Before I went to Bulgaria for our hiking trip, I spontaneously threw 2 brands of hiking socks in my basket at REI that I had never tried before. I have been looking for ideal socks for years, ever since Fox River stopped making my original favorite wool sock. I don't like really thick socks and even some of the "lightweight" ones are too thick. Since I once liked them so much, I picked a new design of a Fox River sock - admitttedly because it had a flower on it (I am trying to get more in touch with my feminine side!) I also picked a TEKO sock because it looked like the right thickness for me and somewhere in the recesses of my brain I remembered some positive reviews of TEKO socks.
I loved both of these socks, and they fit wonderfully in my boot with a sock liner. But I really want to praise the TEKO sock. Not only was it comfortable, but their company is incredibly ecologically minded. Part of their mission is "to create the best performing socks in the world, with the least impact on our planet." They accomplish this in a variety of ways: They use minimal, post consumer, recycled packaging; the socks are made with recycled polyester, eco-merino wool, organic cotton, and natural dyes; they have bought wind-powered enegry credits to offset their own energy use; they also use low amounts of water in their wash process; and they are made in the United States.
On top of all this, the socks are just designed well. They are field-tested for a variety of criteria by people who are bikers, hikers, skiers, etc. My feet were definitely dry and comfortable and happy - and these socks were tested for 6-9 hours a day. I loved them (and my Fox River socks) so much that I just kept washing them out by hand and re-wearing them. Give a pair a try and if you don't like them they even have a one-year guarantee! You can read more about the design, performance and company information on their web site: http:// www.tekosocks.com --Deb
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
My mom turns 95 today
Which is an amazing accomplishment in and of itself. I credit her with my love of the outdoors and travel, and being open to new experiences.
Not that she was an avid outdoorswoman. She was born in 1912 and is very much a product of her times. But she had the great fortune to grow up spending her summers in a cabin in the Adirondacks on a tiny island. And this was a very rustic cabin, where we cooked on a wood stove, read by kerosene lamps, got ice every other day for the icebox, and had an outhouse (none of which had changed during my childhood when we spent two weeks every summer there). We hiked and paddled but didn't camp or backpack.
Her true adventurous spirit emerged when she was 75 and two events converged-my dad died and I started guiding outdoor trips. There were two year when she came on a whitewater canoe weekend I was teaching over Mother's Day. At the age of 76 she joined me for a 5 day Boundary Waters Canoe trip, the first time she had camped since she was 14. Three years later she went on a 15 day raft trip down the Grand Canyon. We also had some great travels together- China and Costa Rica on tours and New Zealand on our own. Our last trip together was when she was 88 and we did a 2 week Elderhostel tour in South Africa.
I have learned a lot from my mom, and probably nothing more important than knowing that it truly is never too late to pursue new experiences. And also that a curious and interested mind keeps us fully alive. While macular degeneration has slowed her down significantly, she recently has been listening to books on Islam as she tries to understand what is going in the world.
Happy birthday, Mom! I sure hope you gave me all those genes. -- Marian
Not that she was an avid outdoorswoman. She was born in 1912 and is very much a product of her times. But she had the great fortune to grow up spending her summers in a cabin in the Adirondacks on a tiny island. And this was a very rustic cabin, where we cooked on a wood stove, read by kerosene lamps, got ice every other day for the icebox, and had an outhouse (none of which had changed during my childhood when we spent two weeks every summer there). We hiked and paddled but didn't camp or backpack.
Her true adventurous spirit emerged when she was 75 and two events converged-my dad died and I started guiding outdoor trips. There were two year when she came on a whitewater canoe weekend I was teaching over Mother's Day. At the age of 76 she joined me for a 5 day Boundary Waters Canoe trip, the first time she had camped since she was 14. Three years later she went on a 15 day raft trip down the Grand Canyon. We also had some great travels together- China and Costa Rica on tours and New Zealand on our own. Our last trip together was when she was 88 and we did a 2 week Elderhostel tour in South Africa.
I have learned a lot from my mom, and probably nothing more important than knowing that it truly is never too late to pursue new experiences. And also that a curious and interested mind keeps us fully alive. While macular degeneration has slowed her down significantly, she recently has been listening to books on Islam as she tries to understand what is going in the world.
Happy birthday, Mom! I sure hope you gave me all those genes. -- Marian
Friday, August 17, 2007
pack cover vs. garbage bag
We recently got an email from someone going on our Grand Canyon Backpacking trip asking about this. I thought I'd give my 2 cents:
A garbage bag is an inexpensive option to waterproof your backpack. If you line the inside of your pack with it, it will keep your gear dry, but will not keep the backpack itself dry, nor anything you might have in outside pockets. If you put the garbage bag on the outside of your pack, it will keep your backpack dry, but probably not entirely fit the shape of the pack. Garbage bags also have a tendency to get holes in them, but since they are inexpensive and lightweight you can bring extra along.
