Gear Review, Hiking, Paddling, Motorcycle Touring

I've always loved being barefoot; for no other reason than just the feeling of it. When I first StumbledUpon the Vibram FiveFingers, I ordered a pair on the spot. The Vibrams allowed me the barefoot sensation (close enough) while traversing questionable terrain such as urban sidewalks or enter a deli without being tossed out. That withstanding, the FiveFingers have not broken through to our culture as "socially acceptable" attire. This comes into play in offices and certain business situations. Enter Terra Plana.

Terra Plana designs a series of casual footwear called Vivo Barefoot with thin soles that allow barefoot enthusiasts to maximize sensation yet maintain the look of a traditional shoe. I had searched high and low for such a shoe and settled on Terra Plana for really a lack of other options. Though they originally billed themselves more as a environmentally friendly shoe company, they are a pioneer in casual minimalist footwear and are poised well to grow with the barefoot movement and the publicity of the book, "Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen," by Christopher McDougall, which examines practical and scientific aspects of running that highlights the benefits of being shoeless.

Photo by GoXunoReviews (flickr)

I've been intrigued with the Kindle from the standpoint of being able to pack a lot of reading material into one small device - perfect for travel.  But I've also been hesitant to buy one to experiment with because of the $260 price tag.  That issue was conveniently resolved when I received one as a gift (very nice gift, thanks CSCI).  I've since been playing with it and am so pleased with it and excited to give it a run on the next road trip (where I'm usually weighted down with several books).

You can get all of the features here on Amazon's site so I'm just going to give you the quick pro's and con's as I see it.  First, it is lightweight and easy to use.  Setup your account on Amazon and it is super simple to browse, read samples, and purchase books on the fly.  There are no monthly fees and your device is connected online with 3G coverage so if you are getting a cell signal, you have access to over 300,000 books.  The screen is easy on the eyes and not like an LCD or CRT display.  Difficult to describe in words so you'll have to look for yourself (but it's much like reading real pages).  It turns pages fast, which I like, and has a built-in dictionary so if you stumble upon a word you don't know, place the cursor by it and the definition magically appears below.  I'm a note taker and the Kindle allows you to enter notes on pages by just start typing.  It has a simple web browser and will also play Audible books or MP3's.  You may also upload PDF's and store them in personal docs which is handy.

Pancake and I took a weekend trip to do some paddling, pedaling, and bouldering around Indiana.  We started at Cataract Falls, according to RiverFacts.com, Indiana's only Class V stretch of water.  It's late October in Indiana and it has been rainy so we were hoping the water would be up.  Neither of us had been there so we didn't know what to expect but we had the GoPro's ready and I'm determined to inflate my glorified inner-tube of a kayak and take it down this one mile strip of rip roaring waterway.

Have you ever wished that you had a small, un-obtrusive, waterproof, tough, video camera that could capture your larger-than-life travel adventures or hobbies?  The Go Pro Hero Cam may just be the end to your search.  This camera is housed in a tough, clear plastic shell that seals the electronics safely even when submerged in water to a depth of 100 feet.  The camera is easily removed fr

Vibram Five Fingers
This is the first time I have done any significant hiking in my Vibram Five Finger footwear. I have done some running and milling around the yard in them and for that have been a fan. Hiking wise, I am still a fan. I lugged a backup pair hiking shoes up the mountain with me just in case but didn't need them.

The Vibram Five Fingers fit over your feet like a glove and give you the sensation of being barefoot except there is a protective layer of Vibram rubber (the same quality rubber you will find on rock climbing shoes) between your feet and the ground. They are extremely light and your feet will be sensitive to the terrain beneath them. I felt as agile as a deer in the shoes while navigating this trail. The trade-off for agility though is protection. Reckless bumbling through rough terrain could cause easier toe injury if you are not being completely mindful of every step. My mind wondered a few times and I snagged each small toe on a root and rock that hurt like an SOB but otherwise uninjured. After that, I was really focused about what I was doing and actually made my journey in the “now” more vivid.

