Escape from Walden Pond

October 20, 2014Backpack Trip ReportEmerson, John Muir, Thoreau, Vermont, Walden PondNick Gatel

The Backpacking Trip That Didn’t Happen

A while back I decided to visit Walden Pond. Not because it is wonderful wilderness and not because of Thoreau. I was going to be in Boston anyway, and Walden Pond and Thoreau are historical curiosities to me – nothing more and nothing less.

For the uninitiated, Walden Pond was the locale for the Transcendentalist Philosopher Henry David Thoreau’s experiment in self-reliance. The pond itself is not significant, but for me it ended up being quite pleasant and relaxing.

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Last Boating/Camping Trip of the Year

October 13, 2014CampingInflatable boaNick Gatel

And what an adventure it was

But before I share the adventure, clarification is needed. This was not our last camping trip of the year; it was the last trip with the boat. Joyce and I are like nomads, most of the time allowing the seasons to dictate where we will camp. Winters find us in the deserts. As winter turns to spring we mix it up; camping in both mountains and deserts. Summers are mostly spent in the mountains; and as summer turns into fall, we return mostly to the desert.

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Novara Safari Upgrades

October 10, 2014BikeNick Gatel

I DON’T KNOW WHAT I DON’T KNOW

Unlike cars, trucks, and motorcycles you really can’t order accessories from the bicycle manufacturer. There are a few exceptions like Surly or Rivendell bikes, which will sell you accessories built to fit their bikes or aftermarket accessories they have tested for fitment.

Generally bikes are like campers – a frame built by the manufacturer and most everything else is bought from vendors and bolted on by the user or the retail store selling the bike. Adding accessories is usually limited to what the aftermarket sells – meaning that accessories are not fitted to specific bike model, but are universal in design and fitment. That was our situation after purchasing our REI Novara Safari bicycles. We would need several different accessories for each bike.

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(non-backpacking) Backpacking Gear Review

September 30, 2014Backpacking Gear, CampingAlite Mayfly Chair, Big Agnes Adjustable Tarp Poles, Noah's Tarp, Tyvek GroundsheetNick Gatel

Noah’s Tarp, by Kelty
Tyvek Groundsheet, by DuPont
Adjustable Tarp Poles, by Big Agnes
Mayfly Chair, by ALite

Yes, discussing backpacking gear is still boring.

Yes, this stuff is heavy.

Yes, I bought this stuff.

No, I am not going to use it for backpacking.

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ProPride 4,000 Mile Update

September 29, 2014Camper UpgradesProPride Trailer HitchNick Gatel

We now have over 4,000 miles on the ProPride Trailer Hitch. Operation has been flawless, and with continuing practice I can hook-up, or disconnect in a matter of seconds. Considering that most of our camping trips are about 100 miles round trip, that is a lot of hitching and unhitching. The trick is to try and keep the tow vehicle lined up with the trailer, so the hitch isn’t at an angle when parking the camper.