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Someone is trashing the new one-way signs along the Butler Trail

Someone is trashing the new one-way signs along the Butler Trail

by | Apr 20, 2020 | Blog

The Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail was converted to a one-way route last week. Photo courtesy The Trail Foundation

Not everyone agrees with the new temporary, one-way direction of the Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail.

The city of Austin Parks and Recreation Department converted the trail to a clockwise-only route last week, in an effort to minimize face-to-face contact among users.

Simple, right? Not that hard to follow, if you’re going to go against recommendations to steer clear of the trail during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Trail Foundation, the non-profit organization that maintains and enhances the 10-mile loop around Lady Bird Lake, spent $6,000 to make and install more than 300 signs noting the change. At the same time, the foundation has asked people to avoid the trail right now, because it’s difficult to maintain a 6-foot distance from other users at pinch points along the route.

Somebody has been removing and trashing the one-way direction signs installed on the trail. Photo courtesy The Trail Foundation

According to Trail Foundation counters, about 85 percent of trail users have heeded the one-way rule, which went into effect last week, but many of the directional signs have been reversed, ripped in half or left by the trash.

Come on, Austin, we’re better than this.

Now, foundation staff members are asking anyone who does use the trail to put back up any downed or misplaced signs. And remember, if you do use the trail, please wear a face covering.

“It’s been a struggle for us because it’s against our grain and mission to discourage people from coming. We love this place and it offers wonderful access to nature, but in this moment, it also presents some hazards,” said Heidi Anderson, CEO of The Trail Foundation.

Come on, Austin. We’re better than this.

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More backyard gear testing: The Marmot Limelight tent

More backyard gear testing: The Marmot Limelight tent

by | Apr 15, 2020 | Blog

Our palatial new Marmot Limelight tent set up in our backyard in the Allandale neighborhood of Austin. Pam LeBlanc photo

Last year, during a January trip to Big Bend Ranch State Park, my husband and I set up our tent at a group camp site, about 20 yards from our truck, just as a massive cold front blew in.

I hunkered under a blanket as Chris grilled steaks, and we retreated to the truck to eat dinner. Then, as temperatures dropped into the 30s and a stiff wind buffeted our 10-year-old tent, we made a run for it. We flopped onto the huge inflatable mattress we’d tucked inside our tent, and attempted to sleep.

The aging Mountain Hardwear Lightpath 3 didn’t hold up, though. The seals along the zipper delaminated, and the wind howled through the now-gaping side flaps of the tent. Then, our inflatable mattress slowly caved in as the hours ticked on. Sometime around 1 a.m., I awoke, flat on the ground, shivering, the mattress deflated.

I expect to suffer a tad when I’m backpacking. I sacrifice luxury for weight, and besides, I’m so tired when I crawl in my tent that I don’t notice I’m sleeping on sharp rocks.

Look how much room in here! And since this is “car camping,” we pulled out the heavy and non-technical sleeping stuff. Chris LeBlanc photo

But when I car camp, I want a modicum of wilderness luxury. I like a bigger tent and a thicker sleeping pad. And I don’t want to wind up flat on the ground.

That old tent had taken us on some wonderful trips, but it was time for a replacement. Last night we tested our new car-camping setup in the backyard, in Round 2 of my shelter-in-place gear-testing adventure.

This time we popped up a new three-person Marmot Limelight tent (https://www.marmot.com/limelight-3-person-tent-27940.html) and puffed up a thick queen-sized air mattress (the pump that came with it sucked; we had to call in reinforcements) that we ordered separately from Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CWZE642/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1).

The tent? Amazing. Cavernous. Completely screened in on top, so if you remove the fly you can sleep while stargazing. Zippered entryways on two sides, roll-back flaps, pockets for stowing stuff like glasses and books, and a lovely russet color.

The tent was pretty basic to set up, but not as easy as our tiny backpacking tent (a Big Agnes Copper Spur). It’s big, and that made it a little tougher to wrangle.

One thing I noticed? More road noise last night. When I camped two weeks ago, I hardly heard a passing car on Loop 1 Mopac. More people are venturing out late at night, during the shelter-in-place order, apparently.

The best part of last night’s experience? Waking up this morning, rolling over to grab a few more minutes of snooze time, then staggering into the house, where Chris had already prepared a plate of bacon, fried eggs and grits, the perfect camper’s breakfast, for me.

About Pam

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People are creating their own home gyms while sheltering in place

People are creating their own home gyms while sheltering in place

by | Apr 9, 2020 | Blog

I can’t swim with my team right now, but I can do pull-ups on the tree in my front yard. Chris LeBlanc photo

My normal fitness routine screeched to a halt early last month, when Western Hills Athletic Club suspended swim practices and temporarily shut the pool.

Since then I’ve been mainly riding my bike and running. I feel like I’m losing upper body strength that I worked hard for, though, so I’m trying to incorporate other exercises into my routine.

