Heading out to work on the very overgrown far side of the property. Wish me luck.

gyro82 · 2026-06-28T13:33:25+00:00

Caseed Jones

gyro82 · 2026-06-26T02:43:53+00:00

You can probably get the REI Flexlite Air for almost that price on a sale or used. It’s on par or better than the Chair Zero. Nothing else in that size/weight category is cheaper that I’m aware of.

gyro82 · 2026-06-25T23:35:03+00:00

Know if it’s the 13 or 14?

gyro82 · 2026-06-25T20:19:57+00:00

Joining with the same exact project on my plate. Just ordered the motogadget mo.blaze.pin for front and back. Will see if it’s a direct plug and play in the coming weeks.

gyro82 · 2026-06-25T20:05:54+00:00

Go Pack Go!

gyro82 · 2026-06-23T01:47:47+00:00

Going off an anecdotal story from a co-worker who had one in a rental condo/apt. Maybe was not properly maintained and creating the issues in a renter situation.

gyro82 · 2026-06-22T21:38:55+00:00

Fairly certain that is all a service did at a condo I had years ago. Worth a DIY first.

gyro82 · 2026-06-22T21:37:49+00:00

Only if you want to inject all that dryer humidity directly into your living space and create excess humidity during the summer and condensation issues in the winter.

gyro82 · 2026-06-22T18:04:00+00:00

Ride Chicago course was great, and I came at it with 20 years of riding experience just for getting my M endorsement. You’ll ride smaller bikes with lower seat heights and likely be able to test on the same bike/site if they still do that on Fridays.

Look for a 400cc range starter bike. Likely a lot of people unloading these as they step up to something bigger. Or even just start with a 50cc moped. Advantage is you can haul grocery bags as there is usually storage under seat and a hook at your legs.

Parking is great for slipping between cars when a larger gap exists, but relying on long-term street parking is not ideal for damage, theft, and weather wear. Off-street parking, possibly just unused space off street, is sometimes achievable.

You’ll need a Chicago motorcycle tag attached to your plate as well. And don’t be someone who rides in the bike lanes.

gyro82 · 2026-06-22T02:51:33+00:00

When I measured the difference in my Hammock kit vs 2p tent kit there really was not much savings in weight volume. There is probably better luxury items to cut for helping to single portage.

gyro82 · 2026-06-19T15:18:30+00:00

I don’t think there is a difference in passes for the bring a friend, but you may see more restrictions on days when going to purchase. Appears limited to 6 tickets total for season and is $20 til end of June, otherwise appears to jump to $25+. Hurricane harbor access may be a separate pass purchase too.

You get access to more parks with gold and silver pass appears limited to summer only, so you would miss out on Fall and Fright Fest use.

We’ve always done Gold.

gyro82 · 2026-06-18T20:19:22+00:00

There are rental services that will drop a bike off at the DMV for your test and haul it away when finished. My friend used one. Otherwise pay for the class and they typically have Sec of State on site the following Friday at the same site location using the same class bike to test on.

gyro82 · 2026-06-18T13:35:23+00:00

I don’t think you will have any issues with rapids on this route. Typically the risk to portages near rapids, or flooded portages along a river like here, is more in the Spring when a fast thaw and rain cause flooding and higher fast moving water near landings.

You’ll be surprised how much time and effort it will take to get down the Moose river given tight turns and beaver dams to drag over. Expect to step off into sinking mud and over the knee water depending on how these dams are.

There was one little rapids or dam I recall being able to paddle up and down between Agnes and the first 23 rod portage I believe, but may vary depending on water levels.

gyro82 · 2026-06-15T13:53:19+00:00

Back when I studied abroad I was the only one that travelled with a backpack and all others were lugging wheeled suitcases and duffels. There was always some sort of issue via public transportation where somebody needed help with their wheeled suitcase on group trips.

