posted by Automatik

What did you think of Estes? I really wanted to go to Smokin' Daves BBQ but it was absolutely slammed on a Friday evening. Ended up at Post Chicken & Beer. It was solid.

I have been there before.  We just went to Bear Lake for a quick hike.  Got back into Estes Park around 11 and it was stupid crowded.  We just are lunch and had a beer at Estes Park Brewing then headed back to Fort Collins.  Went up to Cheyenne later that afternoon and stopped at Natural Fort (between Cheyenne and Fort Collins) on the way back to climb around the rock formations.  We stopped at a Post Chicken in Longmont Thursday when we got there....just for beer though.

Yeah, I didn't plan enough. Estes was slammed, same with Grand Lake. 3 hour drive back to Denver due to Sunday traffic. Hello peak season! 

After much research, going with the Eureka SPRK Grill + griddle add-on.

https://www.rei.com/product/179538/eureka-sprk-camp-grill?storeId=8000&toUrl=%2Fproduct%2F179538%2Feureka-sprk-camp-grill

Looks good. Let me know how you like it as I'll be in the market for something similar for next year.

I've been reading so many damn reviews and watching vids. I'm still not 100% sold lol. Looks like if you're diligent with cleaning it, you'll be fine.

This also caught my eye, but griddle add on is out of stock and that's a bit more than I'd like to pay.

Link

I head for the Boundary Waters in two days and I'm starting to get that heavy pre-trip anxiety kicking in. But I'm really looking forward to it since I missed last year due to forest fires (thanks, Smokey).

posted by justincredible

I head for the Boundary Waters in two days and I'm starting to get that heavy pre-trip anxiety kicking in. But I'm really looking forward to it since I missed last year due to forest fires (thanks, Smokey).

have a great time.  That is perfect country this time of year.

Currently 5 miles deep in the wilderness. Weather kinda sucked yesterday afternoon and evening but morning weather was fine for travel. Weather the rest of the week looks awesome. Haven’t seen another human in 24 hours, hopefully the lake I’m on stays empty until Thursday. 

Got back from my trip about 2am last night. That’s a long drive from northern Minnesota.

 Chicago into northern Indiana is an absolute joke of a stretch of highway, especially at night. Fucking psychopaths driving like they’re the only ones on the road. 

Anyway, I’ll post some pictures later today.

Where we headed gents?

Been browsing Recreation.gov for places in the Smokey's. I know nothing.

In other news. I'm browsing portable powered cooler/refrigerators. I'm over the ice nonsense when camping/road trips. 

I'm not sure my Minnesota trip will happen this year. I usually book my permit around now but the entry point I typically has been booked solid for over a month and the rest of the options are slim pickings for when I usually go up. 

I am hoping to spend 40 nights in my hammock this year since I just turned 40. The weather has kinda sucked but I got my first two nights in the books last weekend.

After this weekend I am 5% of the way towards my goal of 40 nights in the hammock this year. This will be the spot I’ll spend a majority of those nights. pic.twitter.com/FyUngzXxqD

— Justin Nethers (@justinnethers) April 17, 2023

That red pack is my newest bit of gear. It's from Cooke Custom Sewing, a single guy hand making everything in Minnesota. It's the perfect bag for a weekend trip into the woods, and would probably be good for a week if the weather was warm. I had plenty of room for a sleeping bag, underquilt, and camp blanket, in addition to the hammock and tarp, and some random other gear. No food or cooking gear on this trip, but most of the time I'll only be bringing the underquilt or blanket so there will be plenty of extra room.

 https://www.shop.cookecustomsewing.com/product.sc?productId=215&categoryId=1

posted by Automatik

Where we headed gents?

Been browsing Recreation.gov for places in the Smokey's. I know nothing.

In other news. I'm browsing portable powered cooler/refrigerators. I'm over the ice nonsense when camping/road trips. 

I'd like build a little gear hauler trailer I can use for extended camping trips. I've always wanted to build a teardrop/squaredrop trailer but I'm thinking a gear hauler would be a lot easier to build, thus more likely to happen, and would likely teach me a few lessons that would make building a teardrop easier in the future. I'm curious to see what you end up buying since I would definitely want one in either build.

Yeah I like either of those over a RTT.

I've been seeing them more and more. Google Dinoot. That would be a fun build. 

posted by Automatik

Yeah I like either of those over a RTT.

I've been seeing them more and more. Google Dinoot. That would be a fun build. 

That Jeep tub is sweet.

BUMP!?

Finally got a decent booking the weekend after the 4th. O'Haver Lake, near Salida, CO.

Anyone have recommendations for the Smokey Mountains? I know nothing.

I wish I had recos. We've stayed in Gatlinburg in a cabin before, but I'd love to do some backcountry camping. 

So I'm definitely not going to the Boundary Waters this year. Huge bummer.

I'm now considering a kayak trip down the entire Muskingum River, from Dresden to Marietta. 112 miles.