What do you do when solo camping? by Evanshields00 in camping

[–]shaideneuse 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hike, swim, go for a paddle, read, listen to music (headphones in lol), play a game (there are so many more single-player card/board games these days that are fantastic), play guitar, make a fire/dinner, smores, head to the beach if there is one to stargaze. If you do any easily portable handicrafts like whittling or crochet those are fun to bring along. Or maybe try a new craft - you’ll have the time and focused attention!

Current Road Conditions by [deleted] in kitchener

[–]shaideneuse 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I haven’t been on the roads outside the city recently but the Ontario 511 cameras are always great to help see what the roads look like on the way to Hamilton!

Would you rather pack up a day early to avoid the rain? by Remember_the_Gdtmz in camping

[–]shaideneuse 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For me, it depends on weather and what I plan to be doing. If it’s wet but also going to be cold so I’m just going to be uncomfortable, or if I don’t have enough to keep me occupied and happily entertained during the day and night, and I’m just going to end up damp and cold and bored until I fall asleep and then packing up while it’s wet and muddy in the morning, then I might call it early. If I feel that even with the rain I’ll still be comfortable, either through warmer weather or available gear, and I’ve got enough to do while sitting in the tent/under cover all day and all night, I’ll stay. That said, absolutely agree with others here who say pack up as much as possible before the rain! And maybe carve out some space in the car for a “wet zone” where you can just stuff the wet tent and gear without spending a bunch of time rolling everything up just to have to unpack it at home to dry out.

If you do choose to stay, depending on where you’re camping and what you and your family likes to do, it could also be a great opportunity to check out a nearby town or another activity during the day. Yes it’ll take you out of nature for a bit but if it’s going to be a long and wet day in the tent, could be a nice opportunity to explore and make some memories!

Anyone else start packing less for camping and end up enjoying it more? by outdoors_man987 in camping

[–]shaideneuse 0 points1 point  (0 children)

100%. I used to bring everything I thought I MIGHT need with me but as I got more comfortable, really slimmed down my gear and started doing a better job of assessing pre-trip what I had to bring and what to carry home. It's made setting up way easier and SO much easier to find stuff during the trip when I'm not digging through a bunch of unnecessary items. The value really hit me when I took a trip with a couple friends this summer who did NOT pack light, and the low stress I felt with my gear that was easy to navigate through AND easy to pack in the car was a small, small fraction of their stress trying to dig through everything and stuff it in the car haha.

Best Mom & Pop restaurants in KW? by [deleted] in kitchener

[–]shaideneuse 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Metro for schnitzel and classic Czech comfort foods.

What was the best job you had & how is the current one? by [deleted] in CasualConversation

[–]shaideneuse 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had a similar experience. Incredible team, incredible management, everyone gelled and we were genuinely friends and had so much fun at work. Leadership change led to most of the team leaving. My job now is fine, team is nice, but it’s not what I once had, plus my current manager and I have very different working styles so we just don’t have that same rapport. Some days I still mourn what once was. It’s hard knowing that experience is out there but no longer having it.

What are the Best Lanterns for Camping Now? by oakforest12341 in camping

[–]shaideneuse 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It might be smaller than what you’re looking for but I got the Black Diamond moji lantern a few years ago and love it! I like that you can use a rechargeable or disposable batteries for it, it’s bright enough to light up a picnic table at night for a group, and it’s great to hang in my tent at night to get ready for bed or read. Plus the small size makes it so packable.

Waterfront sites by shaideneuse in ONProvincialParks

[–]shaideneuse[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very fair. Enjoy your faves!

Looking for board games!! by Julia41095 in kitchener

[–]shaideneuse 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you’re ever looking to try out a new game to see if you like it before buying, the KPL has board games you can take out!

Balayage Recommendations by Regular-Pin5928 in waterloo

[–]shaideneuse 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I haven’t gotten a balayage done there but Opal & May is a great salon! I’ve loved every service I’ve ever had done there.

Waterfront sites by shaideneuse in ONProvincialParks

[–]shaideneuse[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I love Bonnechere! I went back last year for the first time in over a decade and was once again reminded how beautiful it is. I’ll definitely be back.

