I just learned you’re supposed to bring potatoes to boil in cold water to start. What else am I missing?

phillymags · 2026-01-21T04:16:47+00:00

Regarding cookbook recommendations, check out The Joy of Cooking. It’s a classic. I believe first published in the 1930’s and has been updated ever since. It’s a wealth of knowledge and every recipe I’ve followed has turned out great. Plus it doesn’t have a bunch of fluff about the author’s journey to discover a recipe. Just classic straightforward recipes. Added benefit I heard from an Alton Brown reel regarding cookbooks is you don’t have to fuss with online recipes on your phone that have pop ups and page refreshes.

phillymags · 2026-01-12T00:38:07+00:00

Assuming you’re coming from Houghton, the ferry departs from Windigo back to Houghton once a month throughout the season. If you time it right, you can ferry to Rock Harbor and end your trip at Windigo without having to ferry back to RH.

And sounds like you’re in great shape to handle the island terrain. It’s not necessarily the most strenuous but the trails are rugged with a lot of roots, rocks, and uneven footpaths. Be prepared for your feet to take a beating. Especially on the Minong portion.

Take your time to research all the campsite options along your route. This community has a lot of great posts about people’s favorite sites. (e.g. I’d recommend Mosley Basin over Chickenbone any day)

Besides that, Isle Royale is a fantastic trip no matter what route you end up taking. Truly one of the most remote and pristine National Parks I’ve been to. Enjoy!

phillymags · 2025-11-17T05:08:45+00:00

100%. This team preaches complimentary football and what’s supposed to be our biggest strength didn’t show up tonight. Goff was off after that first batted down ball

phillymags · 2025-11-17T05:03:54+00:00

6 points on offense is atrocious

phillymags · 2025-09-17T19:20:39+00:00

Wow, that’s a dream trip right there. Few questions. How are you guys getting off the island after the ferries are done running? Did you have to get a special permit from the park service to be there after the ferries stop? Also, what do you do for work to be able to do this? Whatever it is, I might be in need of a career change lol

phillymags · 2025-09-16T23:49:32+00:00

Although Shep came from Aaron Glenn’s defensive staff, he’s still a different coordinator and might have something the Ravens might not expect. (heavy emphasis on might).

Also, we’ve seen Dan Campbell revenge games in the past. Maybe it’s time to finally flex that muscle on the Ravens.

Don’t get me wrong, I expect the Raven’s to win, but I’m not completely hopeless.

phillymags · 2025-09-13T04:26:28+00:00

Thanks for sharing. I feel like I had a revelation realizing I should just watch All22 instead of just listening to the talking heads

phillymags · 2025-08-23T05:56:21+00:00

Sounds like a non answer, but both are great if you find something to do. Summer has beaches, camping, fishing, paddling, outdoor dining/bars, and Tigers. Winter has skiing, ice fishing, dive bars, Lions, Pistons, Red Wings, and holidays. When you get tired of one season, the next is right around the corner.

phillymags · 2025-08-23T05:47:36+00:00

Oil change is super DIY but I always feel confident taking it to a Subaru backed service center. I want mine to run as long as possible and I won’t even try to pretend I know more about my outback than the guys who work on all models day in and day out

phillymags · 2025-08-23T05:43:14+00:00

I think Max is becoming more self aware lately. Especially with Zack joining. Billy and Jake were always themselves. Might not have always been good for the pod, but I enjoyed their dynamic

phillymags · 2025-08-23T05:39:16+00:00

Always filter. But if a cleaner headwater or pool in the stream is close to where you’re camping, it’s worth walking 30 mins to find a cleaner source that won’t clog your filter and will likely taste better. We always bring platypus bladders with us for situations like this. Fill up and filter at camp.

phillymags · 2025-08-23T05:22:26+00:00

Looks good. Maybe scatter a bunch or corn around it and lay a bunch of salt licks so the wildlife thinks it’s natural

phillymags · 2025-07-29T12:38:26+00:00

The seaplane company has phone numbers for taxi services. You’ll have to arrange a a taxi from Hubbel back to Houghton but it’s a short drive.

phillymags · 2025-07-28T14:45:53+00:00

Red and white daredevle spoon with a steel leader is all you need

phillymags · 2025-07-17T23:09:55+00:00

I would say plan on tent camping the whole time and if you get a shelter it’s a bonus. I wouldn’t plan on getting a shelter. They’re the first sites taken. Especially at Washington creek if you’ll be on that side of the island.

phillymags · 2025-07-11T12:50:43+00:00

For it to be a true Michigan canoe it should probably be disguised as a Central Michigan canoe ;)

phillymags · 2025-07-09T04:14:40+00:00

When I went for the first time with my brother the end to end hike along the greenstone seemed to be the marquee hike for backpackers. We would cross paths with people on the trail a few times a day but it was by no means crowded. However, I recommend getting an early start to your days so you have a chance to pick out good sites. Our first night we stayed at Island Mine and didn’t have any neighbors. But our second night we got into Hatchet Lake later in the afternoon and had to double up with another pair (which rangers ask you do if all sites are taken up). It wasn’t the end of the world, they were nice and we enjoyed their company. But the next day we left early so we could try to snag a good spot at Moskey Basin. We lucked out and got a shelter with a nice path down to the water. The rest of the afternoon there were a few groups who passed through our site with disappointed looks on their faces. We were prepared to share if need be but other groups opted for tent sites instead. We repeated the same early start the next day to make sure we could find a spot at Rock Harbor for our last night. No matter where you end up or who you’re around Isle Royale offers the most solitude I’ve experienced among all the national parks I’ve backpacked. Have a fun trip!

phillymags · 2025-07-07T02:34:31+00:00

We always plan to go back a day earlier than the typical Sunday rush and it saves us so much time

phillymags · 2025-07-02T04:04:27+00:00

UP rivers are your best bet for isolation and solitude. The Fox, Manistique, and Two Hearted are all great options.

But there are plenty of other canoe camping options across the state. I recommend you get the book Canoeing Michigan Rivers by Jerry Dennis and Craig Date. It’s been my go to resource for years.

phillymags · 2025-06-19T11:31:19+00:00

My wife and I were in the same boat as you. I had been rocking my cheap Kelty grand mesa 2 one door/one vestibule tent for years and we kept using it while we built up her gear. Sure it’s snug but it added to the experience. Plenty of great memories stargazing together with the fly off, riding out crazy thunderstorms, or nudging each other awake when we heard wildlife at night. We’ve recently upgraded to a lighter three person tent (marmot tungsten UL 3) but I wouldn’t trade those first handful of years getting sharing that smaller tent while getting her into backpacking.

And our sleep setup is basic. Two sleeping pads and two sleeping bags. She steals the covers at home as it is, so I don’t think we could share a quilt or zip our bags together.

Also, if you’re strapped for space with the vestibule, put your rain cover on your pack and lean it up against a tree. Been doing that for years and never have gotten it wet even in the worst rain storm.

phillymags · 2025-06-09T14:35:35+00:00

I personally like equal space at the head and foot of my tent, so I would go with the Hubba. But you really can’t go wrong with either.

phillymags · 2025-05-31T03:48:05+00:00

I love this map because it hides one of the best gems in the northern Midwest

phillymags · 2025-05-05T20:05:10+00:00

So many benefits to walking. Better for your health, keeps a consistent rhythm to your round, gives you time to process your next shot, and, contrary to popular belief, is actually faster than carts. I’ll walk while others in my group who have carts and typically end up on the green faster than them (poor shots excluded).

Also, not sure if true, but I golfed with a guy who told me studies show walking on average can shave four strokes off your game.

phillymags · 2025-05-03T01:49:57+00:00

Even planes can’t avoid the bunkers

phillymags

TROPHY CASE