We are not gear geeks but there are a few things we can’t do without. We are always ready to share our recommendations for stuff that is fun, unique and convenient. We will also share a few of our own inventions.
Gear
Pack Boat
Last year we bought a solo canoe called a Pack Boat. We bought it from Swift Canoe. My cousin Cindy has had a Pack Boat for a few years and told us just how great they are to paddle. She is a photographer so it is perfect – so stealthy. Cindy is featured in a . . . Read More about Pack Boat
Sealine Backpacks not Recommended
Sadly, our SealLine packs have become one of the very few camping purchases we can’t recommend. We were so excited when we purchased our new dry packs. We use them for camping and also for backpacking into our cabin in the winter. It is nice to know that our stuff will be dry even in . . . Read More about Sealine Backpacks not Recommended
New Barrels
Five minutes into my first trip with our new red barrels and someone stopped to ask where we got them. We have always had a yellow Eureka barrel. We liked it because it wasn’t blue like all the other barrels out there. But after years of trips and wear & tear, including handle replacement, we . . . Read More about New Barrels
My New Favorite Mug
I received a new Yeti mug as a birthday gift from our long time canoe partners. It was birthday #60 this year. I love the mug. Such a great gift because I would never have bought it for myself. It is comfortable, and it keeps coffee warm a long time. The wide base is great . . . Read More about My New Favorite Mug
Wheat Straw Plastic
We had to give up the plates the mice chewed. We did a lot of research and settled on wheat straw plastic. I had never heard of wheat straw plastic. It is a plastic that is entirely biodegradable and requires less energy to produce. It is perfect for camping because it is very light. This . . . Read More about Wheat Straw Plastic
Mice and Gear
Mice Love Silicone We camped on Site #5 on Spider Lake where we found a bunch of very friendly and active mice. At the campfire they kept climbing my leg. In the morning we discovered they had been in to our ‘kitchen’ backpack and chewed our silicone plates – new plates on their second trip. . . . Read More about Mice and Gear
Creepy Keen Story
I was sitting on the dock with a group of friends talking about how we are all now wearing Keen sandals. I mentioned that I should have bought the ‘tie-dye’ Keens I saw last year because I have been thinking about them ever since. I got home that night and there on Facebook was an . . . Read More about Creepy Keen Story
BioLite Camp Stove
I have never liked starting our stove. It is actually a great stove, but the fuel makes me nervous. It’s an Optimus Nova Multi Fuel stove we purchased from Wild Rock Outfitters. It has worked well for years – no problems. It is light and folds up so it doesn’t take up much space at . . . Read More about BioLite Camp Stove
Saws are Best
According to most camping guides, you don’t want to take an axe into the forest because it is dangerous. I once saw a group of kids chopping wood in bare feet – YIKES. We also had a family member cut the tip of her finger off with a hatchet, luckily, they were only one portage away . . . Read More about Saws are Best
Barrel Organization
Things have been busy lately and I haven’t been blogging. But after canoeing this weekend with new gear, I just had to post. It is always so exciting when new gear works out. We recently picked up a barrel cooler and two barrel buckets from Recreational Barrel Works. They worked so well! We have been saying . . . Read More about Barrel Organization