2013_01_26 Kieselburg Forest Preserve

We have been here several times before. This is a medium sized preserve with a medium sized trail system. We did 2.9 miles according to my GPS. Nothing unusual was observed. A nice quiet day on the trail. We ran across a dog walking his human, two guys by the creek, and two guys flying RC planes.

Banana bags

After reading this, I decided to add some kind of blizzard bag to my day pack. I think my chances of getting caught in the extreme weather that killed these people is very remote, but better safe than sorry.

I bought a package of two of these banana bags. $7.50 shipped free to my local Ace Hardware store.

I am going to try and use the second one as a tent around my new hammock that I got for Christmas.

Thorogood 7990 Side Zip EH Safety Boots Update

Updates

During the Christmas season I ended up having to get my regular hiking and outdoor boots repaired so I was without any hiking boots for most of a week. I decided to try these as hiking boots since I did not have any other good options at the time.

 It turns out they worked out pretty well. The tread worked well in ice, snow, and mud. With a thick pair of socks and some liner socks they were adequately warm although I was not out in unusually cold weather (most in the 20s).

 I don't know how waterproof they might be. I did not try fording any creeks or walking in deep puddles in them. I suspect they are waterproof as long as one does not get real deep in the water. Maybe a couple of inches.

One thing I did find was that they just do not breath at all. Not a huge deal with liner socks and a thick pair of non-cotton socks over them. Pretty comfy too.

2013_01_19 Fuller Memorial Forest Preserve

Wilma and I have been here several times before. It is a medium sized preserve with less than 3 miles of trails total. Pretty muddy today. Last time we were here I noticed they have created a new trail segment along the east side of the bird sanctuary that was previously fenced off, but I did not take that segment. This time we did. It has a good view of the trailer park next door, and some of the bird sanctuary.

2013_01_12 Rock Cut State Park

Wilma and I went for a short hike before the football games started. Nice day to hike. No snow left on the horse trails. We went a little off trail though a pine woods area north of the parking lot near the route 173 entrance. We ran across a pit bull who was out walking his human.

1-8-13 Snow Pile at Loglis

Menards 12-29-12

Saw these near the entrance.

Swiss tech Tools (not especially useful as far as I am concerned).
Survival bracelets (also of dubious value IMO).
24 Oz Plastic Water bottles.