CHOPOUT Update – “sporks”

Things are coming together. Got a new sleeping bag on Friday. My old one is back at my brothers house on the East Coast. Started making a list of all the stuff I need to pack. I even took a trip to REI to look at all the fancy gadgets their trying to sell. I ended up buying a pocket can opener for .59 cents and a really funny spork which I gave to my son since he’s currently learning how to use utensils. All in all I learned that a tarp, a knife, a lighter and a tin can pretty much cover the basics.

Just a couple quick reminders and useful tips for those planning on attending:
– Be Cool. This is an all INCLUSIVE event.
– Pack light but stay warm.
– There is a lodge VERY near by for most of our drinking/eating necessity.
– There are new shower facilities which include a crapper.
– Gonna crash in your sleeping bag under the stars? RECONSIDER IT. That’s some Hollywood John Wayne bullshit. Maybe a tent isn’t a horrible idea. It’s up to you. It’s your trip, not mine.
– Cash – Cash – Cash
– Cell signals are spotty. Towers are being built but sh*t happens slowly out there.
– Be nice to locals (we’re in their house).
– Warm hats are good.
– Cook a potato in the fire by wrapping it in foil and setting it in alongside the coals (45-60 min).
– Empty Zip Lock bag + air = cheap pillow
– Lastly, and perhaps most importantly…BEER. We may need beer run volunteers.

See everyone around the camp fire.

Outside Civilization

Almost 300 miles today. The sun hid behind the clouds keeping the temperature low. Never broke 55 degrees. On the outskirts of civilization, the Tower Cafe serves me the chili and coffee while the waitress tells us stories of her motorcycle and moose experiences. We blast off. Still headed north. 20 miles from the Canadian border without passports gives us good reason to come again. Headed south through the twists and turns along route 1.  Plenty of miles left with no reason to stop in sight. More to come – the chopper blog.

Road Trip – No Mans Land

It’s time for a road trip into no mans land. We’ve left for Northern Minnesota. We’re first headed up to Duluth followed by a trip through Tower and into Ely. From there, we head south on RT 1. For anyone who has never ridden one… this is a road less traveled. The last time I rode this stretch of asphalt, I shifted into neutral and coasted downhill for more than 3-4 miles at a time. Tons of little twists and turns, blind corners and wilderness. My last trip included almost rounding a corner into a wolf standing by the road side in broad daylight. Had to pack the tools for this one. Will get pics and return with stories.