Upcoming Reviews

Well, things have gotten very busy for me lately. I am a year from being done with law school and it feels pretty good. I am also full-swing in and internship with a local lawyer. It is taking time away from studies and being outside but I am trying my hardest to strike a proper balance. By looking at the activity on the blog it may not look like I am getting much time outdoors this summer that is totally wrong. In fact I just don't have the time to write. I have mostly been riding my bike as the hiking in this area is very bland (I attribute that to the fact that there is no real water around here).

Never fear, with fall and the fall semester coming up I will be able to write more and also get outside without sweating to death. A report released today said that July was the hottest month on record in the states, especially the Midwest. Noting saps being outside like sweltering temps.

Anywho, finals are upon me. That means that my computer time is nil for the next week. I would however, like to leave readers with a bit of an appetizer: reviews. My first and foremost goal after exams is to get some reviews out. Nothing brings people to an outdoor site like reviews, and I love helping people make key decisions with gear.

With that here are a few of the reviews to come:

Camelbak's Adventura (I know it is a women's bag)

Gerber: Gator Pro Machete

Detroit Rock Climbing: Onomonopia Hold Set

TaTaForNow

Time to get back to studying.

-J

Shots of the "Up North" trip

This year we got to go home for the 4th of July. Check out the week in pics:

Someday, this will be a daily deal.

Chelsea Marie heading north, out of Pierport.

Sure you could golf Arcadia Bluffs for a bunch of money, or you could get a much better view of them from the boat for free!

Trip home essential: Big Al's Stromboli! Adventure food!

Great way to end a day.

Must get back soon.

-J

Checking out a new trail

Last night I met up with a guy to purchase a Thule roof rack system. We chose the Maybury State Park to make the exchange. 

After helping me install it he invited me to check out the trail with his riding group. Of course I accepted, I'm not gonna drive to a trail and not give it a spin. It was a decent trail for sure. Some of the climbs were a little loose as we have not had rain in a while. 

Overall: 5 mile loop, rewarding amount of flow, more man made obstacles than I am used to, loads of hard-packed straightaways to build speed. Would definitely go back.

Here is a short video overview of the trail from youtube. (I would have put one together had I been alone, and if I had a GoPro (or something similar.))

-J

Rockwall

It's officially up. The rockwall has been climbable for about a month and a half. Honestly, I have not made a good decision for quite some time. I thoroughly enjoy scrambling around and setting new routes.

Any day now I will be getting my first shipment from "The Gang," the monthly climbing subscription from Detroit Rock Climbing Company. Check back soon for an overview and a review of the new rocks. Also, soon to come: a review of the rocks that I am currently using.

-J

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.