Inspirations...

Let's hope that our trip is just as exciting!?

I think that is a hot dog stand!

Fish food?

Anyone need some training "wheels"?

Latest Purchase

Great find Joe!  I think two of these insulated bags will address our food/beverage storage needs adequately.  Joe and I have plenty of dry bags of various shapes and sizes to carry all this shit.  Here is my (tentative) gear list for your consideration.

Meal Preparation:

1. pots/pans
2. Nalgene (1) 1 liter bottle +(2) collapsible 2 liter canteens  (I have extras)
3. Coffee mug  (I have extras)
4. (4) plastic plates and utensils
5. backpacker stove + (2) fuel canisters
6. Water pump/purification

Shelter:

1. (2) Hennessey Sleep Hammocks
2. Ultra lite 4 man tent
3. Utility Tarp

 Sleep:

1. Sleeping bag
2. Bag liner
3. Sleeping mat (I have extra self-inflating mats in various shapes and sizes)

Misc:

1. Headlamps (I have extras)
2. Knife
3. Toilet Paper/trowel
4. Sunscreen
5. Bug Spray
6. Axe/saw
7. Paracord/straps
8. Hammock
9. Camp chair
10. First Aid Kit/meds
11. Swim goggles/ear plugs
12. PFD
13. Warm hat/gloves
14. Baseball hat/sunglasses

Clothing:

1. (2) convertible pants
2. (2) short sleeve t-shirts/ (1) long sleeve t-shirt
3. (1) long sleeve camp shirt
4. (1) sweat shirt
5. Rain Gear (I have an extra set, jacket/pants)
6. Long underwear (just in case)
7. Swim trunks
8. (2) pair socks
9. (2) pair five finger shoes
10. Hiking boots

Starting to gather the gear together

 These are the packs I have available:  small hydration pack with minimal storage; small day pack; and overnighter.  Won't need all three of course.  I may just use the big one as my carry-on.

 This is my nicely compact sleeping bag.  Only good down to about 30 degrees, so let's have good weather.  Deb says I'm gonna come back with a million bug bites -- did you know we just don't have those bitey bugs out here?  Well, not nearly as many, anyway.  It's kind of nice.

My favorite hikers, for when we're clocking miles in the woods.  I will probably need some water shoes too, now that I'm thinking of it.

PS:  what's the tick population like in Pennsylvania in June?

The countdown continues

Our weekend camping trip was not one for the ages...what did we learn?

1. Telescopes are a pain in the ass and are not intended for those with short attentions spans (which all of us had this weekend).
2. Camping sans children is the way to go!
3. Traveling 2.5 hours to campground is unnecessary for any reason.
4. Joe needs to invest in a better sleeping bag and mattress (sleeping bag problem resolved!)
5. No one should be expected to spend $21 to sleep on the cold ground and tents do not retain heat whether the flap is closed or not (despite what Joe thinks) at an R value of zero!
6. My tent was crowded with two adults and 3 children.
7. Never travel without beer!
8. Forest Rangers like Smores.
9. Joe flunked his fire starting merit badge.
10. We need to figure out how to pack more efficiently or we are going to be in big trouble!

 With 37 days remaining, it's time to get serious about this trip! 

REI's ten essentials

I know we all know this one, but I still like seeing the list once in a while since we are starting to talk about lists for our trip.

http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html

this one is pretty good too.

http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-more-essentials.html

airfare secured!

We have itinerary!

With 49 days to spare, my live-in travel agent has secured my airfare for the first great Broventure of 2013.  She's hot, too.

Here are the details:

• Wed. June 12: depart COS 5:40am, arrive BUF 2:21pm
• Wed. June 19: depart BUF 6:00am, arrive COS 12:51pm

My return trip includes a stop in Cleveland, courtesy of "Chautauqua Airlines DBA United Express", which I suspect may actually be a station wagon or dirigible.

Thanks for being patient with me so far -- now we can start in earnest filling in the blanks for the week's activities. Go!

Eternal Flame

Whet to visit my parents yesterday and took the boys for a hike to the Eternal Flame at Chestnut Ridge Park.  Natural Gas deposit under the falls.  Nice easy walk, lots of people.  Can't get outdoors enough!