This morning I channeled my inner monkey, and after pedaling 15 miles on my bike, I did some pull-ups from the tree in my front yard.

With gyms closed, parks shuttered and trails off limits, we’re all entering new territory when it comes to staying fit. I put out a call this morning, asking people to submit photos of home gyms they’ve put together since shelter-in-place orders came down.

Here are a few of photos shared by readers…

Kiana and Iram Leon drag giant tires, do jumping jacks and hop off and on a wooden box to stay fit.

Iram Leon and his daughter, Kiana, have made their own outdoor gym complete with a gigantic tire for lugging and a wooden box to jump on and off. They supplement that with plenty of running (Leon is president of Austin Runners Club) and jumping jacks.

Sheila Reiter made a home gym by rolling out a mat and gathering up some hand weights and an exercise ball. She’s also got an indoor bike trainer.

Sheila Reiter, my Texas Water Safari paddling teammate, rolled out a mat and gathered some weights and an exercise ball to create her version of a home gym. She’s rides her bike before the sun comes up some days, but also uses an indoor bike trainer, because she’s finding it harder and harder to cycle while maintaining a proper social distance on the hills where she likes to train.

Al White borrowed equipment from his gym and still works out with a coach – virtually.

Al White says his gym, Infinite Fitness, let him take home whatever equipment he needed, and he’s now doing Zoom sessions with his coach to stay on track.

Emily Werbow turned a mini-tramp into a mini-gym.

Emily Werbow has arranged a mini-tramp, a bunch of hula hoops and an exercise ball on her back patio.

Dan Driscoll tunes in to virtual workouts, but his cat doesn’t care.

Dan Driscoll is working out with his friends virtually, too, but it looks like his cat just doesn’t get it.

Cate Brookes Sweeney transformed her back balcony into a mini-gym.

New mom Cate Brooks Sweeney rolled out a mat on her balcony, and put her laptop on a chair so she can participate in workouts virtually. When she’s done exercising, she uses the area as a toddler outdoor sensory area.

Courtney Lyons-Garcia is doing high intensity interval training sessions in her home garage, too.

Courtney Lyons-Garcia is working out in her garage.

Massage therapist Kiplimo Chemirmir set up what he calls his “Lil Warriors den,” with an assortment of rollers, kettlebells, balls and hand weights.

Jennifer Leduc does her Camp Gladiator workouts from home.

Jennifer Leduc is following her Camp Gladiator workouts from the comfort of her porch.

Christopher Maynard’s boys have created a ninja warrior course in the back yard.

And Christopher Maynard’s boys have created a ninja warrior course in the backyard that they change up daily.

To see all the submissions, go to the Pamela LeBlanc page on FaceBook.

 

 

 

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I’m Pam LeBlanc. Follow my blog to keep up with the best in outdoor travel and adventure. Thanks for visiting my site.

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I sheltered in place last night (and tested some gear) with a backyard campout

I sheltered in place last night (and tested some gear) with a backyard campout

by | Apr 1, 2020 | Blog

This new Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL sleeps two and weighs just 2 pounds and 12 ounces. Chris LeBlanc photo

I can’t get to the backcountry right now, so I pitched a tent in my Allandale backyard in Central Austin last night instead.

I didn’t do it just because I’d rather sleep in a tent than on high thread-count sheets in a fancy hotel, although that’s true. It gave me a chance to shake out some new gear before my next backpacking adventure, optimistically planned for May.

The two-person Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL tent I put up replaces an older version of the same tent that I slept in during my 15-day backpacking trip on the John Muir Trail two years ago. The new version is taller inside, and has a slightly different door zipper system. But it retains the features I like most about it – ultra light (less than 3 pounds); two doors, one on each side (so no one has to crawl over the other to get out); and lots of mesh paneling, so if the rain fly’s not on I can stargaze while tucked in my sleeping bag.

Oh, and it’s orange and cream-colored, just like the fat cat named Bob who lives down the street. Groovy.

This new Sea to Summit sleeping pad is 4-inches thick. Pam LeBlanc photo

My husband, after making hoot-hooty noises from the house when I left to curl up in my sleeping bag with a stack of books, eventually broke down and came out to the tent too (who could resist?), bringing with him his new Sea to Summit sleeping pad, which is thicker and cushier than the 3-inch NEMO pad I use. Now I want one, too.

Reading material fit for a backyard campout during a shelter-in-place order. Pam LeBlanc photo

A backyard campout during shelter-in-place orders seemed like an appropriate time to daydream about where I’d like to travel next, so I perused three new ones – “Atlas of National Parks” by Jon Waterman, “100 Hikes of a Lifetime,” by Kate Siber, and “Complete National Parks of Europe,” by Justin Kavanagh.

