What do I keep in my hiking pack? Depending on the hike, I'll add different items to what's in my daypack -- obviously, more food and water if I'm going to be on a longer hike; I'll bring my lunch and plenty of snacks if I plan on being out all day. ...
Late October Cabin Getaway
Dave found this cute "couples getaway" cabin on AirBNB and sent it to me in the middle of a workday. "Do you think your boss would let you take PTO and we could book this for next week?" Oh, heck yes. We both took three days off work, dropped our dog off at...
Review: Intex Challenger K2 Kayak
For a long time, I have wanted two things: an inflatable boat, and a kayak. Imagine my delight when I discovered I could have both in one package. That’s not sarcasm–I really have wanted an inflatable boat and a kayak for a long time. I have no idea what stopped me from purchasing an...
Review: Guilford Lake State Park (Columbiana County, OH)
This is the second year we’ve gone to Guilford Lake State Park before the start of school. It’s a small, family-friendly campground operated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in Columbiana County, Ohio. Most of the traffic is travel trailer/motorhome campers and kayakers, but there are a few sites that are great if...
How To Spend Less on Outdoor Clothing & Gear
We all know that outdoor gear can get expensive quickly… but what if I told you it didn’t have to be that way? Here’s my favorite tips & tricks for scoring gear and clothing on the cheap… Don’t get attached to brands Instead of shopping for a brand, shop for specifications. Identify what you...
How To Make A Dump Cake
“What’s a dump cake?” is the question I hear whenever I introduce this campfire dessert to someone new. The answer is easy: it’s a dessert made from dumping two (or three) simple ingredients into a cast iron dutch oven and baking it over the hot coals of a campfire. Despite being called ‘cake’, it’s...