Archive for October, 2009

Backpacking preparations

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

Most of my free time this week has been spent getting ready for our backpacking trip this weekend. It can be quite involved if you haven’t done it in awhile and you’re anal-retentive like me. I have a large order of goodies coming from REI tomorrow.

Luke and I went for a hike in the Bailey Woods near Rowan Oak yesterday. I haven’t used my hiking boots in quite a while, so I wanted to take them for a spin. For eleven year-old boots they are holding up quite well. We arrived at Rowan Oak less than thirty minutes before sunset. It was already getting dark, and Luke was initially a little concerned about going into the woods. Once I got him in there he did fine though. We’ll definitely have to go back soon.

The forecast currently calls for a low of 39 degrees Saturday night. My sleeping bag is rated for 30 degrees, but it’s about 12 years-old, and I haven’t always taken care of it. So, last night, I gave it a little test run in the backyard. Initially I was quite toasty, but around 4:30am I woke up and was a little on the cool side. I have another sleeping bag that’s rated for zero degrees, but I use it so little it’s at my parents’ house, an hour and a half away. Luckily, someone was already headed this way, so it’ll be arriving tomorrow.

I bought a 2GB micro SD card for my Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS. Saving my position every second, the card will fill up after approximately 197 days on continuous use. Overkill? Absolutely, but any computer scientist worth his salt loves a large data set.

More tomorrow…probably. There’s lots left to do.

St. Peter’s Pumpkin Patch

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

One of the Oxford traditions we enjoy is going to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church to pick out some pumpkins for Halloween. Click on the link or the picture for more pictures.

We had tried to go last Wednesday, but Luke fell asleep on the way. On Thursday we tried again, even though Liam was sick and sleepy.

We didn’t get any good pictures of the two of them together, but some with Luke by himself aren’t bad. I’ve also included some "outtakes" showing what kind of mood Liam was in.

I apologize in advance for the corny titles and captions. Apparently corniness is a symptom of sleep deprivation.

Backpacking trip is on

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

The backpacking trip to Big Hill Pond State Park is on. James has agreed to go with me. We’ve decided to go October 23rd, 24th, and 25th. If you’re interested in going with us, let me know.

Planning a backpacking trip

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

I love backpacking, but somehow, between school, family, and work, I’ve managed to go nine years or so since my last trip. Back in high school I went on a few multi-day trips on the Appalachian Trail and a couple of two week trips to Philmont Scout Ranch in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northeastern New Mexico. These days I’m in nowhere near as good of shape as I was back then, but I’m ready for another trip, regardless.

I think I’ve found my destination. Big Hill Pond State Park is near Pocahontas, Tennessee and is less than two hours from Oxford. It has several miles of relatively flat trails, perfect for the out of shape backpacker. Even better, it has four shelters, lessening the need for carrying a tent. I’ve never been, but I hear it’s a very nice place.

I’m looking for some guys to go with me. I’ve got a backpacking stove, first aid kit, and that sort of stuff. All you’d need is a sleeping bag and some appropriate clothes.

I was thinking the weekend of October 16-18th, leaving Oxford midday on Friday and returning Sunday afternoon. That should put us in the peak of the fall foliage with cool, but not too cool weather. Of course, I’ve let that date get awfully close, so I’m flexible.

Anyone interested?