Midwest Basecamp - Finding Adventure in My Backyard

Midwest Basecamp: New Blog Address

noreply@blogger.com (Kovas Palubinskas) — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 17:26:00 +0000

Midwest Basecamp has moved! Please navigate to:

http://www.midwestbasecamp.com

Welcoming Winter: Tubbs Snowshoes Ambassador!

noreply@blogger.com (Kovas Palubinskas) — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 14:46:00 +0000

As I sit here, it's 46 degrees, with temps in the 60s expected this weekend. While I love the mild weather, it also means I'm delayed in playing with some new gear, mainly my Tubbs Snowshoes.

About a year ago, I met with Tubbs Snowshoes at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market and then actually snowshoed with their snowshoes during the #Hikerchat Outing immediately after. I fell in love with their performance as much as their design (have you seen the Boundary Peak? Beautiful retro flair.)

When I perused their website at home, I discovered that they had an Ambassador Program, including an option for families. I couldn't wait for the application season to be open....a long wait as it wasn't until Fall. I sent in my application, sat back, and waited.

Good news! Family Ambassador I was, now gear and swag were coming my way. And what an amazing pair of packages, one of fun goodies and the other six pairs of snowshoes. Now we needed snow to complete the picture.

Mother Nature is fickle, however - we've had one snowfall here, but it was wet and heavy, like a Slurpee flood. Not so good for snowshoeing. So snowshoeing will have to wait. On the positive side, I'm once again signed up for the #Hikerchat Outing post-ORShow, maybe they'll have snow.

Moving forward you can expect some posts about our snowshoe adventures, some gear reviews, Instagram photos and, once a month, a post over at the Tubbs Snowshoes website. I, along with the other Ambassadors, have already posted twice over there, so be sure to head over there and get some snowshoeing inspiration.

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How to Run Every Day

noreply@blogger.com (Kovas Palubinskas) — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 14:50:00 +0000

Most days, I don't feel like doing it. Running, that is. That's usually the hardest part about exercising every day: the motivation factor.

I've been a fitness fanatic ever since I was a teenager, when I ran track in high school, and have always made it an important part of my life to keep in shape, stay active, and maintain an overall healthy lifestyle. And a big part of that is that I run every day.

So how do I stay motivated? How do I get out of bed each morning, before heading to the office, and head out the door for my daily run?

Here are a few tips to keep you on track with your fitness goals, whether it's a daily run, or a moderate workout a few days a week.

Consistency is Key

I’m a big fan of developing good habits. My husband would probably call it a serious case of OCD, but I believe in developing and maintaining a series of routines that are easy to stick to, a game plan of sorts, that I can follow each time.

My running routine starts in the morning, when I’m still in bed. I can usually wake up these days without an alarm clock, around 6:00 a.m. I put on my running clothes and shorts, have a quick, light bite to eat, a large glass of water, and I’m out the door by 6:15 a.m. It’s a routine I’ve followed for years and one that’s helped me maintain my fitness goals.

Run with Others

While I typically run by myself, I’m a big fun or having a run partner, whether it be my husband or a friend. Running in groups can really inspire you to keep going, it builds up a competitive spirit inside you that makes you want to perform better. Running with others also holds you accountable.

Start off Slow

A lot of people start off trying to develop a running routine, and they give up after a couple of weeks (or shorter). And that’s usually because they start off too fast, both literally and figuratively, and get burned out. So try and start off slow: keep your pace down, and your mileage low. And then build on it every day. Pretty soon, you’ll be running at a consistent pace and will be doing a 5k without breaking a sweat.

Keep a Running Log

As with any goal in life, you should be keeping track of your progress. For this reason, I really recommend keeping a running log of all your runs, including how far you ran, your time, and how you felt at the end of the run.

Run Outside

I’ve done my fair share of running on treadmills, and I have to admit: I really don’t like them. At least compared to running outdoors. A treadmill run is often more convenient, but when I’m running outdoors I feel more energized, happier, and want to keep going.

And there you have it. You don’t have to run every day, but it’s a good idea to make a plan that outlines your goals, and then use some of the tips above to help you reach them.

About the Author: Jane McCafferty is a health and fitness fanatic who writes about healthy tips over at her blog, Jane’s Best Fitness.

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CYA in the Outdoors: Pants That Work

noreply@blogger.com (Kovas Palubinskas) — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:49:00 +0000

There is almost nothing more important than the pants you choose for your outdoor adventures. Tops can be layered and changed on the fly, but if you're packing only one pair of pants, you better love them. I put to the test a variety of pants that seemed suitable to wear for all sorts of outdoor activities, from hiking to rock climbing, but also as an option for the office. Here are the pants and how they fared:

Mountain Hardwear

Passenger 5 Pocket Pant (MSRP $80 - sample provided): like your favorite pair of jeans, comfortable right off the bat. Elastane adds a huge amount of stretch, so mobility in every situation is top notch. Casual enough to wear fireside, but with enough design to stand up on jeans day at the office, these are simple and versatile.

Piero Utility Pant (MSRP $90 - sample provided): definitely one of my favorite outdoors pants ever - the nylon was unimpressed with all that I threw at it (bouldering, geocaching, extended wear,), showing nary a scratch, while the cut and stretch (elastane again) made them feel as comfy as your fave sweats. While pushing the office acceptability boundary, these dress up pretty well with a nice shirt while also taking any outdoors punishment you can think of.

Columbia Sportswear

PFG Blood and Guts II Convertible Pants - UPF 30 (MSRP $75): I purchased these to use for Hell Hike And Raft 2015 and was glad I did. Even though they are lightweight, they are really tough and survived 3 days of tough backpacking through the Seven Devils of Idaho. Since they are a convertible pant, they offer warmth and leg protection when you need it, then shorts when it gets too hot. I put these through the ringer and they more than stood up to the challenge. Suggested for warm weather wear primarily - though you could put a base layer under and wear them year-round if needed/desired.

Wrangler Riggs Workwear

Ripstop Ranger Pant (MSRP $45 - sample provided): after repeated wearing and washing, the 10 oz, 100% Cotton Ripstop material is still stiff to the touch - these are pants that make you feel ready for anything. From bouldering outside to chopping firewood, these pants stood up to a variety of challenges without flinching. Casual enough to pass muster on the joist, these are polished enough for casual business attire as well. These will last forever.

FR Ripstop Carpenter Pants (MSRP $76 - sample provided): you know that friend, the one we all have who stands too close to the fire, singeing his hands, eyebrows, and maybe more? These are the pants to buy him as a gift. Fire retardant ripstop fabric will protect him and come back for more abuse when ready. Simple 5 pocket jean styling look good around the campsite while appropriate for casual Friday at work. Like the Ranger Pant, these feel like they have a while before broken in.

