Umstead Park - Gear List

 Above is my backpacking gear list, except for food and clothes. If you want to know what to wear when camping or backpacking you can check out my other post here.

If you want to know some tips on how to score some sweet deals on camping/backpacking swag, check out my REI Warehouse Sale post here. 

If you want to know what a gluten free vegetarian eats when backpacking, well I'm glad you asked because here you go. 

Summer Backpacking/Hiking - What To Wear

Summer Backpacking/Hiking - What To Wear 

Especially in the cool and buggy Isle Royale

• Quick Dry T-Shirt
• Pants for cooler days and thick brush
• Running shorts
• Smartwool socks 
• Quick dry underwear + sports bra
• Hat
• Pullover or button up top for cool mornings and evenings
• Rain Jacket (doubles as windbreaker/extra layer)
• Cozy clean sleeping clothes you never hike in
• Buff or bandana 
• Trail Runners
• Camp shoes

Tips!

1. Light weight and versatile pants like the REI Sahara Roll-Up Pants which roll up to several different lengths and are super stretchy and has UPF +50.  Rip stop is important for thick brush. (Zip offs are to heavy and bulky for me).

2. Pockets! Pockets for maps, camera, and snacks are super important so you don't have to keep stopping to pull something out of your pack. 

3. Light color to keep mosquitos away, dark colors absorb heat and attract biting bugs

4. Dries quick and breathes easily. NO COTTON. No jeans either, silly. Anything moisture wicking. (Polyester = Nike DriFits, Under Armour, anything you find in the running section of your sports store.) Quick dry is important for shirts with your pack against your back and socks so you can give them a quick wash at camp and will be dry by morning. 

5. Buff or Bandana - So many uses! Headband, sweatband, ear warmer, dunk in a stream and tie around neck for cooling, cover face incase you run into a swarm of bugs or dust storm. You can even get a Bugs Away Buff. 

6. Trail Runners - Lighter and dries faster than boots. Even if your boots are 'waterproof' your feet will sweat and you'll get blisters. Just give trail runners a try. Less break in period. Mesh is breathable. A pound on your feet is like 5 lbs on your back. Go for a wider toe box or half size since your feet swell with the heat and weight on your  back. I have super wide feet so I go with the Saucony Cohesion TR  for $60!

7. Button ups are nice especially for those of us bug magnets and protects from sun and branches and you can get some in a bug button up. 

8. Camp shoes - depends a bit on weight. I'd rather cary a bit heavier Chacos so I can use it during rainy days/ river crossings/a few stable hours to let my trail runners dry. Some lighter folks go for good old Crocs. Tivas are a good inbetweener. You just want something that you can slip on while setting up camp and let your feet and shoes air out. 

9. Running shorts. I know, not many pockets, but I like the option of having something light weight

and cool for hot days or when a lake looks inviting.

* If it seems like I'll be running instead of hiking, well, it's the same thing essentially. Running gear is light, wicks sweat, doesn't get too smelly, won't stretch, dries quick, and comfy!  I don't like bulky items or itchy wool or cotton. Wear what works for you!

Here is the gear I've gathered so far, all from REI mostly warehouse sales. I should just go work there to get a discount. 

Gregory Deva 60 pack 

SynMat 7 with pump

Snow Peak Giga Power Stove

REI Half Dome 2 tent - tempted to trade in for Quarterdome to cut 2 lbs but got this on close out for super cheap. Always the backpacking battle.... weight vs. price

Outdoors Pinnacle Soloist Cookset

Nemo Nocturne 30

REI Warehouse Sale Items

REI Warehouse Sale Tips:

Call me Type A, but when you're thrown into a tiny room with 39 other people and you're given 20 high intensity minutes, it saves to be organized. 

Here in Durham, NC the way they did it for the over 500 people waiting outside to pounce on deals was divide us into groups of 40 and given a letter. Each letter was drawn from a hat by a cute kid and given a time slot. 10am, 10:30, 11 and so on so you could leave and come back if you wish. The cool thing was they opened the doors at 10 and had clothes and shoes on the floor open for everyone to go nuts on. So the back warehouse was only gear, mostly sleeping bags and sleeping pads. There were some GoPros, watches, sunglasses, a few car camp tents, footprints, I saw a solar system, even a camp towel, no thanks. I was the 4th group (hallelujah) but no backpacks.

Tip 1: Since you likely wont be the first group, unless you have some serious karma built up, talk with REI employees. This helped me tremendously. I straight up asked an REI guy what he thought about my list below and he told me some crucial things. Like the Backcountry bed seems cool but waaay too heavy and bulky. He also told me there were tons of Therm-a-rest pads in the back... which means they were returned the most. He said it was their #1 returned pad. 

Tip 2: Go in with a priority list. If item A isn't there, then go for your backup. 

Tip 3: Don't panic. One of my favorite Jim Gaffigan lines, "Two Big Mac’s for two bucks. I drive by and like, well, I don’t wanna lose money on this. I’ll get 80 of them." Even though the savings are great, don't spend money on something you literally can't return if you don't like it.

Tip 4: If something is missing from the item you picked up (like a compression bag) go ask someone working the room if they've seen it. Things get scattered and thrown about as people tornado through bins.

Tip 5: Test it out before you buy it. I couldn't decide between 2 sleeping pads so I just grabbed both kinds once my time was up and found a corner in the store and inflated them both. There was 0 space in the actual back room to do this. Once I decided the Exped UL chambers were too broken I just gave it the employee working the warehouse door.  

At the end of the day I got... 

1 Nemo Nocturne 30 for $209.83 (orig. $329)

1 REI Radiant Long + Wide for $130.85 (orig. $219)

2 Exped Synmat 7 for $64.83 each (orig. $129 each) 

Totaling $470.34 (orig. total would be $806)

I'd call that a #win. 

Sleeping Bag	Description	Fill	Weight	Price	REI rating
Nemo Nocturne 30	Good for side sleepers with spoon shape; water proof foot bo; blanket fold	700 Duck down	2 lbs	$329-$349	4.5/5 - 23 reviews
REI Igneo 19	Mummy, hood, water-res coat, vertical baffles, wmns zip lright, uni on lft	700 duck down	1lb 15 oz	$299-$319	4.8/5 - 13 reviews
Sierra Designs Zissou 23 (40)	Dri down, roomy footbox, but better for warmer nights	700 dri duck down	2lbs	$239-259	3.75/5 - 33 reviews
Sierra Designs Zissou 12	DriDown, full length zipper, nonrestrictive hood, zippers on opp side = partner	700 duck down	2 lbs 7 oz	$299-$319	4.8/5 - 19 reviews
Kelty Ignite Down 16	DriDown, good value, warm, pretty room	600 duck down	2lbs 7 oz	$219-239	4.6/5 - 26 reviews
Sierra Designs Backcountry Bed 17	Integrated comforter, no zippers, can untuck feet, DriDown, pad not included	600 duck down	3lbs 1 oz	$299-$319	4.8/5 - 6 reviews
Sea to Summit Spark 47	Super light, short zipper, DriDown, compressed	850 goose down	12.3 oz	$299-$319
REI Radiant 19	Water repellent down and coating, relaxed, full zipper	600 duck down	2 lbs 8 oz	$199-219	4.8/5 - 9 reviews
REI Flash 29	Water repel fabric, left zip, not good for side sleepers, lightweight, compact	700 duck down	1 lbs 1 oz	$259-$269	4.7/5 - 11 reviews
REI Igneo 19	Waterproof fabric hood, sides, footbox, compressable, maybe look for long	700 duck down	1 lbs 3 oz	$299-$319
REI Serrana 25 Women's	Roomy, water repel duck down, good for multi positions,	600 duck down	3 lbs 2 oz	$219-229
Sleeping Pads		R-Value
Therm-a-rest Lite Sol	Foam, best of foam pads not good for side sleepers though	2.6/9.5	14 oz	$34-$44	4.2/5 - 66 reviews
Big Agnes Insulated Q-Core	Good for side sleepers, and rocky ground, might leak	5/9.5	1 lb 2 oz	$119-199	4.4/5 - 89 reviews
Expend SynMat 7 Air Pad	Built in pump, good for side sleepers, comes in medium wide	4.9/5	1lb 13 oz	$129-149	4.6/5 - 85 reviews
Therm-a-rest Neo Air XTherm	The best but priciest			$249
Any Therm-a-rest Neo Air
Nemo Astro Insulated Lite	Pillow bump at top of pad, might be noisy, seems like its returend a lot		1lbs 3 oz	$129-$149
Exped SynMat UL	Can be blownup by mouth, seems more durable than nemo,		16oz	$155-$175	4.1/5 - 97 reviews
Therma-a-rest Neo Air Camper	Ok for side sleepers, compact, ~20 breathes, quiet, not self inflating	2.2/9.5	1lbs 8 oz	$99-$149	4.9/5 - 11 reviews

Other things to look for at the garage sale:

1. Sleepingbag

2. Sleping pad

3. Waterproof bags

4. Compression bags

5. Backpack rainjackets

6. GSI Outdoors pinnacle (cook set)

7. Snowpeak giga

8. Knife/camp tool/swiss army

9. Solar

10. Rain gear backpack rain cover

11. Pocket towel

12. Water filter

13. Mosquito head net/Permethrin 14. Footprint

Backpacking List For Isle Royale

Backpacking List For Isle Royale From nps.gov

A backpacking trip to Isle Royale can be the experience of a lifetime or an experience that takes a lifetime to forget. The deciding factor, which can greatly enhance the quality of any trip, is advance planning. 

The following is a suggested list of gear to bring when visiting Isle Royale National Park; use it when planning your trip. If you have any questions, please call the park office at (906) 482-0984, e-mail ISRO_ParkInfo@nps.gov, or visit our website at http://www.nps.gov/ISRO.

Diagram from Backpacker

Essential Equipment

well broken-in boots

good quality backpack that fits

waterproof backpacking tent

three season sleeping bag

raingear (breathable)

sleeping pad

water filter - recommended 25 micron filter

2 quart water bottles - minimum

backpacking stove

stove fuel in approved containers

cooking gear

food

flashlights/headlamp (plus extra batteries)

topographic map

first aid kit

moleskin and foot powder

repair kit (pack, stove, filter, etc.)

plastic spade/toilet paper

knife

sunscreen

insect repellant

headnet

empty Zip-Loc bags for trash

whistle

compass

matches/lighter

Clothing

*Cotton poplar and synthetic fibers such as fleece are quick-drying. Wool retains insulating properties even when wet, and polypropylene is easily dried and lightweight. These fabrics are ideal for Isle Royale’s changeable climate.

lightweight pants

long-sleeved shirt

T-shirt

shorts

hat

bandana

lightweight jacket

sweater/fleece

socks/underwear

thermal underwear

knit hat

light gloves

Other Gear

camp shoes/sandals

plastic groundsheet for tent

pack rain cover

sunglasses

1 extra day of food

eating utensils

trail snacks (trail mix, bars)

cup

Optional Items

20 feet of nylon cord

lightweight binoculars

camera and film

notebook and pencil

field guides

fishing gear

hiking staff/trekking poles

Things NOT to Bring

radio or cassette/CD player

perfume/deodorant/cosmetics (attract bugs)

firecrackers

sporting equipment/frisbee/kite

Backpacking - Gluten Free and Vegetarian Food

Backpacking meat free wheat free food adventures!

Backpacking requires means we take all our food in our giant backpacks and pack it all out. Hicking 10+ miles a day for several days means calories (and yummy variety) is key to get you through to the end happy and healthy. But just add water meals are pretty expensive, the pics below of GF and veggie friendly were by far the cheapest compared to their carnivore cousins. Below are things I normally eat, I don't want to risk try anything new on the trails. 

Just add water DIY meals idea components: 

Gluten Free Base Carbs: 

• Instant Rice
• Quinoa 
• Instant Mashed Potatoes 
• Oats
• Grits
• Rice noodles 
• Rice pilaf
• Corn tortillas
• Plantain tortillas -> recipe  
• Chia seeds
• GF Pasta (rice/quinoa/veggie)
• Potatoes! 

Vegetarian Protein: 

• Dehydrated beans -> 16 oz on Amazon
• Tuna/Salmon (not in a can bc too heavy)
• Peanut butter
• (powdered to add to oatmeal) -> PB2 on Amazon
• Justin's Natural Almond Butter in a individual bag -> 10 packs on Amazon
• Eggs 
• Boiled -> unbreakable half dozen egg holder at REI and Amazon
• Powdered = can be used in backing and for good old scrambled eggs -> Amazon

Snacks: 

• Nuts
• Pack friendly cheese 
• GF Granola (beware of chocolate if your hiking in hot environments = melting)
• GF Cereal 
• Dried fruit and veggies
• GF + Vegan Jerky -> Primal  
• Bars 

• Luna bars
• Lara bars
• Cliff bars
• Think Thin
• Kind
• Certain Nature Valley bars
• Bumble Bars
• Two Moms in the Raw bars
• Raw Revolution Bars
• My fav - I tried this recipe and added coconut flakes - could also add powdered chocolate protein.
• SNICKERS!

Fruits & Veggies:

• Must check out Harmony House Foods for great dehydrated/dried/freeze dried fruits, veggies, lentils, and soup mixes. Great when making own meals for the trails. 
• Just Tomoatos, Ect. has toooons of yummy dried options perfect for snacking... bananas, mango, corn, strawberries, blueberries, apples, veggie, snack packs, and many more. 

Drinks:

• Instant coffee - Starbucks VIA ready brew works
• Powdered Gatorade - for extra electrolytes 
• Tea/hot chocolate - when you want something warm at night but no caffeine 
• Mio - fit and energy drop options for when you don't want to drink any more water flavored water

Prepackaged meals:

• Outdoor Herbivore - gluten free meals
• Backpackers Pantry (pics below from REI) have labeled vegan and no gluten options. 
• Keen One quinoa meals

Other Blogs to check out:

• A veggie (but not fully GF) post from Wandering the Wild - lays out all the food and varies homemade with prepackaged  
• A Week Of Lightweight Backpacking Food from the Yummy Life - awesome organizational tips! YL includes 7 different types of oatmeal recipes and how to pack and organize 7 days of breakfasts, lunches, diners and snacks. Nails variety. 

I Am Second - UNC

I am in the process of editing a new video for I Am Second - UNC and am doing it all from my mac book so the work flow is quite different (as in trying to keep costs at $0). I'm also trying to rebrand the site and re-get the word out using all sorts of social media platforms.

Here has been my work flow:

1. Downloaded trial version of Avid Media Composer (which is what we use at work).  I will attempt to extend the trail version by deleting the automater app... we'll see how that goes. 

* Ran into issues upon set up of Avid saying "no media can be written to any mounted drives". I'm currently not working off of a hard drive ( I will soon I promise) and I just had to change write permissions to my Mac HD using these helpful steps, thanks Avid support!

2. Downloaded Audacity to edit the audio. After I had the final video version and everything was all cut up I did a mixdown of just the interview audio (so no nats or music), exported it, and edited it in Audacity then reimported it to Avid (specifically tried to remove background noise through the noise removal filter). 

* I ran in issues downloading dmg through Chrome (kept saying "no mountable file systems" and after tons and tons of trouble shooting I just switched browsers) it worked fine with Mozilla Firefox.

3. Downloaded Handbreak after I exported my Avid sequence in Quick Time format I used these settings to encode to .mp4 for YouTube HD.

4. Been using Pixlr as my free substitute to Photoshop. Love it love it love it. All the same tools, layers, filters, pixel size. All online, no download until you want to download your final product. It's awesome for a free thing. 

Social Media Outlets:

1. We've been hosting all our videos on YouTube but I attempted update cover photo and profile picture. Info YouTube channel art dimensions and templates here. It wants me to edit prof pic in Google + because they're linked but it won't update :( 

They recommend uploading a single 2560 x 1440 px image and then they there is a specific Safe Area that will show up across platforms.

