Chaco Love

I would like to take a moment to tell you about my most prized possession: my Chacos. Chaco is most famously known for it's unique sandals, although they have expanded to boots, sneakers, and even fashion shoes. Wearers of Chacos tend to have an unwavering loyalty to the brand, often having the same pair repaired year after year rather than throwing them away. The official Chaco website at Chacos.com holds an annual tan-line contest in which contestants may enter any of eight different categories, including "Wackiest Pose" and "Dirtiest Feet." A fresh pair of sandals straight from the website can run you $75-95 with free shipping, however if you work in the outdoor industry, you can apply to receive a pro-rated price. Chacos also appear at great prices on eBay, Craigslist, and Geartrade.com.

The "No Dreadlock" Policy (Installment One!)

Just in case I have readers who have not yet met me in person, I will tell you that I have brilliant blonde, mid-length dreadlocks. They are clean and fluffy, and make for great conversation starters. People that love them say so, and those who don't, say nothing. My dreadlocks have helped me break out of my social shell and become a face that stands out. This has been my "journey." But since my recent pilgrimage to Vail, Colorado, I have had a terrible time finding a job with the resort. I keep having a "no dreadlock policy" shoved in my face. I have asked HR and management what's wrong with dreadlocks, but can't extract anything more than the obscure replies such as "hygiene issues" and "a low-class look."

Life Keeps On Rollin!

Okay... It's been a little while since I last updated this blog. I get so caught up in walking and running and jumping, I forget about sitting and relaxing to write. It's a tragedy that so many potential ideas waste away to poor memory and wrong channels of motivation. Yet here I sit, giving this thing another shot.

The posts you read from here on out might have a slightly different feel. I realize that while I am passionate about all my previous topics, I tried too hard to keep my writing professional and objective. This isn't a high school essay contest. If I want to have fun with this, I need to let my own personal voice and experiences reign.

Making the Most of the Muddy Months

I glance at my lonely snowboard in a dusty corner of my room, and yearn for some late spring pow. Although not ready to admit it, I know I'll be lucky if I have even a few more days of boarding left. That's right... even I'm catching the mud season blues. But as the snow melts the rivers rise, and I remember how spectacular spring is for whitewater. Kayakers, canoers, stand-up paddleboarders, rafters, and river-surfers, OUR TIME HAS COME! Hang up the snow boots and unpack the river booties, because this spring is going to be a good one.

Scavenging for Steals

I believe that it's important to support local gear shops and outfitters, but we all know how expensive it can be to load up on quality outdoor gear. Sometimes the best option is to buy secondhand. Here are a few options for locating used or heavily-discounted gear.

Maintaining and Sustaining

Last week I preached the wonders of outdoor summer employment. For those of you still not convinced, I offer more flexible opportunity. The National Park Service has volunteer work available across America. Have you ever dreamed of wrangling bears in Yosemite? Stomping out invasive species growth on the Boston Harbor Islands? As a "VIP" or Volunteer In Parks, you would be working side by side with NPS rangers as stewards of over 390 parks nationwide.

Summertime and the Livin's Easy

The only right way to spend summer is to be outside under the sun. Maybe you are a student, sick of dorm rooms and deadlines. Maybe you are a teacher or office worker, ready to sever the chain that bonds you to your desk. Or maybe you are a stay-at-home parent looking for some short term adventures while the kids are away at camp. No matter the reason, outdoor summer gigs can be a blast to explore, and relatively easy to find. The catch is... you need to start applying now!

Bolting and Revolting

The snow gods of the northeast have been pleased this season. Yes, yes, it has been a week since my last blog post, but I've been working hard, and playing harder. Each day after cruising the slopes, I have tried to find time to cruise the internet too. Here's a cool site that I found through a climbing buddy of mine.

Children vs. Chairlifts

Chairlifts can be intimidating to both kids and parents. Some kids need gentle coaxing and light banter on the lift to get their minds off of the anxiety. Other kids have no fear, which are the ones I'm nervous to watch running around the mountain. Some mountains, like Vail in Colorado, require children younger than seven to be accompanied by an adult. While this isn't required at every mountain, there are a few simple steps parents can follow to keep kids safe on the lifts.