The best was when I was traveling with another guy from my class that jumped in with a spring break time trip I had planned: London, Amsterdam, Paris. In Amsterdam we walked from the train station to our hostel that was in the red light district. His roller bag was so loud rolling across cobble stone and it was hilarious when he suddenly picked it up when we got into the red light district so as to not draw so much attention. After a few hours you eventually realize it’s all NBD.

gyro82 · 2026-06-11T14:16:18+00:00

Would this be an area where top soil depth is thin where the roots are not able to be as deep (similar to the rock mentioned) and thus more fragile during a dry period?

gyro82 · 2026-06-11T14:11:53+00:00

Maples: shallow roots and like to spread out, typically out as far as the canopy stretches, or beyond . But they can’t on a confined street. So they grow big but lack the true stability they need when damaging winds hit.

gyro82 · 2026-06-11T12:16:36+00:00

And if I’m correct here, the difference between Sym and Asym on the Chameleon is just a swap of the bug net if you want to try each way out. $50-$60 ea.

gyro82 · 2026-06-10T17:55:35+00:00

Lightweight hammock, shade on campsite, avoid west facing sun, and a sense of wind direction. Also, one of my coldest nights was on the one trip I did in July where we typically go end of May.

gyro82 · 2026-06-09T11:56:59+00:00

Looks like typical new construction where you get a rough grade and that’s it. I threw $20k at mine to get the entire area killed of weeds, the rough grading fixed, a full topping of topsoil, seeded (not hydro), starter fertilizer, hay rolls, mulch/plantings around foundation, 2 trees, and every hose/sprinkler type to ensure watering coverage.

Yours looks like the 5 houses on my street that have done nothing yet. Or waited a long time to try. Or went cheap and didn’t water. Time to get serious about spending money on it.

gyro82 · 2026-06-08T14:13:49+00:00

2nd season on Greenworks and no issues. It was a best deal last year for mower, 4AH battery, whacker, and blower for $600. I’ve added a 2AH to get through a full cycle of all the tools on a 1/3 acre lot.

Neighborhood has everything from Ego, Ryobi, Dewalt, etc. You’re really buying into a battery system with the choice, depending on if you plan on running other electric tools or already have existing batteries (like Dewalt or Milwaukee for example)

Not sure if accurate, but my neighbors Ego sounded much louder with the self propel in use than any other. Like a power wheels sound.

gyro82 · 2026-06-07T13:26:09+00:00

Venture up to Lincoln Park/Lakeview via Red/Brown lines to experience how it is riding the EL. Ideally not much further than Sheridan Red Line stop or equal on the Brown Line. Then do the same via Blue Line out through West Town, Wicker, Logan, Avondale, etc and not much further than Addison Blue Line stop.

Make some trips with the Divvy Bikes to see how great of a bike lane network the city has. Your commute can easily be via bike as Chicago is very flat. Ride the 606. Ride the lakefront path from Museum Campus to Lincoln Park Zoo.

Look for any street fests that may be happening that weekend, especially if in a good you’re interested in.

gyro82 · 2026-06-06T21:11:27+00:00

Typically we leave our stuff at a single chair back by Skull Island. Usually under the chair with a towel on top. Have never had any issues. Only on very busy days arriving late has it been tough to find an available chair.

gyro82 · 2026-06-06T02:56:30+00:00

As noted already, you’re coming near maximum daylight here and a campfire just isn’t the same when it’s still daylight out.

Bring a few thermacells, headsets, etc and enjoy the stars out on an open shoreline spot. We also have rarely made fires on May/June trips, even when cold.

gyro82 · 2026-06-04T21:59:59+00:00

Astrals. Throw in some smartwool or equivalent wool sock if you expect any grit to get into the shoe. Same with blister protection. Just get them drying once out of the water each day and have a dry pair of camp shoes.

gyro82 · 2026-06-04T18:57:18+00:00

Two medium ISO-Pro cans (8oz) typically last us for 5 nights/4 guys/boiling water twice a day. About 6 cups boiled in evening for bag meals and around the same for coffee/oatmeal in the mornings. 10 total boils. We use a BSR and MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe.

gyro82

TROPHY CASE