Montana Jones

Go jump in a lake

The trail was hot and dry, like trails sometimes are. My feet were feeling abused and trampled by the time I pulled the boots off and replaced them with sandals. I decided I had enough time to go dip my feet in the lake. The water was cool and soothing and when I waded in deep enough for it to start lapping at the hem of my shorts I knew more drastic action was in order.

I waded back to the rocky shore and dropped my hat on the beach. Emptying my pockets I tucked my keys and wallet under the hat and deposited my sunglasses there as well. Then it was a sudden charge back toward the lake and a face first lunge into cold refreshing luxury. I paddled, splashed and swam. It only took a minute or so until I was soothed, even chilled, from the hot trail.

Back at the shore I collected my belongings. When I donned my hat and sunglasses there was a ripple of applause from the people gathered on the boat dock. I laughed and waved at my new fans. Clothes soaked and dripping I made my way up the sidewalk toward the parking lot.

Labels: applause, clothes, lake, swim, trail, water, wet

Pre Hike Checklist

Clothing to wear:

• Base layer socks
• Sturdy hiking socks
• Underpants
• Shorts
• Synthetic, wicking fabric shirt
• Denim or flannel shirt
• Boots
• Bandana
• Hat

Clothing to pack:

• Long pants
• Cotton tee shirt (or two)
• Fleece or warm jacket
• Waterproof jacket
• Extra socks
• Extra underpants on multiple night adventures.
• Gloves. (Type dependant on season and work to be done.)
• Spare bandana

Gear to pack:

• First aid kit
• Sports tape
• Flashlight
• Bug dope
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
• Water bottles
• Food

Utility Belt:

• Bear spray
• Camera
• Binoculars
• Spare battery
• Leatherman

Tools:
(depending on the work to be done)

• N100 dust mask. (Hantavirus protection)
• Keys
• Phone
• Radio
• Screwdrivers
• Voltmeter
• Notebook & pencil

Labels: boots, camera, checklist, clothes, gear, hike, hiking, list, lists, pack, tools, trail, work

It's a guy thing

She:

My husband has these tee shirts, in fact every lady I know complains that their husbands have these tee shirts. They are just worn out to where you can see through them. They are just worn to nothing. But everyone's husbands refuse to let them get thrown away. In fact, when you try to they get all "Where is that shirt of mine." It's crazy that they won't get rid of them.

Me:

Naw, that's normal. It's a guy thing.

She:

But why? He wouldn't let me toss this nasty pillow of his either.

Me:

See, we guys bond with the clothes and things we are close to. It starts when you buy us a new shirt, that shirt is a complete unknown. Maybe it scratches or shows off the gut too well or lets us down is some way, so we are gonna be skeptical of it. We might not wear it if there is a tried and true alternative. That is until we bond with it. Once it proves that it can be a comfortable and flattering shirt we are gonna start testing the limits. Wear it to the office, and the beach, and to the game and here and there. If the shirt holds up it becomes important. We have made some memories with it and done cool things with it. It becomes really treasured and valued. You don't just give up on things that have watched out for you so well. So even if it becomes worn out or threadbare, that is still the really cool shirt that you wore to the big game or whatever. You can't just toss it. You have bonded. Guys don't want to toss their favorite stuff. It's like telling them to ignore an old war buddy. And they will also resist the brand new stuff. Just be patient. When you buy him a new shirt, don't force him to wear it all the time, give him time to bond with it. If it's a good shirt he will connect with it soon enough and then in a few years it will be the shirt he refuses to get rid of.

[later]

She:

I told my husband that spiel you had about not getting rid of old shirts and he was all "that is so right, that is just how it is."

Me:

Yup. It's a guy thing.

Labels: bonding, clothes, conversation, favorite, guy thing, guys

Hot

Me:

Do you want to know what the temperature got up to today? I just heard while I was out and about.

She:

Uhhh, sure.

Me:

Do you really want to know?

She:

Well, yeah. I want to know.

Me:

Ninty four.

She:

Wow, and it's still June.

Me:

What gets me is that in the winter when I am cold I can just put on more clothes. But I mostly just hang out in shorts and a tee shirt. But then in the summer when it's hot, where do I go from there? I don't have much dressing down I can do.

Labels: clothes, conversation, heat, hot, June, temperature