This past week, outside

As I had mentioned, I was on vacation last week. I attempted to minimize my time online, even via phone, and LARGELY succeeded. It was rather refreshing, actually!!! I limited my computer time-didnt even log into an actual computer until this past friday-and kept my phone on airplane mode most of the week. I DID spend quite a lot of time outdoors, trying out new gear, and generally just being in the woods, where I seem to feel most at peace.
A couple items I tried out for the first REAL time, and want to give a quick review here.
First, a pair of Palladium IDF desert combat "boots". These are, in essence, simply Chuck Taylors, made for the military. They are canvas boots, no insulation, and VERY light. I really like these things-they are light enough to wear all day, and dry out pretty quick once you get them wet. They dont require a breakin period, as they are simply canvas. They only come in a couple colors-more are available, but, from what I understand, hard to come by-so mine are in foliage, I believe they called it. Here are a couple of pictures:



I would rate them a 7, on a scale of 1-10. They are certainly comfortable, and cheap-less than $40 for them. But, being canvas, I dont expect to get more than a year out of them, with a lot of use. The soles are nice, with good lugs, but, my experience with canvas shoes in general is that they dont last forever-certainly not as long as leather. But, you are paying MUCH more for leather boots, so keep that in mind. There is also limited ankle support-I personally feel the whole "ankle support" argument is overrated, as, if you walk correctly, it isnt an issue. But, these dont offer any at all, so, keep that in mind.
Next up, my brand new Real Deal Brazil hat, that my fiance gave me for my birthday. I am not a fan of cowboy hats, but, this is a little different. Its made out of old truck canvas, from trucks down in Brazil. It has a nice, worn in look to it. This is my absolute favorite hat!!! It has a good brim, with a wire that, from what I understand, is a wire from a truck tire. Its malleable, and can be formed to whatever position the user wants. It has a Coolmax headband, but the rest is recycled canvas. These are made by local villagers in Brazil and, speaking with the owner personally, the money they get for each order, goes back into their community. They have built schools, public water and sewer, and most homes now have electricity-as a DIRECT result of the purchase of these hats. So, not only are they environmentally concious, they actually give back to the community they serve. How can you go wrong with THAT???





I did add a hat band I made out of paracord, and s chin strap out of deer skin lacing, to keep it on in windy conditions.
NExt item up is sort of just an update, for the Emberlit stove. I have been using this for a little over a month now, and, I must say, this is now my go to hiking stove, for anywhere in New England. In fact, any where I could get something to burn, I would go with this stove. Its only 5 pieces of stainless steel, or titanium, if you want to go that route-essentially, its simply a mobile mini fireplace. But it works SO well!!! You simply start a little fire, add twigs until its going, then feed fuel in from the side hole. No need to carry fuel, or worry about running out. I have yet to see how difficult it is to find fuel after a rain storm, as we really havent had one yet, but it would be no more difficult that doing so when setting up for a fire. Here are a couple pics of my latest use:
Staring with a twig fire:


Got it going well:


Boiling pond water!

Last up, just a quick review of my ever-changing daily bumming gear.
I have taken to carrying 2 small over the shoulder packs: a water/stove kit, and a haversack, for other stuff. Here is what I carry:


Here is the breakdown of this stuff:

Water bottle, cup, plastic mug, titanium spork, Emberlit stove, canteen cup lid, and a container of PCJBs. Also, in the top of the lid, are 6 water tabs, for chemical treatment of water.

My haversack:

A tarp, with 4 aluminum stakes, a ridgeline, and 8 small pieces of 550 cord, a notebook, some guide books, a first aid kit, an emergency blanket, some boil only food in the blue bag(enough for 2 days), a small pair of binos, a small metal container that has a fire kit, fishing kit, sharpener, and wire saw in it, and has duct tape on the outside, and, finally, some writing utensils. Not pictured, my compass, a lighter, my SAK, and my Condor Bushlore, with a fire steel. Those items, I have on me.

Thats it for this installment. I am thinking the next one, I am going to do some foraging-scratch that. Next up, I will go over my new bow!!! :)