This is the beautiful north-facing view of the valley in The Arboretum in Ann Arbor. If you have time to kill; an afternoon, an hour or even a whole day, you should check this place out. Great refuge from the surrounding areas.
-J
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Pic of the day:
This is the beautiful north-facing view of the valley in The Arboretum in Ann Arbor. If you have time to kill; an afternoon, an hour or even a whole day, you should check this place out. Great refuge from the surrounding areas.
-J
The Holiday List
Are you looking of the right gift for that person on your list who kind of has everything? Or the person that does outdoorsy things? Those type of people hard to buy for, I should know.
Fear not gift givers, I have a solution; I will amass a list for you to peruse and select the perfect gift that that type of person. The monetary range varies so you will be able to find just what you are looking for.
Let's start with some gear: I suggest a pair of snowshoes if you live in a snowy clime. They are a great way to get out and see things that most other people don't get to. Trails are difficult to walk in when the powder is up to your knee, strap some of these on and that will be no problem. One of the best things about snowshoes is that there is little to no learning curve: open the present, strap them on and start exploring. Great gift to keep families active during the winter. This is the pair that I have, and I really enjoy them:
A good jacket: You cannot go wrong when you get someone a jacket. I prefer versatility and function, that is why I that buying a combo jacket is the best way to go. I am talking about a shell and some sort of fleece/ vest that zips inside. This one is a good place to start looking:
Base layer, base layer, base layer: There are many brands that make an equal amount of claims about the superiority of their base layering. However, I prefer a base layer that has a bit of a compression factor to it. I feel that the compression feature makes me feel like I am performing better. It rarely bunches up and feels like it wicks moisture very well.
The first set that I got were Under Armour, and I still use them. Great produce and fairly easy to find in the run-of-the-mill sports shop:
Gloves/ Mittens: Let's lump these together because you are looking for the same qualities in either. Gloves are a great gift because, like socks, everyone could always use another pair.
You want gloves that are waterproof and well insulated without inhibiting the mobility of the hands. (I am picturing the younger brother from Christmas Story)
This is a nice pair of heavy-duty gloves:
Hats: I personally prefer a headband, it helps to keep your body temp from getting too high while doing things. For activities that don't require a lot of movement something like this is just perfect:
Goggles: The type of activities that your gift receiver does will have a great bearing on what kind of goggles they will like.
For the avid skier/ snowboarder a nice high-end pair with wide panoramic lenses are the best.
For the snowshoer/ cross-country skier/ hiker:
Daybag: Everyone on your shopping list could use a daybag. Photographers, hikers, students, bikers, anyone. When looking for a daybag, I suggest a capacity of 35 liters or less, stretchy, mesh side pockets to carry drinks, wide array of compartments and pockets, a chest strap and a bright color for visibility.
A few suitable pics:
Stove: A light, backpacking style stove is a nice addition to any collection. They are great to make a nice cup of coffee or tea when you need a break, or to heat up some ramen.
Cup: A stove will not do you too much good without something to heat the water in. A simple aluminum cup will do the trick. If you can find one with a looped handle that is best as you can hang it off your pack to cool when you are done.
Well, this should get you started thinking about the kinds of things to buy the outdoorsy type. Of course, if they are into something specific like biking, climbing, kayaking or some other sport where components are hard to gauge and choose, it may be just at nice to get them a gift card or cash to pick out their own stuff.
Have a happy holiday season!
-J
Fear not gift givers, I have a solution; I will amass a list for you to peruse and select the perfect gift that that type of person. The monetary range varies so you will be able to find just what you are looking for.
Let's start with some gear: I suggest a pair of snowshoes if you live in a snowy clime. They are a great way to get out and see things that most other people don't get to. Trails are difficult to walk in when the powder is up to your knee, strap some of these on and that will be no problem. One of the best things about snowshoes is that there is little to no learning curve: open the present, strap them on and start exploring. Great gift to keep families active during the winter. This is the pair that I have, and I really enjoy them:
A good jacket: You cannot go wrong when you get someone a jacket. I prefer versatility and function, that is why I that buying a combo jacket is the best way to go. I am talking about a shell and some sort of fleece/ vest that zips inside. This one is a good place to start looking:
Jackets like this are great because they offer the perfect solution to whatever mother nature decides to throw at you.
Base layer, base layer, base layer: There are many brands that make an equal amount of claims about the superiority of their base layering. However, I prefer a base layer that has a bit of a compression factor to it. I feel that the compression feature makes me feel like I am performing better. It rarely bunches up and feels like it wicks moisture very well.
The first set that I got were Under Armour, and I still use them. Great produce and fairly easy to find in the run-of-the-mill sports shop:
Gloves/ Mittens: Let's lump these together because you are looking for the same qualities in either. Gloves are a great gift because, like socks, everyone could always use another pair.
You want gloves that are waterproof and well insulated without inhibiting the mobility of the hands. (I am picturing the younger brother from Christmas Story)
This is a nice pair of heavy-duty gloves:
Waterproof and insulated without being too bulky.
Good pair of waterproof softshells: more dexterity, less insulation.
Here we have a great pair of mittens, nothing fancy to look at, but they will definitely keep your fingers warm:
Hats: I personally prefer a headband, it helps to keep your body temp from getting too high while doing things. For activities that don't require a lot of movement something like this is just perfect:
Great concept, nice protection around the ears and a thin layer to keep the top of the head protected from the elements.
