Monday, May 13, 2013

Therm-a-Rest ProLite: the Best Sleep I've Ever Had

So, if you don't yet own a Therm-a-Rest and you go camping at least once per year, you are missing out.  They make several different lengths and thicknesses for different scenarios, but my all around favorite is the ProLite series.  I've had mine for about 10 years now and I've used it for hundreds of nights of camping, and sometimes when I'm home in my bed, I really wish I was in my sleeping bag on my Therm-a-Rest.  (I don't think my wife would be super happy about that though.)  One of my simple joys in life is that first moment when I can lay down on my Therm-a-Rest and relax after a long day of bike riding or hiking.  Some of my very best nights of sleep I've ever had have been on my Therm-a-rest.  Anyway, the bottom line is you should check it out, and consider getting one if your aren't fully enjoying your nights outdoors.  It is super light, compact, durable, and comfy, and well worth the price.

Flashbacks

When the weather is just cold enough, and there is just the right amount of clouds and small sprinklings of rain, I can instantly feel like I'm back in Alaska on a bike tour...  I'm suddenly hit with all of the excitement (and anxiety) of being out on the open road knowing that we have literally thousands of miles left to ride.  That happened to me just the other day while I was out working in Colorado.  I miss that.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Spring Fever

Here in Salt Lake City, we are having our typical springtime weather swings.  Today for example, is lovely weather to be outside.  It might be just cold enough still to want a jacket, but it was nice to get outside and be in the sunshine for a bit today.  It is difficult to make any plans for the coming weeks, however, because it is pretty certain that we will get hit with cold weather and more snow.  It will typically go like that until May.

The weather today, however, actually reminds me a lot of the weather that we encountered up in Alaska at the end of May when we started our 2008 tour.  The air is brisk, snow still covers the mountains, but the sun is warm and inviting, though a storm could materialize at the drop of a hat.  It definitely triggers a lot of memories.

After our 2008 tour, I've lost my taste for being out in the cold.  It isn't that I can't do it, but I really find myself with very little motivation to go outdoors if there is a chance of ending up wet and cold.  You could maybe call it a little touch of post-traumatic stress that is creating a barrier for me.  Either way, I typically avoid going outdoors in the winter now, and my wife and I have been feeling very cooped up, and ready for the warm weather.  While I wait for the snow to clear off of the mountains--or at least for the avalanche danger to drop to my liking--we'll probably get out and do some bike rides here around the valley, but I'm also really looking forward to getting out to do some hikes up the canyons, some rock climbing, and even bagging a few summits on our local peaks.

The warm weather can't come too soon!