A pack cover is made of coated nylon (usually) that wraps around the outside of your backpack and cinches down to fit right over the pack. Most brands make their own pack cover, and there are different sizes depending on the cubic inches of your pack. A pack cover is great for when you are travelig during the day, and can often fit over a thermarest attached to the outside of the pack as well as the pack itself. The biggest con to a pack cover is that they are fairly expensive. I also would recommend lining your stuff sacks (or backpack) with garbage bags in addition to the pack cover.
In the end of the day, decide how often you are going to backpack, what climates you will mostly travel in, and what kind of monetary investment you want to make. I often covet pack covers when I see people backpacking with them. They look so streamlined and efficient. But truth be told, I still opt for the garbage bags. --Deb
A garbage bag is an inexpensive option to waterproof your backpack. If you line the inside of your pack with it, it will keep your gear dry, but will not keep the backpack itself dry, nor anything you might have in outside pockets. If you put the garbage bag on the outside of your pack, it will keep your backpack dry, but probably not entirely fit the shape of the pack. Garbage bags also have a tendency to get holes in them, but since they are inexpensive and lightweight you can bring extra along.
A pack cover is made of coated nylon (usually) that wraps around the outside of your backpack and cinches down to fit right over the pack. Most brands make their own pack cover, and there are different sizes depending on the cubic inches of your pack. A pack cover is great for when you are travelig during the day, and can often fit over a thermarest attached to the outside of the pack as well as the pack itself. The biggest con to a pack cover is that they are fairly expensive. I also would recommend lining your stuff sacks (or backpack) with garbage bags in addition to the pack cover.
In the end of the day, decide how often you are going to backpack, what climates you will mostly travel in, and what kind of monetary investment you want to make. I often covet pack covers when I see people backpacking with them. They look so streamlined and efficient. But truth be told, I still opt for the garbage bags. --Deb
Friday, August 10, 2007
Step outside...
your comfort zone. Wikipedia defines a comfort zone as: a "plateau" one that describes a set of behaviors that have become comfortable, without creating a sense of risk or anxiety.
A comfort zone is a necessary part of life. We all need space to feel safe and secure, and most of us don't want to be/can't be challenging ourselves every second of every day. However, I think it is equally important to push the boundaries of comfort and take a risk. Many of you do this every time you come on one of our trips. What I find fascinating about comfort zone "pushing," if you will, is how different that it for every single person. Meaning, the thing that pushes me out of my comfort zone is totally different than what pushes Marian out of hers, or you out of yours.
On my recent trips to Bulgaria and Greece, this really hit home as I watched everyone challenge herself in ways I may or may not have thought of as risk-taking, but were clearly stretching boundaries. It became a bit of a joke, but we started to cheer to going outside of your comfort zone. Sleeping under the stars; living with lost luggage; admitting fear about climbing a peak; climbing a peak; eating new foods; riding a chair lift; feeling really ill; learning a new language; camping without a bathroom; going without strong coffee; participating in water fights; learning to share pieces of yourself with others; and so on.
Whether small or large, fun or scary, once in an entire week, or every single day - the amount that we are challenged on an adventure travel trip (or in life) is up to us. I know for me, the amount of joy I get from a trip is also related to what ways I have challenged myself as well. The biggest thing to remember is that we are all different. Stretch yourself - you might learn just how expandable you are. And, celebrate your successes.--Deb
A comfort zone is a necessary part of life. We all need space to feel safe and secure, and most of us don't want to be/can't be challenging ourselves every second of every day. However, I think it is equally important to push the boundaries of comfort and take a risk. Many of you do this every time you come on one of our trips. What I find fascinating about comfort zone "pushing," if you will, is how different that it for every single person. Meaning, the thing that pushes me out of my comfort zone is totally different than what pushes Marian out of hers, or you out of yours.
On my recent trips to Bulgaria and Greece, this really hit home as I watched everyone challenge herself in ways I may or may not have thought of as risk-taking, but were clearly stretching boundaries. It became a bit of a joke, but we started to cheer to going outside of your comfort zone. Sleeping under the stars; living with lost luggage; admitting fear about climbing a peak; climbing a peak; eating new foods; riding a chair lift; feeling really ill; learning a new language; camping without a bathroom; going without strong coffee; participating in water fights; learning to share pieces of yourself with others; and so on.