Ripstop Ranger Cargo Short (MSRP $37 - sample provided): just enough polish and design so these don't look like the oversized cargo shorts favored by those who also wear loud Hawaiian shirts for all occasions. Just the right amount of pockets and durable ripstop material will make these your go-to shorts when storage is more important than mobility - comfortable but a little stiff for bouldering and other similar pursuits.

Outdoors pants come in all styles, from functional to convertible to tough as nails. Any of these pants will protect you, have you look good, and will last through plenty of outdoor adventures.

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Hell Hike And Raft 2015: HikeGoo Gear Review

noreply@blogger.com (Kovas Palubinskas) — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 14:29:00 +0000

For Hell Hike And Raft 2015, Foot Kinetics provided us with samples of their HikeGoo, a blister prevention cream. This Epic Social Adventure was the perfect place to test it out, with three strenuous days of hiking up and over the Seven Devil Mountains in Idaho. Following is my gear review of this blister prevention foot cream.

Carl and Rick, the founders of Foot Kinetics, tried just about every blister prevention product on the market, creating their own when the other products couldn't cut it. Their foot creams are supposed to be beneficial not only because they prevent blisters but also provide moisturization. The major difference between this and other companies' products are the addition of high melting point waxes. These slow the absorption of the cream into the skin, maintaining the barrier effect for longer, thus being more effective. The wax also is beneficial in wet conditions, as the moisture can't wash the protective cream away. All these are the purported benefits - how did HikeGoo perform?

Foot Kinetics provided us with both a large tube and single-serve packets for Hell Hike And Raft 2015. From an environmental perspective, I'm not a fan of single-use packets, finding the packaging to be too wasteful. In addition, bringing the tube meant I didn't have to worry about running out or having to skimp. From the beginning, my plan was to use the HikeGoo at least twice a day, once in the morning and once mid-day, when I also planned to change socks - I figured this would give me the best chance of keeping my feet fresh and happy. I will say I had good socks and a very comfortable pair of lightweight hikers, so this test wasn't conducted using footwear that was likely to cause me blisters, but of course, things happen.

Results: Since I had the large tube, I really slathered on the cream, making sure that missed spots wouldn't become a problem. And, except for the strain of climbing and hiking up and over really difficult terrain, my feet felt fine, and no blisters or hot spots were noticed at any time. Anecdotally, no one who used the HikeGoo got blisters, while one member who used it and then missed applying it the last day ended up with raw feet. Could be coincidence, but I think not.

I'll end this by saying that if you're not blister prone, HikeGoo still makes hiking more comfortable and gives you serious protection for possible problems. If you ARE blister prone, this foot cream should be on your feet for every hike. Foot Kinetics also make RunGoo and WalkGoo - all three creams are formulated with a different percentage of hard vs soft waxes to perform optimally for that activity.

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Survival: Are You Prepared? (Three Manuals to Help You Get Ready)

noreply@blogger.com (Kovas Palubinskas) — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 14:33:00 +0000

Life can be scary at times, even when things are going normally. Beyond the manmade catastrophes we're exposed to each day (terrorism, violence, pollution, etc.), Mother Nature is fickle as well, sending us monster storms, earthquakes, and so on. You don't need to be a pepper or a doomsday advocate to know that survival depends on one's preparedness - happily, there are pros out there willing to share tips and tricks on how to survive. Outdoor Life has teamed with some great outdoors and survival practitioners to prepare 3 manuals that should get you ready for anything.

Godzilla El Niño is on everyone's mind, as we hope for the best but expect the worst. Tim MacWelch has 157 skills and tips to help you prepare for and then ride out the worst Winter can offer in The Ultimate Winter Survival Handbook. From the humdrum of getting your furnace and cars winterized to the more subtle pitfalls of Seasonal Affective Disorder, nothing is overlooked. Learn how to use everyday objects such as jars, cans, and foil to be prepared for winter survival.

Maybe it's not Winter where you live or while you're reading The Extreme Weather Survival Manual. Dennis Mersereau has you covered, moving through the seasons and giving you tips on how to weather (haha) tornadoes, hurricanes, drought, and more. Become an amateur meteorologist to self-forecast impending weather and learn how to read current conditions to know whether you need to find shelter. If you do shelter in place, get information on how to prepare that space for long term survival.

Joseph Pred weighs in with an overall look at survival that is not weather-influenced necessarily in The Emergency Survival Manual. This manual helps you assess various situations and respond appropriately to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your material goods. Need to teach kids? Turns out there's a whole Zombie Preparedness kit that uses the forthcoming (possible) Zombie Apocalypse to teach your kids (and you) everyday survival. Fun idea. One of the best things about this book are the Resource Lists in the Appendix, which guide you step by step in assessing whether you're ready, from writing down everyone at your home (don't forget your pets!) to knowing what's safe to eat to planning your evacuation route if you need to get out.

Three survival books, three different authors, all simple and easy to understand and use. While there is some overlap among the three, Outdoor Life has done a good job of presenting different and complementary information in each book. Fun to read and good resources to have while planning to fight Zombies.

(Books were provided for review purposes - all opinions are my own.)

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Camping: Illinois Beach State Park

noreply@blogger.com (Kovas Palubinskas) — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 14:44:00 +0000

Illinois Beach State Park has been on my radar for a long time, but a visit has always been delayed due to sloth, other options, or nice weather. Nice weather? Yup, the Park is only about an hour from Chicago, so I've always imagined it inundated when the weather is nice (a park ranger confirmed this for me when I asked). And, as so many Illinois state park campgrounds, the densely packed sites usually are wide open to each other. I go camping to get away, not necessarily join a party. With a forecast low of 30 degrees, I expected the campground to be relatively quiet, and I was right - of the several hundred sites, there were less than 10 or so other campers, all but 1 hunkered in their RVs.

I did really want to visit though, because I'd heard it was beautiful and there is a whole lot of history there. Made up of two units (North and South) that bracket the Zion Nuclear Power Station, a nuclear power plant that is being decommissioned, the park encompasses over 4,000 acres of land stretching along six miles of Lake Michigan. The northern section was formerly an Illinois National Guard training facility named Camp Logan, itself sited on a parcel of land that was a Union prisoner of war camp during the Civil War. Too cool. We visited exclusively the southern section, but hopefully will return sometime to explore the northern side as well.

The park itself is approached through mostly developed areas, and the developed feeling continues at the park. Lots of roads, signs, parking, even the beach shore has been rip-rapped to slow down the erosion. Despite this semi-urban feeling, the nature is quite beautiful, with plenty of trees, grassy marshes, and of course, the shoreline. There is also a nature center (closed when we visited), from which several hiking trails radiate. As this was just an overnight microadventure, we didn't have time to explore these, but walking along the shoreline sufficed for this visit.

