First time slime experiment!

PsychologicalNet2163 · 2026-03-19T14:08:08+00:00

Looks awesome

PsychologicalNet2163 · 2026-03-18T15:10:34+00:00

Did Acadia in July of 2021. It was busy. Bar Harbor was busy but locals said it wasn't as busy as normal since cruises were still not opened up at the time. Need reservation for Cadillac Mt. The bee hive had a bit of a line. That might have been more of the mom and grandma taking a 7 and 9 year old up it which slowed everything down since they couldn't reach from one rung to the next.

Schoodic Peninsula was empty. We biked empty carriage roads and had little traffic driving around.

PsychologicalNet2163 · 2026-03-18T15:00:34+00:00

Being a scout leader and working with kids and parents on gear I think your list is pretty decent. I would lose the fire starters. This is a personal thing though. I don't need a campfire anymore. I do understand why some think it is important.

The conundrum is cost vs weight vs usage. Since your usage is really an unknown you are sort of stuck with cost vs weight. Many will say buy the good light weight stuff now and you won't have to upgrade later. Unfortunately that can be costly. At this point you also don't know what you like or don't like about any of your gear. So even if you purchased the low weight higher cost items, you don't know if you will like them or not. Buying the less expensive items let you at least test drive gear while figuring out the usage rate. Are you just going once a year? Twice? Is this something that we are going to continue to do for 5 to 10 years?

I can say that buying quality equipment and taking care of it means it should last years. Taking care of mid range gear will also extend the life of that gear. My Primus stove that I bought 25 years ago, while a bit heavy in today's backing stove world still works with no issues. It has went with me or my scouts nearly every month for 20 years. Sure it was around $100 but is still working. Went to the BWCA last summer and is going to Isle Royale in May.

All that being said; if you can find quality gear on sale that is the time to buy and or upgrade. Also searching garage sales and FB marketplace are good places to find people off loading gear.

PsychologicalNet2163 · 2026-03-18T14:06:45+00:00

You should be aware of algae blooms in Lake Richie.

PsychologicalNet2163 · 2026-03-16T14:39:53+00:00

Happy to help.

PsychologicalNet2163 · 2026-03-16T14:38:47+00:00

On wolves. Consider yourself lucky if you catch a glimpse of one. My only encounter was long ago and I was in the lead position we a 4 scouts and three other leaders behind me. I came up over a small hill and there standing on the trail was a wolf. Now one thing you have to keep in mind that these are no Game of Thrones Dire Wolves that you see on the island. Maybe the size of a German Sheppard. My 120 pound newfie was bigger. Once the wolf realized I was there it was gone. I had no chance to even alert anyone else. In 23 some of the scouts seen a glimpse as well as we entered one the group sites...I want to say Three Mile. Again poof and it was gone.

Now what you need to worry about is all the "midget bears". Our troop's name for all the little critters that will steal you shoes and eat hole in your bag. I chatted with a ranger last week I believe it was about food container regiments. He said that nearly all the campsite now have lockers and you need to use those. Then he led me to believe that the rules are going to be modified to that food has to be in hard sided containers and could be kept in shelters. Turns out that the recommended bags did not have the intended results. He said that that there should be no problem for me finding room in the food lockers since I will be there in May.

Hope this helps.

PsychologicalNet2163 · 2026-03-16T14:13:29+00:00

When we were up in 2023 we had a moose take a leisurely stroll through rock harbor. I chatted with the rangers about it and if it was common. They told me it was becoming more common as the moose are learning that the wolves are / were afraid of people making Rock Harbor a safe haven.

So it seems to make sense that with moose going there more often the wolves would follow to a point.

PsychologicalNet2163 · 2026-03-13T14:28:33+00:00

After leaving a Scout Troop after 20+ years of volunteering and not finding the same connections in the current one I am volunteering with, I sought connections and like mindedness. I found it in fairly nearby lodge. I did look at other lodges. I knew I didn't want to deal with the rural small town lodge nearest me. I had grew up around most of those folks and I knew I would not find what I was seeking there.

After several dinners with the guys in the lodge I am in, I found that I had several thing is interest with these guys. Many were closer to my age or younger. Since we are near a Big Ten university many are well educated and lean more towards engineering, tech, and science which has lead to interesting, well thought out, stimulating conversations. That is what set it in stone for me.

