Outdoor Thread
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- Barely_Oakely
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Re: Outdoor Thread
I just bought my permits for a trip into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area - a beautiful chunk of wilderness on the Canadian Border in Minnesota that's remained largely unmolested for the last 70 years. If any of you are familiar, I'm going into Snowbank, up to Thomas, and back down the 4, 3, 2, 1 chain - about 35 miles.
One of my best friends is a Navy Seal and he's got some leave in June and he said he wanted to do something awesome that wouldn't remind him of the desert at all. I think this should do the trick.
One of my best friends is a Navy Seal and he's got some leave in June and he said he wanted to do something awesome that wouldn't remind him of the desert at all. I think this should do the trick.
"Allman Brother's up and windows down." LB3
- Given to Fly
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Re: Outdoor Thread
Barely_Oakely wrote:I just bought my permits for a trip into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area - a beautiful chunk of wilderness on the Canadian Border in Minnesota that's remained largely unmolested for the last 70 years. If any of you are familiar, I'm going into Snowbank, up to Thomas, and back down the 4, 3, 2, 1 chain - about 35 miles.
One of my best friends is a Navy Seal and he's got some leave in June and he said he wanted to do something awesome that wouldn't remind him of the desert at all. I think this should do the trick.
I did this about 20 years ago. Not sure where we went exactly though. We packed way too much stuff and it was just way too heavy to carry in the canoes during portaging. Two trips each time.
Pack only what you need! Are you fishing or just taking it all in? Either way, it's beautiful up there. Enjoy!
- Barely_Oakely
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Re: Outdoor Thread
We'll hit a bit of everything - I've been up there several times, but this'll be my first trip in a few years. My only question is if I want to portage in my guitar or not risk it.
"Allman Brother's up and windows down." LB3
- Given to Fly
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Re: Outdoor Thread
When we finally set up camp on day one, we hit the water to go find some dinner. 30 min later I dropped my brand new pole into the water and then proceeded to fall out of the canoe trying to retrieve it. Lost the pole, but I was able to get back into the canoe without toppling it over along with all of our gear.
One of my greatest accomplishments.
One of my greatest accomplishments.
- Barely_Oakely
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Re: Outdoor Thread
Well done! I'm bringing a pair of friends of mine from Illinois - I'll be strapping everything to the boats so if they tip we won't lose anything.
"Allman Brother's up and windows down." LB3
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Re: Outdoor Thread
I'll see if I can round up some pics from that trip. All my suff is in boxes currently.
On a side note Barely, if we ever become friends & do this trip together...don't bring the guitar.
On a side note Barely, if we ever become friends & do this trip together...don't bring the guitar.
- Barely_Oakely
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Re: Outdoor Thread
Hehe - Maybe I'll bring my mandolin, it'll portage easier.
"Allman Brother's up and windows down." LB3
- Barely_Oakely
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Re: Outdoor Thread
I just bought a new pack over the weekend. A portage pack by Frost River Packs out of Duluth, MN. https://www.frostriver.com/shop/old-no-7-pack/
I've always had packs made by "Duluth Pack," but I talked with the folks at Frost River and I guess that when Duluth Pack went under new management they cut some corners and sacked a few of the old timers. Those folks wanted to keep making high end packs, so they founded Frost River. Putting it next to some of my old portage packs this thing is killer. Tough waxed canvas construction, heavy duty rivets on everything and a lifetime warranty. Their business model alone has made a returning customer out of me. I'll probably end up picking up one smaller day pack and then a larger portage pack over the next few years.
I've always had packs made by "Duluth Pack," but I talked with the folks at Frost River and I guess that when Duluth Pack went under new management they cut some corners and sacked a few of the old timers. Those folks wanted to keep making high end packs, so they founded Frost River. Putting it next to some of my old portage packs this thing is killer. Tough waxed canvas construction, heavy duty rivets on everything and a lifetime warranty. Their business model alone has made a returning customer out of me. I'll probably end up picking up one smaller day pack and then a larger portage pack over the next few years.