This does not look like our ideal camping destination, but the history, hiking, and quiet enjoyment of nature will probably have us return, I'm sure in the off season again.

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Drink in the Great Outdoors with Stanley Brand (#Stanleyness!)

noreply@blogger.com (Kovas Palubinskas) — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 17:36:00 +0000

I've long been a fan of Stanley Brand - from my construction days with a Stanley thermos to bringing Stanley insulated cups on camping trips, I know their products are built to last. Thank you to Stanley Brand for sponsoring today’s post and providing me with the perfect holiday gifts this season! (Shhhhh...I even bought my Secret Santa a Stanley Classic Vacuum Camp Mug.) For this holiday season, our family received an Adventure Happy Hour 2x System, a Classic Flask, a Classic Vacuum Growler, and the Classic Vacuum Pint, in Hammertone Crimson (the only red cup you need this season, haha). Check out all their products here.

This weekend, we headed to Illinois Beach State Park for some family fun, a little cool weather camping, and an opportunity to really put these products to the test. Getting out and immersing ourselves in nature as a family is really important to us and we take as many opportunities as we can to go camping. While our usual modus operandi is car camping (and we do it up right), many Stanley Brand products work just as well for backcountry camping as well, though ultralight purists will need to take a pass. They've gotten lighter over the years, but not THAT light.

Stanley wants you to be armed with the BEST gift for all the outdoor adventurers on your holiday shopping list. The best things about Stanley Brand products? Use them to celebrate outdoors adventures and, since they last practically forever, get ready to pass them on to future generations, inspiring them to get outdoors as well.

Stanley Classic Vacuum Growler

On the way to your campsite, you stop off at your favorite craft brewery and fill up this 64 ounce resealable growler - the vacuum insulated body and foam insulated lid keep beer cold 24 hours. One of the unique things about this growler is the integrated heavy duty handle, making it easy to carry and easy to pour. We went in the opposite direction and made hot chocolate for the kids' breakfast. On a 25 degree morning, there's nothing quite like hot chocolate; I might even prefer it over coffee when cold weather camping. Check out all their products here.

Stanley Adventure Happy Hour 2x System

What's more fun than having a drink at the end of a camping day? Happy Hour with campfire cocktails! Stanley Brand's 5-piece system includes 20oz shaker, 2 rocks glasses, citrus reamer and jigger, so bring your faves along and get to mixing. We used ours for easy to make (and easy to drink) margaritas. Now we need to figure out whether there's a better cool weather cocktail that we should make instead. Check out all their products here.

Stanley Classic Flask

Feels great in the hand, the Stanley Classic Flask stows handily in your pocket or pack. BPA-free, stainless steel, leak proof, and an attached cap mean you can safely bring and drink your favorite pick-me-up. For this trip I opted to fill it with Bailey's, which has a celebratory feel and also does double-duty as creamer for my morning coffee (hey, I'm on vacation!) Check out all their products here.

Stanley Classic Vacuum Pint

Let the europeans have their beers warm; I prefer mine cold (but no too cold...). Stanley's Vacuum Pint keeps beer cold 4.5 hours and those cocktails you mixed using the Happy Hour 2x System iced for 17 hours. A wide-mouth lid with built-in bottle opener (score!) keeps dirt out, always a plus in the outdoors. Even though alcohol was allowed in our campground, it's still nice to have a cup that keeps things discreet. Check out all their products here.

You really can't go wrong with any of these, so you can feel confident buying these as a gift for yourself, friends or family, or your Secret Santa.

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PROBAR Saved My Ass

noreply@blogger.com (Kovas Palubinskas) — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 14:45:00 +0000

When I heard that PROBAR was coming on board as an Epic Social Adventures partner, I had mixed feelings. I'd gotten away from much of the packable "food" that was often a collection of chemicals and sugar, with some "natural" ingredients to give them a semblance of reality. Yuck. As I did some research, however, I thought that maybe it wouldn't be too bad: PROBAR creates convenient, healthy (non-GMO or organic), plant-based food products that are delicious, in their opinion and mine. For Hell Hike And Raft 2015, they provided us with their Ultimate 15 Pack, which not only fueled us on the trail and river, but allowed us to taste all of their products in a very short time, as it features three top flavors from each of all five product lines.

Bite, Meal, Bolt, Fuel, and Base make up the 5 lines, ranging from quick energy to protein packed for nutrition before, during, and after a strenuous workout. As I mentioned, I thought that the flavors, for the most part, were really tasty; the biggest surprise to me were the Bolt (energy chews), which were ideally balanced between sweetness and fruit flavors; I popped these whenever I needed a quick pick me up. For more serious times, when I just needed to eat so I could keep going, the Base bars were my go-to, and I'm pretty sure I'd still be on the descent down to the Snake River if we didn't have these along.

This photo of Jana pretty much sums up how we all felt about PROBAR during this trip. After we got down to the River and recovered from our epic hiking, we could joke about it, though the truth is that PROBAR really did save many of our asses.

I can wholeheartedly recommend these products if you're looking for tasty and healthy portable nutrition. Their stance on non-GMO and organic ingredients is one I support as well, so I feel better when I opt for one of their products over something similar.

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Midwest Basecamp Get Outdoors Gift Guide 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Kovas Palubinskas) — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 14:45:00 +0000

Gift Guides are tough sometimes, as there are so many great companies and products out there, so it's hard to know where to draw the line in terms of inclusion versus not. This year I found myself tending towards things I used a LOT, as well as a few items I just found super cool for whatever reason. This is not an all-inclusive list, but hopefully you'll find some of the items spark your interest.

