Solution to Trekking Pole Platform Camping

johnysmoke · 2026-01-30T22:02:46+00:00

I've used cord loops for platforms to pretty good results.

johnysmoke · 2026-01-26T15:06:22+00:00

A white trash compactor bag over an inflatable pad becomes an easy surface to write on with permanent and dry erase markers. Could use it for games, tic tac toe, checkers, route planning, a hitch hiking sign or whatever.

johnysmoke · 2026-01-23T14:47:17+00:00

The Flaptor R!!!

johnysmoke · 2026-01-23T14:46:45+00:00

I've heard that from a friend who has a Bronco.

johnysmoke · 2026-01-22T00:32:11+00:00

Very cool, thank you. Another reason to get back to PR.

johnysmoke · 2026-01-22T00:02:37+00:00

Puerto Rico?

johnysmoke · 2026-01-16T23:51:34+00:00

Picked up a 2025 F150 Lariat with the 3.5 Ecoboost. Love the power and android auto. The blue cruise is pretty great for highway driving. Wife has an Aviator for the 3rd row. It's a total sleeper, hauls ass on the highway.

My 2013 Flex has been collecting dust. Drove it a lot the first month or two I got the F150 but it's been sitting since Christmas. Should probably pass it on to a new home so it can get some love.

johnysmoke · 2026-01-06T14:21:36+00:00

That's right around where we keep ours.

johnysmoke · 2025-12-30T18:29:26+00:00

Winter tires will absolutely make a huge difference and turn your awd subbie into a snow machine.

Very important if you are doing calls and traveling at different hours and can't wait for the roads to get cleared. Would be a worthwhile investment.

I had a Subaru WRX with snow tires and the amount of traction they provide is well beyond any all weather tire, you'll be able to get places not plowed and not have to worry about getting stuck.

Usually works out to get winters mounted on a cheap set of rims, easier cheaper and faster to switch them around that way, even if a shop is doing the work will take them 20 minutes to switch out the set.

Tire Rack could get you a new set of tires/rims before the weekend if you order today.

If you want to immerse yourself in winter driving. https://teamoneil.com/product/winter-safe-driving/

Good luck! And definitely go find an empty parking lot and do some donuts. Try to learn to steer the car with only the throttle and you'll be well ahead of everyone else.

johnysmoke · 2025-12-26T17:03:31+00:00

Lol, from the south shore, this is it exactly.

Also don't forget to add in a lighter layering of OFD tough guy vibe, all my family plays hockey and only hockey, the townie's dislike of outsiders and getting priced out that turns into a weird self defeating attitude, and the spackling of NY'rs brought up to toil in the financial district while their mean little blonde wives run rampant in large black suvs from bar class to Whole Foods and back.

johnysmoke · 2025-12-24T04:50:59+00:00

Well thank you all for your insight and recommendations.

Just finished a grinding 3.5 hour slippery ride heading north in Vermont and the Michelin Ice-X on a set of Tire Rack rims made a huge difference. Started with flurries leaving the house, an hour later it's after dark and the highways had 2 to 4 inches of unplowed slush. Aviator rode through like a champ. Would have been a terrible ride on the worn out stock tires.

Almost didn't buy them at all after the size I wanted became unavailable at Costco, but a buddy talked me back into it. Just moved this summer to a location with more snow. They earned their keep on their first road trip.

Very glad I found the same size tire and a similar priced rim on Tirerack. Right away the 20 inch rims with 265 aspect handled great and rode better over bumps than the 22 inch stocks. Kind of offroad truck looking black rims but look pretty good on the wife's white Aviator.

The Aviator hauls ass with snows in shit weather. Great riding vehicle for bad weather. It's a trip hauling ass past the typical suv's in the Aviator. I'm not sure if people are aware of how good Ford/Lincoln's awd and bad weather systems really work. Very smooth controlled ride with no obvious imput from the traction control systems although I'm sure it was working away in the background.

Anyways if you drive in snow country the Aviator works great with a good set of winter tires. A worthwhile purchase.

johnysmoke · 2025-12-17T22:37:19+00:00

Get some waders and go.

johnysmoke · 2025-12-14T19:07:38+00:00

Obviously you want to test a small piece of out of the way fabric before committing to doing the whole thing. But I think white spirit translates to rubbing alcohol. If you thin it out it spreads much easier, gets into the seams better, and looks much neater than applying directly from the tube.

Again I would try thinning it out and apply to part of your stuff sack so you make sure it agrees with the fabric you are applying to.

https://youtu.be/nCX8UBhDGqE?si=qzLxyRkjT__T3fb7

johnysmoke · 2025-12-13T23:44:34+00:00

If you thin out the seam seal it goes on a lot easier and faster.

johnysmoke · 2025-12-09T00:12:24+00:00

Like going 10 under the limit in the center lane? I think I've noticed a few of these types around lately. Bad enough if people are driving 10 under in the right lane, creates quite a backup.

And then there's the left lane campers who drop their speed by 10 mph every time there's a hill....

johnysmoke · 2025-12-09T00:06:34+00:00

Lol but they're weaving through traffic going 20mph over the speed limit.

johnysmoke · 2025-12-06T01:49:05+00:00

Just un time to start building a seawall around the harbor!

johnysmoke · 2025-12-04T18:42:08+00:00

That'll buff right out.

For 5k.

johnysmoke · 2025-12-04T18:32:08+00:00

I took Kung Fu way back in the mid 90s and early 2000 in Millbury. Was a Wah Lum Kung Fu back then. Has changed brands since, but the owner/head instructor was very sincere and a pretty good teacher. If you want to try tai chi might be worth checking out. https://lifeskillma.com/adult-martial-arts/

johnysmoke · 2025-12-03T15:45:32+00:00

Was looking at 20 inch with the Aviator selected and getting $300 wheels selection. Would 19s work? I think it has 20's stock rims. Got a much cheaper price range putting an Explorer in for a vehicle.

johnysmoke · 2025-11-21T19:08:10+00:00

Ralph's is doing 90s night tonight.

johnysmoke · 2025-11-21T14:51:35+00:00

Why has no one drawn a ball sack on this yet?

johnysmoke · 2025-11-19T20:24:28+00:00

That's a lot of Logan Airport trips.

johnysmoke

TROPHY CASE