"Allman Brother's up and windows down." LB3
- ramonz
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Re: Outdoor Thread
Last year was the 20th anniversary of a kayaking/canoeing trip a buddy and I take. Haven't missed a year since we started in 1993. Went from talking about girlfriends/getting laid/work stuff.....to wives/not getting laid/work/kids stuff. Same drunkenness around the campfire, laughing and reminiscing. Really good stuff. We have pics from all 20 years, and vid/pics from the last 10 or so. He has steel trap memory, and recalls every river (mostly in WV, VA, and NC), big rapid, camp spot, etc. since we started.
Any ideas on the best way to "archive" it? Could do a book, but then no vids. Could do something online, but then nothing fun to lazily thumb through. What do you guys do when you want to combine all the elements? Thanks.
Any ideas on the best way to "archive" it? Could do a book, but then no vids. Could do something online, but then nothing fun to lazily thumb through. What do you guys do when you want to combine all the elements? Thanks.
Re: Outdoor Thread
Barely_Oakely wrote:I just bought a new pack over the weekend. A portage pack by Frost River Packs out of Duluth, MN. https://www.frostriver.com/shop/old-no-7-pack/
That is one freaking awesome pack. That makes me want to wear wool and cook on cast iron. And bust out some sweet whittling.
ramonz wrote:Any ideas on the best way to "archive" it? Could do a book, but then no vids. Could do something online, but then nothing fun to lazily thumb through. What do you guys do when you want to combine all the elements? Thanks.
I'm sure there are better options, but when we do a road trip with the Alaska family or something like that that needs documenting (particularly since having kids) we usually pull together one of the photo books you can make on IPhoto. Basically sort through, crop and edit your photos, plug them into one of templates, add text, maps, etc. Boom. Then we order up a few for grandparents and the like. We keep ours fairly simple and I think they run about $20 each. Like I said: I'm sure there are better and cheaper options that don't come with the Apple price tag.
Seems like it would be pretty easy to edit up a CD of videos and such to go with it. Cheaper option would be to put pictures and everything on a CD, but then you don't have the physical book to thumb through.
I've already got a paddle trip on the calendar for the end of April. I got on the water quite a bit last year. Last trip was Halloween weekend and still I'm already itching to get back out.
Beebs is not a ragey man
- Barely_Oakely
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Re: Outdoor Thread
ramonz wrote:Any ideas on the best way to "archive" it? Could do a book, but then no vids. Could do something online, but then nothing fun to lazily thumb through. What do you guys do when you want to combine all the elements? Thanks.
Personally, I'm a fan of books. It'd be bad ass to do one of those apple books for every year, or groups of years (1993-1995, etc), almost like a yearbook of shenanigans.
That said, the internet would be the best way to do the videos, I think. If you could put everything together chronologically, it's be cool to be able to scroll through the evolution of your trip. Scanned photos from the 90's, then the first digital photos, then videos and iphone pics. Do a cool write up of every year with maps and such. That'd make a good read.
"Allman Brother's up and windows down." LB3
Re: Outdoor Thread
I definitely don't document nearly as much as I would like to. It makes me glad I got rid of my last smartphone and it's terrible camera.
My new toy for 2014:
My new toy for 2014:
- bovine knievel
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Re: Outdoor Thread
Iowan wrote:I definitely don't document nearly as much as I would like to. It makes me glad I got rid of my last smartphone and it's terrible camera.
My new toy for 2014:
^^^^^^
awesome!
I bought this last summer.
“Excited people get on daddy’s nerves.” - M. Cooley
Re: Outdoor Thread
Nice! Is that one of the models designed for easier fishing?
- bovine knievel
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Re: Outdoor Thread
Iowan wrote:Nice! Is that one of the models designed for easier fishing?
yea, it is supposed to make it easier to fish but it is really only that they raised the seat up about 4 inches. At first I thought it would make it top heavy but that hasn't been the case. The cool thing about it is that I can slide the seat all the way back (or remove it altogether) and use it like a SUP. This boat is super stable.
“Excited people get on daddy’s nerves.” - M. Cooley
- Barely_Oakely
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Re: Outdoor Thread
Iowan wrote:My new toy for 2014:
One of them canoes for people without friends?
Just fuckin with ya
"Allman Brother's up and windows down." LB3
Re: Outdoor Thread
Barely_Oakely wrote:Iowan wrote:My new toy for 2014:
One of them canoes for people without friends?
