Last week we had such a good time camping in the mountains and enjoying perfect weather, we decided to go back again this weekend. Nothing extraordinary to report. The usual hiking and camping stuff.
The Digital Life: Music
CHANGE
Technology is changing our world at an alarming rate. But we don’t necessarily need to be alarmed. Like anything in life, change can be good or bad. Occasionally I write about technology, such as in my embracing technology post.
I decided to start posting anything technology related to a category named, The Digital Life. This will be the first one, an overview on how I am using technology with my enjoyment of music.
Camping Strategies, Planning and Activities
Some people might find it helpful to read about the strategies, planning, and activities we engage in when it comes to camping. Much of this can possibly be used for other pursuits also.
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Dometic Sunchaser Awning & Other Stuff
For us, a trailer awning is a critical piece of camping equipment. The awning extends your living space, or as it should, it limits the need to spend time inside the camper. When we are at camped, we spend most of our campsite time outside talking, cooking, working on a suntan (me), or just napping. If it is raining, you can sit under the awning staying dry and enjoying the percipitation, although the camping goal should be to spend most of the time hiking, biking, boating, or even fishing.
Nomad Camp
It was a fabulous weekend.
MOUNTAINS
Nomads move for various reasons. Pastoral nomads move their flocks for better range. Environmental nomads move for environmental reasons, usually for seasonal weather changes. For thousands of years, the native population of the desert where we live moved up canyons and into the surrounding mountains in the summer to avoid the heat.
California’s Water Nazis
What’s Up With That?
Remember the Soup Nazi in the TV series, Seinfeld? Well, we have a new soup Nazi today. It is the Water Nazis and their chant is “No water for you today.”
Unless you are an ostrich with your head in the ground, you probably know that California is in the midst of a severe long-term drought.
In Palms Springs, California and other cities you can now be a water-Nazi, or now the politically correct term, Water Watchdog.
Odyssey 4000 Tongue Jack
Are Americans getting too soft?
Are we too lazy to use a hand crank to level our trailers?
No. We are timesavers. The time it takes to level and stabilize a trailer, and reverse the procedure is better spent hiking when camping.
Like most trailers, ours came with a hand crank tongue jack. Based on past experience, I didn’t bother using it even once. Before we even purchased our Milan, I had bought an electric tongue jack – The Ultra-Fab Products, Odyssey 4000.
We had the same jack on our Niagara tent trailer, so I knew it was a great product. Once we got our newly purchased trailer home, I switched the jacks before I even unhitched the trailer.
Palm Springs Leaves Citizens ‘Holding the Bag’
What’s Up With That?
An ordinance went into effect on Jan 1, 2015 in Palm Springs that makes it illegal for stores to provide “single use” plastic bags to customers. Instead they must sell customers a plastic or paper bag at a minimum cost of 10 cents, or the customer must supply their own bag, which can be purchased at much higher price point. I can purchase large paper grocery bags with handles in bulk for a little over 3 cents each. A large grocery chain can get an even cheaper price. So where is all the extra money going?
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TorkLift Propane Lock
If you own something, somewhere out there, a person is willing and able to steal it from you. They just need the opportunity. And they want your propane tanks. Most of these thieves do not have a specific need for your propane tanks or the gas they contain. It is something they can sell. And how do I know they want your tanks?
Why Base Weight Is Important For the Backpacker
A little over a year ago I wrote that we should shit-can backpacking base weight categories. I also presented the argument that total pack weight is the most important thing and base weight was unimportant.
Actually base weight is important, in fact it is very important.
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