Quick update

So much going on keeping me busy.

The last bit of furniture has been sold and will be picked up Sunday. The aquarium has been broken down, corals gifted to random folks, and the tank and equipment has been sold. Closet is nearly packed up or donated, garage has been cleaned and tools placed in storage. Selling the car is the last big item to cross off.

The biggest news is that I put in my notice at work today. Looking forward to finally being able to do some pre-hike videos and get the YouTube channel rolling. Updates should be much more frequent from here on out.

Stay tuned.

Sugarloaf Mountain hike

  Another shakedown hike with all the gear, this time at Sugarloaf Mountain.

  For those in the DMV area, this is probably the closest hiking area with some decent altitude gains.  The park has a nice variety of trails with different terrain, is well blazed, provides maps, and was absolutely packed with folks getting out and enjoying the unusual 70 degree weather.

  The hike ended up being just shy 8.4 miles.  My goal was 8.8, to mimic the distance of the Amicalola Falls approach trail.  I started between the two southern parking lots and proceeded to the Orange Trail, which took me up nearly 400 feet in 1/4 mile, then Red, Blue, Blue & White, Blue, Yellow (the wrong way for a little bit), Blue, White, up the Orange again because I'm a glutton for punishment, then down the Green and back to the car.

 On the Orange, the path goes straight up for the most part, here's a shot of the hill, I'm standing perpendicular to the path.

  So, what did I learn this go around?

1. I paid a bit more attention to my water consumption.  I took 2 liters, but really wished I had another.

2. I sweat, a lot, and a buff would be really handy.  I have one packed in for summer gear, but a second might be more useful.  Perhaps I'll ditch the pack towel and save a tiny bit of weight.

3. I'm still not sure about this pack.  The load lifters keep slipping off the frame then get caught up in straps for the brain.  I think I finally got it adjusted to a sweet spot about midway through this hike, it rides well, it feels good, but I can't help but think 500 miles with it will make me want to set it on fire on launch it off the side of a cliff.  Still considering the Mariposa and Arc Haul, but I refuse to buy something I can't test with my gear inside.  Worst case, I'll make due until Trail Days then decide what to do.

4. More time at the gym can't hurt.  I'm stiff, legs are a little sore.  Still have some time before departure - things should only improve on that front.  My feet have some warm spots (no blisters), but I was wearing junk socks (lesson learned, even on a short hike).  I've read online that applying isopropyl alcohol to the feet will help toughen them up and will give that a go.

  All in all, this was a fun learning hike.  I'm wondering if this is unseasonably warm weather will continue and what it might mean for the trail in the days ahead.

Working out and a shakedown hike

  Did a 2 hour 6 mile hike today in full gear, bag loaded, food, water, everything.  My biggest complaint is that the pack's belt straps keep working themselves loose over time.  I remember reading that this is a common problem with the Flash62 and I'll do some research to find a solution.

  Other than that, all went well.  My pack does not feel heavy and the load sits well.  On the physical side, I was a little stiff at the end, but not any where near exhausted or in pain.  I've been visiting the gym a few days a week and riding the stair climber and treadmill.

  Interesting thing I noticed the other day...according to the treadmill, a 3mph walk up a 25 degree slope burns 1210 calories per hour.

  Two things learned: 1. This pack might not make it too far down the trail (Looking at the Mariposa or Arc Haul as possible replacements). 2. Need to up my daily gym intake.  I'm not looking to crush miles on day one, but it seems like a bit of hurt now, where I can recuperate with a hot shower and comfy couch, will pay off in spades later on.

Testing Bluetooth keyboard

This is a test of the Yumqua bluetooth keyboard.  It's a small waterproof keyboard that is very lightweight  and has a built in rechargeable battery.  It is a little small to type on but the key response is decent. This is the way we laugh and talk and walk annd play throughout the ight and all the day. The quick brown ox jumped over the lay dog. The N keey seems to have a little issue and sometimes chararcters double type. Easy fix with spellchecker, though. I think I am hppy with this and will be able to work with it o the trail.

I also purrhase an Anker BT keyboarrd. I'm sure it would be bbetter response hoever it weighs 189g and requires 2 AAA batteries not included in that weight.

Seems like a light touch makes for more accurate typing.

accurate typing

The media and volume keys wwork as do the copy and paste shortcuuts.

Yumqua 6116 keyboard
http://a.co/dzHLCSh
Weight: 122g

For the wweight and convenience I believe this is a key-per. ;)

And don't worry, in the future I'll correct spelling errors.

Taking a trip in the Way-Back machine...Take 2

This post is mostly to familiarize myself with Blogger and learn a bit about posting from mobile and how pictures work.

Back in 2010 a couple buddies and I bought Buell motorcycles at the crux of their demise. Evening rides through back roads became frequent and we never tired of watching the electric light show of fireflies exploding off the helmet of the rider in front of us.

Eventually we wanted to take a longer trip, and the Bike-and-Hike was born. This became an annual event during which we would load up the backpacks, load up the bikes, head out a few hours to one of Ohio's wonderful Parks, hike for 3 days, then return home. Our first trip was to Zaleski State Forest.

 I never did weigh my full pack during one of these trips, but I remember it was incredibly heavy. Way too much food (usually MREs), a first aid kit that included everything except an operating room table, and lots of cotton clothing. Regardless, it was these trips that gave me a deep appreciation for a simple walk in the woods with great people.

So.....what would say...you learned here?

Blogger and Google Drive integration sucks.  I am whole-hog inside the Google ecosystem, but its integration is really, really bad.  Did I mention how bad it is?  It's beyond bad, somewhere in the absolutely terrible range.  I feel like there should be a Douglas Adams quote about how awful it is.  The documentation is even worse. Don't even get me started on the Allo, Duo, Messenger, Voice, and Hangouts issues.

PS: Google (or Alphabet, whatever), I can fix you. Well, I can't fix you, but I can boss around those who can in a very meaningful way.  All I ask for in return in is $8.6mil/year, a massive golden parachute, and a free prime rib lunch on Tuesdays.

Taking a trip in the Way-Back machine

This post is mostly to familiarize myself with Blogger and learn a bit about posting from mobile and how pictures work.

Back in 2010 a couple buddies and I bought Buell motorcycles at the crux of their demise. Evening rides through back roads became frequent and we never tied of watching the electric light show of fireflies exploding off the helmet of the rider in front of us.

Eventually we wanted to take a longer trip, and the Bike-and-Hike was born. This became an annual event during which we would load up the backpacks, load up the bikes, head out a few hours to one of Ohio's wonderful Parks, hike for 3 days, then return home. Our first trip was to Zaleski State Forest.

I never did weigh my full pack during one of these trips, but I remember it was incredibly heavy. Way too much food (usually MREs), a first aid kit that included everything except an operating room table, and lots of cotton clothing. Regardless, it was these trips that gave me a deep appreciation for a simple walk in the woods with great people.