As I write this, I am lounging in the sun and acutely aware of the soreness in my calf that I probably would not have otherwise experienced. If I had worn the Five Fingers more diligently prior, I would most likely have the foot strength already in place. But it is a good sore and really provides a sense of how unnatural conventional shoes allow us to walk. Spend a day in the Five Fingers and walk the way humans were designed to.

I love this product and recommend it to everybody. I look forward to the day that it is socially acceptable to see people going into their offices with these type foot gear.

My wife and I took a trip in 2007 to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.  This was an R&R trip after the birth of our first daughter but we did take some time to explore the park and scout bears (we game up goose egg).  The landscape is beautiful and we had a great time but I'd still prefer the shorter drive to the Smokies for mountain excursions.

While in McGaheysville, VA, we did take a day for a 7 mile paddle down the Shenandoah River.  As far as any rapids go, it is only a category II and in some places the current is so weak you have to paddle your ass off to cover any distance.  The best part about this kayaking route is the scenery.  It is an absolutely beautiful and serene stretch of waterway; lined mostly by trees and rock and mountains in the distance.  Other than paddling around small Midwest lakes, this was our first kayaking trip.  Lisa loved it so much we have since invested in our own kayak and are planning some trips down the road.

Labor Day weekend I traveled with Chris to Daniel Boone National Forest in Northeastern Kentucky. Two weeks later I went with Kat and our friends David and Sharon to the same location. Here is the video results shot with our GoPro Hero Wide Helmet Cam, enjoy:

Crossing the Ohio River on the Madison, Indiana/Kentucky Bridge

Some things you do just to see what it is like to do them.  A large selection of my bucket list is made up of foods, trips and activities that at one time or another has peaked my curiosity.  Going around Lake Michigan on a motorcycle was one such trip suggested by my good friend David Livingston. 

1700-ft elevation increase in 2 miles at 84 percent humidity and 83 degrees made this trek feel like work. The scenery along this trail is amongst the most beautiful we have witnessed in the Smoky Mountains yet. Lush vegetation and flowing water all around create a mystical ambiance as you hike up this trail jutted with rock and root. You cannot hike on two legs to the summit of the Chimney Tops themselves (or I should say I wouldn't recommend trying). It is a climb to the top that is steep with a very long hard fall for those too reckless or don't respect the mountain. But stay focused and be conscientious of what you are doing and it is a manageable climb up (I suggest keeping your gear light for this final stretch).

No worries if heights is not your thing; the view from the base of the Chimney Tops is beautiful as well, providing near panoramic view of the interior of the park. The only view blocked is by the Chimney Tops themselves and to gain the full 360 you must go up – which I did not do. I climbed about three-quarters of the way up and the rains set in. I stopped to consider the risks and as I felt the rock getting wet and slick and watched the Search and Rescue helicopter make its second pass with a stretcher tethered to it I called a rain-delay and am postponing the summit to another day.

Some roads are practical, some roads are built to take you places, some roads are scenic, and then some roads defy explanation.  Welcome to the Dragons Tail, 11 miles of how the hell did they build this thing and why?  If you own a motorcycle then you have probably heard the rumors; route 129 is America's favorite motorcycle riding challenge.  318 turns in 11 short miles makes this road curvier than Marilyn Monroe and just about as sexy.   I am not talking about long, lazy curves that you might encounter on most of the highways in the U.S.  The curves on Route 129 are switch backs (180° turns) winding up the mountain then down the other side.

One look at the Google map zoomed in will convince you that this is no ordinary road. The road is located on the southern end of the Great Smoky Mountains National Forest.  The real fun begins at Calderwood, Tennessee and intensely goes until the border of Tennessee and North Carolina where you can stop at Deals Gap Resort.  The Post at Deals Gap has limited lodging, huge gift shop, and a restaurant.  You will see hundreds of bikes from all around the world pull into Deals Gap on any given day.