Goggles: The type of activities that your gift receiver does will have a great bearing on what kind of goggles they will like.
For the avid skier/ snowboarder a nice high-end pair with wide panoramic lenses are the best.
For the snowshoer/ cross-country skier/ hiker:
Daybag: Everyone on your shopping list could use a daybag. Photographers, hikers, students, bikers, anyone. When looking for a daybag, I suggest a capacity of 35 liters or less, stretchy, mesh side pockets to carry drinks, wide array of compartments and pockets, a chest strap and a bright color for visibility.
A few suitable pics:
Stove: A light, backpacking style stove is a nice addition to any collection. They are great to make a nice cup of coffee or tea when you need a break, or to heat up some ramen.
Cup: A stove will not do you too much good without something to heat the water in. A simple aluminum cup will do the trick. If you can find one with a looped handle that is best as you can hang it off your pack to cool when you are done.
Well, this should get you started thinking about the kinds of things to buy the outdoorsy type. Of course, if they are into something specific like biking, climbing, kayaking or some other sport where components are hard to gauge and choose, it may be just at nice to get them a gift card or cash to pick out their own stuff.
Have a happy holiday season!
-J
Thursday, November 3, 2011
New Addiction
We love the outdoors. We love gear, and we love Deals!
Wait, what's that you say, there is a sweet website that combines all of these things?
Holy cow!
Check out http://www.cleansnipe.com/
It rounds up deals that have time limits and gives you a crack at them. The items are usually on half hour timers, when the quantity runs out, or when the time is up, a new items pops up!
Give is a go, you will love it.
-J
Bugagloves Pics
While the weather does not quite warrant using these sweet gloves yet, I thought that I would at least show you how cool they are:
I love the Sci-Fi feeling of the glowing insignia!
Fall at Sleeping Bear
Named America's Most Beautiful Place (something that Michiganders have known for a long time) by Good Morning America, Sleeping Bear Dunes is one of Michigan's most unique assets.
In beauty, I think that it is only rivaled by Pictured Rocks in the UP.
Though the park offers a seemingly endless amount of hiking trails, most people catch glimpses of its beauty wile on the Pierce-Stocking drive. This is a great way to see a good portion of the area and economize your time. I have amassed some pictures from the Pierce-Stocking drive as well as the surrounding area.
You can clearly see the beauty of the park even on a gloomy fall day.
Enjoy:
In beauty, I think that it is only rivaled by Pictured Rocks in the UP.
Though the park offers a seemingly endless amount of hiking trails, most people catch glimpses of its beauty wile on the Pierce-Stocking drive. This is a great way to see a good portion of the area and economize your time. I have amassed some pictures from the Pierce-Stocking drive as well as the surrounding area.
You can clearly see the beauty of the park even on a gloomy fall day.
Enjoy:
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Many New Things
Last week, my much awaited Columbia Bugagloves arrived. Right now the weather is not cold enough to justify turning on the battery pack. But as the nightly lows continue a downward pattern my excitement is growing.
Expect a full-fledged review soon after the first snow; oh heck, if the weather gets cold enough and I have some spare time I should probably do an overview of the features before then.
The day after those got here I was getting some pictures of the local Moosejaw when I found a pair of FiveFingers that were at such a good price that it was ridiculous not to pic them up. Wore them three days this week. When you have them on things come at you in a different way. For example; the first day wearing them it rained. Upon my arrival at school, I had to make a conscious effort not to step in the deep muddy spots where my Keen shoes would keep me dry. I feel a little more grounded in them, my feet get a chance to stretch under my weight and exercise muscles that are usually aided by the confines of the modern shoe.
Still doing daily workouts on the Metolious Rock Rings. I think that I may make a trip to the climbing gym before my finals, just to see how it is. I will surely have the strength; hopefully the skill comes right along.
Working on some pieces for the Grand Traverse Mountain Bike Association, The Awesome Mitten and HikeMichigan.org. Very excited to be working with all of these people!
Putting together a story about Sleeping Bear Dunes in the late fall. Would you like a preview pic? Ok:
Beauty.
Time to get on that pile of books that needs to be read.
Enjoy what looks like it will be a beautiful day!
-J
Monday, October 24, 2011
Beer Review: Founder's Centennial IPA
(Check out that sweet Love(Micghigan) glass!)
I believe that everyday should be IPA day.
That being said, let's dive into Founder's Centennial IPA.
This beer has recently popped up on my radar as an easy drinking IPA that has a multitude of complexities going on under the foam.
The pour of Centennial produces a light copper beer that is clearly unfiltered (being unfiltered really adds to the grainy texture).
As you pour you will definitely notice a piney scent mixed with hints of citrus. Once in the mouth the pine flavor expands across the pallet, you will also notice that the citrus is clearly lemon which helps the beer to finish with a very specific crispness.
The bitterness of the hops is slightly sweetened by toasty malts.
I generally prefer my IPA to really blast my mouth with carbonation; however, the mellow amount of carbonation of the Centennial is refreshing.
If you are looking for a crisp IPA that is as good with a hearty meal as it is by itself, then I would pick up a sixer of Founder's Centennial IPA.
Let me know what you think of it when you do.
-J
(Check out the last review:New Holland: Ichabod)
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