Teton Sports is like no other company I can think of, outdoors or other. Beyond some sponsored posts on Facebook, I don't think I've ever seen an ad by them. Instead, they rely on users sharing their opinions and fantastic customer service. You can't go wrong buying any of their gear - it's well-made, fairly-priced, and they'll take care of you if anything goes wrong.
While SofSole is often thought of as a running shoe insole company, their products can actually be used in a variety of footwear, anywhere the original insole was lacking (most footwear) or has worn out ahead of the actual shoes/boots (again, most). Turns out they also make socks and laces, as well. Make someone happy this holiday with the gift of coddled feet.
Ideal for those of us who live in wintry regions or participate in Winter sports, the DryGuy Warm n' Charge is ideal for those of us who like to to get out and then stay out. This does double duty as both a hand warmer as well as power storage to re-charge anything you need with a USB tether. Great idea.
I've been buying Timex Expedition watches for myself for as long as I can remember. They run the gamut from casual everyday watches to higher tech versions, all at extremely affordable prices, which makes them great everyday gifts as well.
The Nathan Sports Elevation is the perfect hydration pack for serious hiking, trail running, and adventure racing, with some clever features that scream performance: trekking pole clips, suspension system to minimize sway and sloshing, and, maybe most importantly these days, a dedicated zip smart phone-compatible pocket.
Barebones Living is a company that makes outdoor products that are beautifully designed, and have the perfect combination of retro styling and modern performance. While I covet one of their wall tents (as well as gardening gear), I'd be perfectly happy to get one of their flashlights as well. Rugged feeling in the hand, infinitely adjustable, and rechargeable to boot, these are fun to have around.
The Postfly subscription box is ideal for the fly fisherman on your list - monthly Fly Fishing Box and Gift Subscriptions available for trout, steelhead, bass, and salt water fly fishing. They also recently partnered with Flymen Fishing Company, a Brevard, North Carolina-based manufacturer of award-winning fly fishing and tying products - to supply tying materials for Postfly’s subscribers in a new monthly box. Inspiration to get those lines wet for sure.
When I pulled on a pair of OOFOS recovery slides at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, I was amazed at the comfort. There is a science behind their performance, but it could be voodoo as well; either way, I wear these pretty much every single day.

Other Gift Guides to check out:

Let me know if I missed your Gift Guide and want to be added to the list!

(Products provided for editorial consideration - all opinions are my own.)

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Northside USA Kids' Footwear Gear Review and Giveaway (*Ended)

noreply@blogger.com (Kovas Palubinskas) — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 14:34:00 +0000

Just For Fun

I first heard of Northside USA when I met up with them at Winter Market almost a year ago. An independent, family owned and operated business based in the Pacific Northwest, they offer a range of footwear from winter boots and trail shoes to sandals and flip-flops. Their shoes are rugged, reliable and affordable for families who want to enjoy the outdoors together. When you have growing kids, rugged and affordable are really important. I was impressed with their line and couldn't believe how relatively inexpensive they were compared to many other brands.

I finally connected with them this Summer, when I looked back at my Outdoor Retailer emails and realized I had never contacted them back about working together. I did and they were happy to send over some kids' footwear for us to test out (and a pair to giveaway!).

The Little Worker received a pair of Snohomish Jr boots (MSRP $49.99), simple boots that pretty much work for anything. Even though they are burly looking, they are not overly heavy, and handled a variety of surfaces without problems. They are quite versatile, as he wore them during the summer for a long sandy hike through Warren Dunes State Park and has worn them through the Fall and into Winter, with no issues. The suede and mesh waterproof upper has worked wonderfully in hot, mild, and cold weather. No water issues either, which made us both happy.

Munchkin enjoyed the Bismarck Low Jr (MSRP Price: $34.99) which was, like the Snohomish Jr, burly and tough, though lightweight enough to wear for extended time periods. Since it's a low-cut hiker, the Bismarck is not ideal for sandy or snowy hikes, but excels at pretty much everything else. Both boys loved the Daybreak brand camo pattern, the Bismarck is a sturdy suede and nylon hiker. Like the Snohomish, this was comfortable all day and had no issues with water entering (though we were pretty careful not to go into deep water either).

Both the Snohomish Jr boots and Bismarck Low Jr are fantastic footwear, with performance well above their price range. Both were comfortable and handled a wide range of surfaces and conditions without complaint from the boys. We've had these for several months and abused them to get a feel for their sturdiness - I can see we'll be passing these on to younger cousins once they've both outgrown them.

Here's your chance to win a pair of either the Snohomish Jr or Bismarck Low Jr, just in time for the holidays. Three ways to enter via Rafflecopter over the next 2 weeks:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winner will be notified within 24 hours of giveaway closing. If winner does not respond within 48 hours of notice, a new winner will be chosen, ad infinitum until a winner responds.

Congrats to Jennifer for winning!

(Footwear provided for review purposes - all opinions are my own.)

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Motorola Talkabout T460 Gear Review

noreply@blogger.com (Kovas Palubinskas) — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 14:54:00 +0000

My two younger ones LOVE walkie talkies (and so do I). We've had a variety of them over the years and were happy to play with them, but never found ones that were ideal. The Motorola Talkabout T460 might be the best affordable (MSRP: $89.99) radios we've found, really nothing wrong with them that we could find.

Weather resistant, fall compatible (yes, we've dropped them a few times), and relatively light and compact (our 5 year old is comfortable holding one), this walkie talkie boasts many fine features. Push-to-Talk, Emergency button, a flashlight (a flashlight!), weather feature, and an optional earpiece port make these all you need.

With a range of up to 35 miles (according to the manufacturer and under ideal conditions), these radios do pretty well even in our suburban environment. While a few miles or more are easily attained in a forest preserve or state park, we expected (and received) much less distance in our suburban neighborhood. Not a surprise with all the electronic static in the air, just good to know. Around the house, the boys had no problems communicating as they played a variety of games. Indoor to outdoor was no problem either.

Probably the most impressive thing for us was the extended battery life. We've had walkie talkies that seemed to burn through power even if we kept them turned off for extended periods of time. We didn't do any formal testing, but it seemed like we got hours off a single charge, being careful to turn off the radios between uses. Part of this is that the T460 consumes only half watt of power during its idle condition. I'm a fan of rechargeable gear, so the Mini-USB Charging Port works perfectly for us, though you can also use 3 regular AA batteries if recharging is not an option.

More information can be found on the T460 product page and on Facebook.

Just launched in June, these radios should be on both your wish and present-giving lists. Beyond having fun adventuring right at home (as my boys and I did), these two-way communicators give you reliable communication while hiking, camping, paddling where cell service is spotty or non-existent.

This product was provided for review purposes - all opinions are my own.

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Lehigh Park Bouldering

noreply@blogger.com (Kovas Palubinskas) — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 14:32:00 +0000

Here in the Chicago area, it appears we live in a climbing wasteland, with few bluffs or crags that are appropriate to climb. The nearest quality climbing that I can find (though I'm not quitting my search) is 5+ hours away, heading North or South. I was pretty excited to come across the mention of Lehigh Park, a supposed bouldering area down near one of my favorite local outdoor places, Starved Rock State Park. It was kind of sketchy though, as there was minimal information on the Mountain Project page, and all the forums were plans to go and no beta, requests for photos, and so on. Last week, with a day off for Veterans Day, I decided to find out for myself.

Lehigh Park is an unassuming place, located in the small town of Oglesby, Illinois. There's a lot of cement plants in the area and apparently Oglesby grew up around one, though it is now shuttered. It's a beautiful place and you can see the photos I took on my Facebook page. Parking across the street from the park, I bypassed the band shell and entered the woods.

