Hiking & Backpacking North America

I got to test the KÜHL Trekr Pants out on a recent hike that involved finding cave entrances to a cave system right in the middle of a subdivision (look for my hiking report of that on my blog). It also features UPF 50 protection, 2 snap back pockets, 2 regular front pockets, 2 zip thigh pockets, internal waist drawcord, and includes a side seam cinch within the thigh pockets which allows you to cinch up the legs to a 27″ capri. In regular pants I wear a 36″ inseam but found that 34″ inseam in hiking pants is the perfect length as I do not need them to hit the ground like my boot jeans (yes, I wear boots and jeans on almost a daily basis). I love the fact that it offers UPF 50 protection and is quick-drying because mud and water always love to find me on the trail.

We parked at the Two Bridges Trailhead and made our way to the River Trailhead via Two Bridges Trail where we took the River Trail to the Dragonfly trail. We hiked to the Dragonfly Trailhead then retraced our steps back to where the Cliffhanger Trail and Two Bridges Trail meet. Instead of heading back to the Two Bridges Trailhead, we turned right and hiked the Cliffhanger Trail to the Cliffhanger Trailhead where we called Jerry who had hiked back to the Two Bridges Trailhead to retrieve the truck. Parking is available at the Cliffhanger Trailhead, Two Bridges Trailhead, and the Cottonwoods Kings Trailhead (which is also ADA accessible).

If you have followed me for any amount of time, you know that I always have a pen and small notepad with me at all times, even (and especially) when I do longer hikes; in fact, I had one on the Appalachian Trail. Pokka Pens sent me a pack of Rite in the Rain Pens, the 5 Variety pack, Silver Pokka Jakket, Pokka Klip, Pokka Dokk, and a pack of MicroNotes. They have so many different “jakket” options (like muddy girl camo or the Thin Red Line), that it’s easy to find a pen to match your personality. Other than those two suggestions, this pen is a perfect pen for backpacking!

So after reviewing the Nomadik Subscription Box a while back and being disappointed, I was hesitant to spend my own money on the Cairn Subscription Box, but I took the plunge. Types of Items: You typically receive 3 items from the following categories (so far in each box, at least one item has been from the Food & Energy category) : I have found several items that will come in handy for upcoming camping trips and even items for my husband when he goes on FEMA missions, that I otherwise would have not known or thought about. Another dislike of the Cairn Subscription Box is that one of the 3 items always sent is some type of food or consumable item.

Dr. Forgey (the author) reached out to me asking if I would be willing to give my honest review of his new book The Prepper’s Medical Handbook; How to provide medical care when you can’t rely on anyone but yourself in exchange for a free copy of the book. Now let me start off by saying I do not consider myself a “prepper”, however, I feel a lot of prepper behaviors intertwine with the habits of backpackers, hikers, and avid outdoors people. Another thing I love about The Prepper’s Medical Handbook is that even though he is a traditional medical doctor, he lists items that can be used as alternatives along with other sources to check out. Veteran outdoor author William Forgey, M.D. is engaged in the full-time practitioner of family medicine and is a member of the board of trustees of the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers, a fellow of the Explorers Club, and a past president of the Wilderness Medical Society.

Our Christmas light show is roughly 45 minutes long this year and repeats on the hour every hour during showtimes. The best time for video is anytime during the show and the best time for pictures is the end of show intermission between shows when the lights are steady on (there will be no music being played during intermission). All in all, it was about 300 man-hours for putting up the display and Jerry spent about 150 hours programming this year’s show (thankfully most of it was already programmed from prior years shows, the biggest challenge was the new pixel mega tree). It costs us about $35 for each strand of pixel lights we have to replace and if our pixel lights are damaged due to other’s negligence we can’t just run out and buy another strand, we have to buy it online and wait 1-2 weeks for it to arrive.

For the first two weeks of this school year, the school district decided to do all virtual learning and then allow those that wanted to do in person, come back. My other three children didn’t go to college and either went to (or are planning on) going to trade schools, so we had no idea how this process worked, and with school canceled we had no one to help us navigate. that due to all those that deferred this year and will instead be starting with the 2021 class, that it would be best to apply to 8-10 colleges!!!!! What are your plans for the rest of 2020 and going into 2021?

We got up early Saturday morning and headed out to the old forgotten town of Fort McKavett, which is where Fort McKavett State Historic Site is located. As we pulled into the parking lot, we realized we were the only ones there and headed into the old hospital building which houses the museum, gift shop, research library, staff offices and restrooms. From there we headed toward the ruins of Barracks #1 which was originally built in 1852 and served as the first post hospital. We followed the back property line to make our way over to the Officer of the Day Quarters before heading over to Barracks #4 which housed Company B of the 8th U. S. Infantry Regiment in 1853.

The Carry Forward 5K is meant to put the symbolism of “carrying for” a wounded warrior, veteran, or active duty military member front and center. There are several races happening all over the country as well as a virtual race you can join if you are unable to join in on an in-person race. That is why I am so thankful for WWP and its mission to help our wounded veterans through programs like the Warrior Care Network which provides clinical care through partner medical centers, providing more than 70 hours of individualized mental health care through a 2- to 3-week program for each warrior. You can help support WWP by signing up to participate in a local or virtual race OR by donating to help me reach my goal of $500.

His wife Emile also began accepting jars of rattlesnake rattles in exchange for a drink and would then use them to create works of art that can still be seen on display at the Buckhorn Saloon to this day. The blue lighting creates a pretty cool effect, especially if you decided to order a drink from the bar at the start of your tour. I guess that’s not politically correct, they call it the sideshow area, but let’s face it you have a buzz at this point and things are starting to look really freaky. Was a pretty cool place to visit and actually wouldn’t mind going back for a second time.