1/17/2011 Pic 'o the day! Juicin' it up!

Today's pics are not pretty. But oh how I cannot wait to reap the fruits of my labor tomorrow! I ended up making carrot-orange-melon juice!

Wrapping up a busy day. Time to enjoy a Vicious brew from North Peak, brewed in Traverse City.

I also spent a little time this evening looking into a small remote control helicopter. Kind of like this one:

You know, just for fun!

Hope you enjoy this week!

-J

1-13-2011 Pic 'o the day!

Today shall be ode to my KleanKanteen. The Pic 'o the day is of my blue KleanKanteen, which I found on the side of the road. I guess you could say that I was borrowing it from something. However a few weeks ago it was returned. While spudding a hole to spear fish through my baby blue fell out of my bag and into the drink! My brother and I just looked at it for two or three hours while we waited for fish to come. The depth of the water was far too deep and the bottle was lost!

Alas, my fears of dying of thirst were quenched when Chelsea's little sister gave me a new KleanKanteen for xmas! Hurray!

You will never be forgotten... babyblue.

Enjoy the pretty weather today!

-J

1-12-2011 Pic 'o the Day!

Lookey here at this pretty little guy. I remember this summer at the Matthei Botanical Gardens when I came across him. He was content as ever just extracting his pollen, even when I hung around for a few minutes taking pics of him.

I think that sometime, soon, my pic of the day will be taken that day! Until then, enjoy some of my Summer and Fall shots!

Enjoy,

-J

1/11/2011 Photo of the day

How beautiful the open spaces of Northern Michigan. Today's Pic 'o the day is taken looking North from the northern tip of Old Baldy in Arcadia.

This was not taken today, however it is the image that I am focusing on today.

Hopefully I will get one more chance to get out here before the end of this semester; hopefully by snowshoes!

On another note:
       -We are getting a pretty decent amount of snow here in Ann Arbor today. I am not upset about that in the slightest.

Hope you all enjoy the snow and the outdoors, even if it is just standing outside and breathing in some clean air.

Take Care,

-J

Photo of the Day!

Today's shot is of my new reading material:

Michigan Blue, Dwell and National Geographic.

I believe all three to be quality reads and I will update you on any interesting things that I find in them. School is kicking my butt a little so it may be a while before you hear about them.
take care.

-J

Photo of the day 1/8/2011

We will be having a new feature on RSOC; a photo of the day (POTD)

I figured that since I am now a full-timer at law school and adventures will be at a minimum that I should keep daily content up for people. No no no this is not going to become a hodgepodge blog where I ramble, not at all! It will still remain focused on the outdoors!

So the first POTD will be:

Tada: today is the tale of two tails.

Pepper and Calvin are enjoying a lazy saturday afternoon. Lucky felines!

Enjoy your weekend,

-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

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