The trails appear to be maintained by mountain bikers and plunge steeply in several locations. Heading down one such trail, you find yourself under some bluffs, amid trees and scattered boulders. Nirvana? unfortunately, not. I probably spent 30-45 minutes walking the woods and found one, yes one, boulder that was suitable for climbing. Even though the stone was crumbly, I had a little fun playing around on it, just careful to test each hold before trusting it.

More promising is the wall of bluffs above, with plenty of interesting problems to solve. The only problem I see is that the base of the bluffs go right into a steep slope, so there is no room for crash pads and a fall would send you screaming down the hill. A dedicated local could spend some time leveling the area under promising routes, which would then possibly make this a worthwhile destination.

If you're headed to Starved Rock State or Matthiessen Parks, this is a short detour that might be worth taking. It is a beautiful walk in the woods and, for better climbers than me, the bluffs offer some great looking options. Bring your mountain bike and get a twofer, if you're so inclined.

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Today is Take a Hike Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Kovas Palubinskas) — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 14:48:00 +0000

Take a Hike Day occurs annually on November 17th and is a great reminder to get outside and enjoy the Fall or early Winter weather. On top of being out in nature, with its great views and clean air, hiking has a lot of great benefits: lowers risk of heart disease (it is a cardio workout after all); builds strength and bone density; improves balance, aids in weight control; and, most importantly, being out in nature makes us feel better.

Hopefully you have great weather, but if not, don't let that ruin your plans. Bring rain and/or snow protection: a hat, a jacket that is water and wind proof, rain pants, waterproof shoes or boots, and get ready to head out the door.

Things really wet or slippery? Wearing gaiters (like the Hillsound Armadillo LTs) will keep you drier so you can hike longer and more comfortably. Trail spikes (like the Hillsound FreeSteps6 crampons) help keep your footing secure, whether it's on slippery leaves, wading a stream, or early season icy patches.

So solo or with friends and family, plan a hike today!

(This post was sponsored by Hillsound - ideas and opinions are my own.)

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Action Wipes Gear Review

noreply@blogger.com (Kovas Palubinskas) — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 14:52:00 +0000

Action Wipes are an Epic Social Adventures partner who provided their product for us to try on Hell Hike and Raft 2015. Walk the Seven Devils for 3 days, whitewater raft the Snake River for 3 days, and you're going to give any gear one hell of a test. I'm pretty sure everyone had the same results with Action Wipes that I did.

"Inventor Martha Van Inwegen saw the need for a natural wet wipe to clean and refresh the body after a ride, run, hike or a long plane ride. She wanted a body wipe she could use on her entire body, good enough for her whole family and safe for the environment."

Good ingredients in natural body wipes that are made in the USA - sounds good, right? I was kind of surprised at how many ingredients there were (20) and a few that sounded pretty scary, but Action Wipes does a good job on their website, explaining their sources and allaying my fears.

As we hiked the trails, I took the opportunity to jump in some mountain lakes to rinse off, even taking a full-on soapy bath at one point. In general, I felt pretty clean. That changed pretty much immediately, after a full afternoon of dusty hiking, when we rolled into Hibbs Cow Camp hot, sweaty, and dirty. And...no water in sight, beyond a small rivulet of a stream that didn't offer even a small pool to sit in. Pretty much I felt miserable at that point.

Enter Action Wipes! Initially I was put off a bit by the suds that magically appeared, but as the grime was removed and the suds disappeared, I became a believer. They really did work; I felt a lot cleaner (not shower clean, but clean enough) and up for dinner and conversation. The subtle smell was short-lived but makes for more pleasant use. I used them again the next morning and felt invigorated. These wipes came out every time I felt I needed a good cleaning. These will be coming along on all our adventure outings for sure.

Repurpose: Even after using the wipes, they kept their shape and felt sturdy. The company suggests washing them out and using them again, perhaps checking your car oil at home, emergency toilet paper while out, etc. High quality indeed.

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Polar Pro Filters and Accessories Gear Review

noreply@blogger.com (Kovas Palubinskas) — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 14:23:00 +0000

When I met with Polar Pro at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, I was really impressed with the quality of the accessories; they felt solid and durable. And, while I thought of the company as primarily making accessories for GoPro cameras, it turns out they had started making filters and the accessories had come later. In 2012, they introduced the snap-on filter - the first time one could quickly remove and attach a filter. Polar Pro provided me with some of their gear to test out this Summer and I felt like they made using the GoPro a lot more fun - their products really are simple to use.

The Combo: ProGrip and StrapMount Set (MSRP $49.99) - The Combo provides users with two great products, the StrapMount and the ProGrip:

The StrapMount attached to any strap, giving one hands free use of the GoPro and/or a place to carry it within easy reach. This is a great idea and the mount performed exactly as it should. I added this to the daypack I most often use and have carried my GoPro to many places, including a long dune hike and bouldering.

The ProGrip is a floating grip (perfect for water sports) with dry storage for 2 batteries (I fit 3), a GoPro remote mount (which I don't have), and a leash for added security. When not in use, the ProGrip slides in to the StrapMount, keeping it out of the way, yet handy. The ProGrip is super comfortable to use and gives some extension to the arm, while the adjustability gives one several angles to work with. Having spare batteries along is ideal, as GoPros are notorious for going through a charge faster than one would want. I love the ProGrip for its secure feel in the hand and the stability it gives my handheld shots.

Polarizer Filter for GoPro Hero3 (MSRP $29.99):

This filer is made to reduce glare off of water and snow, perfect for trips to the beach, on the water or, very soon, for Winter shooting. I loved the quick snap-on installation and the (relatively) heavy glass feels like it will last for a while. For protection and security, the lens comes with a microfiber storage bag and tether. The tether is a thin white string which is a bit jarring at first, but also a good reminder to attach the lens to the camera in case it gets jarred off.

Macro Lens for GoPro Hero3 (MSRP $29.99):

This lens is made for close-up work (Polar Pro suggests using it for images taken 3 to 12 inches away). It was fun to play with this filter, shooting both photos and video from further away and then coming in for closer (in focus!) shots. As with the Polarizer, the heavy glass feels like quality, it's easy to snap on, and comes with the microfiber storage bag and tether.

If you're ready to take your GoPro shooting to the next level, take a look at Polar Pro. They have a variety of lenses and accessories that will improve your current shots and also allow you to up your game. Quality gear and attention to small details make these keepers.

(*Products provided for review purposes - all opinions are my own.)