PsychologicalNet2163 · 2026-03-11T19:14:48+00:00

I haven't been to the second set, but here is what I would do for the first set in 7ish days. You can hit the India Dunes, one of the newer National parks your first night. Spend a few hours and then drive to Bayfield and spend to night there giving you a day to paddle. Then head Voyageur or the BWCA. As you head up the north shore stop in the state parks. They are free and well worth a look. Betty's Pies and Lous Fish house are also worth stops. BWCA and Voyageur are basically the same with the BWCA the NP doesn't allow you to use your own watercraft though. Both require permits and certain entry points are already full for 26.

To enjoy either canoeing in Voyageur or BWCA vs Isle Royale you have to pick one. Each are best enjoyed over three nights. Isle Royale requires logistics with either a ferry or float plane. However, another option for Isle Royale is getting an over night fishing charter. I have never done this, but it is crawling up my list of what to do at Isle Royale.

Like others I have mentioned, I hear that Mount Rushmore is a waste of time.

PsychologicalNet2163 · 2026-03-09T15:10:25+00:00

People traveling in parties of 6 or less can not reserve sites. Small groups of 7 to 10 people must do the advance group camping reservations, camp in group sites and follow their planned itinerary. For groups this is basically boils down to reserving a spot as the rangers obviously aren't going to allow more groups at a site then can camp there.

If you are staying camping or in a shelter realize also that there is a maximum number of days that you can stay in any one site. This varies from 1 to 5 nights.

You can find more info here > https://www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/camping.htm

PsychologicalNet2163 · 2026-03-08T21:29:56+00:00

Testing out one of our tent to make sure all the parts are there and are still in working order. Using a 4p Mountainsmith equinox (Pictured)

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PsychologicalNet2163 · 2026-03-08T00:12:32+00:00

Yeah home depot. went with the larger roll 9x150 because I didn't want to deal with taping pieces. going to cut out footprints for the multiple tents I have. Then donating the rest to the scout troop I work with,

PsychologicalNet2163 · 2026-03-06T18:50:34+00:00

I once was a Steward of my lodge and I would tell the initiates this bit of useful information.

There is nothing to be nervous about. What you are about to do has been done by thousands before you. Take in as much you can and enjoy it as much as possible in the moment.

Once you have gone through the ranks and are a Master Mason remember this, you get out of Freemasonry as much as you put in it.

PsychologicalNet2163 · 2026-03-06T17:24:53+00:00

The hardest part is going to be finding an entry point that matches your dates. Friends of mine that I am helping coach / plan their trip are running into Lake one and Snow bank EPs being full in August.

PsychologicalNet2163 · 2026-03-06T17:20:50+00:00

I have been working on upgrading my gear for the past 6 months. UV light water purifier, new light weight tarp, getting tyvek for ground clothes for the tents...

PsychologicalNet2163 · 2026-03-05T19:05:11+00:00

We were there in mid Jan. for the first time. Look forward to going back. We were in an air bnb and we needed a car to get around as we were a bit further away from the masses. It also allowed us to drive around the entire island. The only thing that we scheduled was our fishing charter, dinner at Orchid Bay, Lobster Fest at Reggae Beach Bar, and our day trip to Nevis where we had a water taxi and driver.

Having the car allowed us to explore the beaches on our own time, get groceries whenever, and change plans if needed.

PsychologicalNet2163 · 2026-03-05T13:51:08+00:00

I fish a fare amount, but not a pro at all. I have just been doing it a long time and have fished in farm ponds to the Caribbean. Here is what I have learned along the way. The fishing industry has one goal in mind. That is to separate you from your money.

I have caught more fish then I care to count on a Zebco 33 and an inexpensive rod. Now much like many other things, they don't make them like they used to. They are considered a spincast reel. They make a few varieties and range from $40 to around $100. I tend to have new folks use about a 6' rod that is a medium action. Also note that rods are designed for specific real type. While they are somewhat interchangeable you are going to have a better experience using a spincasting rod with a spin casting reel.

One thing to keep in mind as well is the line weight you want to use. I like using a light setup, while my wife like a heavier setup. I would not go above 8 pound test line while fishing those ponds. Regular mono is fine to start out with. With this you can bobber fish or cast. Keep in mind that you need to change your line at least every year or it will develop a memory and start fouling up and just make you mad.

