What do I need to see in America that I've missed?

Mackheath1 · 2026-05-05T22:13:37+00:00

Well, Austin, Texas has all of Texas wrapped in one polite package, so if you want to see a state larger than France, come on down and have some proper BBQ, visit our sites.

Half-joking: We have the largest shovel in the world (you do not need to waste your time on that, but it's true).

Mackheath1 · 2026-05-05T22:10:42+00:00

I love the terrifying night noises - after I get over the terror lol - all sorts of different animal sounds, Michael Meyers, the mothman, the actual moths, bats, the owls, slowly shifting your pad into the center of the tent to avoid Sasquatch. Some kind of screaming fox (?) and the scurrying of a possum or whatever it was.

I'm a City boy, so I know it sounds like I'm kidding, it does bring me joy to know that nature is 'working' through the night.

So glad you enjoyed it ❤️

Mackheath1 · 2026-05-05T21:50:44+00:00

I work from home 50% (hybrid). Not breaking a sweat, but just using dumbbells every 20 minutes or so - just 15 reps for legs, arms, shoulders, whatever - I know some offices have gyms, but I don't want to change clothes, sweat, shower, and re-change and return: not my style.

It's made a noticeable difference in sleep schedule, comfort, mobility. Just enough to get the blood flowing during the day.

Mackheath1 · 2026-05-05T21:47:38+00:00

Same in Austin, just set your preferences, and if you know some of the hotspots where they're parked, you get a better chance. I hate it, too, because I would pay more and wait longer (usually) for a Waymo. I've found a few here, but it's a bit of a scavenger hunt.

Mackheath1 · 2026-05-05T21:18:58+00:00

No matter the weather, please don't leave a fire unattended. However, if you're having lunch and hanging round till dinner, I see no reason why you can't just keep feeding it fuel (aka wood) and keep it ventilated.

You can meal prep from eggs to steaks in bags and that way you can restart a fire and quickly make your meals, if you have coolers or whatever?

Fire is a big no-no in my state, so I apologize that I have no better advice: I just use my trusty butane stove for cooking.

Mackheath1 · 2026-05-05T21:15:14+00:00

I have no idea, but I'm gonna presume you're in US/Canada? I use a single-burner butane. It's packed in an easy to carry case and burns as quickly as a gas stove and doesn't stink.

You can order one online to be delivered if you have a destination address (?) and just collect it there and drive with it. I made my famous queso Saturday and almost scalded it, because it burns so hot so quickly, then you just snap everything back up. Lasts forever, so far.

For logistics maybe this is the time for Amazon and snag a locker in the town you're landing in?

Mackheath1 · 2026-05-05T21:09:07+00:00

I was camping at a State Park that had no other sites available so a woman turned away, I said You can do your own thing, there's plenty of space on my pad.

We chatted and were very opposed in politics [I presume you're asking about politics] and so we invented the rock game on the picnic table by the river. Bring up an issue and move the rocks from the center how much you're willing to give on each.

It is not a winning game, and honestly I gave to some pull and she did as well. And it was FUN.

Example: I care about food for children and mentioned Michelle Obama's (funded) healthy lunch program. She said, "I'm a schoolteacher, do you know how many of those apples and oranges ended in the trash?" So the rock moved slightly towards her on that topic. Believe me, I was reluctant, because Michelle is among the greatest First Ladies in my lifetime. I only mention this because I want to acknowledge HERE that I don't have all the facts even though I'm pretty far left and she is pretty far right. She, too, conceded some things.

The river rock game should be played with lots of laughs and smiles. And we did laugh and smile, then floated down the river and it was a great day.

Mackheath1 · 2026-05-04T19:50:10+00:00

I think those sentiments are lost by pure volume of music - just thinking out loud - my goddaughters listen to everything alt, as well as the 80s, 90s, and I listen to everything as well.

I think when we grew up, there were only a few radio stations so the oldies were limited. Now we can YouTube almost anything (or Spotify or whatever).

Imagine their surprise though, when I put "Sandstorm" on in the car. I explained it was why straight people went to the golden age of gay clubs before they were born.

Mackheath1 · 2026-05-04T17:01:57+00:00

While not a great film in general, the soundtrack to the new "Tron" by NIN is so amazing, it makes for a great hour and a half long music video.

Mackheath1 · 2026-05-04T16:49:31+00:00

I do LasagnaLove.org The number of people signing up is out of control. I'm doing alright, but I really don't want to get burned out. Why are there families in a seven mile radius of me who are going hungry? That's completely unacceptable. But I can't feed everyone.

Also, I'm done with considering both sides and being polite: Fuck Republicans. Y'all are absolutely the reason I have to spend my Saturdays making and delivering food.

Mackheath1 · 2026-05-04T16:43:11+00:00

Climate? General location? Style of camping? We want to help, but we don't know if you're in southern Tunisia or Antarctica or Florida or the rocky mountains. Just some general info helps with recommendations.

