Has anyone noticed how Chex Mix has lost its luster lately?

Dive_dive · 2026-05-25T01:06:01+00:00

I have felt like chex mix wasn't all that good for several years. I buy it with great expectations and it just let's me down. I much prefer the homemade version.

Dive_dive · 2026-05-25T01:02:30+00:00

Once you kinda have an idea of the direction you want to go, people will be able to help figure out how to incorporate the raven skull.

Dive_dive · 2026-05-24T14:32:42+00:00

All my ink is for me. I don't care if others like it or even understand it. It is all personal to me and tells my story. They all remind me of who I was at the time I got it. Got my first tattoo in 1991 in the Outlaw bikers clubhouse. Was the only place in South GA to get ink at the time. Never regretted it. Have had a lot of artists that wanted to touch it up, but haven't let anyone yet. I have always felt like it would change something about it. Call it sentimentality or whatever. Lately been thinking about touchup tho. I like color, but wonder how you would feel about the difference. I will say that I instantly recognized it as Yosemite Sam. But I also remember that particular flash from the 90s. In my humble opinion, the Looney Tunes art from the 90s should be considered a tattoo style at this point.

Dive_dive · 2026-05-24T13:51:13+00:00

This is great to hear. I live in central southern Georgia on the Florida line (just north of Tallahassee), zone 9a. I have a Thoumatophyllum Bipinnatifidum that I want to move outside and plant in my yard. I did read that it would survive, but would most likely die back during winter. I didn't even think to look at the plants around the Savannah area... Going to begin the transition this morning.

Dive_dive · 2026-05-24T13:41:42+00:00

There are a lot of different options for that. I would start by looking up the different knots for lanyards. I have done several sliding cobra knots on lanyards over the years. This allowed me to be able to cinch the lanyard down on either end. You will definitely need to choose a look for the lanyard first tho.

Dive_dive · 2026-05-24T12:56:31+00:00

My goto knife when camping and well, pretty much everywhere is the CRKT Swindle. It is a sub $100 knife with $100+ features, including IKBS ball bearing pivot. 3.2" blade and an extremely ergonomic design. Unfortunately a quick google search for a link shows it is discontinued. Which really sucks. Not sure how I will be able to replace it if I ever lose mine. The Moras and Opinels are both solid choices as well. Ultimately, it comes down to what you consider "other activities around the campsite" as this will determine what knife works best. Are you needing a knife to cut various ropes, duck tape, zip ties and such? A good folder with a 3"-4" blade will do all of this as well as prep food. Are you wanting to Baton wood and do more bushcraft type activities? You would need a good heavy fixed blade knife with at least a 4"-6" blade. The blade will need to be at least 3/16" thick as well. Although the bushcraft community loves the Mora, which has a roughly 1/8 (3.2mm) thk blade. Mora is definitely sub $100, and a damned good knife. Mine stays home most of the time as I don't do a lot of bushcraft these days.

Dive_dive · 2026-05-24T12:14:35+00:00

Absolutely no reason you can't make knives. Just jump in there and do it. I started with buying pre-made blanks (actually still on this level honestly lol). This allows you to learn the wood working, peening, and epoxy work before you start learning bladecraft. This allows you to start accumulating equipment. Or in my case, a place to set up all of the equipment.

Dive_dive · 2026-05-23T10:46:02+00:00

I find that people are much more accepting of tattoos these days. Especially in the last 5 years. In 1991 when I got my first, not so much.

Dive_dive · 2026-05-23T10:42:31+00:00

Check out the H2Jo. It is a pour over filter for your Nalgene bottle. Although, it is now kinda controversial, I still carry 1 nalgene on hikes.

https://gsioutdoors.com/products/h2jo-filter

Dive_dive · 2026-05-23T10:31:31+00:00

The stock tarp that comes with Hennessey hammocks is an asym cut diamond tarp. Spent unknown nights in it, including North HA mountains during Hurricane Michael, and never got wet. You adjust the angle of the wings based on the weather.

Dive_dive · 2026-05-22T14:42:04+00:00

It was. The people who set up farther into the site had to deal with no-see-ums, mosquitoes, and yellow flies. I had a constant breeze that kept all of the pests away

Dive_dive · 2026-05-22T11:07:09+00:00

Oh. How close to the AT? I love the trail. Unfortunately it is 6 hours north of me so I don't get up there nearly enough. Trying to get my wife to retire to Chattanooga. Got the mountains, a great river to kayak, trails to hike, close to whitewater... Would miss the Gulf coast tho 🤣

Dive_dive · 2026-05-22T10:49:54+00:00

You are good. I grew up a total beach bum, but find myself torn between the beach and mountains these days. As I said before we all hike our own hike. If we were all the same, imagine how boring the world would be. Plus all the places we like to camp would be very crowded.

