Orienteering

Jon and I spent a beautiful, chilly Sunday afternoon trying something new.  At the lake that is just 3 miles from our place a group was hosting an orienteering course.  We didn't know anything about orienteering except that it was at our hiking trails where we spend so much time every week.  

We arrived and met the two people hosting the event and they were so nice.  They gave us a map of the course and gave us a little intro on the goals and ways to make it easier or harder, our choice.  We decided to take the short, beginners course.  Especially, since my ortho doctor said I could hike just 3 days before.  

Here I'm putting the little stick into the check-in spot.  It tracks when we check in to each location and when it is all done you can see your time from each location throughout the course.  

Here Jon was deciding that we should abandon our trail and head across country to save time.  I'm not sure how much time it saved since our speed was much slower through the brush.

We had so much fun with this and will definitely do this again.  It was fun to try and keep ourselves oriented to where we were and not just enjoying the scenery.  We tend to worry less about getting lost since these trails are very familiar to us.  Some of the orienteering courses are in new places that we have never been and that will be a great challenge.  It will give us some practice using our compass and help us to notice the land more.  

If you have a chance to participate in an orienteering course…..go do it!!!! 

Fitness Special—Hike Forever: The Exercises | Backpacker Magazine

It's March!!!!  That means let's get in shape for some hiking!! Ok, maybe we should have been doing this all winter long.  Backpacker Magazine just had an awesome article about exercises to help you hike forever!  I'm hoping to do a lot of hiking this spring and summer so this article comes at a perfect time for me!



Hope it helps you too!  Happy Trails!



Fitness Special—Hike Forever: The Exercises | Backpacker Magazine

Review of Ruffwear Summit Trex Dog Boots

Below is the YouTube Video reviewing the Ruffwear Summit Trex Dog Boots.  I hope you find it helpful.  If you have any questions or comments please leave them below!  Thanks for watching!

Puppy's got a new pair of boots!

Winston is one happy dog!  

This fall we had discussed the possibility of getting Winston dog boots because while running on the pavement after his frisbee he tore his pad.  We had to spend a few days putting a sock on his foot every time we went outside.  Fast forward 3 months and add 12 inches of snow and I'm carrying Winston back into the house because he refuses to walk.  The combination of salt, ice and snow packed in his paws led to him alternating limping and coming to a complete stop.  I carried him back to the house and immediately started my search for dog boots.  

I researched the different boots and brands.  Ruffwear seemed to have the best product reviews.  Then after a little more research it seemed the Ruffwear Summit Trex would be best because Winston still has his dewclaws.  The Summit Trex boots are taller than the Ruffwear Grip Trex.  They are also more day to day than the Ruffwear Polar Trex, which are a tall boot made for snow and other fun winter activities.  

We measured his foot as recommended by the Ruffwear website.  Winston's front paws measured 2.5" and his back paws measured 2".  I found the Ruffwear Summit Trex boots on Ebay for a great price in size 2.5"  I was trying to decide what size I should buy when the 2.5" sized boots were up for auction.  I decided to get them and search for 2" boots for his back paws later if we needed them.    

Application

We have found that it is much easier to have Winston lay down to put the boots on.  This prevents the whole losing balance while putting them on issue.  Initially they were kinda tricky to get all the toes in without catching his toenails and making sure the boot is on all the way.  

It gets much easier with practice.  

Once Winston gets the boots on he doesn't walk differently or seem to mind at all.  He has been able to run around and even run through deep snow having lots of fun.  

  I did notice that Winston's  2.5" boots seem to fit great on his front paws but are a little loose on his back paws and need to be tightened for him in deep snow or mud so they don't come off.  I will keep looking for 2" boots for his back paws.  It will probably be easier to just buy another set of boots so we have spare boots in the event one gets lost.  

I hope to get a full review posted on YouTube soon.  I have some video of Winston in the snow with his boots on and hope I'll be able to get some footage on him on the trails for my review.  

Trekking along with Poles

For Christmas my sweet mother purchased some Trekking Poles for me.

The BAFX 2 pack Anti-Shock Trekking Poles from Amazon. 

 I have had trekking poles on my Amazon wish list, REI wish list and Pinterest board for I'm not sure how long.  I have watched countless YouTube reviews on poles and was yet to pull the trigger.  I just wasn't sure if I would like them.  I seem to always have a camera in my hand so I wasn't sure if I would be able to adapt to having poles in my hands.

