Is this really January in Michigan?

Bare fields all around.

This downtube should have ice caked on it, not sticky mud...

Why am I able to cruise down these backroads without spinning out and sliding all over the place...

Something was way wrong in these pictures. January in Michigan, come on Mitten, hit me with some snow.

J

Ending 2012

Twenty-twelve was pretty jam-packed, so much so that this blog was mildly neglected. I was constantly running and trying to get as much out of each day as possible.

I built up a new mountain bike and a new commuter/ dirt road warrior, started brewing beer, survived another year of law school and built a rockwall.

Unfortunately, I did not get very many hikes in. Aside from the trip to Kentucky I think that I got 9 or 10 real hikes in. With that in mind I was determined to finish 2012 strong. That meant a trip to Old Baldy. 

In the spring I am going to bring my tripod out here to get a crisp shot of the dunes leading up to Elberta because none of my shots turned out satisfactorily.

Even though the picture quality is not perfect, the subject matter is second to none.

Osprey Daylite: C's new quick pack. Hopefully she gets to use it more in 2013!

As for goals in the new year, mine is very simple: More Everything, and make the most of everything.

Today: workout, juice, mountain bike, read for school... nap?

-J

Olympus Stylus Tough Takes the Plunge

Two years ago I bought the Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 because I wanted a camera that could handle not being treated nicely. After getting it my natural instincts kicked in and I babied it like I do all of my electronics. Though it had the capability to go in the water I never took the chance; I dreamed about it and often came to the edge of putting it in the water.

However, today I just did it. I manned up and took the first underwater shots with it. Check them out.

They are a bit fuzzy because there were so many particles in the water. Still they are pretty cool.

-J

Note: the image quality is not a true representation of the camera's ability, there was a lot of silt and sediment in the water.

Check out the newest version:

 

Winter Comes to Bear Creek

Bear Creek runs through the Spirit of the Woods Club just outside Brethren, Michigan. The sign on the road does not do justice to the beautiful network of trails and natural surroundings around the preserve. It has always been a favorite place of mine, especially in the winter.

Everything looks so peaceful after a fresh snow. I wish that I had the luxury of resting during the winter months. Sometimes I think that man has strayed too far from his natural origins. Some animals hibernate, plants allow certain parts to die off while they take a break from producing, and there is a general feeling of preservation among all things living.

The heavy, wet snow clings to everything.

All in all winter is a very introspective time for the natural world. It's too bad that humans do not get a chance to have a season of self inspection and consideration. 

Perhaps one day when I am outside of the bustling world I will be afforded the ability to take the winter off to live like an animal. I will hole up and think about spring and the things I will do when the sun comes back to breath new life into the world.

When the sun returns I will greet it with renewed strength and greater focus, just like the plants and animals.

-J

Sloppy Dirt Road Ride

Last weekend I took to the dirt roads around my apartment complex to get some fresh air and burn some calories. It was my first time taking the Novara on nasty roads. However, I felt the need to give it a go as I recently picked up a set of fenders from the garage sale at REI.

Seeing as the fenders ended up with mud on both the inside and out I am glad that I chose to wait until the bike had fenders before taking it on a muddy road. That being said, the fenders kept me, the bike and my panniers clean and dry. I was quite surprised by the amount of mud that the tires picked up as they are very mild with little to no tread.

One of the best things about dirt roads is the lack of traffic. Even if you are only a few miles out of Ann Arbor you can feel like you are worlds away.

-J

Optimus Crux

Getting ready to play with our new Optimus Crux stove. Sweet little piece. Our family knows us so well. Got almost all hiking and camping gear this year! Gotta love the holidays.

Expect new things, soon.

J

New Mora knife

In preparation for the end... sometime today, I picked up a mora knife. I have been reading about them for a while and decided to see what the Dealio is. It came in the mail the other day so I have no field time with it. But when I get out in the upcoming weeks it will tag along. I look for it to be a regular in my new quest to become bushcraft savvy.

J