2. Since Google owns everything ever I tried to cover all linked accounts like Google +.

- Recommended cover photo size: 1080 x 608

3. Twitter, we've had this but I went through and updated cover photo and profile picture. Great Twitter pic tips here.

- Profile Pic: 400 x 400

- Header Pic: 1500 x 500

4. Facebook page. I wasn't sure, but I went ahead and did this through my personal account, not sure if I should have made another account just for I Am Second - UNC. But the benefit of it being linked in my account is that I can switch back and forth pretty easily and post on IAS behalf or mine. I can also see notifications from the IAS page when I'm just logged into my personal account. So it's worked out fine so far. Super detailed sizes and dimensions here. 

- Profile Pic: 160 x 160

- Cover Photo: 144 x 274

Website Editing:

I'm using Weebly. Very simple. I don't have to pay to edit like other friends did through Square Space. Has nice mobile editing option too. I wish I could edit mobile and desktop separately, as in, have different elements for each platform but they are linked. Sometimes too basic but it gets the job done and I purchased the domain through them for so that was super easy too. I manage a few different sites on Weebly so its cool to easily go back and forth. One stop shop.

"I am a Tar Heel and I am Second"

Galatians 6:9

Galatians 6:9

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

Taken at Merritt's Pasture on my Galaxy Phone.

Meet Free Wheat Free Thanksgiving Apple Pie!

Gluten Free Apple Pie from Plant-Powered Kitchen - recipe 

Meat Free Wheat Free Thanksgiving

* Broccoli Salad with Sunflower Seeds & Cranberries - recipe 

* Classic Deviled Eggs (Paprika & sliver of green onion for the pumpkin) - recipe 

* Baked Gluten Free Macaroni & Cheese {Dairy Free} - recipe

* Gluten Free Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Icing - recipe

Psalm 8:3-4

Psalm 8:3-4

"When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?"

Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Photos taken at the Eno River, Next to Maple View Farms, and University Lake. Text from Daily Time With God.

Instagram

You can follow Bible verses paired with naturegrams all taken on my phone: @mrscoby
http://instagram.com/mrscoby

Gracias!

Amy + Ryan

Amy and Ryan met at our church, Greenleaf Vineyard Church, fell in love, and knew they would be together forever. Their love for each other and Christ overflows and touches everyone they meet - whether they are serving at Homestart or opening their homes to friends for wine and game night! 

They were sooooo flexible and laid back! I was able to do a bunch of studying and practicing after taking pictures of Kristen and Ryan. So when it came to take A+R pics I felt much more confident! Amy and Ryan and I ventured around the arboretum chasing the sun! I loved being able to give them some special pictures before the big day!

Ryan also loves pterodactyls. 

Kristen + Ryan

Getting back into the swing of things....

So I love taking photos of my friends and capturing those really special moments. I love editing photos in Lightroom and treating each picture like a painting. The hardest thing for me is being directive. I don't like to boss people around and it doesn't exactly work to say to a couple or family, "OK now, just, um, go?" So thank you to the countless family and friend who have allowed me the awkward pauses and have been so graciously patient.

One such couple was Kristen and Ryan - the most Godly, the sweetest, the most servant hearted couple in the world. We've known each other for years having all been apart of UNC's Every Nation campus ministry.

It had been a while since taking formal pictures but I wanted the experience and wanted to make them feel special... even if I could give them just one good picture together.

Thank you friends! A life long of happiness and joy!

Psalm 91:4

RDU Observation Deck

Isaiah 31:5

"Like birds hovering, so the Lord of hosts will protect Jerusalem; he will protect and deliver it; he will spare and rescue it.”

Luke 10:2 

And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.

Psalm 91:4 

"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."

Matthew 14:32

Exodus 17:12

When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up--one on one side, one on the other--so that his hands remained steady tillsunset. 

Psalm 139:9-10

"If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me."

Matthew 14:32

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Proverbs 13:12

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life"

Matthew 26:64

"Jesus said to him 'You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.'"

John 14:31

"But I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here." 

Wedding Filler Flowers

Flower Inspiration: Grown up rustic elegance with white and pale pink, peach, yellow mostly filler flowers

 peonies



hydrangeas
 

baby's breathe
 

daises
 

green mist


hypericum

white pom pom chrysanthemum
 

white aster daisy

white carnations

fragrant

Dhalia blooms

lily of the valley


white stock flower

ranunculus (persian buttercup )


tulips


freesia


viburnum


alstroemeria
 

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