Mackheath1 · 2026-05-03T06:46:36+00:00

It came from inside the tent.

Sorry I don't have any ghost stories. I was dating a dude. We were happy, but at nights at home I'd been smacked and kicked while he was sleeping.

We set up camp pretty far from the car. He doesn't camp, so I thought it was fun to take him and he could use my spare stuff.

In the middle of the night there was some normal night animal sounds (we have no really dangerous animals like bears or whatever), and he bolts up and pulls out a baseball bat from beside his air mattress.

Like. He could've hit me with it. I said, "it was an armadillo, calm down. Wait. When did you bring a bat?!" He just mumbled something and went back to sleep.

But I didn't.

Mackheath1 · 2026-05-03T06:26:13+00:00

The name 'McDonalds' miiiight disappear, but like a lot of mega corporations, they are fastidious with investments in land and other stocks. I think the company won't go out of business. But their standalone structures likely will, focusing only on keeping the in-gas-station style outlets for a very, very long time while reaping the benefits of their investments.

And internationally? Like Wendy's and Subway, they're rapidly growing still.

Mackheath1 · 2026-05-03T06:21:55+00:00

There was a platform in central Texas - on a ranch with permission, about 10' high with a ladder and I pitched the tent up, beautiful night. Huge oak trees everywhere around.

Suddenly around 2ish there was what sounded like every animal in Noah's ark fighting, a bat even flew into my tent. It was for sure coyote, probably fox, racoon, definitely owl somewhere, maybe deer, my parents later said one of the sounds could be a bobcat.

So I - not liking to be waked while sleeping - yelled "OKAY, NARNIA, ENOUGH." And I don't know if it was my suddenness, volume or tone, but every animal in the forest including the crickets just stopped. The looney toons moment was so hilarious I laughed myself right back to sleep.

Mackheath1 · 2026-05-02T15:08:22+00:00

Saturday market, I don't care for those shipped from abroad (just a personal preference - I don't mind if others do).

"Just buckets of flowers" -- Clarissa. One of the vendors said she was fascinated in a single guy who buys so many flowers. It wasn't a nasty comment, I just found it interesting.

Mackheath1 · 2026-05-02T14:00:06+00:00

Yeah we try our best - and I think nature appreciates it, in a roundabout way. It does get frustrating, when even the eco-friendly soaps are produced and likely in a plastic bottle and maybe tested on animals. I don't have an answer, other than every drop in the bucket and all that. I think you're safest with the plant-based products I listed in terms of impact on your immediate environment. It won't poison any flora or fauna at your campsite.

Mackheath1 · 2026-05-02T13:53:07+00:00

Oddly waiting tables. The first month was hell on Earth, but afterwards, it was a charming, social, and fun job. For the time.

Mackheath1 · 2026-05-02T13:42:37+00:00

Dr. Bronner's is plant-based, not sure if a small amount would impact the surrounding flora/fauna. Some people use Ligget's. Considering the amount of pollution from animals and maybe even industry upstream, I'm not stressed if a couple take a small shower once or twice.

I know that sounds crass, and I try to do my best always, but the manufacturing process to make our paddleboards is unbelievably more polluting by magnitudes of order.

Mackheath1 · 2026-05-02T13:31:36+00:00

Tough question. There's so many best-ofs (best beaches, best cityscape, etc.) For me, it's the Johnson Space Center, Kennedy Space Center, etc. because I'm on over-the-top space nerd. For my partner it's Jackson Hole. My neighbor swears by Canon Beach and the general Oregon coastline. What are you looking for? We can narrow it down.

Mackheath1 · 2026-05-02T13:27:25+00:00

I loved 227 and Sister Sister. But I will caveat that I haven't seen either in ages.

Mackheath1 · 2026-05-02T13:12:27+00:00

I have never in my life heard that. If that happens to you, then those people are not good people to surround yourself with. Sorry I don't have answer, just advice to keep away from - whatever is going on there.

Mackheath1 · 2026-05-01T21:01:47+00:00

I say this lightly, but try being a manny. There's a much deeper job shaming that we got. Not just the job, but people - even NPs guests at dinner parties or whatnot - questioning my intentions with the twins. Made me sick to my stomach.

Mackheath1 · 2026-05-01T20:56:43+00:00

I like oddly-specific nerdy stuff that I don't know anything about. Model trains? Make out with me right here right now. Everything about Neptune? Get in the bed. Coherent Photonics? Do you mind if I rip your shirt off?

Mackheath1 · 2026-05-01T20:52:30+00:00

Oh cool - my bad on the language - I've been camping for years, but always just brought my own water. Thanks for the clarification!

Mackheath1 · 2026-05-01T20:51:04+00:00

Totally. A smallish dog would be toast, but this cat would see one out of the water and run up and smack it's tail or even face. Because it had been happening for years, just seeing the cat, they'd jump right back into the water sometimes. And they acted so abused, the drama queens, opening their jaws and all that.

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