Two Fools Tavern

This afternoon, Mandy and I went to Two Fools Tavern down by the university for lunch. I'm afraid I don't have pictures, so you'll have to put up with one I nicked from their facebook page. I really enjoyed it, and would like to go back. Recommended.

What I Carry and Why: EDC or Everyday Carry Gear

So, I'm going to start working on a three part series on the gear I carry in varying situations. I decided to start with my everyday "kicking around town in fair weather" load, frankly because it involves the least amount of photography. The next three installments will be on my day hiking pack, my SAR pack, and backpacking pack, all of which involve a LOT more stuff, and thus more camera time.

The Last Trail

Essay for my Fiction Writing class this term, first draft. Have a gander.

The Last Trail

Justin felt his knees buckle, and knew he was going down. As he fell, he tried to keep Dakota’s head from striking the ground. He couldn’t see well enough any longer to tell how successful he’d been. He lay in the hot ash that looked like snow for a long moment, and then rolled far enough to vomit without choking.

He weakly spat out the residual vomit, and tried to rise to his knees. Finding he didn’t even have the strength for that, he rolled over to check on his friend. She hadn’t stirred. He weakly shook her shoulder, gasping, “Dakota, are you OK?”

She didn’t respond. He pulled off his leather glove and reached for her exposed neck with shaking fingers, brushing aside thick raven hair. He found the notch to the side of her trachea that contained the carotid artery, and pressed gently, expecting to feel a pulse against his fingers.

There was nothing.

“’Koda,” he whimpered. “No….”

Sasslong Update

This is a followup to the first impressions review I did on Asolo's Sasslong hiking boots. You can find it here:http://musinginthedesert.blogspot.com/2013/07/gear-review-asolo-sasslong-hiking-boots.html

I really, really, really wanted to like these boots. However, I have paddle-like hind paws, and even in a wide size, they were crushing my little toe. Thus, I'll be going back to the L.L. Bean Cresta Hiker, because it seems to be the only high-quality hiking boot on God's holy green Earth that fits my feet. As to the abrasion problems, I don't know what I'll do. Perhaps shoe-goo another piece of leather to the toe when it wears through. L.L. Bean was kind enough to send me a new pair of Crestas, since the ones I had been using leaked.

My Apologies

For all 1.7 of you that are actually paying attention to this blog, I apologize for being inactive recently. School just started up, and we were up in the Jemez over Labor Day weekend on the search for the missing firefighter. So, been busy. Beyond that, the Inspiration Faerie has been beating me over the head with respect to the novella I'm working on, so when I have had time for leisure writing, I've been focusing on that.

Hopefully I'll be able to post some more in the near future. I'm planning to do a series of "what I carry and why" when I'm out in the field. I'm intending to do separate posts for day hiking, backpacking, and SAR work. Stay tuned. In the meantime, have a map of the Continental US as outlined by the location of McDonald's restaurants.

Monte Cristo and Fried Pickles at the Fat Squirrel

Wanted to do a writeup on one of my new favorite restaurants, the Fat Squirrel Pub in Rio Rancho, NM. For those of us who don't live on the wrong side of the Rio Grande, Southern and 528 is a bit of a drive, but it's certainly worth the occasional trip. My girlfriend and I have gone several times. Highly recommended.

New headlamp!

Just got a new toy in the mail, Petzl MYO RXP headlamp. Proper first impressions article to follow when I'm more awake, but this thing is BRIGHT. On low power, it lit up my backyard. I don't have a small backyard.

Stock photo because I don't feel like taking pictures at the moment.

Gear Review: Asolo Sasslong Hiking Boots (First Impression)

Today's entry will be a first impressions look at the Asolo Sasslong boots I bought from Sierra Trading Post.

Gear Review: Belleville 310 Boot

I wanted to talk about a pair of boots. I'm not a professional gear critic, and haven't tried every boot on God's Earth. However, between Civil Air Patrol, my time at the Merchant Marine Academy, my volunteer EMS work, and wilderness SAR, I've worn more than a few pairs of boots. The ones I want to bring to your attention today are some of the best I've had the opportunity to use. Specifically, the Beleville 310 Army-style desert boots.

Hypothermia, Thoughts on Firestarting

I was on an outing when matters got to the point of me trying to treat hypothermia in the field. Search and Rescue also had to be called, because one of us was hurt and couldn't walk out. On a positive note, everyone that was on the trip is alive and no one sustained any severe injuries, so I'm calling this a win.

Keep in mind, SAR is available as a resource when you get in over your head. Call sooner rather than later. In the state of NM, I believe (99% certain, does not constitute legal advice) that there is no charge to the subject for a legitimate search or rescue. If you think you're in trouble and need help, call the NM State Police.

Hello World

Um.......Hello? Is this thing on? Test......test......

Anyhow, sitting around at home, and decided I'd start a blog. I've got an opinion on damn near everything, and everybody ELSE seems to be blasting their opinions forth across the world, so I figured I'd dive in.

A bit about me. I'm a currently unemployed EMT-Basic, studying to be a Registered Nurse. I live in Albuquerque, NM. I spend my free time reading, writing, cooking, doing DIY gear modifications, hiking, working with Civil Air Patrol, and doing volunteer Search and Rescue with Cibola SAR.

So....the blog. I'm essentially making this up as I go along, so I'll be posting on whatever piques my curiosity or rouses my interest. Most likely the majority of posts will be about SAR and hiking, along with outdoor gear (since I'm a massive gear-head). There will likely be a lot about the novels I've read, and the ones I'm writing. Mixed in will be a smattering of stuff about school, archery, modern medicine, and whatever else I feel like writing about.