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Holy Boulders: The Third Testament

noreply@blogger.com (Kovas Palubinskas) — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 14:48:00 +0000

This past weekend, Tazer and I headed downstate to check out a climbing area, Holy Boulders, that was hosting a bouldering competition. This gave us the opportunity to see more of the beautiful Shawnee National Forest, check out possibly the premier bouldering destination in Illinois, and last but not least, spend some father and son time together on a road trip. Wins all around.

With over 200 bordering problems up to V13 (and more still to come), the Holy Boulders is a treasure for Midwest climbers. In May 2012, the Access Fund temporarily purchased the Holy Boulders when the Tripp Family (owners) put it up for sale. Since then, they've been working in conjunction with the Illinois Climbers Association to raise the necessary funds ($115,000 needed of the original $185,000) to secure permanent ownership, then transfer it to a long-term owner that will keep the climbing access public. The Third Testament is the third bouldering competition put on as a way to help raise the needed funds.

We went at the perfect time. With cold nights and cool days the norm these days, inherent warm weather problems like humidity, poison ivy, ticks, and chiggers were non-existent. The day warmed up quickly and it was a pleasure to walk through the forest, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and watch lots of people (200+ was the estimate) boulder. From a spectator perspective, there wasn't much to do except walk and view, which wasn't a problem, though I had hoped there would be vendor booths to check out gear and get more info on the supporting companies. No such luck - the competition is geared towards the climbers only. It would be nice to see a more festival like atmosphere, so we'll see if that changes moving forward.

Holy Boulders: The Third Testament Video

The Holy Boulders abuts the Shawnee National Forest (the usual access is actually on Forest property), though the Tripp Family allowed parking and access through their private property. Camping seemed to be the norm for this fest, with tents set up along the read of the lines of cars. Might be a fun experience if we come back to actually compete (Tazer is very interested).

As mentioned, there is an ongoing campaign to raise the needed funds to complete the purchase. Even if you can't go for a visit (and you really should, not only for the Holy Boulders, but all the great sites in the National Forest), this is worth preserving, so please donate today:

https://www.accessfund.org/take-action/campaigns/holy-boulders

Holy Boulders- Protect What's Holy Video
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Purinize Portable Water Purification and Filtration Treatment Gear Review

noreply@blogger.com (Kovas Palubinskas) — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 14:51:00 +0000

One of our Epic Social Adventures partners for Hell Hike and Raft 2015 was Purinize, who provided us all with bottles of their product. This, according to the website, "is highly effective against a broad range of contaminants commonly found in outdoor and drinking water sources including biological (immediate) contaminants like bacteria, viruses, and protozoan cysts, and accumulative (toxic) contaminants like agricultural and industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), disinfectants, and disinfection byproducts." Wow.

It had us shaking our heads a little bit, until Dean, who happens to be a Purinize Ambassador, stepped in to explain things. Purinize works by "clumping" together the nasty bits, which, after some time (colder water = slower process, hotter water = faster process) settle to the bottom and can be filtered out. Purinize suggests filtering it through a filter, coffee filter, or fine cloth.

Benefits: A water treatment that can be used on its own, though recommended in conjunction with filtering; tasteless, i.e., doesn't have a chemical flavor; makes your filter work more effectively by collecting the harmful stuff; removes more than just the commonly worried about biological contaminants.

Negatives: None, unless you consider the weight of the Purinize bottles you need to carry along, though it's negligible; also, the recommended 60 minute wait time can be a drag if you're out of water.

I'm pretty sure that Dean used Purinize solely on our epic trip, while the rest of the crew did the pre-filter treatment, then filtered our water through the device brought along. Nobody (as far as I know) suffered any ill effects during the trip in any way whatsoever. Pretty impressive considering we came from two countries and lots of states.

Considering the negligible weight and added benefits, I'm not sure why you wouldn't bring this along anytime you might need to treat water.

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Lifestraw Mission Gear Review

noreply@blogger.com (Kovas Palubinskas) — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 14:55:00 +0000

Adventures await.

And adventures can end prematurely without clean water to drink. Or worse, the effects of drinking dirty water can manifest themselves after returning home, making the trip seem like a really bad idea. Enter Lifestraw. I'm a big fan of the company and their Personal Water Filter goes with me as one of my 10 Essentials.

The LifeStraw Mission (MSRP $129.95 for the 12L size) is a gravity powered water purifier that uses an advanced ultrafiltration membrane with a 0.02 micron pore size, removing virtually all virus, bacteria and protozoa. That's piece of mind.

Super easy to use: fill the roll bag reservoir with water from a stream, river, or lake; roll and clip to close; hang with included strap, then attach the hose through which both clean and dirty water flow from the bag. Water is forced through narrow fibers under low pressure - the clean water exits through tiny pores in the hollow fibers, but bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and other contaminants are trapped inside the hollow fibers and are flushed out by backwashing. (*Note: Water from the red dirty water valve should never be consumed.)

This bag system is a great design and, as mentioned, super easy to use. It requires no electrical power, batteries or replacement parts, just water and something to hang it from so that gravity can do its job. All raw materials are BPA free and US FDA compliant and the easy-to-clean pre-filter is replaceable. Once the purification cartridge reaches its capacity (purifying about 18,000 liters / 4,755 gallons of water), The flow rate of your LifeStraw Mission decreases, then stops pulling water and its time to get a new one. We'll see if maybe Lifestraw will sell a replacement purification cartridge/hose set up so that a whole new system is not needed to be purchased. If not, use the bag as a dry bag.

This is the ideal water filtration system for group camping trips, group hikes and expeditions, removing the need for each person to carry their own water filtration. This rolls up relatively compactly and goes inside of the included stuff sack, so easy to store at home and then carry along on the outing.

One of these days, as a thank you to the crew at America's Rafting Company, I'm going to send them one of these, so that filtering water for their guests for drinking and cooking should be a lot easier.

Here's the kicker: you give when you get. For each LifeStraw you purchase, one school child in a developing community receives safe drinking water for an entire school year. Pretty cool bonus.

This product was provided for review purposes - all opinions are my own.
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Tread Labs Orthotic Insoles Gear Review

noreply@blogger.com (Kovas Palubinskas) — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 14:54:00 +0000

Tread Labs partnered with Epic Social Adventures to provide us with orthotic insoles for Hell Hike and Raft 2015. Even though I have neutral feet and don't feel like I need extra support, I've tried enough aftermarket insoles to know they are usually far superior than the ones that come inside new shoes or boots.

Treadlabs has a unique way of getting their insoles into your footwear: Free Home Try-On. Yup, free. Pick your size, your width, and your arch height and they send you 2 pairs of insoles with 2 different arch heights that could work for you. Try them both – keep the pair that’s perfect. Pay only for what you keep - the insoles cost $75. If neither pair works, return both – shipping is free. How cool is that?

