Wow! One week from today we leave on our great southwestern excursion. I don’t know how someone can be so ready and yet so not ready at the same time. The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind for everyone. I’ve been planning and purchasing in between work. Randi just finished her semester of piano lessons. The boys are in finals as we speak. We have spring piano recitals on Monday and Tuesday, the boys drive home from Florida on Wednesday, we pack everything up on Friday, and leave on Saturday. One might ask, “Where is this chaos to which you allude?” Well, let’s go upstairs and take a look. Keep reading

As many of you already know, we are going on a trip to Utah early this summer. We’ve been planning which hikes we want to do, what gear we need, and how to make coffee out in the middle of nowhere. One other thing we’ve been planning is how to share it all with you guys. As the saying goes “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Unfortunately, a picture doesn’t even present the absolute magnificence and splendor of the desert southwest in all of its glory. But, we are going to do the best we can. In order to do this, we decided to upgrade our equipment. Keep reading

Everyone will be happy to know, I’m sure, that we have made a decision regarding our trekking poles. I know you all have been on the edge of your seat since last Saturday morning waiting for the notification that a new email has arrived that will satisfy your insatiable desire to know what we have at last decided. No?…Okay then, maybe my life is not as exciting as I think it is. Nonetheless, here goes. Keep reading

There has certainly been a learning curve on this whole Utah trip. What with all the decisions to make regarding lotteries and all. I mean I had to overcome a lifelong aversion to gambling just to make that happen. Now we move on to another matter completely. Three points of contact. Anybody know what that means? I first learned about it working construction and ladder safety. The idea being to always have at least three points of contact with the ladder. Two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand. Okay, I get that. But what does ladder safety have to do with hiking? Keep reading

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I have been doing significant research over the past few months to find the essential pieces of equipment that we would need to acquire to begin our overnight backpacking adventures. As I thought through these items I looked to meet basic needs and prioritize them for purchase. For instance, we all need sleep, right? So, I ask myself, “What are people doing besides sleeping on the ground under the stars with a rock for a pillow?” This led me to sleeping pads and hammocks. Which brings up the question of size and weight of products. Now what do I carry them in? And on and on it goes. So, what’s #1 on the priority list? Backpack…sleeping pad…sleeping bag…clothing…shoes? Well, one last detail to consider and the #1 spot is easily decided—Randi’s going. Therefore, the #1 piece of equipment that is most vital and necessary to the happiness and well-being of all involved is a coffee press. Keep reading