My sweet mom only knew that I had ACL surgery and would probably need a "walking stick" to help me.  She also figured that since they came in packs of two that my husband could use the other and it was  a great "joint" gift for us.  She didn't get the big name brand poles that I had been researching but she got some that are great starter poles.  They were cheap at only $23.95 on Amazon so they are great to test the waters with.  I won't feel bad if I decide I don't like them and if I do like them I can always upgrade.  

I have taken them out on 4 hikes so far.  We have had some icy and muddy conditions here in Kansas and the poles have stood up well.  I found them easy to adjust and considering the rubber tip they have done well to not slide on surfaces.  I have trekked up and down some pretty steep areas that I'm sure would have my orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist shaking their heads, but the poles have done well supporting me.  They have definitely helped my balance and allowed me to not mis-step and twist my knee.  I have to say these poles have given me confidence (maybe too much)  to get back on the trails at 5 weeks post ACL repair.  They have little compass' on the top of each pole.  They put them on both poles because, according to reviews, they fall off.  They are also reportedly unreliable but if you are seriously on a backcountry hike in unfamiliar territory you will have your real compass with you anyway.  They have rubber handles and so far haven't been too hot or slick with my hands getting warm, but it is January in Kansas.  They have an adjustable strap that has been easy to adjust and has been comfortable, even though some reviews say otherwise.  I am not sure that I have noticed the anti-shock a lot but I haven't hiked with poles without anti-shock to know the difference.  So far I am pretty happy with the poles and I think I'm adjusting well to hikes with them.  I have had my camera in my pocket and have found it easy to retrieve to get pics by just dropping the poles to hang by the wrist straps.  

So as always, Thanks Mom for such a great gift at a great time!  

Here are some pics from our hike over the past weekend.
We had a great time.  Winston enjoyed the frozen lake and it was awesome to crunch along on the ice at the shore.  The trails were in great shape.  We ran into some friends riding their horses and it was a great opportunity for Winston and I to step off the trail to let them pass.  Winston did great sitting quietly without startling their horses. 

Ideas

I am the person that has always worked overtime every week.  I am the one that up until last year always had 2 or 3 jobs.  Now I'm the one sitting on my couch and sitting in a chair at work unable to do anything but "light duty" work aka computer data entry.  I've gone from walking about 6 miles each shift not counting the lifting of patients, jump bags and equipment to data entry.  I'm going nuts.  Tonight I rode 5 miles on my little stationary rehab bike.  

I mentioned on the last post I have been watching YouTube videos about hiking, camp cooking and various other outdoorsy topics.  Which has led me to my new motivation -  Come up with new recipes to make on the trail, make a YouTube video and share to the world.  

I want to help others and myself to have some great meals that add variety to a potentially repeating menu.  

The other challenge - do it on a budget without dehydrating my own foods.

We will see how this goes!!!

The Recovery

Here we are happily getting ready to go tubing and skiing.  
Little did we know that I would tear my ACL in just a few short hours!

It's recovery time for me.  I tore my ACL snow skiing in January 2013 had too many responsibilities to get it fixed until December 18, 2013.  So here I am almost one month post op.  I'm working physical therapy twice a week and doing my own exercises daily.  I'm trying to push myself and get my range of motion back as soon as possible.  I have had extra motivation by watching some great hiking videos and movies.  Jon and I watched 180 Degrees South (again), The Way and  High Sierra.  Then I became once again addicted to YouTube videos of hikes, backpacking and gear videos.  I think the motivation of getting back on the trail is just helping me push harder at therapy.
The Kansas weather has been pretty bitter cold and snowy which has helped me comply with activity restrictions.  This week the weather warmed up and the snow melted so out I went.  I only took a few a couple of off-road walks but they were wonderful!! I was a little sore after but I figure that is to be expected.   I did confess to my therapist about my reason for soreness and he was fine with it!  That means it's ok!!!  Here we go!
Hopefully with my increased computer and couch time I'll get to some gear reviews that I've been meaning to do.  Maybe I'll even get to do some video's and post them to YouTube.  I have been so thankful to people for posting their tips and reviews on YouTube and will try to contribute some as well.

Here's the link to my YouTube Channel (I think)
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQpH5LT6c06jcMMPjKalYZQ/feed


Until next time…..Happy Trails!