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Happy Mother's Day to All of Us!
All of us have mothers and most of us are mothers. We may not be mothers to human kids, but if the definition of mothering is "to watch over, nourish, and protect", then, yes, many of us mother pets, aging parents, nieces and nephews, or people we mentor or care for in other ways. Regardless or what form your mothering takes, mothering is often rewarding, and it almost always has some hard work and challenges. Mother's Day is a recognition of this, both a time of celebration and a time where mom may get breakfast in bed or taken out to dinner.
Moms to human children undoubtedly deserve the biggest recognition, but this doesn't discount those of us who are other mothers. But let's face it, our mothering is not going to get either the same recognition or the same release from chores. I have still not trained my dogs how to handle a tray and cook meals, so I will not be lying in bed on Sunday morning.
But we all need those breaks and that recognition. So I propose that this Sunday, May 12, we all celebrate Mother's Day. If you have kids, let them do something special. If you don't, do something special for yourself. We should all give ourselves credit for being the amazing mothers we are!
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Choosing a Daypack
In the old days you could go into a store and buy a daypack. Now the salesperson might ask you "So what are you going to be using it for? Will you be hiking in the mountains on rough trails or on the flat? Will you need to carry 15 pounds or 30? Will you only need to use it for day trips or might you occasionally need to carry more?" If you're an avid hiker or think you will be, the only reasonable answer to these questions is "Yes! And I am not going to buy three different daypacks!"
Buying a daypack is one of the most important pieces of gear any hiker will buy, and it is worth putting thought and time to getting one that will serve you well. So here are some general guidelines and specific choices.
First, it does make sense to ask if you will ever need it for more than a day hike. If there are times you might need to carry more, for example you need to carry clothes on a hut to hut trip, then getting one that has the ability to expand is crucial. You don't want one that is simply large because then, whenever it isn't fully loaded, the pack sags away from your body and is not stable, and the weight is not evenly distributed. In this situation you end up carrying the weight from your shoulders - definitely not fun. But if you're pretty sure that all you will ever carry are the 10-15 pounds of water, snacks, rain gear, warm clothes etc, then having an expandable pack is pointless.
Aside from that, it is crucial to get a pack that fits you. Many women are short-waisted and getting a pack that is too long is a recipe for discomfort. It doesn't matter how tall you are, the only important measure is your torso. If you aren't sure how to measure it, go to a store that does.
Two other important characteristics are 1) the hip belt and shoulders should be padded; and 2) a sternum strap, stablizer straps (located under the arms) and lifters will help keep the pack snugged into your body. This makes a huge difference in comfort.
My favorite pack is the Granite Gear Vapor Ki because I often need more space, but I can snug it down to carry much lighter weights comfortably. Jan, on the other hand, prefers the Granite Gear Vapor Day Ki because it is smaller and she also has a small backpack she uses for her lightweight backpacking trips.
There are certainly less expensive daypacks - but please don't sacrifice quality and comfort. If you're half way into an eight mile hike and your shoulders hurt and your hips are sore, you are going to be hating life!
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Our 2012 trips
We have all of our 2012 trips listed on our Trip Calendar. Well, sort of, anyway. We have dates for most of our Winter and Spring trips and a scattering of other trips throughout the year; for others we simply have a month. And of course we may add or subtract to this list in the next month.
Unlike 2011 trips, you cannot click through to any of the 2012 trips yet, but that should be changing soon. As soon as we have finished the pricing, they're available for registration. As always, if you want us to notify you when the detailed description is up so you can snag one of those 5% discounts, just call or email us.
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The perfect kayak hat
I asked Pam (fresh from the Chesapeake Kayaking trip - note pictures on the left) to recommend some piece of kayak gear. She says:
Besides my kayak and my paddle, my most important piece of kayaking equipment is my hat. It must have both high style and high function!! Here are the features that I think make up the perfect hat for kayaking:
- Broad Brimmed and Stiff - I want a wide and broad brim that is stiff. It keeps the sun off my neck and my face and the rain out of my eyes. If the brim isn't stiff, the wind can blow it straight up where it doesn't offer any protection from the wind or rain.
- Black underneath the brim - This cuts down the glare from the water tremendously, making the whole kayaking adventure much easier on the eyes
- Breathable polyester with vents around the crown - I want my head to breath and stay as cool as possible while wearing my hat. My hat has large mesh vents around 75% of the crown.
- Chinstrap - for keeping my hat on my head on those windy days
- Adjustable Cord - this cord runs around the head to adjust the hat for different wind conditions and/or haircuts
- Sweatband - I paddle a lot in warmer climates, so the vents mentioned above along with a nice, soft, inner sweatband are a must.
I'm always on the look-out for the perfect paddlers hat but currently I'm really enjoying this one I found at REI.
Editor's note: Buy this hat and join us for Sea Kayaking Nova Scotia to give it a good workout!
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A Personal Note
As some of you know, I moved back to Maryland nine years ago so I could give my 90 year old mom emotional and physical support as she struggled with losing her vision. She was the one who gave me my love of travel and the outdoors, and the certain knowledge that, absent significant health issues, age is more a matter of attitude than biology. We made several major trips together, the last being to South Africa when she was 88. Watching her age and lose some of her abilities was hard, and I never regretted my decision to share that part of her journey.
She died March 22 at the age of 98, in her own bed, with my sister and I both there. And although I miss her terribly, I know with all my heart that it was time for her to move on.
She was a huge fan of Adventures in Good Company, always asking how things were going and giving me new marketing ideas. With her love of life, keen interest in other people, and a passion for travel and lifelong learning, she was truly the embodiment of the AGC spirit. -- Marian
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