Reindeer Munchies

They're eating double reindeer moss for the trip down....

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Gift for the Outdoor Enthusiast Who Has it All

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Have a gear junkie that you still need to find something for? What about a slacklining kit like this one from REI. Looks like fun to me!

They're On Their Way...

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How to Find a Sled

You may recall from previous posts that I am a big fan of sledding down mountains. I try to find mountains with unmaintained access roads or wide telephone lines. It seriously makes the trip up so much more fun knowing that you will be flying back down on a sled.

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We've busted through half a dozen sleds during these types of escapades. So how do you find a keeper sled? We're still on the quest ourselves for the perfect sled, but here are some things to look for and think about:

• weight: needs to be somewhat lightweight enough so that you can truck up the mountain with it
• handles: sleds with handles are basically mandatory so that you can steer away from trees and ditches
• heavy duty bottom: the more heavy the plastic on the bottom the better. The bottom tends to be the part that rips apart fastest. The inflatable sleds just don't hold up coming down a mountain, but the cheaper the rig (read: mainly plastic) the better
• attachable string or cord: this way you can either pull it up behind you or attach it to your pack
  

They're Coming

Guess who is coming....

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Winter Camping Plague

I have taken ill with a Winter Camping Plague. You see over the summer our trusty tent pole snapped. We have replaced the tent poles twice before from this site (which depending upon the age of your tent is a great idea). The issue is we pay close to $40 a pole. Given we've replaced the poles together a few times that's almost a $100 bucks a wack.

Since our most recent snapped pole we've decided that duct tape will have to do. We duct taped the pole where it splintered down the metal part and prayed for clear skies. One evening we got a torrential downpour and subsequently got soaked.

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So when there's no wind or pending weather the duct taped pole holds up. Give us a bit of a breeze and some precipitation and we're asking for trouble. Thus, the Winter Camping Plague. Something about winter, plus camping, plus a duct taped tent pole just doesn't go well together.

Till then...we're planning and fixing and trying to decide on our next tent...

Albino

Driving through my neighborhood one afternoon I thought I saw a white squirrel fly across the road.

"Nah- can't be," I thought. One week later my sighting was confirmed as I rode my bike up the hill. I live in a neighborhood with an albino squirrel. Since then I've seen the white tailed wonder scurrying across the road, dodging cars, and scrambling up trees on a regular basis.

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Pick One Thing

With the new year fast approaching I'm starting to think up my 2011 list. I want it to look a lot like my 2004 list. In 2004, I said F-- it to the "not enough" excuses and decided I was going to try everything that year. So long "not enough time to pick up a new sport"- I joined a women's fast pitch softball league. See ya "not enough money"- I tried rowed crew for 12 weeks. I want 2011 to be like that too- time to throw excuses to the wind.

To start with I'm going to pick one thing. I'm going to pick one thing and just get it done this year. It involves my little brother (well if you call 28 little) and one long hike.

So what about you? Got a whole list yet or do you want to start like I did- with just one thing?

Snow!

On our adventures this weekend we found snow in the nearby mountains. While Misty tends to shy away from extreme cold- she still really enjoyed the snow. She loves to bite it. Yup. She likes to bite at the snow as she runs around- little weirdo.

Trail Blazes

A well marked trail really deserves it's own post. Here's to hoping your trails are pretty well marked. And when they aren't- here's to hoping that it leads to a wicked good adventure.

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Igloo Making

So what's your snow sitch? We're currently bare ground in the southern part of New Hampshire, but with snow in the north. We also may be getting some fluffy stuff this Sunday. All I know is that seriously- this year I must make myself an igloo.

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Any igloo makers out there with tips? Please share!

Misty Superstar

Oh yes, that's right. Misty has been making tracks on the blogs. She just hightailed it over to Ruff Wear's blog for Christmas. Her and Santa have been talking and I am pretty sure she'll be getting a new bone in her stocking this year...

PS are you freaked out how close Christmas is? We've had a stomach bug that knocked us back an extra week. I haven't even started with Christmas yet....Yikes!

Weekend

Can anybody say weekend? Weekend!!! We've been having a good cold snap in the Northeast for the past week. We went from balmy 40 degree temps to painstaking windy 20 degree temps. Sure we'll get much colder than that in the winters- but when it comes so suddenly it's such a shock. Not much snow in the southern spots, but the north country has quite a bit!

In the meantime, bring on the weekend!!

You Should Get This for Your Girlfriend

Terry Cycling Sweater

You should get this sweater for your girlfriend (or wife). Why? Because it's pink and it says "ride like the wind".... which she does.

Welcome December!

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Welcome December! I have such fun things in store for you- none of which involve shopping at the mall.