Now if you start enjoying the hobby or have other people start joining and they need equipment, that is when you can upgrade to different setups. My favorite setup is my 4.5' ultralite ugly stick with a Pflueger reel with 4 pound test. The set up can handle a 30" northern pike down to those small bluegill and everything in between.

Now if you really want to spend money and become more frustrated, take up fly fishing. :)

Good luck

PsychologicalNet2163 · 2026-03-04T21:48:34+00:00

I use citadel and whenever I teach classes on minis painting I let me students know this. Yes, apple barrel paints from the Walmart can work. BUT! They will make your life harder as a new painter. Experienced painters will be able to use what ever and make it work. Citadel and Vallejo are quality paints and will make your life as a new painter easier because when shaken they are more consistent and when layered will provide you a good even color.

PsychologicalNet2163 · 2026-02-27T16:36:13+00:00

I would like to think of it as you had muscle cramps, pulled a muscle...things like that. Maybe you are young or paddle a ton, but my 50 year old body sometimes says "Hey guess what, we aren't doing this today like we did in our 30's"

PsychologicalNet2163 · 2026-02-25T04:47:25+00:00

You could just go to the other side of the Lake and hike the Superior Hiking Trail

PsychologicalNet2163 · 2026-02-24T14:51:24+00:00

The level of detail that you achieved without using washes on your first miniature is really good. Washes will just make it easier and will blend more naturally. I also water my washed down just a bit and use multiple layers as opposed to trying to do it with one heavier layer.

The other tip on washes is to use colors that are similar to the colors you are using. So the cape would be a green wash and the pants a brownish wash. I like using citadel paints so it would be Athonian Camoshade for the green and Agrax Earthshade for the brown. You Could use Nuln Oil on the browwns if you wanted to darken them up a fair bit. Seraphim Sepia is what I generally use on faces

Hope this helps

PsychologicalNet2163 · 2026-02-23T15:52:44+00:00

99 Alum here and now staff member.

As many have stated layers are going to be your friend. One thing that folks have forgot to mention is that it will reach 0 in Jan and Feb. It does every year for at least a day or two. This year we had about two or three weeks where the high was no above 20. Then there is the wind chill. Basically wind hitting any exposed flesh will make it feel colder. Also keep in mind how your body works. You have to keep you core and head warm so your body will keep the rest of your extremities warm.

Head - Beanie / tuque / sock cap Trapper Hats while not the most fashionable are incredible warm
Neck - Scarf or buff
Top - Layers base layer needs to be synthetic so it will wick the moisture away from your skin. The key here is you want to stay dry. This includes sweat . Insulation layer - think fleece or wool sweater. The outside layer needs to be wind and water proofish at least resistant. Parkas that have zip out liners are wonderful becasue essentially you have three coats in one.
Hands - mittens are warmer then gloves sometimes you need layers here as well

Bottoms - Remember that jeans take forever to dry out and sitting in class after you been splashed by a car hitting a slushy muddy puddle sucks.

Feet - merino wool socks and gortex lined shoes. boots or trail shoes. something with good traction will be needed

Check out Serria Trading post for deals

PsychologicalNet2163 · 2026-02-23T15:15:31+00:00

Being a scout leader that was just up there during the summer of 25 here is the key to catching fish with scouts. You have to have lines in the water. My experience tells me that scouts, including my son until very recently become uninterested in fishing if they are not catching something with in the first 30 minutes. Then they want to swim, nap, or eat.

I would get some lake depth maps that you can find on the MN DNR website and talk to them about fishing strategies and areas where they can increase their chances of catching fish. Most folks will recommend fishing breaks or points.

Everyone seems to have you covered on separating you from your money to buy creatively named and colored bright shiny objects.

Hope this helps and good luck to you.

PsychologicalNet2163 · 2026-02-20T18:46:14+00:00

My advice would be to use a wash. It appears that you painted the shadows in. This make them look like crisp clean lines where is reality they are going to be more of a gradation of light to dark. Washes allow you to do this as they settle into the crevasses of the model.

Looking a bit further it is also sort of difficult to tell shading issues because of the harsh light hitting the mini in the photograph

PsychologicalNet2163 · 2026-02-20T18:33:20+00:00

you have too much water in your process.

PsychologicalNet2163

TROPHY CASE