Daydreaming

Been thinking about these things a lot today. This winter has been nothing short of relentless, miserable and depressing, with seemingly no end in sight. It has been the worst in my recent memory. I've got a bad case of cabin fever and I'm itching to get out and frolic in the wild. I'm not even hoping for warm weather, but merely a climate that is capable of sustaining life again. I need to keep reminding myself that this winter is not forever, and soon enough we shall camp and hike and bike again. We will do awesome things outside again without suffering, and for as bad as these past few months have been, the next will likely seem that much better...

Poler Instructional Video

Why did I not watch this sooner? This video is too good. I really dig everything about the brand.

Bike "Camping"

A couple weeks ago, we rode bikes out to a local preserve and went "camping". I use the quotations because in my mind, sleeping outdoors overnight is a key component of camping, and I for one did not spend the night. I had work the next morning and figured it would be easier to just ride back home late at night. I still had a great time however, and it felt like actual camping.

We eventually got a fire going and roasted some potatoes and veggies along with some wild asparagus that we found in the woods. There was also garlic toast, s'mores, and a variety of other camp treats being prepared. There's something about cooking food over an open fire that just makes it taste better than anything.

Our campsite was under a canopy of pine trees and the ground was covered in a blanket soft pine needles. The weather was perfect and the sky was clear and star-filled. It was an excellent night indeed. Camping season is upon us and I hope to really take advantage of it this year.

Dreaming of Brighter Days

Winter this year has been relentless. It feels as though it's never going to end, but if the forecast is correct, spring-time weather is right around the corner. I've been preparing myself by looking through photos of brighter days and getting excited for all of the fun that goes along with warmer weather. Here are a few of those photos:

The Excursion Pack by Poler

I've been following Poler for a while now, because I think they make some neat stuff. They make "outdoor gear" for camping/cycling/chillin' that is practical, affordable, and just plain cool. I particularly enjoy the backpacks they produce for their simplicity and classic aesthetic. Their latest pack, the Excusion Pack really caught my attention because of it's camera carrying capabilities.

Although you'll need to purchase the Camera Insert separately in order to transform the Excursion Pack into a camera bag, they can both be used on their own, which really makes the Excursion Pack more versatile. The Excursion pack sells for $140 and the insert is $60... $200 for a kick-ass camera bag that can be used as a regular backpack complete with laptop compartment and chest/waist straps isn't a bad deal compared to what else is out there. Keep making cool stuff, guys.

Above is an "original" diagram demonstrating a process that probably didn't need to be diagrammed.

Buy this bag, or check out their other stuff here.

Weekend Camping

Did some camping this weekend at Starved Rock. The fall is always the best time of the year to camp. It got a bit cold at night, but the fire and wool kept us warm. Photos: