A Guide to Enjoying a Socially-Distanced Summer, Outdoors
A Guide to Enjoying a Socially-Distanced Summer, Outdoors
Life sure looks different these days, but we prefer to focus on the good around here at Yellow Wood. As the days, weeks, and months roll on, we realize we’ve heard a lot about restrictions, cancellations, and closures. But on second thought, some of our very favorite activities are, in essence, social distancing. Getting off-grid, venturing out onto the trails, stopping to smell the roses, sitting around a campfire with a few loved ones, rocking in a hammock staring up the dancing leaves – these are some of life’s most precious moments. Embrace this slower pace of life with us this summer!
Our team put together a guide of our favorite essentials for maximizing a socially-distanced summer.
Camping:
· Exped Mega Mat Wide Sleeping Pad: Speaking of socially distant, it’s aaaalmost possible to keep a the recommended 6ft distance from your camping pal while sharing this sleeping pad, or at least it’ll feel that way (especially when you’re fun-sized like Cyd). The Mega Mat is laminated with a nonslip fabric that will keep you situated comfortably for a good night’s rest. It’s self-inflating, lightweight, and will keep you insulated from the elements.
· Eno Roadie Hammock Stand & Hammock: No trees? No problem. You’ll have a place to hang wherever your drive takes you.
· Helinox Swivel: Gone are the days of bulky camping chairs that *might* collapse at any given moment. The only thing heavy about Helinox chairs is the engineering. For the weight of a full water bottle, you’ll always have a comfy place to land.
· Snow Peak French Press: Camping is no excuse to compromise quality coffee. Made of Japanese titanium, this French press can be set directly over a heat source to boil water then wahla- the stuff that good mornings are made of. Might we recommend Colectivo’s latest blend – Unity, benefitting the NAACP?
· Rumpl NanoLoft Blanket: It’s a revolution in insulation technology… 100% post-consumer recycled clusters create the most packable synthetic blanket on the market. Use it to cuddle up – or in place of a sleeping bag if you’d rather have a little space to sprawl.
· Nemo Fillo Camping Pillow. This uber-lightweight, luxury foam-flanked pillow cradles your weary head after a day on the trail. And for those nights you’re drooling over the scenery… the cover is washable.
· Big Agnes Big House 6 Tent: This big tent is a big deal for those who like to car camp. It’s got plenty of space for all of the things – two dogs, two people, card games on a rainy afternoon in the mountains, and enough height for a 5’10” individual to change out of her soaking wet clothes… standing up. #winning
Exploring:
· Grayl: Three words: Potable. Water. Anywhere. Need we say more? …and yes, we mean anywhere. Fill it up, press it down, hydrate.
· Fjallraven Keb Gaiter Trousers: If you’ve seen Moshe on the trails, you’ve seen these bad boys, too. These durable little trousers give just the right amount of stretch to keep you comfy as you navigate the trail. They’re made of Fjallraven’s proprietary G-1000 fabric, which can be completely water- and wind-proof when waxed. To add even more versatility, the gaiters can be removed to keep you cool in warmer weather.
· Para’kito Roll-On Mosquito Repellent: Using only natural essential oils, this stuff is good for you and our planet!
· La Sportiva Wildcat 2.0 Gore-Tex Trail Runner. The Wildcat offers an aggressive outsole rugged enough for uneven, rooty trails and a supple midsole that keeps us comfortable and supported. Don’t shy away from the puddles, either; Gore-Tex lining will keep your feet dry!
· Fjallraven Bergtagen Wool Baselayer: Deb’s a huge advocate of merino wool, and with good reason! This next-to-skin layer helps keep us warm, manages moisture, and offers optimal, itch-free comfort.
· The Original Hiker’s Wool: Take it from Sarah, who’s suffered through blisters on long hikes. This super simple tool (sourced solely from sheep in New Zealand) is essential for preventing blisters and reducing friction on hot spots.
Stay tuned here for the next installment of our Socially-Distanced Summer blog series; we’ve got recipes, park/campsite openings info, and much more comin’ your way!