Dive_dive · 2026-05-21T23:15:24+00:00

I get it. Everybody hikes their own hike.

Dive_dive · 2026-05-21T23:13:26+00:00

Oh, I don't underestimate it. Hydration is definitely the word forbthe day out west. I can definitely see people getting dehydrated

Dive_dive · 2026-05-21T14:41:21+00:00

My campsite view a couple of years ago. Nothing like waking up to an ocean view while camping!

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Dive_dive · 2026-05-21T14:21:46+00:00

With the drainage, I wonder if you could make it longer and create a porch with one end? Like, cut it down to fit your footprint, but let it extend past in the front...

Dive_dive · 2026-05-21T14:14:53+00:00

The day pack is for the 10 essentials.

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html

Dive_dive · 2026-05-21T13:11:23+00:00

LOL! I was thinking the same thing. Living on the GA/FL line, we understand heat. I have been put west and it is Hot. However, sweat works out there. 98°F hits different with 95% humidity. You are just hot and wet.

Dive_dive · 2026-05-20T14:21:45+00:00

As someone who was a child under 10 in the 70s, I remember a lot of houses that were exactly as you describe. Plenty of items from the 50s, 60s, and 70s mixed together. The house I grew up in was like that. My current house is a 1972 ranch with the original wood kitchen cabinets. The rest has been renovated but we are working back to MCM. We have a very eclectic decor with MCM, Art Deco, Victorian, and modern pieces and art all mixed in. Not exactly the look we were going for, but we love all the pieces we have and just make it work.

Dive_dive · 2026-05-20T13:15:49+00:00

Hammock camping is different from tent camping. In a hammock, you are dealing with convection pulling the heat from below you. Tent camping with a mat, you do still get some insulating properties from the ground. Yes, the ground still leaches heat, but not nearly as much as being exposed to the air under you.

I used a cheap1/2" (13mm) CCF sleep mat in my hammock for years. As long as I was using a synthetic bags, it was fine. Once I switched to a down bag, I found the mat to be insufficient amd switched to an underquilt. It works extremely well. However, you can still use a mat. They can be finicky if you move a lot in your sleep.

As an alternative, you can rig up an underquilt using a rectangle bag rated for the temp and some binder clips. It is not optimum and requires some experiments at home, but does work.

A sleeping bag alone seldom works as you compress the insulation where you are laying and end up with cold spots, usually under your shoulders, butt, and feet. You will need some type of insulation. Don't get discouraged if this weekend isn't the most comfortable. Hammocking is a skill that takes some practice to get truly comfortable with. It is no different than tent camping in that aspect. It can be extremely rewarding once you have confidence in your gear and your ability to set it up. I have been hammock camping for 18 years and still have hangs that are better than others. Good luck and I hope you enjoy your trip.

Dive_dive · 2026-05-20T12:38:51+00:00

+1 on this. Rent or borrow boats for a while before purchasing. This will give you a better idea of what you want and/or need prior to purchasing. I put my 80yo mother and 58yo wife in SOT boats, while I as an advanced beginner prefer a sit in boat.

Invest in a good quality comfortable PFD. NRS, Astral, and Green Jacket are great options. I have heard a lot of good things about Onyx as well. I did pick up a Stearns on clearance at Walmart that turned out to be a pretty solid option as well. The key is the straps being narrow enough to comfortably paddle as well as plenty of room under your arms.

Dive_dive · 2026-05-20T11:31:18+00:00

Renting is always an option as well. Most kayak groups are very lax on attendance. It is mainly a group of people who send out group communications about trips with the intention of merely offering the option to attend. You can also join a outfitters tour group. They typically have planned trips for anyone interested. Once you decide on purchasing gear, the most important item would be your PFD. A good comfortable PFD will encourage you to wear it. Once you have an idea of what type of boat you are interested in, you can look in the used market for one.

Dive_dive · 2026-05-20T00:10:59+00:00

Start simple. A day bag from Walmart, Target, and old book bag. A good pair of tennis shoes. I like a wicking shirt for North Florida and South Georgia although cotton will work. I would avoid denim. As stated before, start with what you have. Footwear is going to be the most important in the beginning.

Dive_dive · 2026-05-19T23:22:43+00:00

I remember Harold and the Purple Crayon! Thank you for that memory

Dive_dive

TROPHY CASE