Just fuckin with ya
I've got a 20 year old Alumacraft sitting out behind the garage.
My old man and I shared my first beer in it on the Upper Iowa.
- Barely_Oakely
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Re: Outdoor Thread
Boats are damn good for memories, that's for sure.
"Allman Brother's up and windows down." LB3
Re: Outdoor Thread
Beaver Creek Valley, Caledonia MN
Beaver Creek
Downtown Decorah, IA (home of Toppling Goliath) from the top of Palisades
Base of the Palisades
Mrs. Iowan looking up at the Palisades
- Barely_Oakely
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Re: Outdoor Thread
I've driven through Decorah many times, I've always wanted to stop by and go for a hike, but I'm always going somewhere. Looks beautiful.
"Allman Brother's up and windows down." LB3
Re: Outdoor Thread
There's a great network of hiking, mountain biking, and road bike trails ringing the city, and they're beautiful. Not too real remote or anything, but beautiful none the lest.Barely_Oakely wrote:I've driven through Decorah many times, I've always wanted to stop by and go for a hike, but I'm always going somewhere. Looks beautiful.
- Barely_Oakely
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Re: Outdoor Thread
Are there any decent campgrounds around there? I've been looking for some good places to hide out this summer.Iowan wrote:There's a great network of hiking, mountain biking, and road bike trails ringing the city, and they're beautiful. Not too real remote or anything, but beautiful none the lest.Barely_Oakely wrote:I've driven through Decorah many times, I've always wanted to stop by and go for a hike, but I'm always going somewhere. Looks beautiful.
"Allman Brother's up and windows down." LB3
Re: Outdoor Thread
Twin Springs is a nice place right in town.Barely_Oakely wrote:Are there any decent campgrounds around there? I've been looking for some good places to hide out this summer.Iowan wrote:There's a great network of hiking, mountain biking, and road bike trails ringing the city, and they're beautiful. Not too real remote or anything, but beautiful none the lest.Barely_Oakely wrote:I've driven through Decorah many times, I've always wanted to stop by and go for a hike, but I'm always going somewhere. Looks beautiful.
If you want to get out in the woods, Yellow River Forest has some remote campsites (that you have to pack in to). Also, there are two campgrounds in Bluffton (tiny burg upstream of Decorah - absolutely gorgeous), one in Kendallville, and numerous rural campgrounds like Harvest Farms and Hutchinson Farms.
- Barely_Oakely
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Re: Outdoor Thread
Well, color me interested. I need some fresh air. Is it spring down there yet? We just got more snow yesterday...
"Allman Brother's up and windows down." LB3
Re: Outdoor Thread
Hiking at North Bear Creek, Highlandville IA
Re: Outdoor Thread
Spring is officially sprung down hereBarely_Oakely wrote:Well, color me interested. I need some fresh air. Is it spring down there yet? We just got more snow yesterday...
Re: Outdoor Thread
This is the Manatawny Creek in Berks County, PA. Mason and I went up there on Friday to fish for trout. We didn't catch a damn thing but it was still a good day.
If you don't run you rust
Re: Outdoor Thread
Iowan, you're a lucky man given where you live. No Driftless trip this year due to all the snow days killing spring break, and I am really bummed. I would give a lot to rent a little cabin somewhere by you and spend my days fishing, reading and generally fucking off.
Not forever, just for now.
Re: Outdoor Thread
That's a bummer! I was looking forward to a trip to the Fireman's Inn. I'm sure there will be future trips though.'Scratch wrote:Iowan, you're a lucky man given where you live. No Driftless trip this year due to all the snow days killing spring break, and I am really bummed. I would give a lot to rent a little cabin somewhere by you and spend my days fishing, reading and generally fucking off.
Yeah, we're pretty lucky here. An abundance of natural beauty, and fucking no one knows about it, relatively speaking. This winter was damn tough, and I'm not wasting a minute of spring.
Re: Outdoor Thread
If I didn't know better, I'd think you were fishing the Middle River near Winterset, Iowa (Bridges of Madison County).Clams wrote:
This is the Manatawny Creek in Berks County, PA. Mason and I went up there on Friday to fish for trout. We didn't catch a damn thing but it was still a good day.