We had the opportunity this weekend to get some boys out on a Pearson 37 sailboat, the designation 37 referring to its overall length, in feet. Weather was not great - 20 knots sustained, heavy rain which came at you horizontally, and 3-foot swells. Despite that, we went sailing! Two reefs in the main, a…Read more Sailing Intro, Under Harsh Conditions
Skills
Cranberry Sunfish
This looks like a regular sunfish sailboat on a regular lake - but it's sailing on a cranberry bog, or at least the remnants of one. The lake is one of five, separated by small earthen dams, strung together in the Pine Barrens of eastern New Jersey. Cranberries are now long gone, and the lakes…Read more Cranberry Sunfish
Fishing Fun
Ah... the joys of fishing!
Six Easy Ways to “Get Out There” This Summer
We all suffer from a lack of time, and perhaps priorities, that keep us away from experiencing certain things in life. If enjoying the outdoors is one of those things that appeal to you (and I assume it is, since you're reading this), take heart! Outdoor adventure doesn't need to take time, money, or even…Read more Six Easy Ways to “Get Out There” This Summer
“Bright Spring”
We have just entered the fourth season of the year, and it's one of my favorites! This is based on the 8-season model I wrote about earlier in the year, where we consider both temperature AND sunlight. In "Bright Spring", we enjoy some of the longest days of the year - at my latitude we…Read more “Bright Spring”
To Clean, or Not To Clean – Water in the Backcountry
A few months ago, an article published by Slate started to get a lot of attention, for suggesting that the practice of treating backcountry water sources against possible pathogens was built on myth. No doubt it got the buzz Slate was looking for, but I pretty much ignored it at the time. Recently though, I was pointed…Read more To Clean, or Not To Clean – Water in the Backcountry
The Eight (Yes, Eight) Seasons
Welcome to Groundhog Days! We're entering the second of eight outdoor seasons this year - Groundhog Days are that period where it's still winter-cold, but the skies are brightening. This combo means ideal conditions for winter camping, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, etc. - Cold, brisk winter weather, snow, but with lengthening afternoons that actually give you…Read more The Eight (Yes, Eight) Seasons
Winter Camping Without a Tent
December was a crazy month - it always is during the run up to the holidays, trying to prepare at home, and preemptively get everything done at work. Like I mentioned in the run-up to Christmas though, I had plans, and some of them have come to fruition. In mid-December, I was able to complete…Read more Winter Camping Without a Tent
Imagining the Possibilities
Happy December, everybody! It's hard to believe we've come all the way around to the end of the year again, but happy to have completed the journey. For whatever reason, this time of year always stirs a wanderlust in me for getting out on the trail somewhere. It may be a conditioned response - with…Read more Imagining the Possibilities
Experiments!
This may be a little to exact for this week's challenge, but hey, it's Science Fair season! One of my sons has been experimenting with the chemistry that creates cool light - along the bioluminescence capabilities of fireflies (lightning bugs), jellyfish, and our own man-made glow sticks, generally referred to as chemiluminescence. After several iterations…Read more Experiments!
How To Lash a Tripod (And Make a Chair)
I posted a picture of this lashed-together camp chair not too long ago, and it got a lot of interest among my small group of Facebook followers, so I thought I'd write up a quick how-to! As camp chairs go, this one is simple. That's one of the reasons I use this design - if…Read more How To Lash a Tripod (And Make a Chair)
Sleeping In On A Rainy Day
We've all been there. Lying in bed, knowing it's time to get up - but outside it's raining. You can hear it on the roof, on the windows. So you pull your covers over your head and doze off for another half-hour (if you're lucky). Scientists link rainy-day drowsiness to a lack of sunlight. Light…Read more Sleeping In On A Rainy Day
FISH IN FERN. The Ten Essentials: A Systems Approach
A different way to think through what you need.
Flying Squirrel Outdoors 