Lauren’s Summer Adventure: Exploring Oregon

July 27, 2016 - posted by Rose Marion

Lauren Clark wrote in with her Summer Adventure:

Adventure is in the eye of the beholder. There are many adventures around every corner. An adventure can be as simple as a picnic with the family, to something more complex, such as a vacation or a new living location. We can choose whether what we are going through is an “adventure” or something else.

This summer, my adventure included spending time with my family while in Oregon USA. We were able to go on a family trip for the first time in 3 or 4 years. It was great to reminisce about old times and build new memories together. We were able to see some beautiful sights and enjoy the surroundings of nature.

We were able to go zip lining.

I loved walking along the beach for miles and miles. It was amazing to see the vibrant green color, and the enormous size of the Redwood Trees.

The highlight of this adventure was finally being able to see Crater Lake. It was a beautiful sight that will not soon be forgotten.

Everything from seeing these beautiful sights, to having our car overheat and the AC not work, made this trip the perfect Summer Adventure.

This Oregon adventure was a well timed event, because just as life seemed to be getting settled, it threw us another adventure.

No matter where life takes us, we have to embrace the adventure. I am so happy that I got this time with my family and was able to make those memories that will last a lifetime.

No comments

How to Save Your Legs & Back When Hiking the Uintas

August 27, 2015 - posted by Jerica Parker

If Mike didn’t have a department to manage, he’d be in the Uintas the entire summer. This meadow’s about 6 miles in, at the fork between Ostler Lake and Amethyst Lake.

With summer at its peak, there’s still time to get your hiking trip in. The Uinta Mountains are the best Utah has to offer with all its water sources, beautiful skies, breathtaking views, and amazing stars at night.

When you’re out on the tree line taking in the beauty of the mountains, streams, and landscape, you want to be in your best shape – not wincing as you step, rubbing your back, or counting the steps back to camp. You want to enjoy your hiking or backpacking trip – every step of the way!

Not everyone is as avid of a hiker as Mike Vause, Smith and Edwards camping manager. But if you are looking into picking it up, here are some great places and helpful tips that can help you get started.

Uinta Hiking Tips & Must-See Trails

Only a couple hours from Ogden, the Uinta Mountains are great because they have trails for the beginner as well as the experienced hikers.

Some good ones to get started are any of the lower trails near the highways. But if you are looking for longer hikes, maybe a bit tougher, Mike says his favorite is the Henry’s Fork trailhead. He says, that’s the best approach to reach the highest peak in Utah: King’s Peak.

King’s Peak, the highest point in Utah

But in either case, be prepared for a change in weather. “Always expect rain, even if you don’t expect it,” Mike says.

How about a family adventure? Any of the trailheads from Mirror Lake Highway could be great for the family. The Bald Mountain trail is good, too. Although it can be a bit tough for the little ones, Mike said his 10-year-old son made it.

Stay Pain-Free on your Hike

Now, as a new hiker, or any hiker in general, getting ambitious and overdoing it happens. Here are some good things to take on your trip, whichever hiker you are.

Bring the medicine that works for you

When getting too ambitious, you may pay for it with aching legs and back. In relation to an experience he had, Mike says that there is nothing like Advil during the day and Tylenol PM at night.

Elete Electrolytes save your legs

One of the other products recently put to the test is Elete. On his last hike, Mike took it along to try it. Before his hike, he mixed it with his drink as an electrolyte replacement. As well as after exerting himself at higher altitudes, he said it helped him to sleep better that night instead of losing sleep over aching legs.

A big reason legs hurt on a hiking trip is you may be drinking water, but the hydration doesn’t reach every muscle needing it. Elete rehydrates better than water alone – even better than Gatorade! Mike mentioned how it saved his legs on that trip.

Amish Origins – USA-made joint & muscle relief

The last tip we have is about a handy pain relief cream called Amish Origins. This cream helps tremendously when sore.

Whether you’re an athlete or a hiker, it gives that much needed jump start when suffering from sore legs or back. Mike tried it after a vacation and it worked wonders and took away the soreness so he could get back to work!

Plan Your Uinta Trip

Ready to get out there? Check out the Forest Service’s guides for ideas and trails. AllTrails also has great information and reviews & tips from hikers!

And, make sure to check out Mike’s must-have gear for the Uintas, which includes some breathtaking shots of the Uintas! (We’d love to see your pictures, too!)

More about Amish Origins!

The Amish Origins recipe combines 4 essential oils (Pine, Wintergreen, Camphor, and Eucalyptus) was discovered by a member of the Amish community in Ohio.

This product stays true to the original recipe and has expanded to many products to help sore muscles, joints, and even rashes & dry skin – and it’s still made in USA.

2 comments

Backpacking Stories: Illuminating Rainy Chapters with a Little LED

August 13, 2015 - posted by Mike Vause

Mike Vause, Camping manager

My Grandpa used to say: “Too much of anything is not good.”

Is it possible to have too much gear? Too many gadgets?

I do love new stuff, but when I am in my backpacker mindset, some stuff just gets left behind. Most backpackers love convenience and comfort, but have to be choosy when it comes to weight.

For years, having a pack under 40 pounds was my goal. As I am no longer 20, my goal has changed to the low 30’s for pack weight for a 4 day or so hike.

Since I have, through the years, carried a lot of weight to get my young children into the backcountry (they are all full grown now), I try to take advantage of the payback opportunity as much as possible. If I can’t convince one of my sons to carry it, I usually leave it home.

Lightbulb Moment

The Solar-Rechargeable Luci Lantern – squishes down flat, diffuses light like a charm. You know, you really should have one of these in your pack.

On this last Uinta backcountry adventure, I found an item that I just had to try out. The Luci Inflatable Solar Lantern has been selling by the hundreds in my department.

I honestly didn’t get how, but its success made me think that I was missing out.

I bought one at the last minute (along with about $200 worth of last-minute necessities) and left the solar lantern on my dashboard to charge that afternoon. My pack was in that low 30# range, so I threw it in my pack.

Two of the nights were cold, rainy, and early-in nights. Reading was a great escape to pass the time.

The LED lights were perfect in the tent and the inflatable feature diffused the light output to perfection. It was awesome. The Luci was light enough to perch in the gear loft and do its job.

In the morning, I left it outside the tent and headed out to fish. The afternoon rains soaked it, but it still recharged without a problem and was ready for the next chapter of nighttime reading.

The Luci promotes itself as an inflatable light – and the fact that its plastic lining diffuses light in the tent is a big plus. But the more important factor for me was that this item, nearly the size of your typical lantern, collapses down smaller than the book I packed – now that’s nifty.

Waterproof, lightweight, rechargeable, and affordable. It’s worth a look.

Get yours online at SmithandEdwards.com here or come see it here at the store off the I-15 Willard Bay turnoff.