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

Do ya tink he'll ever build that ting eh?

You bet your socks I will build that thing.

By now you are wondering, "What thing you talking about, eh?"

Well that would be my woodie, my indoor bouldering spot. Two weeks ago I craigslisted a tub full of brand-new holds and I am not going to let them go to waste.

I just need to sell some of the random stuff that we have hanging around our apt right now. So far so good with the sales too, we have had more visitors than the guy next door with the tinfoil on his window.

Hopefully next weekend I can find the time to pick up some wood and start framing it up.

Does anyone have suggestions as to which companies I should check for holds? I am thinking http://www.thedrcc.com/ V hangboard for sure.

Well, enough planing for now, time to draw a pic of this bad boy. Maybe you will get lucky and I'll throw it up later.

-J

New Snow and The Huron

-J

Afternoon frolic to Olson Park

Day off, that means light grocery shopping, tying up some reading for the rest of the week and a quick trip to the kiddie bouldering wall at the local park.

Hopefully in a few weeks I will be doing this in the comfort of my living room.

-J

Snowy Sunday Ride

Temps fell a little below freezing Saturday Night and made for a decent trail on Sunday. The going was hard and fast with only the occasional dip into deep unfrozen mud.

All in all, a nice afternoon of riding.

On the way back the snow fell hard, but only for ten minutes.

So far Winter in the South-Eastern part of the state has been a real letdown. It snows a little each weekend, and then the first part of the week brings mid 40's and rain; the same is forecasted for this upcoming week.

Joy.

Oh well, I am making the most of it.

I would really like to hit up a climbing wall/ climbing gym sometime soon. As with most things, money and time will dictate my ability to do that. Hopefully soon.

The goal for this week is to throw up an overview of new gear/ gear to test. I have a bit more than I thought, not that that is a bad thing; I love new gear.

Happy Monday guys!

-J