Mark Paigen, former tree trimmer, river guide, and shoe maker (he designed the Chaco Sandals), turned his attention to another product where biomechanics make a difference, insoles. And that's how Tread Labs was born.

Tread Labs Home Trial Video

While I can't guarantee that you'll like Tread Labs, I use them a lot, cycling them through my shoes as desired. Truly a simple way to change the way a pair of shoes or boots feels, and definitely a way to breathe life back into a tired but favorite pair of footwear. With a no-cost test available to test them out, why wouldn't you?

So $75 is a lot for insoles - why go with Tread Labs? Free in home testing. An unconditional Lifetime Guarantee on their Indestructible Arch Supports. Cheaper than custom insoles. Last a good long time. And when the tops wear out? Replacement top covers cost $10/pair. Postpaid. A bargain in the long run.

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Gear Review: Teton Sports Escape4300 Backpack

noreply@blogger.com (Kovas Palubinskas) — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 13:44:00 +0000

Teton Sports, an Epic Social Adventures partner, provided an Escape 4300 for the Hell Hike and Raft 2015 crew. Spoiler alert: these packs saved out asses. And, with the Leaf Green color, are badass looking to boot. I customized mine even more by having a local shop embroider the trip's name on the front pocket.

The Teton Sports Escape 4300 (MSRP $129.99) is willing and able to take on enormous loads: 4,300 cubic inch capacity with seven pockets, two pouches, four compression straps, daisy chain gear loops, D-ring, eyelets and slide-storage under hood. Happily, while we didn't need it, the pack (like most Teton packs) comes with its own bright yellow rainfly, making this an even better buy.

Super adjustable, this pack, over the last two years, has fit Hell Hike and Rafters from 5'0"ish to 6'5", with a variety of bellies to boot. The back panel is channeled to provide airflow and padded to provide support, while the straps are made for comfort as well as utility. The waistbelt is padded and boasts pockets big enough for a phone and snacks, necessities on a long day of backpacking,

We really beat the shit out of these packs - I was not the only one to overstuff my pack and drag it across the Seven Devils (though mine WAS the chunkiest looking). The cool thing about these packs is that they are comfortable from empty up to beyond bursting. Because the pack is super adjustable, you can keep moving it up and down until it fits just right. The wide padded belt really allows for the weight to be distributed across the hips, relieving the upper body from having to shoulder the burden (hehe). Lots of pockets and an interior divider means that customization of your pack an distribution of the weight is easy to do. I literally used every single available stash point, lashed trekking poles to the outside, and then even carried another crew member's tent on the very top on the last day of hiking. The pack handled it all with aplomb.

Pros: Super adjustable; lots of pockets; straps galore for compression; amazingly comfortable even with too much weight over three days of pretty technical and difficult backpacking; great price for the quality.

Cons: I was not a big fan of the side mesh pockets and wished they had been angled forward or higher - I had a hard time reaching back to reinstall water bottles after drinking (of course this may also be my old age and lack of mobility being equally culpable). The top pack was floppy and difficult to work with, at least when it was shoved full of gear - again, this may have been my enthusiasm for filling both pockets to their capacity. Honestly though, there were times I wanted to pull this off and throw it in the nearest lake. (I needed the things I had stashed there, however.) Lastly, even though it's the growing norm, I felt like this pack was very skinny and tall - I would have preferred a wider interior to keep the weight down even lower.

Overall: I can wholeheartedly recommend this pack as an amazing buy for the price. Teton Sports is well known for their customer service, so if anything ever goes wrong, you know they'll be fair on the other end. This is definitely on the heavier end of packs these days, but it compensates by amazing comfort even fully loaded.

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Hiking Michigan: Mt Randal Loop, Warren Dunes State Park

noreply@blogger.com (Kovas Palubinskas) — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 13:51:00 +0000

Several weeks ago, we headed over to Union Pier for a weekend getaway with friends. I have a hard time just sitting on the beach, so I planned a hike at Warren Dunes State Park, which is not too far north of where we were staying. This was supposed to be a relatively easy excursion, but one never knows when walking on sand, especially when it's the whole family, including young ones.

I chose to check out the Mt. Randal Loop, since it basically circumnavigates the entire 2,000 acre park, using four trails or a stretch along Lake Michigan. By doing the loop, our walk took us through forests, up and over sand dunes and just above the beaches, then back to the car by heading over the sand dunes once again.

This really is a fantastic hike, even for families with young children, though it might be too long on some days - we had some complaining at the end, though all had energy to climb and run down the dunes, go figure. We didn't see too many people once we got away from the Park entrance, though there quite a few more out there once we got back to the public beach area, with its dunes that are used by many to climb and run down.

We opted to stay above the shoreline, since the beach, while beautiful, doesn't vary much in terms of view or unique features. The trail just above the beach gives on beautiful views of Lake Michigan, but also closer views of the dunes, blowouts, and native vegetation. Unless you're beach combing for interesting rocks, I'd opt for the duneside trail, even though it is quite bit more difficult as it winds its way up and down the dunes rather than along the flat beach.

Getting there: Warren Dunes State Park is located in Sawyer, Michigan, about an hour and a half from downtown Chicago.

Google Map of Warren Dunes State Park
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Cascade Mountain Tech Quick Lock Carbon Fiber Cork Grip Trekking Poles Gear Review

noreply@blogger.com (Kovas Palubinskas) — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 13:55:00 +0000

We were provided samples of the Cascade Mountain Tech Quick Lock Carbon Fiber Cork Grip Trekking Poles for Hell Hike And Raft 2015, an adventure that took us through the Seven Devil Mountains in Idaho. Most of the group used them for all three days' backpacking, but I used them only on the third day. That third day we descended 6,000 feet, mostly on narrow and steep game trails - these poles worked great and gave me confidence going down, and also supported me when I was exhausted and needed support. The only (slight) negative are the quick locks are not easily adjustable. Minor quibble. This set comes with a complete set of pole accessories, making it an excellent purchase.

What I liked: lightweight, easily adjustable, comfortable cork grips; well-priced (MSRP $49.99).

What I didn't like: since the quick locks are a flip lever, they can come undone if you hit them just right, causing the poles to shorten when weight is placed on them. This can be overcome by spinning the levers so they don't face in towards the legs.

In general, these Quick Lock Carbon Fiber Cork Grip Trekking Poles do the job they were made to do. Portable, lightweight, and easily adjustable, these are a no-brainer to bring along on any hike. With their low price, one can outfit an entire family without breaking the bank.

