Camping is Gross: A Rebuttal and Solution

A friend sent this article my way a couple weeks back knowing I’d get a chuckle. It details the experiences of urban dwellers taking to the woods for their first time and while I’m very happy to see more people getting outdoors, I couldn’t stand by and let the platform of my company be labelled “gross”!

I think if these campers had the chance to experience nature with a guiding hand to help with gear, planning and an example of handling bugs and the restroom, they’d come out having had the time of their lives. Anywho, I put these thoughts down so maybe other first timers can come to terms with the nitty gritty pieces of camping.

Bugs and bathrooms. The two biggest topics of contention I encounter with first time campers. 

For bugs my rebuttal is, YES. Yes there are bugs, yes they exist, yes they can be icky. They crawl around, fly at wicked speeds and are drawn to the light of your headlamp. I’ve been smacked in the face a few times by large luna moths as I negotiate my bear bag. Do I like it? No. Is it funny for my campers to witness? Yes. Is it funny when it happens to them? Yes.

In my opinion the best part about encountering insects outdoors is observing them in their natural home; as opposed to watching them fly into our windows at home or crawl across the kitchen floor. In nature you can take in the intricacies of an insect's shape, colors, wacky antennae and incredible camouflage. 

As for bathrooms, there’s no way around it. Ya gotta go at some point, and if you had to choose between a nasty outhouse as described in the article or hand-dug hole overlooking a pristine forest, what would you choose? Most folks are just a bit iffy over the whole squatting section so I always run through a good stretch and deep squat example :-) it makes for a good laugh and can bring the group together around that shared discomfort and awkward guide pretending to poop in front of everyone. 

And now onto the whole packing and planning snafu the article describes. There’s no shame in packing too much; understanding what you need really only comes with experience. No packing list or do’s/don’ts can prevent people from thinking they need certain items like a makeup mirror, umbrella plus poncho, full pajama set and so on. The only way to stop folks from overpacking and over thinking is to be honest and firm and kindly do a gear dump at the trailhead. 

The big piece to know is that the gear you bring but don’t need can be left behind. The gear you do need and did not bring will be sorely missed when the time comes, like certain clothes and sleeping pads. 

My full-on biased opinion for folks who are camping-curious is to find bring some friends with some experience, and if that’s not possible, there’s always room for you at Adventures Accessed. Camping for the first time deserves to be a positive experience because your relationship with nature can truly be life-changing. 

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Covid Considerations

We’re on the cusp of full-blown summer and I hope everyone has been able to safely enjoy the outdoors thus far. Our spring has been quiet, as expected. Scheduled trips didn’t happen and we are planning on keeping things quiet for the next few weeks. We hope to have some opportunities ready to roll in the Blue Ridge Mountains where there is a little less risk, and aim to be rolling in the Midwest come August, restrictions and safety pending of course.

Last week a customer pinged us on the websites chat feature with some good questions about social distancing and the issue is definitely worthy of deep thought and consideration as states and country begin to re-open.

Here’s a breakdown of the pressing issues we face as an experiential provider.

Transportation for trips: Historically we have suggested that groups gather and ride in our van, the Blue Whale. New suggestion is to drive in a convoy if you have transportation, or to wear a mask for the duration of the drive. We will drive with windows cracked to allow fresh air in.

Tents/Sleeping: Anyone joining the trips as a couple, family or roommates can share tents per usual. Anyone with apprehensions to sharing tents, or solo travelers can chose to sleep in a one-person hammock system (can be altered to sleep on the ground) or under the stars.

Food: As always we’ve prepared any grub requiring work ahead of time in a clean kitchen. With consideration to the situation, any food prep will be done wearing masks and gloves. We’ll also be altering the menu to support meals that require less hands-on prep. So long as guidance suggests, we’ll prepare meals at camp with mask and gloves.

Equipment Cleaning: Our gear has been clean and idle since the end of our season in 2019. We will ensure gear is cleaned and sterilized once more before the season begins and will take extra precautions after trips. These precautions include thorough washing of tents along UV treatment and disinfectant treatment to all gear from sleeping bags to bear bags to cord to water filters.

Hiking and Campfire: Maintaining 6 feet between hikers shouldn’t be too difficult. We ask that distancing is maintained when possible. Considering we’ll be in the middle of thousands upon thousands of acres of forest, we shouldn’t have too big a problem keeping space.

Misc: Before each trip the Whale and all her surfaces will be disinfected and cleaned. We still recommend bringing your own eating utensils and favorite snacks, though ask everything be sterilized/wiped down as a consideration to others. Expect to see an updated med form upon trip signup to address covid as part of the medical history for overnights.

Still lots to consider but we’re hopeful that we’ll be sharing beautiful mountains, rivers and forests with everyone soon.

Stay safe, healthy, and be well.

Earth Week - Do This and Spread the Word of Stewardship

Hey how’s 2 posts within a 800 day period? Not too bad!

It’s Earth Week so I figured I’d toss ya some earth-loving things to do while we all social-distance.

First up is Monday, and if my calendar is correct, that is today. With all this sheltering in place I know people have legit lost track of the weeks as they pass so with that in consideration, today is a pass. Yea, total cop-out but its nearly 5 p.m. here and after all, it’s Monday. How much can you ask of me?

