The Nomad Adventure Almanac

Devil's Canyon Trail Map  Original Image November 4, 2017 3:45 p.m. - Gear, clothing, and food are scattered across my floor as I make a strategy for fitting it all into my pack. I had just returned from the local Academy after rounding out my shopping list for the trip, and I was a little worried that I wouldn't be able to fit it all into the  Mountaintop 40 Liter Pack  ( my review can be found here ) that had been delivered only a couple of days earlier. I wouldn't be carrying my tent or sleeping bag because we would be returning to the campsite for the night rather than camping off the trail, which is prohibited by park rules. Even if we had been allowed to camp off the trail, it would've been quite a task to haul my bulky sleeping bag and tent, as I am currently using hand-me-down gear while I gradually acquire lighter gear for backcountry camping. I would've also had to carry all the water for Koda and I for the next 20 hours because I am also short the

Upgrade! When I decided to make a more serious commitment to spending more time backpacking, the next logical step was to upgrade from my sporting goods department store pack to one that would be able to carry more stuff and provide a bit more comfort. So I started doing some research. I planned to take advantage of my fiancée's Amazon Prime Membership to order an entry level pack. I wanted to stick to a budget of $50 or less including shipping, more or less out of necessity, but I also thought it would be beneficial for anyone else that has been thinking about investing in a new pack without breaking the bank. For two weeks I read about what to look for in a backpack based on what type of backpacking I planned on doing. I decided 40L sounded like a good starting point, because I'd likely be carrying some hand-me-down gear for a while until I gradually build my collection of ultralight gear, and by that time I plan to downsize my pack. I also was looking for a pack tha

From Texas Parks and Wildlife Department  Original Image October 29, 2017 1:17 p.m. - I grab my pack and load my dog, Koda, into the car and we get on the road with the intention of day hiking a trail at Wildcat Bluff, just a few miles from our house. I stopped at the nearest convenience store to load up on water for the two of us and 20 minutes later we landed at the Wildcat Bluff Welcome Center. As I was walking up to pay my entrance fee I noticed the sign: the outline of a dog with a big, red slash through it. Damn it... I'd already packed for a day trip and if I turned around now I'd be enduring Koda's flawlessly crafted pity stare for the rest of the day. So, we drove another 35 miles to my favorite hiking destination in the area to attempt a new trail. 2:30 p.m. - As I cranked up the Goldfinger (Check out their song "Ocean Size" that I used in the video. It's a jam.), we wound our way down into the park. The new plan: to hike

Eagle Nest, NM Time is Money. What a terrible phrase. We learn the importance of money early on. It's practically the theme of American Society. It's a necessity; your very survival depends upon it. We're supposed to find a job and spend our time earning money because... that's just what you're supposed to do. Before you know it, you've settled into a routine. Each week passes by before you can catch your breath which seems strange, because as you sit in your office, staring at a screen, time seems idle. As those weeks passed, how many times did you look back and think "I wish I'd spent more time at the office"? What if, instead of working 40 (or 60... or 80) hours a week to buy a house, a car, and a 70" TV, there was another way? I think there is, and that's what I plan to explore. "Old Man's Face" Cimarron Canyon State Park I think there are many more people out there like you and I, who can't s