You may have noticed all the ads for Eckerd Youth Alternatives on Outdoorzy lately. Eckerd is a new advertiser on the site, and is going to be advertising with us for a while. I wasn’t familiar with what Eckerd did until I started exploring their site last night. I’m very impressed with the way they provide opportunities not only for the children who attend their camps, but for the employees who work there.
Imagine having a job where you can backpack, camp, AND help teach kids how to enjoy all the outdoor activities you love so much. They have jobs all over the country, and from the looks of their job board they always have openings. There are part-time seasonal and full-time positions available.
Many people question the way they spend their days and wonder if there are more meaningful options out there. It looks like there are always jobs available at Eckerd.
A small liberal arts college in Wisconsin is giving bikes away to freshman. All they have to do is promise not to bring a car to campus. The parking situation had gotten so bad at Ripon College that they decided to give a Trek 820 mountain bike, a helmet, and a bike lock to incoming freshman not clogging up the parking lots.
“We’re a residential college with a beautiful, historic campus in the middle of a small town,” said President David Joyce, an avid cyclist. “Paving it over was not an option I was willing to consider.”
This is a great plan with only one problem I can see…. leave class, walk out to the bike rack… OH SNAP, which one is mine!?!?
Nope, it’s not a new species discovered in the Amazon. It’s an adventure race in South Carolina. And Outdoorzy will be a sponsor this year. We’re very excited to be part of this race and can’t wait to get down to Charleston.
The 60 mile race will be held on March 8th in the Francis Marion National Forest, and is put on by Kando Adventures. It will include kayaking, mountain biking, trekking, and orienteering across land, water, and swamp. The “swamp” aspect should add some interesting features for people not used to those conditions.
Come by the race if you’re in the area, it should be a fun weekend. The race will be a USARA national qualifier. Check out their site here.
At least that’s what Dr. John Castellani says. He’s an exercise physiologist and expert on environmental medicine. “The big question was, ‘Is it ever too cold?’” Dr. Castellani said. “The answer is no. People go to the poles, people are out there when it’s minus-50 degrees, people do incredible things, and safely. There really isn’t a point where you can tell people it is not safe anymore.”
Common Myths…
Bundle Up
Yes, wear enough clothing to keep you warm. Try not to leave too much exposed skin. But don’t overdress. Wearing too much can make you sweat and sweating can keep you wet and eventually cold.
Take Breaks
No way. Keep moving, this will keep you warm. Stopping will only slow your heart rate and make you colder.
It Can Damage Your Lungs
Wrong. By the time air reaches your lungs it is body temperature, says Kenneth W. Rundell, the director of respiratory research and the human physiology laboratory at Marywood University. However, cold air can sometimes be dryer. So if you experience any problems it is most likely due to the dryness of the air, not the coldness.
With all that said. Hypothermia and Frostbite are real. Don’t stay out too long or expose yourself to extreme conditions for long periods of time. But moderate exercise in cold weather is just fine. Well, there goes that excuse. I guess I should get outside and do something…
We’re wrapping up the list of trailhead grub spots today with 5 places you can’t go wrong with. I’m getting HUNGRY!
5. Miguel’s - Red River Gorge, KY Why? Endercore says “Best pizzia in the world, amazing topping selection, and run by a great family who are nothing but supportive to the climbing community, and the community in general. Miguel employees a staff of climbers who are always really nice. Miguels IS the outdoorzy spot in the red, so proximity is no issue, price is good, and he rarely runs out. Don’t forget to admire his woodcarvings while you’re there. Plus you can camp in the back for 2 bucks a night.”
4. The Pizza Factory - Lone Pine, CA Why? Summiting Mt Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48, is no easy chore. But getting down a big greasy peperoni laden pie with a tall pitcher of whatever beer you like IS an easy chore. After the Whitney adventure, stop here for some great food and lots of pictures of all the old western movie stars that used to film in the area. It’s right at the end of Whitney Portal Road, can’t miss it.
3. Ocoee Dam Deli - Ocoee, TN Why? According to Endercore “It is about 5 miles from the takeout for the middle ocoee river in TN. Its this little shack of a place with a gravel parking lot, a lovely porch, and a bunch of TV’s on the inside that are constantly playing boating videos. Its awesome because they have 2 or 3 diffrent videos playing at once, and one is almost always a rafting carnage video from the ocoee, so you can sit and reminisce on getting your ass kicked in the very same hole earlier that day, or freak your self out about getting caught in this keeper hole, getting run over by a raft, and being recirculated while some stoned raft guide misses you with his throw bag 10 times before finally rescuing you.”