The Death Of Organic Foods

Get ready to see the death of organic foods, and the rise of genetically engineered produce.

After twelve years of battle and protests, the "Organic Elite," including Whole Foods Market, Organic Valley, and Stoneyfield Farm, surrendered to Monsanto's GE crops, calling for a co-existence between organic farmers and those supporting GE crops. The recent crop in question was Monsanto's genetically engineered alfalfa, which is herbicide resistant or "Roundup Ready." Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the official announcement on Thursday to allow the unrestricted commercial production of the mutated alfalfa. And while the Agriculture Department "considered" putting a restriction on where the GE crop can be grown, no such action was taken.

Winter X Games 15 Are Upon Us!

Groomers have been busy on Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen, Co. The Winter X Games are upon us once again, and the competition will kick off at 10:00am MST tomorrow morning. ESPN will begin their coverage around noon, and will be providing us with live 24 hour coverage throughout the four day event. ESPN.com will be streaming live video and live chat for the duration, and the site has initiated it's "X Countdown" (12 hours, 58 minutes, 15 seconds to go!) I am SO STOKED! I think I watched every second of the WX 14, including the 1am-2am X-Center wrap-ups. I will be a little busier this year, but I will be religiously checking ESPN.com for daily highlight steams.

Blog Update Number One!

To my super-awesome and adventurous readers:

THANK YOU! You are the reason I love doing this! I have had a substantial amount of viewers after only five posts and hardly a month under my belt... or harness! I will be posting later today, but first I wanted to update everyone on what's been going on with Kim In A Kayak (the blog, not me!)

Winter Blues?

Autumn and winter blow in bearing change. Days grow shorter and cloudier, animals fatten up for hibernation. Some people like me watch their seasonal jobs wind down, which can be a tough transition all on it's own. But dark days and cold weather seem to bring forth a shift in some people's psyche, like seasonal mood swings. Many folks brush it off as the winter blues... and it is. Many people report tendencies of overeating during wintertime, leading to extra pounds. Oversleeping is also a noted issue, in which victims awake tired and tardy. Other symptoms include utter lack of energy and motivation, and in some cases, depression. Weight gain, grogginess, inability to focus, social withdrawal and even cabin fever can all be attributed to this condition. Experts sum it up as seasonal affective disorder.

Staying Connected Outdoors

There are days when you just want to shut the phone off and not have to deal with it until the morning. There are other times when technology guides you through your day. Lately I have been testing out a few applications available for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Here are five reviews of the coolest FREE apps for your reading (and tinkering) pleasure:

Let's Move!

Politics (as well as fashion) come about a year late for me. Yesterday I discovered the most exciting action American government has taken in recent history. Right now, Michelle Obama is taking the steps to get our country back into shape, literally! Her new movement "Let's Move!" makes efforts to give childhood obesity a big sucker punch to the jaw. To explain, let's first face the facts:

Dry, Comfortable, and Affordable

Being of the outdoor profession, it's often that I get caught working in the rain. I have never owned a rain jacket in my life (*gasp*) and decided to just bite the bullet this year and purchase one. After some preliminary research online, I was surprised to learn just how much technology goes into rain gear production. I was definitely overwhelmed with information, and figured that I can't be the only one. The following summarizes what I learned, and I hope it will be helpful in providing some clues to the rain gear mystery.

New Year, New Adventures

New year, new ambitions, new adventures, new experiences, new places, new interests, new friends. New blog.

I wanted to start 2011 off on the right foot, so I kissed the snow farewell and headed south to spend New Year's with the family. Having the coolest family ever, it wasn't long before they had me jumping into an adventure of which I had never even heard. Hint: Where I'm at right now this trek includes hiking, exploring, crawling, and sometimes wading. It requires expert ninja detection-evading skills, along with a morale that is not easily defeated. Think adult scavenger hunt. If you haven't guessed it, or think I'm a crazy person, here's the scoop: