Maximizing Your Day Trips

Last week I posted a blog about how the girlfriend and I took a day trip up to Charleston, SC to see one of our favorite bands, Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors open for NEEDTOBREATHE. That got me thinking about what made our trip so much fun.

A Day Trip to Charleston, SC

A couple weekends ago, the girlfriend and I took a day trip up to Charleston, SC (that's right, I said day trip) to see one of our favorite bands, Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors open for NEEDTOBREATHE. The show was phenomenal and the trip was amazing. If you're ever in the Charleston area or planning a road trip on a budget, I highly suggest planning, but not over planning.

Georgia, South Carolina State Line

Chaco…A 3-Part Review…Part III…Zong

Finally, last, but not least…the Zong by Chaco.

The Zong is very lightweight and easy to slip on and off. The missing heel strap gives it a very loose and relaxed look and feel. Don't get me wrong, you can still tighten them down to give you that perfect fit. Let's face it, some days you don't want to Chac Up, look nice, and hit the town or trail. Some days it's a "long hair, don't care"kind of day. When you want comfort, but are in that chill mood, slide these on and relax. They're the perfect sandal for walking around town, going to the store, or the beach.

I personally prefer the added security of the toe strap since it's lacking the heel strap. Chaco's got you covered with the Mrap if you're not a fan of the toe strap like I am.

They provide great arch support and are very comfortable. I personally wear mine the most when I'm going to the beach or am in a quick rush to get somewhere and don't have time to Chac Up.
Chaco is always coming out with different webbing color options, so check their site often to see what they've come up with next.

What's your favorite Chaco style?

A Weekend on the Florida Trail

This past weekend was one for the memories. My buddy Bryan and I had a great time backpacking the Northeast Section of the FloridaTrail from Clearwater Lake to Juniper Springs. We made some good decisions, some bad decisions, and came across some things along the way.

Friday

Bryan boiling water to cook his Mountain House dinner

We got dropped off at the Clearwater Lake Trailhead around 7:30pm Friday night. We hiked through an amazing pine forest with palmettos and cacti. To my surprise, the trail was marked very well, went right past residential land, and was pretty wide. After hiking for a couple hours we set up camp, ate dinner, bear bagged our food, and hunkered down for the rainy night.

What to Bring on the Florida Trail

My buddy and I section hiked the Northeast section of the Florida Trail, from Clearwater Lake to Juniper Springs, in the Ocala National Forest this past weekend. Since the Florida Trail is a trail like no other, I thought I’d share with you the things we took and some things we learned along the way.

Backpack and Water

You’ll of course need a backpack to carry all of your stuff. I prefer a backpack with an H2O reservoir built in and side pouches for a Nalgene. You’ll need to carry plenty of water with you since Florida can get extremely hot and water filling stations can be few and far between…we found this out the hard way.

Sleep System

I prefer to sleep in a tent and sleeping bag, with a sleeping pad, but if you don’t mind spraying on some bug spray and dealing with the bugs, a fly and foot print would work. A hammock with a bug net and tarp is always a viable option as well, but sometimes the trees can be spread out too far.

Footwear

Chaco’s tend to be my everyday footwear of choice. They give great foot support and I prefer sandals over shoes. However, we found out the hard way that they’re not ideal for long-distance hikes. Hiking shoes/boots would be best because of the extra support you get and the protection they provide.

Clothing

Always carry rain gear with you because storms can form in an instant. You can usually get by with shorts and a t-shirt, but make sure they’re anti-microbial and sweat wicking, of course. The winters can be mild and chilly so some long pants and a base layer is helpful as well.

Navigation

When you’re hiking the Florida Trail, make sure to buy the map for the section you’ll be hiking and the data book. Both are essential to keep you from getting lost and they do a great job of showing you where campsites, water, and civilization can be found. A compass is always a great idea to bring as well, along with a safety whistle, in case you get lost.

Oddities

Bring some duct tape. Sounds odd, but seriously, have you seen what duct tape can do? It can help you in almost any situation. You don’t need an entire roll, just wrap some of it around your trekking pole a couple times and you should be fine. I also bring a needle and thread to help with blisters.

Here’s a list of obvious things to bring that really don’t need any explanation:

•    Bug Spray

•    Sunscreen

•    Headlamp

•    Food

•    Stove

•    Flint/Fire Starter

•    Water Purification System

•    Hat and Sunglasses

•    Toilet Paper

•    Knife

•    First-Aid Kit

Lastly, you should always plan ahead. Know the weather and dress appropriately, know what permits you need and precautions to take, like the dates for hunting season. Finally, make sure you tell people when you’re going, where you’ll be going, how long you’ll be gone, and when you’ll be checking in.

Bring these items, keep these things in mind and you should have a good time.

Happy Hiking!

Chaco…A 3-Part Review…Part II Z1

As promised a while ago, here are some of my thoughts about the Z1’s by Chaco. These sandals are at the top of my footwear list for a few reasons.

They have a heel strap

They lock your feet in tight with very little slippage. They work great for light trail hikes as well.

They don’t have a toe strap

I like to have a full range of motion for all of my toes. When I’m going to be on my feet for a long time, these are my preference for the security and free range of motion for all my toes.

They’re light

Unlike the Z2’s, the sole is slimmer, so they won’t weight you down.

The one disadvantage to these bad boys is the lack of a toe strap. Now, I know I said earlier that to me it’s an advantage. However, if you’re looking to go on some steeper and tougher terrain, these won’t be the best. The toe strap does help give more added security and reduces the risk of slipping.

I wore them to UCF’s Spirit Splash one year and they helped out a bunch. I got to protect my feet and keep my sandals on at the same time…not to mention they got a much needed cleaning.

I’d suggest wearing them to music festivals like Bonaroo or the Vans Warped Tour. You’ll be outside all day in the blazing hot summer sun. You’re going to want to wear sandals. You always run the risk of losing sandals, but if you have the Z1’s, they’ll provide: comfort, foot support, sole protection, and stay on your feet all day.