2. K’s Dairy Delight - Buena Vista, CO Why? Well it sits in the shadow of the Collegiate 14ers in Colorado, has a whitewater river at its back door and plenty of rock climbing all around. Then there’s the food. Burgers, fries, onion rings, and ice cream cap off your adventure. They also give you the name of a movie star when you show up and when they call out your name, say… “Robert Redford”, you go get your food. Feeling like crap, but treated like a star.
AND #1 (at least on this list…) Calamity Jane’s - Mt Hood, OR Why? After skiing all day at Timbeline Lodge, hiking the 45 mile Timbeline Trail, or summiting Mt Hood… a 1 lb burger as big as your head is the only thing you need. That and some neosporin… Serving giant burgers just a few miles down the road from Mt Hood and doing it all with a smile. This rustic building has the charm and the calories to get you back on your sore feet again.
And for all the detail Endercore went into, he wins the MSR Alpine Kitchen Set compliments of MSR! Just message me Endercore to claim your prize.
Thanks for the help of all the Outdoorzies that put their two cents in on the forum!
After a difficult summit, run, hike, mtb ride, or day on the slopes there’s nothing like a big fat-filled, cheese-covered meal to satisfy your calorie deficit. Many of you probably have your favorite spot to eat after a tough day. I’ve compiled a list of some of the best trailhead grub spots (with the help of some of our members). Atmosphere, food quality, food quantity, and proximity to the trailhead all went into the hat to help us decide on these. These are all in the US and Canada. We may do an international list down the road.
Below are #s 10-6…. #s 5-1 to come tomorrow.
10. Pig Diner - Pig, Ky Why? Any place with named “Pig” in a town named “Pig” has to at least get a nod. Not to mention the amazing greasy breakfast selection and the killer Beef Manhattan. Wash it all down with a glass of sweet tea that your spoon could stand up in it’s so thick and you’re ready to re-enter society. This place is about 5 minutes outside of the south entrance to Mammoth Cave National Park.
9. Adair’s Wilderness Lodge - Waterford, NB (Canada) Why?Fundyguy25 says - “Great spot to eat with homemade desserts, soups, and all the standards. Friendly knowledgable staff that know the area and some even do some guiding. There is on-site tenting as well as a couple of cottages. They offer a shuttle service to and from many trail heads and often serve as headquarters when S&R teams are needed. The building sits next to a pond and is on a dirt road (may be chipsealed soon though), and is a log building.”
8. Nate’s Grille - Skagway, AK Why?JoshuatheNomad says “The guy who own’s the place is uber-groovy. The place has a coffee shop/mom & pop greasy spoon atmosphere with constant great tunes, amazing deep fried deserts: oreos, snickers, reeses cups, twinkies…
And Nate makes by far the best fries in Skagway, maybe in the world! accompany that with his black and bleu HUGE burger and a PBR from around the corner at Moe’s Frontier Bar and you’ve got an Alaskan delight. I’ve never met a nicer, more genuine restaurant owner anywhere. And there was movies, by theme, every Friday and Saturday night this summer.”
7. The Blue Spruce - Frisco, CO Why?Grensap says “I like the blue spruce its got a old time feel. Close to all the ski slopes, trails, the blue river, and lake dillon. It great for a nice sit down dinner, but the bar has great prices and there Colorado wings are awesome. I know the price look high but its some of the best food around. Also I guess I really like it because it is right infront of my house.”
6. Pies & Pints - Fayettville, WV Why? JoshuatheNomad says “The name answers the why. Pizza and Beer. Parking isn’t great but the food and beer selection counters that issue. Also, on a nice spring or fall day, they have a porch and other outside seating [i think], not the greatest view but I personally love to sit outSiDe and down some beer and pizza after a long day of calorie burning fun. And you can basically make your own work of art with the plethora of toppings they have to offer.”
My cousin just moved to Billings, so maybe I’ll actually make it to PQ this year. Montana will provide a scenic backdrop and should also make for ideal adventure racing terrain. Can’t wait to see what they have in store this year.
Outdoorzy is sponsoring a race down in Fayetteville Tennessee this spring called Dirt Sweat and Gears. It is one of the biggest mountain biking events in the country and the biggest in the Southeastern US. I’ll be blogging more about this in the future but wanted you to be aware of it so you can put it on your calendars for May 2nd and 3rd 2008.
Mountain Bike races for all classes
A “Vendor Village” with your favorite outdoor companies (including Outdoorzy)
Tons of prizes and give-aways
Free camping
A concert at night with great music
And the opportunity to hang out with alot of outdoorzy types
This should be a must-do for ‘08 if you’re into mountain biking, or just want to attend an outdoorzy-type event.
