and do something.

-j

If the snow sticks...

don't let it serve as an excuse to sit inside aimlessly sucked into the television. Get off your butt and go outside. Enjoy that sweet gift from above. There are sweating children in southern states that would kill for snow!

Personally, I think that winter is the best time to test the limits of your gear and yourself. Hiking, skiing, snowboarding, biking, snowshoeing or XC-Skiing; there is no wrong choice about what to do outside this time of year!

What is your favorite snowy weather activity?

A Sunday snow trip

We awoke early Sunday morning and trodded out the door and down the road to Parker Mill Park.

This park provides beauty year-round. It offers boardwalk hiking through a typically Michigan marsh, and single-track jogging and biking trails.

There is also a nice creek that runs through the park.

This was a great way to recharge my batteries for the upcoming hectic week of midterms. I think that we will be making a trip to Barton Dam this coming weekend to celebrate the ending of midterms!

I think that this spring I am going to use Parker Mill as a place to practice slacklining. Since I have never done it this seems like a quiet, and safe place to learn with looking like a spectacle!

Time to get a little more studying done!

Oh yeah, I have an extension, in photos, of this little hike over at: http://natureshotz.blogspot.com/
Check it out please!

Have a great Sunny Day!

-J

Today's Inspiration:

I know you have all seen this picture before (if you really read the blog that is!). If you are not an avid reader well then look here for the full details!

Anyway, I love to snowshoe, and today's inspirational shot is of Chelsea snowshoeing. It inspires me to keep in shape so that we can continue to do things that we love, and also so that we can experience new things!

What kind of new things? Well: biking, rockwall climbing, slacklining and cross-country skiing to name a few!

Hope your weekend went well.

-J

Yukon Charlies 8x25 Trail Series Snowshoe

A year ago Chels and I decided that we were tired of being stagnant during the winter months.

We made of list of things we love to do in the non-snow season which included hiking, going places most others don't bother to go, and being alone outdoors. So we decided to that the only way we could do any of this was with cross-country skis or snowshoes. XC skis were a little out of the question due to the monetary investment they carry.

So snowshoes it was, now to find a place to buy them. We checked out our local outdoor sportshop and found a few upper level brands and models. We were told that the $300 pair would probably be the best ones to start with. While I do not doubt that they were a great pair, I would never spend that much to find out if I was interested in a sport. Also I do not currently have the funds for such an expenditure.

Enter the Yukon Charlie's 8x25" Trail Series Shoe.

I decided that 300 was far too much to spend on a beginner pair. So I checked out my local Dunham's, a discount sporting store that offers beginners a place to get an affordable foothold with midrange gear.

We stumbled across a few pairs by different makers and decided that we approved of the construction of the Yukon Charlie's.

They were reasonable priced at around $90. I can not be happier with them. We got the lady and men's pairs, respectively, and neither of us has had a problem with them.

They have a ratchet style strap-in system, which I have heard bad things about, however, mine have not failed yet. The straps hold steady even on long hauls with deep snow.

The 25" in model holds me above the snow with ease, I am about 5'7" and I hover around 153 pounds, and even with a pack full of camera gear, extra layers and drinks it holds me up.

The deck material looks as though it would be cheap and that it might even crack due to cold conditions, but I have had them out at and around 0 degrees F and they are still going strong.

On the whole the shoes are lightweight, quite durable, and are made of great materials.

BOTTOM LINE: I would purchase these shoes again, even as a second pair I have thought about purchasing the next size up for more powdery days. For the money you cannot beat the Yukon Charlie's Trail Series. You will not be disappointed by any aspect of these.


If you are looking into getting in to the sport/ hobby of snowshoeing, or if you are just looking for a cheaper alternative to the overpriced models and versions I suggest you check out the Yukon Charlie's, they will take you wherever you want to go!

Enjoy the out of doors,

-j

<<<< lookey here! I found a package for a great deal for you! Check 'em!

Happy Guy!

Look at this happy guy on the trail!

Out there on the trail, where I  belong!

First Ascent- Little Tahoma

Eddie Bauer claims that this simple little pack is perfect for trekking or town, so I decided to put it to the test.

I got this bag around the Winter Holidays last year as a little Christmas gift to myself.

My initial trials with the Tahoma were in some frigid temps and pretty harsh conditions while on a few snowshoeing hikes.

The bag proved itself in the snow and has since proven itself in a variety of conditions and scenarios including kayak trips, hiking, jaunts into town, school bag, weekend clothes bag, biking to work bag, shopping bag and camera bag.

As with all things the Tahoma has appealing features and a few negatives.

This thing has multiple tool straps on the front which offer various ways of attaching extra items. It also has two compression straps on each side, with clips, that serve as compression straps and also aid in holding water bottles in the shallow side pockets.

The top-load feature of the large main compartment in placed in a neutral spot that allows easy access for you or a partner. While inside the main compartment you will find a hand feature, a mess pouch to keep necessaries out of the hodgepodge of the large compartment.

A quick access zipper on the top offers enough space to hold a wallet, some keys, your phone and a pocket digital cam. Lower down the pack there are two side-entrance pockets that are much roomier than they first appear. They come in very handy for holding flashlights, meal bars, tools, knives and other implements that are require quick access.

Ripstop construction assures a long life for the pack as well.

The back board does not offer much support, however in this case the flexibility of it does not take away from the pack overall. The limp back support actually helps to conform to the back, and offers a comfortable fit no matter the load, that is if the straps and compression adjustments have been made.

Little Tahoma does have accommodations for a hydration system or a laptop.

The negatives of this pack are not terrible, but they are worth mentioning:
     -Shallow water bottle pockets, while bottles fit they often fall out if not strapped in.
     -Non-waterproof zippers/ material. Not a biggie for a school bag, or a travel pack, but would have been nice on a few trips.
     -No hanger hooks for the water bladder (this causes folds in the bladder and your supply can be cut off temporally.

Overall this is a good entry level bag it also works well as a school bag or a traveling bag. It has all of the techy features that bag lovers could seek without being bulky or too heavy.

I would both buy it again, and recommend it to a friend.

In fact I bought one for C. Bromley. She loves it and will be adding her own review soon.

Take care.

-J

What I am feelin' right now

I am on vacation and thinking about things that are perfect.

1. Things that are frozen.

2. Snowshoeing

3. Deer Hunting.

4. Travel Battlewagons. (If you have one for sale please let me know)

5. Cat superheroes

6. Walking on the beach with my beautiful companion.

7. Oberon, 'nuff said.

8. Lake Michigan... all of the time.

To round out the list I will say that I am also thinking about bonfires, hiking, fly-fishing, playing with the giant Frisbee, golf, naps, biking and techy-gadgets.

And as always: http://www.michigan.org/ . Gosh I love those ads, and Tim Allen's voice in them, the lifestyle they portray (minus the Detroit parts) and everything that they stand for. Good job Michigan.

Also I have now reached my decision. I am going to be buying the Ipad, my reasoning is that I am getting rid of the smartphone and I would still like to be able to connect at times. I did the calculations and it will be cheaper on the whole to just get the Ipad and drop the smartphone! So, time to save my nickels!

On other good news, E-Force is letting me re-up my sponsorship, that means new racquets! hoot!

Time to get out of the house and explore, be back in a while, days, maybe a week, maybe only a few hours, you will hear from me though...

Enjoy the weather.

-J

Oh right, forgot, be prepared for the Go to Series reviews coming soon! 

Follow me on twitter: randomstreamoc , look at me getting all hip!