Whether small or large, fun or scary, once in an entire week, or every single day - the amount that we are challenged on an adventure travel trip (or in life) is up to us. I know for me, the amount of joy I get from a trip is also related to what ways I have challenged myself as well. The biggest thing to remember is that we are all different. Stretch yourself - you might learn just how expandable you are. And, celebrate your successes.--Deb
Monday, August 6, 2007
Getting the kids unplugged and tuned in
Last week I guided a trip for 3 grandmas, 1 mother, and 4 girls. It was a lovely three days, full of laughter, swimming, and enjoying being outdoors. I thought there were several things that made it particularly successful that are worth considering when planning a trip with kids- and getting kids to enjoy the outdoors at this age (8 to 12) is critical to growing the next generation of outdoorspeople.
First, we stayed in air conditioned cabins with beds. This was as rustic as most of them had ever been (no internet or TV!) and real camping might have been over the top. Two, we did a variety of things and tried not to do anything too long. Three, we did things I would never do- like visiting the Luray Canyons, which I have always avoided because they are so overhyped. Actually they turned out to be very cool. Four, we ate kid friendly food - healthy, but nothing too weird. And five, we ate ice cream! The four kids bonded, the grandmas enjoyed down time without needing to supevise all the time, and I regained my faith in the coming generation.--Marian
First, we stayed in air conditioned cabins with beds. This was as rustic as most of them had ever been (no internet or TV!) and real camping might have been over the top. Two, we did a variety of things and tried not to do anything too long. Three, we did things I would never do- like visiting the Luray Canyons, which I have always avoided because they are so overhyped. Actually they turned out to be very cool. Four, we ate kid friendly food - healthy, but nothing too weird. And five, we ate ice cream! The four kids bonded, the grandmas enjoyed down time without needing to supevise all the time, and I regained my faith in the coming generation.--Marian
Friday, August 3, 2007
Bridge collapse
On Wednesday night, a section of I-35 collapsed into the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. It was rush hour and there were numerous cars and trucks on the bridge, though they have been doing construction on it this summer, so 2 of 4 lanes were closed. I was riding my bike near to the river when it occurred, but I was not there when the tragedy happened. I did ride over to see the aftermath, and wondered if there was anything I could do to help.
It was eery to stand there seeing an entire area of empty and smoking space where the road had been - a road that 150,000 people a day pass, and that I have been over more times than I can count. It was all too easy to picture that you could have been one of those cars on the bridge. The police were turning people away from crowding at the scene, which I understood, but made me feel even more helpless, especially given my advanced emergency medical training. They had enough help for the time being, and were more worried about the instability of the wreckage.
Fortunately, no one I knew was injured, killed, or even witness to the event. This does not make it any less tragic, but it does make it a little less personal. What I have been struck by most, though, is the amount of concern that has come, literally, from around the world. My partner's relatives from Australia emailed to make sure everyone was all right; my relatives from Peru and Canada have emailed and called; friends from around the city and state have called or emailed; our AGC guides have checked in with us and other participants they know in Minneapolis; and many of my previous participants have emailed to check on me. It might sound trite, but I find it amazing that a structural bridge collapsed at home and the news has spread around the world - creating a (figurative) bridge with a worldwide community.
I think it is so important to remember how connected we all are (whether you think of it as the 'web-of-life', the 100th monkey, etc.) and continue to care about not only what happens in our own backyard, but what happens around the world. I am grateful for the opportunities I have to travel and experience this first hand, and also to all of you for reminding me in this time of a local tragedy, that our community is larger than out our door. -- deb
It was eery to stand there seeing an entire area of empty and smoking space where the road had been - a road that 150,000 people a day pass, and that I have been over more times than I can count. It was all too easy to picture that you could have been one of those cars on the bridge. The police were turning people away from crowding at the scene, which I understood, but made me feel even more helpless, especially given my advanced emergency medical training. They had enough help for the time being, and were more worried about the instability of the wreckage.
Fortunately, no one I knew was injured, killed, or even witness to the event. This does not make it any less tragic, but it does make it a little less personal. What I have been struck by most, though, is the amount of concern that has come, literally, from around the world. My partner's relatives from Australia emailed to make sure everyone was all right; my relatives from Peru and Canada have emailed and called; friends from around the city and state have called or emailed; our AGC guides have checked in with us and other participants they know in Minneapolis; and many of my previous participants have emailed to check on me. It might sound trite, but I find it amazing that a structural bridge collapsed at home and the news has spread around the world - creating a (figurative) bridge with a worldwide community.
I think it is so important to remember how connected we all are (whether you think of it as the 'web-of-life', the 100th monkey, etc.) and continue to care about not only what happens in our own backyard, but what happens around the world. I am grateful for the opportunities I have to travel and experience this first hand, and also to all of you for reminding me in this time of a local tragedy, that our community is larger than out our door. -- deb
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