Outdoor Cooking on the Trail or Campsite

Outdoor cooking on the trail or campsite has gotten really sophisticated.  Backpacking food back in the 1970s when I hit the trail is nothing like it is today.  Mountain House, the mainstay of backpacking freeze dried foods, has really taken their whole product line up a notch or two.  If you do not like to eat freeze dried foods, then you can always pack fresh food as long as your backpacking trip is not an extended one.  With all the new technology hitting the trail these days, your culinary choices just might amaze you.

Until next time, be safe in the sun and have a great day in the great outdoors.

Granite Gear Grounds Keepers Keeping Your Trails Clean

If you follow me you will know that I love to share stories about outdoor brands that do their part to keep public lands public and to keep our recreation lands clean for current and future generations for outdoor enthusiast.  While reading Inside Outdoor Magazine updates on LinkedIn I read about how Granite Gear was going to  unveil a line of Minnesota Made bags. When I went to their website I found their page about their "Grounds Keepers" program.  Now I wanted to learn more so back to Inside Outdoor Magazine I went to find their article on the "Grounds Keepers" Click HERE to read this article.  I think that this is a great program.

 I have always been a considerate hiker.  I pack out all the trash I created while hiking.  Back in 1974, during America's BiCentennial year, I attempted to hike the AT with a group of boy scouts from Florida.  We made raised the money and made a heroic effort but crashed and burned the first week in Maine when the bad winter had caused most of the lakes and streams to overflowed washing out most of the AT trail from Mt Katahdin south.  Even though we never got really far, it was important for all of us to keep the trail clean. We tried to keep our camp site cleaner when we left than when we arrived.

The idea to have a team of dedicated hikers whose purpose it is to clean up the trail as they hike is amazing.  When reading about the "Grounds Keepers" I did not see the Florida Trail mentioned.  The Florida Trail is 1,300 miles long and starts at the Oasis Visitors Center at the Big Cyprus National Preserve and ends at the Gulf Islands National Seashore in the Florida Panhandle.  It would be a great idea to have  Florida Trail "Grounds Keepers".  So if you are interested just click HERE to contact Granite Gear to show your interest.  Being a "Grounds Keepers"would be a great accomplishment for any avid Florida hiker and a great way to keep the Florida Trail clean for others.

June 27, 2017 Update from Granite Gear. Shelly Smith, Granite Gear PR & Marketing informed me that DirtyBeezy 27 out of Spokane, Washington, hiked the entire Florida Trail and packed out 30 pounds of trash. Click HERE for her website. I wounder what is her next challenge being that she has conquered the FT, AT and Pacific Crest Trail?

Until next time, be safe in the sun and have a great day in the great outdoors.

The Bonz Carver has new carving to share

From time to time I like to revisit old friends.  Captain Steve Bowman is a Space Coast legend when it comes to creating Polynesian and marine sea life  carvings from deer antler, bone, wood and acrylic material.  He goes by the handle "The Bonz Carver".  You can find Steve hocking his carvings at almost any Space Coast / Brevard County surfing related event.  He takes special orders by calling him or sending him an email.  Steve is a master at what he does.  I have two of this fish hooks and have had him create special carving to give as gifts.  He has sold his carving all over the world. I would lover to see a world map that shows all the countries where he has shipped his carvings.  Click HERE for his Facebook page with his contact information.

Steve is also a certified fishing guide.  You can schedule an inshore trip by calling his cell phone to make a reservation.  So the next time your are looking for a great accessory for your Hawaiian or fishing shirt give one of The Bonz Carver's many carving a look see.

Until next time, be safe in the sun and have a great day in the great outdoors.

Mobile Bike Shop Comes To The Space Coast

While driving to work today I happened upon a Velofix mobile-repair bike shop van. I had never seen one of these before so I took a few photos with my Iphone.

Velofix Holdings Ltd. is a Canadian company expanding into the United States.  There is a Space Coast franchise where Craig is the owner and mechanic.  He covers Brevard County from Mims to the north to Grant in the south.  HERE to send him an email.  You can make a service reservation on the Velofix website. Click HERE to make a service reservation.  Velofix has goal to be the biggest cycle-repair service on North America.  Get your franchise today.

Until next time, be safe in the sun and have a great day in the great doors.

ICAST 2017 Open July 11th

ICAST is now just a few short weeks away.  If you have not already made your hotel reservation you may not get a room close to the show. The main show will be in the west concourse with the on-water exhibit being held the first time this year in the north side of the north/south concourse. Buses will be used to transport attendees from the west to the south concourse. Next year ICAST will move from the west concourse to the north/south concourse.

Keep in mind that ICAST, the world's largest sport fishing trade show, at the Orlando, Orange County Convention Center on I-Drive is a closed show.  It is not open to the general public. Click HERE for the ICAST show schedule.

Each year over 13,000 sport fishing buyers, store owner,  media and sport fishing celebrities gather for the three-day sport fishing experience.  The ICAST Cup will still be held on Lake Toho.

Until next time, be safe in the sun and have a great day in the great outdoors.

Dick Catri Paddle Out Video Clips

Dick Catri Memorial Video Clips 01

Dick Catri Snapshots