It's hot, I have to get outdoors

Ann Arbor has been cooking. I am talking about nearing triple digits. Kill me now! As much as this kind of weather makes me want to just lay down and nap in the air-conditioning I need to stay in shape. My method of choice is currently mountain biking. Yesterday I braved the nasty weather in order to stave off a major case of the fatties.

Feelings: loving the new fork, lid is keeping my head safe and cool, my hydration pak is in shambles after a nasty run-in with a tree (will definitely need some skilled sewing) all in all it was a good ride.

-J

Go fly a kite

We made an impromptu stop to check out Silver Lake Sand Dunes last weekend. (post coming soon) After hiking for a bit we followed the shore of Silver Lake to the Little Sable Lighthouse. 

When we got there the sky was dappled with kites. Not the kind you get at the dollar store. I am talking about the kind that drag you through the water on a wakeboard! 

I have wanted to get into this sport for a while now but because school eats most of my time and money it is a sport best saved for a few years down the road. That does not mean that I can't lust over the awesomeness of this sport. Water, waves and flying through the air... I am down.

Soon friends, soon,

-J

Morning at Gallup Park

Sunday morning we took a stroll through Gallup Park on the East side of Ann Arbor. Though the Huron River is not much more than a slow-moving oligotrophic lake, the critters and the landscape offered a welcomed reprieve from being in town.

Cumberland Falls

Believe it or not, I leave The Mitten from time to time. I do so reluctantly, but I usually end up enjoying myself. Recently, we took a quick trip south of the Mason-Dixon line. I am talking about Corbin, Kentucky. What a random place hey? The focus of the trip was Cumberland Falls State Park within the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Thanks to Groupon we got a smashing deal on a few nights at the state run lodge that overlooked the Cumberland River. 

The GPS lead us through the flat farmlands of Ohio and the rolling pastures of Kentucky to Corbin Kentucky. From Corbin we followed two-lane roads with very small shoulders upward. We continued upward for miles; miles of climb and turn, climb and turn. Just when it seemed as if we could not climb higher without paying a toll to St. Peter we came upon the Lodge.

The Kentucky Parks Department apparently runs several lodges throughout the state, kind of a cool concept. This particular one is perched atop the mountain with a balcony and restaurant that offer panoramic views of the lower country.

By far the best thing about the lodge was that all of the hiking trails started right out the back door. From there you could access the network of trails that lead to Cumberland Falls and all of its subsidiary trails.

Here are some of the shots of leg one of the hike:

Perfect Section of trail.

Chelsea, acting as a reference point for the grandeur of the rocks.

This bridge leads to the network of trails on the other side of the river, the subject of my next post.

Just say no to gas station coffee! (JetBoil Coffee Press Review)

I have lived the following scenario a thousand times, and if you are a hiker/ nature lover/ outdoorsperson I am sure that you are familiar as well:

You get up, grab your prepacked day bag and get out of the house with little time to spare. You are on a mission; you want to see the sun rise from your favorite trail or secret location. Due to last night's antics you find yourself desperately in need of some fast fuel. You are now at the gas station crossroads: fizzy "energy supplement" or mass-made piss-poor drip-coffee? Beside the fact that stopping at the gas station will steal time from your morning excursion your choices at this point are less than appealing. Either choice is bound to leave you feeling unsatisfied and will most likely wreak havoc on your insides. You make the choice, and grudgingly sip it all the way to the trailhead. You zip to your sunrise spot, watch it, and then head straight home because something in your stomach beckons to be released in some shape or form...by any and all means.

Like I said, this has happened to me on numerous occasions. However, I am happy to say that this will no longer be the case as I have found the answer. Yes my friends, there is a savior, and it comes in the form of the JetBoil Coffee Press. 

The unit is very simple. It works just like a regular press: bring the water to a boil in your JetBoil, take it off the pack-stove, add your preferred grounds, put the press on, steep for 3 to 5 minutes, press, pour and enjoy the sunrise the way it was supposed to be enjoyed.

When you are done using it you can just disassemble and store it in the JetBoil for the return trip. However, don't be surprised if the coffee on the trail doesn't wake that adventurous spirit that was slumbering due to poor gas station coffees. You may find that your little hike will turn into a day full of bounding and hiking across the countryside. 

It is amazing what the proper fuel and mindset can do for you.

-J

It is official, well many things are official as of now. The first being that this is officially the longest period of times between successive blogs. (Totally sorry dudes.) Secondly, it is official that I am halfway done with law school. Thirdly, it is official that I have an internship with a law firm for the Summer. (I am very lucky and excited for the opportunity) Finally, it is official that rockwall construction is underway.

Regarding the latter, I have most of the cuts complete and once I pick up two more 9' boards the diagonal braces will be set. From there the rest should come together relatively quickly, as time allows that is. I am optimistic.

So what is it that kept me away from this thing for so long? Well, a number of things actually. School and final exams being the biggest. However, I still reserved a bit of time each week to do some me things. Usually that would involve blogging, but I chose to mountain bike instead. It is really growing on me. My bike still needs a few pieces to make it acceptable, but I will keep riding it as is until $$$ flows in to make the adjustments.

I have a load of reviews that need to be finished, edited and posted, but my time is getting kind of precious and I am trying to spend more of it doing things and not playing on the web. I have also been reading more. Not only do I have a pillar of outdoor themed books but my magazine subscriptions have been gathering in mogul sized heaps around the office. I do have a question for those who enjoy working with plants/ conservation/ green living: have you ever checked out Urban Farm Magazine? Since I like in the world of the urban right now I feel like a subscription may help me retain my sanity.

 Things will fall into rhythm and balance once school starts again. Only when I have the pressures of deadlines and commitment to others do I respect how precious my "me" time is.

Speaking of, it is time for me to get some stuff done. Due to my recent busy-ness many of my things have fallen by the wayside and need tending to. I hope you all have great weekends. Expect to hear from me soon.

-J

Bounty

School has become more hectic, and I have been spending much more time outdoors lately so I have not been as diligent writing as I have been in the past.

Spring is slowly moving into the area and the smell of thawing soil abounds.

This time of year is usually not my favorite, but after that poor excuse of a winter I welcome the ability to actually have a season that does as it is supposed to.

On another note, I made my weekly trip to the REI Garage Sale yesterday and scored MAJOR!

New Smartwool socks; AND

A sweet JetBoil mug and canister stand for super cheap!

You've gotta love hitting it big on their garage sale!

Happy Saturday, go do something!

-J