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Meaty Trail Snacks Roundup

noreply@blogger.com (Kovas Palubinskas) — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 13:46:00 +0000

Trail mix is good and all, but if I had my druthers (and it wasn't freezing cold), I think I'd choose jerky or similar snacks as my go-to while camping or on the trail. Something about the taste and texture just remind me of the outdoors. Over the last month or so, we've been collecting different versions to include in this roundup. All can be purchased online, while some are available at your local gas station or local convenience store.

Patagonia Provisions

Buffalo Jerky (MSRP $10/2oz - Sample Provided): made from 100% grass-fed, free-range, antibiotic- and hormone-free American bison; tasted while hiking at Matthiessen State Park; several of us felt there was a fishy odor to this meat, but all enjoyed the coarse texture. Happy to recommend for its mostly organic ingredients as well as its support of bison farming and small farmers.

Wild Zora Meat and Veggie Snacks

BBQ Beef with Kale, Tomato, Red Bell Pepper; Chili Beef with Kale, Apricot, Cayenne Pepper; Parmesan Beef with Kale, Tomato, Basil; Rosemary Lamb with Spinach and Turmeric; or Masala Turkey with Spinach, Dates, Cardamom(MSRP $3.49/1oz or $16.95/multipack of all 5 flavors - samples provided): so great to have veggies and other goodies included. A family business with products you'd be happy to give to your kids: products are grain-free, gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, MSG-free, and milk-free (except the cheese recipe); meats are 100% grass-fed and free-range with no added hormones, antibiotics, or nitrites (except those naturally occurring). every ingredient is something you recognize and are happy to ingest. These all have unique and interesting flavors and I enjoyed all of them. One caveat - while all the bars are tasty, the spicy bars are SPICY! Great for me, but be careful if you're not big on that in your snacks.

Bass Pro Shops

Uncle Buck's Original Premium Beef Jerky (MSRP $6.99/3.25oz): Very salty. Super plasticky feeling when first placed in the mouth. Decent chewy texture with a lot of smoke flavor. Besides beef, 10 additional ingredients included though only one that I had to look up (sodium erythorbate, for faster curing and color retention).

Uncle Buck's Buffalo Jerky (MSRP $6.99/3.25oz): Slightly plasticky feeling, though texture seems more natural while chewing. Very salty with a pleasing generic meat flavor, plenty of smoke. Besides buffalo, this package contains 11 additional ingredients, including, oddly enough, "ground and formed beef;" doesn't make me very confident knowing they had to manipulate this product in such a way.

Jack Link's

Peppered Beef Jerky (MSRP $16.99/8oz): Purchased at a gas station along with some sweet coffee (a road trip indulgence), this is classic jerky available pretty much anywhere. Nice peppery flavor and great texture. If this was grass fed or organic beef it would be my favorite of the jerkies. Unfortunately, it has additional ingredients like hydrolyzed corn protein, but otherwise not too bad.

While the mainstream jerkies had a range from okay to really good, it's a shame that they have additional, unneeded (in my opinion) ingredients. When I can, I always go with local first, organic and/or free-range next, and finally what's available. I also prefer a drier, more textured mouthfeel over soft and/or plasticky. To me, more flavor is always good, but a heavy hand with the salt can be a turnoff as well.

These are only a few options - suggestions for other good ones?

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RockNBlog: Rock 'n' Roll St Louis 5K

noreply@blogger.com (Kovas Palubinskas) — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 14:41:00 +0000

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to run #RNRSTL as part of the #RockNBlog crew (the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series comped the entry and provided swag to us, very generous Ambassador program). Since I have been struggling all year with my running (what a difference a few years and many, many pounds make!), I switched from the half-marathon to the 5K, knowing I could finish, even if it wasn't pretty.

Friday afternoon I drove down, listening to a James Bond audiobook - love long drives when you have a good book or good company. This was a solo weekend, since the family was just too busy for us all to make the trip. Stopping off at the expo to pick up my bib and shirt, I was kind of surprised at how sparse it was. Maybe the Saturday expo had more vendors, but on Friday it was just a handful. No lines to pick up my bib or shirt though, so that's a plus for sure.

For this trip I opted to try AirBnB, in lieu of a more expensive hotel room. It was a hit and miss all in one. The room was in Lafayette Square, a historic area just south of downtown, filled with beautiful old homes, funky little shops, and lots of interesting restaurants. The room itself was okay, great location, but it was in the basement so: LOW ceilings, musty smell, noises from upstairs were quite audible. I'll probably keep an eye on AirBnB in the future (if it has one, there have been legal rumblings...), especially for trips like ORShow, since hotels are hard to find and very expensive.

Dinner was half a block away, at a local brewpub called Square One Brewery and Distillery, and I highly recommend searching it out if you're in the area. Old time bar inside, funky cool patio outside, with a great enormous wall fountain on one side. Good beer, good nachos (HUGE appetizer portion that I tried to finish but thankfully could not).

Race morning dawned flat out gorgeous, around 40 degrees and an amazing sunrise. My warm up consisted of a mile and a half walk from the room to the start line, which gave me the opportunity to see the skyline and marvel at all the cool buildings St Louis has been able to save and reuse.

We were off and I only took a few opportunities to stop running, either to take photos or take off extra layers. even though it was chilly, it was ideal for running and I got hot relatively quickly. It's an out and back (sort of) loop course, running away from downtown, then coming back on a parallel street, and, except for the far turnaround, really gave the runners an opportunity to see the downtown area. A lot of beautiful older buildings and it doesn't have the vacant feeling some smaller downtowns have these days (even though it was deserted except for us runners).

A better finish than expected, but still horrifyingly slow compared to previous years, I grabbed my medal and headed back to the room, hungry for breakfast. This was had at Park Avenue Coffee, an independent shop known primarily for their Butter Gooey Cakes. "If you’re not from St. Louis then you may not be familiar with Gooey Butter Cake. Gooey Butter Cake starts out with a dense yellow "cake-like" base (the crust) and it is filled with a mixture of powered sugar, butter and cream cheese." While certainly tasty, even the lemon blueberry was far too sweet as a breakfast. Good to try local specials, though.

The ride home was uneventful, more James Bond stories, except for one awesome surprise. Scott (of Hiking Forward) and I managed to coordinate meeting up for lunch. He and his daughters (who are great girls and obviously take after his wife, haha) toured me through Scheel's (an enormous sports store, like Dick's Sporting Goods on steroids), followed by another local microbrewery for lunch, Engrained Brewing Company, which focuses on local products to the fullest extent possible and makes a lot of their food in house. I couldn't resist tasting a flight of beers and I'm glad I did, very tasty indeed.

If you're thinking of running a Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series race, and you can make it to St Louis, I'd recommend this as a low key option. Downtown St Louis has a lot to offer, so stay nearby and leave time to visit all the great sites.

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