I didn’t fire up the campstove this time (I’m still working my way through a vat of lentil soup I brewed up on Sunday), but I did check my supply of dehydrated camping meals. I’m down to a dangerously low stock of one pouch of Cajun Ranch Chicken Salad, which you just mix with cold water and load into tortillas or bread. It’s from Austin-based Packit Gourmet (www.packitgourmet.com), which makes my favorite camping meals. Dottie’s Chicken and Dumplings, Texas State Fair Chili, West Memphis Grits and Santa Fe Corn Pudding top my list of options.

Austin-based Packet Gourmet makes the BEST dehydrated meals. Pam LeBlanc photo

And since I was rooting around in the gear box, I pulled out a stack of retro, chicken-shaped paper plate holders, because, well, they were there and they made me smile, and you’ve got to take a smile where you can get it these days.

These plate and cup holders date back to the 1960s or 70s. Pam LeBlanc photo

I slung up a hammock, too – a purple one made by Austin-based company Kammok. I spent a few nights sleeping in a Kammok in West Texas for a story I wrote for the Austin American-Statesman a few years ago. (Read it at https://www.statesman.com/news/20170404/the-latest-outdoor-trend-hammock-camping.) 

Are you dreaming about camping too? Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Texas Outdoor Family program is planning a “camp-in” from 1-8 p.m. Saturday, May 2. They’ll live-stream a park ranger who will answer all your camping questions in real time.

Texas Outdoor Family offers a whole calendar of live virtual programs this month, on topics from fire building to fishing to Dutch oven cooking and stargazing. For more information, go to the Texas Outdoor Family Texas Parks and Wildlife page on Facebook.

 

About Pam

I’m Pam LeBlanc. Follow my blog to keep up with the best in outdoor travel and adventure. Thanks for visiting my site.

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Austin-based SPIbelt making non-medical grade face masks during virus outbreak

Austin-based SPIbelt making non-medical grade face masks during virus outbreak

by | Mar 27, 2020 | Blog

 

Austin-based SPIbelt, which makes waist belts with pockets to carry keys and other small items, is shifting gears to produce non-medical grade face masks during the novel coronavirus outbreak. The masks will be black, not polka-dotted.

SPIbelt is making “public-grade” masks designed to slow the spread of infection by preventing people from touching their noses and mouths, and by helping contain coughs and sneezes. If the general public uses this type of mask instead of medical-grade masks, it will free up medical-grade masks for professionals who need them, says SPIbelt founder Kim Overton.

“It just wouldn’t feel right if we didn’t do something,” Overton said by phone Friday. “We’re going to make as many as possible. We’re hoping we can do hundreds a day.”

Overton is also spearheading an exchange program, so anybody with medical-grade masks can exchange them for a SPIbelt mask at one of four Austin Emergency Center clinics around Austin.

“Every doctor in the country is short of medical-grade masks right now,” says Dr. Luke Padwick, founder of Austin Emergency Centers. “If this process achieves getting us N95 masks for our emergency rooms, then it is a huge win as far as I’m concerned.”

Non-medical grade masks don’t filter viruses, but are still useful for the public as barriers, Padwick says.

“Number one, all of us touch our face about 100 times a day without realizing it. When you’re wearing a mask, when you touch a handle or doorknob then rub your eyes, nose or mouth, (the mask) will prevent you from putting the virus in you,” he says.

Kim Overton works at the SPIbelt sewing facility in Austin. Photo courtesy Kim Overton

The non-medical grade masks also create a barrier that reduce the likelihood of one person spreading pathogens to another through sneezing, breathing or coughing. “It contributes to public safety,” Padwick says.

Separately, Overton is also bringing in 50,000 disposable non-medical grade masks from China, which she will donate to Austin groups, such as grocery store employees, who need them.

Overton says she already has material available to make the SPIbelt masks, and staff ready to sew them. Two Austin brothers who are roommates will do most of the work at the SPIbelt warehouse near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

The SPIbelt team started working on the mask design earlier this week, Overton says. The double-layered masks, made of wicking material and elastic, are washable and reusable.

“Our wicking material is great for these standard masks,” Overton says. “It’s keeping my team motivated and it’s for my own health too.”

Overton was diagnosed with a lung condition called bronchial stenosis in late 2019 and had pneumonia in February, which puts her in the higher risk category if she catches the novel coronavirus.

The SPIbelt masks will be available starting next week online at www.spibelt.com. A price has not yet been set, but a three-pack will sell for about $20.

Overton launched SPIbelt in February 2007 and now manufacturers about 250,000 units each year. Almost all are made in Austin. They are sold in more than 35 countries around the globe and at retailers including Dick’s Sporting Goods, REI and Academy.

 

 

About Pam

I’m Pam LeBlanc. Follow my blog to keep up with the best in outdoor travel and adventure. Thanks for visiting my site.

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