I don't think I'll switch at this point. I'm liking the Fitbit Surge too and OnX on my phone works wonders for me as well.      ... View more

@MargaretP Does it have down inside? If so, consider buying a crappy synthetic down jacket from a thrift store, cutting the baffles and replacing the synthetic with the good stuff from the sleeping bag. Use repair tape to "clean it up". Won't look great but will work as an emergency jacket in your car. Super DIY but a fun project.  ... View more

I grew up camping a lot. My dad was an Eagle Scout and knew I had to become one as I was his last son and my Brother quit early. I probably would have quit otherwise but I thank the stars I didn't.  Once I turned 18 I only camped every few years for a while, and really only to drink and hang out with buds. It wasn't until my early 30s that things changed for me. Instead of cancelling camping trips for other obligations and only camping once a year, I kept my car packed, and refined my gear. I started camping alone, going on longer trips, and keeping weekends open for possible trips.  Right around that time I met a woman who had camping in her priority box too. She would tell me that she planned on camping most weekends and that she would be going with or without me. I showed her how to cook on a campfire and that the food on a trip could be an enjoyable part of the experience rather than an afterthought. Eggs and bacon and glazed pork loin and curried carrots rather than just hotdogs for every meal.  She taught me that if you went to bed early you could wake up and summit every peak before the sun fully rose, and that beating others to the trail meant for better views, and more of them. She showed me what my body was capable of. 5 mile hikes, 8 mile hikes, 12 mile hikes. She pushed me and I pushed her, which is what the outdoors means to me.  I married her. We bought camping land. And we continue seeking and exploring. Passing these traditions on to our kids. I'm carrying my dads boy scout pocket knife in my pocket now, just like I always do. It's cleaned, oiled, and sharp as it ever was. Just like my desire to be outdoors.  My dad's Boy Scout Knife My Fam My wife and a fox snake she wrangled ... View more

Honestly one really cheap item that really added to the luxury factor of our set up, is a easily stowable door mat. Sounds weird, but it makes a difference.  Solar panels and all that rock but if you want to cheap out a little bit, a simple ANker battery bank will keep you afloat for a while too. I depend on mine.  Post pics of your set up! ... View more

I mean, if REI wants to send me one to test I'll certainly give it a ride. You know, for the good of the team. 😉   And how the hell do you know if you need it until you have it? N+1/i   ... View more

I’m sure you didn’t intend to come off they way you did! You should give it another shot! ... View more

I don't have the fenders or rack on it right now but here ya go!  It isn't about the side eye as much as the geometry. I feel like maybe I'd have more leverage and be more upright with wider risers. To get to the brakes I'm either choked in narrow or I'm hunched over with my weight more over the bars.  But **bleep** yeah to these bar types being used all over. I bought this from a guy at Comrade Cycles in Chicago which was started by a dude who has done the Continental Divide trail single speed a few times.    ... View more

@ghsmith76 This looks idyllic. My dog hates the water but loves the beach. There is an awesome and super short backpacking trip in the Nordhouse Dunes in Michigan which we use as a backpacking test/shakedown trip for people, and I did it as a test for my doggo too.  Just checked out your adventure page. Love it! I have a MUCH LESS organized one on Tumblr.  ... View more

This isn't a van but there is no Tiny Home section. 🙂 The kitchen is pretty much all REI but everything else is IKEA.  Thank Jeebus for a get away during the pandemic.  ... View more