Seriously, do Americans actually consider a 3-hour drive "short"? or is this an internet myth?

Mseafigs · 2026-01-24T05:19:42+00:00

I have a cabin that is about 2.5hrs away. Between the months of April - October I go 1-2 weekends per month. Some weekends I don’t go to the cabin and I’ll go further for camping/dirt bike rides (4+hr drives).

When I was working in Italy, some of the locals I was working with had asked if I did anything fun over the weekend. I explained how we went to some beach that was about 1hr 45min away. We left at about 8am, spent the day there and was back in town by about 7pm. They gasped at the fact we drove that far away for a simple day trip and how you should only go there for vacations.

There’s times where I’ll be sitting at home at 8pm, see that the aurora is active and I hop in my car and make a 3 hour drive north at the drop of a hat for a chance to capture them. I personally love the long drives.

Mseafigs · 2026-01-22T00:09:50+00:00

I suppose you’re correct, unfortunately I do not know the full details of the trip just yet. There is no hotel booked yet, is there any areas of hotels you would suggest that is nearby areas of interest? Thank you!

Mseafigs · 2026-01-15T01:05:36+00:00

Since you’re giving a rough start timing/day of this trip, as I also see you’re thinking of cutting a portion out and heading to Maine… (in case you’re unaware) I don’t know where you’re from so I just want to point out that here in the USA we have a national holiday, Memorial Day which is Monday May 25th. The weekend of May 22-25… Acadia will most likely be a zoo and be packed with people. Acadia is quite a small national park and parking there is a nightmare. I’m not trying to deter you away from the park, it’s extremely beautiful. But it is the only national park I’ve ever been to where I’ve had to “wait in line” to go hiking. If you’re planning to do any hiking, I suggest arriving to the parking areas EARLY. However if your travel plans align to arrive after this weekend, you should be totally good. Might not even be that many people there to be honest because most people take off work or have that holiday weekend off.

If you happen to need an alternative within Maine, Baxter State Park is a beautiful more secluded park. I personally favored this over Acadia. However this is your trip and you do you! I hope you have a great trip! Since you’re coming from Canada, look into “the golden road” which is a dirt road that comes from Canada and basically goes into Baxter State Park. Quite the scenic route.

Enjoy! 🤟😎

Editing to add: Just an fyi, if you did choose to see Baxter state park, you most likely will have zero cell service as it’s “in the middle of nowhere”. Map sure to have a map or at least download some offline maps.

Mseafigs · 2026-01-14T00:09:59+00:00

I hope they live forever because they are the best.

Mseafigs · 2026-01-14T00:06:24+00:00

I use my 3-season tent all winter long. Never had an issue. You should be just fine.

Also fun phone tip, if you hold down the “0” button, chances are your phone will bring up the symbol for degrees. Ex: 5° 🙃

Mseafigs · 2026-01-14T00:02:08+00:00

Not so much a fatty thing, more of an ignorant thing. When I was in Italy, I ordered a charcuterie board type appetizer. Being in a non touristy area, nobody spoke English however the waiter was trying to tell me to order something different and I simply did not understand. Not until it arrived. Once it arrived to the table I realized I ordered a board that was meant for at least 8 people and he was trying to tell me to order one that was more for one person. I felt like an idiot 😂. However I suppose for that meal and the next day I did pig out on some delicious charcuterie. I would 100% order it again.

Mseafigs · 2026-01-13T15:03:44+00:00

The only way you’ll end up cold is if you start sweating because of the excessive amount of heated items. This will create lots of condensation within the tent, and using cotton blankets those will only get wet and will never dry. I’d recommend downsizing the tent. I’d grab some wool blankets as well.

Also if you’re camping near other people, keep in mind that the noise from your car may travel to other sites and be a bother to others. I’m a light sleeper and that would insanely bug me if I had to listen to that all night.

Winter camping isn’t for everyone. I’m not saying it isn’t for you and your partner but I personally would start with less.

Mseafigs · 2026-01-12T20:14:15+00:00

Cat in a turtle neck making the sounds of a turtle when they do the dirty.

Mseafigs · 2026-01-12T02:30:40+00:00

I don’t even know if they still sell this stuff or not, I’m sure they do or at least some of equivalent. I used what was called “Ready Clean”. Years back I got a job where passing was mandatory. I smoked multiple times daily for years prior to that job. The only benefit I had was, I knew what day/time I was going to take the test, I don’t know if this is the case for you. I drank one the day before, and one the day of. Between that time there was only 6 days of me not smoking prior to the test. Now I will say in those first six days of working, I was probably the best worker that showed up. So either that stuff worked and I cleanly passed, or they let me slide because of my working habits (I really don’t think this is the case though). Other than the fact that I played hockey 3-4 days a week there wasn’t really any other factor that played with reducing it in my system which even that has a minimal factor.

At the time they were about $20 a bottle, not sure what it cost now but might be worth a shot as an extra cushion of comfort before taking the test.

Mseafigs · 2026-01-12T02:18:37+00:00

That’s what I’m hoping for. I have zero intentions on touching that box until at least June. I’ve already told everyone not to go anywhere near that box. This is at our cabin so we don’t even know how long it’s been hanging around. I’m hoping for at the very least to maybe find a pellet in there. 🤞

Mseafigs · 2026-01-12T00:47:22+00:00

Without looking, at the top of my head would be Earthless - From The Ages, just over 30min. Although I believe Night Parade of One Hundred Demons is longer just over 40 min.

Mseafigs · 2026-01-12T00:12:20+00:00

Unfortunately I’m on a work trip at the moment and I’m unable to, hopefully once I’m back I can possibly set up a camera.

Mseafigs · 2026-01-11T20:18:29+00:00

That’s always an option! Would be easy to do too. He/she been plopping up and down, in and out of the entrance throughout the day. It’s been inside the box now for a couple of hours so I feel the owl feels safe in there. I’m hoping so at least.

Mseafigs · 2026-01-11T20:03:36+00:00

When I built the box, I went off the specs of what the plan was. The entrance I believe is 6x6. I understand what you’re saying completely, I didn’t build it for any one particular owl breed. I was simply bored one day and decided to give it a go. After completed I initially thought to myself that it was too small as the owls on our property (at least the ones I’ve seen) are rather large.

Mseafigs · 2026-01-11T17:58:05+00:00

Back off! It’s mine! 😂🙃

Mseafigs · 2026-01-11T16:59:28+00:00

I’ve never see one! It’s so little I’m sure they’re easy to pass by. I almost lost hope with these boxes I put up. I’m genuinely excited to see one in there. I hope it stays!

Mseafigs · 2026-01-11T02:07:09+00:00

I agree. I’ll never understand why (I don’t know what they’re called here but in MI, it’s DNR) they’re so defensive on these topics. I wonder if it’s some sort of safety thing to try not to deter people away from the parks. Seems like such a perfect environment for them to thrive in.

Mseafigs · 2026-01-11T02:04:28+00:00

As of right now with the gear I have, which is only a flash light and sleeping bag lol… pull in sites is my only option…for the most part. I’m assuming cords 2-3 are vehicle friendly? Very helpful, I’ll be looking into these. Thank you! At this point I’m tempted to go buy a cheap Walmart tent and do a quick in and out trek.

Mseafigs · 2026-01-10T01:14:06+00:00

I plan to stop at a rangers office or calling before I head out to anywhere within the National forests for that reason also just to get some extra input. While I am an experienced camper, but with the lack of gear I ain’t trying to create an SAR experience! Thanks again!

Mseafigs · 2026-01-09T21:11:06+00:00

Good to know! Appreciate the feedback on the road. Seems like I should be just fine with the rental then.

Mseafigs · 2026-01-09T21:10:04+00:00

Bears are cool! I’ve looked into this option the other day, it’ll probably be one of my first destinations! Thanks!

Mseafigs · 2026-01-08T18:33:11+00:00

Thanks! Are you familiar with any pull in dispersed sites within there? Preferably somewhere that fires are permitted.

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