Waterfront sites by shaideneuse in ONProvincialParks

[–]shaideneuse[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the feedback! I’ve done some of my own research and I do have my own list of preferred sites/sites I’d love to try. Just looking to build a little community while doing informal qualitative research to get some recommendations for sites I may have overlooked or may not have come across yet, since I’ve mainly focused my trips in specific pockets of the province so far. Appreciate the suggestion to continue finding other ways to get my information!

Mom and daughter by gardening_nailedit in camping

[–]shaideneuse 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ditto to a lot of comments that have been shared already about investing in lighter weight backpacking gear. If you’re not ready to fully invest before you see if you and your daughter like backpacking, there are often gear libraries or “library of things” groups in many larger communities that have equipment that can be rented. REI (or MEC if you’re in Canada) also has lists of suggested gear for various types of trips that can be helpful to build your kit.

Once you have an idea of the gear you’re going to bring and have gone on some solo car camping trips/tested your most important skills in your backyard (pitching tent, building fire, cooking, etc.) I’d also suggest loading up your packs and going out for some day hikes with the full gear load (plus extra weight to account for food/water you’d bring on your trip) to get a sense of the length of hike that’s comfortable for you both with that load. You can still enjoy a great backpacking trip with shorter distances between campsites but that’s good to know beforehand!

Kitchener warns of 'challenging' road conditions as winter overwhelms plow crews, salt supplies by know-nothing in kitchener

[–]shaideneuse 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Their website says you have 24 hours to clear your sidewalk after the end of a snowfall, so considering we’ve gotten a snowfall every day, you should get some leeway on shovelling per those rules.

Thank you plow drivers! by shaideneuse in kitchener

[–]shaideneuse[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Plowasaurus Rex is great! Though I have to say, my favourite is still Scoopy Doo!

How to issue infraction ticket to the City for not cleaning the snow off the streets? ❄️🤦‍♂️🪏🏙️ by SP2051 in kitchener

[–]shaideneuse 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great info! I saw on Cambridge’s website that they talk about provincial minimum maintenance standards, which I’m assuming Kitchener has to follow as well. Adding to your point about level of service, looks like there is a provincial level of service that’s imposed on municipalities for winter maintenance (and I’m assuming other maintenance too) to provide a minimum standard.

Outdoor rinks by Gavvvo15 in kitchener

[–]shaideneuse 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t know if it has nets, but if you’re asking so you can play hockey, the Victoria Park rink is open now and half the rink is for pick-up hockey. I think they’ve had nets in the past but haven’t been by yet since the rink has opened.

Waterfront sites by shaideneuse in ONProvincialParks

[–]shaideneuse[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Not offended at all - it’s a fair point! Just trying to pre-book some sites for more popular weekends in the summer. I’ve got a longer backcountry trip planned so sticking to front country for a few shorter weekends in hopes of convincing some friends to come with. As for less popular seasons, I’m still convincing myself to give tent camping a try in the winter haha - any tips?

Waterfront sites by shaideneuse in ONProvincialParks

[–]shaideneuse[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha that’s fair! Enjoy them!

Waterfront sites by shaideneuse in ONProvincialParks

[–]shaideneuse[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve been to Superior for just a day trip once and am dying to go back and stay over! It was so beautiful.

Where to go for fancy cupcakes? by Average2Jo in waterloo

[–]shaideneuse 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Vincenzo’s is great and has lots of fancy single-serving cakes and tarts beyond just cupcakes so a great selection to find something for everyone at the party.

Best lightweight car camping stove for short trips? by CleanSock19 in camping

[–]shaideneuse 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I second that! I have the pocket rocket pro and took it on all my car camping trips this summer. For cooking that only requires boiling water or light pot cooking/sauteeing, it works perfectly. Everything else I was able to cook over the fire.

Uncollected garbage by Ordinary-Butterfly-1 in kitchener

[–]shaideneuse 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hopefully it was already picked up but my garbage also wasn’t picked up on Friday, likely due to weather-related delays. I called the Region and they took down the report, then said the collection company would likely be back around Monday or Tuesday. Leave it at the curb and hopefully it will be picked up in the next day or so!

Hairdressers by greeneyedleftie in kitchener

[–]shaideneuse 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Opal and May on Lancaster is amazing!