Tomorrow which is * checks calendar Tuesday * will be awesome and here’s why. The Lyrid meteor shower will peak and you should definitely spend all day planning to view it and then take all night to star gaze. Check out the deets. Pack a picnic. Bring a sleeping bag.

Use this site to find a dark sky near you

Okay now on to the big day: Earth Day! You’ve now spent a reasonable 24 hours awake if you went out to see the Lyrids. You’ll drive home as the sun rises just in time to do your favorite Earth Day activity. Mine is picking up trash out of waterways. If that isn’t your jam, check out Earth Day official site and ideas here. You can use the myriad of ideas for Earth Day to carry you through Earth Week. There’s no shortage of things to do, especially with all the sitting around we’ve been doing (don’t act like you’re spending more time being active now than you were this time last year).

This is a great opportunity to rally your kids, roommates, or encourage your friends and family to get out and give back to the planet just a tiny bit.

Once you’ve cleaned your park, written your representatives, petitioned for more green space and given the stink-eye to people indulging single use plastic, join me for a free event Sunday. I’ve been hosting a program called “Connecting to Nature at Home” and its all about engaging your senses to bring nature into your life while we stay put. It’s been gong super-duper, thanks for asking.

High five. Now get after some shooting stars and show some thanks to Mother Earth. And remember, you don’t need Earth Day as a reason to do well by the planet. We all share this place and in my opinion, it’s pretty jacked up right now so we need everyone in on this, 365 days a year.

K see ya!

Aaron

Relax, Chicago

The city is big and beautiful, action packed and exciting. While we often find solace in our homes after a busy day at work it can still be tough to find a spot where peace and quiet is actually an option. No matter where we live in Chicago, we're just a few blocks away from a major thoroughfare where the El roars overhead; or the air-brakes and BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP of a bus are disrupting our quiet time. Sirens echo off of buildings at any time of day and not to mention our neighbors who at some point just need to stop it.

We've got a number of parks, thanks to an excellent parks and recreation system but those too can prove to be just as tough to enjoy peacefully with busy roads, sports leagues and your common, screaming young-in. So where's a place to find some quiet, throw up a hammock, read a book or romance your hot date? 

The lakefront, between Belmont Harbor and Diversey Harbor, that's where. I often find peace along the large concrete steps where noise can only be shared from one direction.

Without any structures within several blocks from just one direction (the west), noise can't echo and can only die in the eastbound winds towards the lake. Cyclists and other passersby seem to blend in to the scene as they're there for similar reasons and if your're up front for the lake's serenade you'll never even know a couple of people had passed. 

The lakefront offers one-of-a-kind views which provide pastel-filled sunsets, boats sailing in the distance, a calm breeze and the wishy-washy-splash-blurp that mysteriously soothe us into a state of relaxation.

Bring a book, bring a friend and connect with the natural beauty.

See you out there,

Aaron

 

Day Trip Pilot

Best. Saturday. Ever.

What's even better is that we'll get to repeat this Saturday any time we want and it doesn't have to be a Saturday which would plainly make this the best. day. ever.

As you may or may not know Adventures Accessed has day trips, one of which takes groups on a backwoods horseback ride through some of Michigan's finest state forest and follows up with a tour of Bell's Brewery, beer flights and dinner. Well last Saturday I ran through the punches of this trip, bringing months of planning and relationship building into action. It paid off.

I picked up a few friends in The Blue Whale for the ride up to  Michigan, which was gorgeous. Everything went swimmingly at the ranch and everyone had a relaxing ride on horseback. We rode for a while and worked up a deep thirst along with an appetite that could only be satiated by Bell's beer. A quick 50 minute drive (plenty of time for my pals to nap) and we are standing in this grand facility where magic happens.

After the tour we hit up their Eccentric Cafe and General Store for beer and food and we can safely say the grub is serious. Do I need to make mention of the beer?

I think the best part was watching everyone have a great time. It made me think to what future groups this trip will bring, who will make new friends via horseback riding and brew touring, will this be a trip that plays host to celebrations? Whatever this trip brings down the road I'll just be happy to have been a part of it.

The Maiden Post

Enjoy the original musings of Adventures Accessed's happiest camper (and founder), Aaron. Expect to see updates, thoughts, poor jokes and enthusiasm in this project to connect Chicago with the outdoors.

Whew, now that the intro is done I can finally speak my mind and if I had to say one thing at all, well it'd probably be what he (I) said above (see? poor joke). Really though, I'm absolutely thrilled to share the adventures and good times ahead and even more excited to meet new people and to try new things.  

I've got one suggestion for the spring that you may help you appreciate the season and what it can do for us visually. As you walk around the city, the trees are dotted with green, red or white specs called buds. They don't look like much as you walk by but if you can get close enough, I encourage you to go face to face with one of these buds and see what intricacies they hold. It could be the start of a magnificent flower on the neighbors catalpa or a bright green cluster of leaves waiting to unfurl on one of the many maples. Whatever tree or shrub or plant it is, if it's budding I promise you'll see something you've never seen before, you just need to make the effort to see for yourself.

 

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer and is operated under special use permit with the Huron Manistee, Pisgah, Nantahala, and Hoosier National Forests.