escapegoat.net

Our new(ish) boat!

2010-05-25T11:47:00.000-07:00

Just picked 'er up last weekend and took a spin around Sausalito Harbor.

She's an Old Town 160T, a little heavy but very sturdy and easy to paddle. Out in the harbor I was solo in the rear seat, and had no trouble keeping a straight line in spite of some decent wind. Plenty of room for Scout in the middle and cargo aft.

We still need to find paddles and PFDs, but we're very excited about exploring the mountain lakes, tidal rivers, and maybe even doing some touring this summer.

Sun-haters want you to be pasty.

2010-05-25T11:37:00.000-07:00

Just saw this article suggesting that there are very few sunscreens that are effective. According to the Environmental Working Group, a hat and long sleeve shirt are the only things that will protect you from the evil sun.

These must be the same people who will tell you that drinking ice water is bad for you.

Life is short. Would you rather sit indoors wondering whether your sunscreen is going to kill you, or go out and spend the few precious days you have on this Earth enjoying the warm rays?

Remember that these research institutions need to make a name for themselves so people will give them money. Once in a while, an important warning comes along, and we should listen. Certainly overexposure to the sun and resulting Melanoma fall into that category. But really, when was the last time you wore SPF 30 (correctly applied) and got a sunburn?

Don't sweat the small stuff, and make sure you do some living before you die.

no more dot net

2010-05-08T07:57:00.000-07:00

My hosting for escapegoat.net is expiring, and I don't feel like putting up any money to renew it or pay for the domain parking. However, it will still be available on blogger.com at http://escapegoatdotnet.blogspot.com/

In case anybody actually cared.

Desert Island Music

2010-04-04T21:42:00.000-07:00

Every Friday morning on KCSM radio, they have a musician into the studio and they ask him/her what 5 albums they would want to have if stranded on a deserted island. I got to thinking about mine, it's tough to decide but I had to settle on music that stays interesting no matter how many times I hear it. Add yours in the comments.

In no particular order:

1. Abdullah Ibrahim - Cape Town Revisited
A live recording, made when Abdullah returned to his home of Cape Town following the end of Apartheid.

2. Dave Brubeck Quartet- Time In
Brubeck's most famous album, "Time Out" was groundbreaking with its clever play with time signatures, but "Time In" is where he really lets you in on his secrets.

3. Thelonious Monk Quartet - Misterioso
I never get tired of listening to Monk, because every song leaves you with new questions.

4. Mr. Bungle - California
Perfect, orchestrated insanity.

5. Tortoise -TNT
Rock that needs no lyrics.

If I could bring 10:

Tony Rice - The Bluegrass Guitar Collection
Jamie Lidell - Multiply
Latyrx - The Album
Soul Coughing - Ruby Vroom
Primus - Sailing the Seas of Cheese

First day boarding

2010-01-04T16:47:00.000-08:00

Okay, so that's not a snowboard picture, but how great is it anyway?

We hit Bear Valley on New Year's Eve, and had a great time. Yes, it was crowded, we got into the parking lot at about 9:30 and it was already filled within sight of the sand shed. But the snow was decent, and in fact it can be pretty fun when there isn't a huge base. All of the stumps and rocks make nice drops and kickers and there was enough snow to cover most everything. The lower mountain (Grizzly Bowl) was open, but I don't go down there unless there is a ton of powder. It's very exposed, so the snow tends to blow off the slope, and what does stick tends to get very heavy in the sun and warmer altitude.

You have the snow..Now turn the dang lifts on!

2009-12-17T16:59:00.000-08:00

So Cabrito called Tuesday afternoon, and asked if I wanted to blow off work on Thursday to go snowboarding. I've been watching heaps of snow falling on the Sierras for a couple of weeks now, and I was pretty stoked on the idea.

By Wednesday afternoon I had Kiwi Bob on board, my bag packed, and plans were made to roll out at 7pm to stay in Arnold. About 5:30 I happened to check the Bear Valley website, and learned the awful news: Bear Valley wasn't opening until Friday! Not that it's saying much, but Boreal has been open since early October!

Needless to say, our hopes of a weekday romp in the fresh white fluffy snow were shattered. Now, granted we should have diverted to another resort, but all my gear is in Arnold. Bob was determined and he bolted for Jackson to ride Kirkwood the next day. Kirkwood, which boasts the deepest snowpack in the Sierras, doesn't even open the backside lifts until Friday! Argh!

Needless to say, the anticipation is killing me, but there are lessons to be learned:

1. Keep your board and gear with you at all times. This rule has bitten me before, and I had to make a special trip to get my big bike before our Whistler trip.

2. Just because it is dumping snow, doesn't mean the resorts are opening.

Snow Ride....Take it easy..

2009-11-18T08:42:00.001-08:00

Last weekend we hit up Downieville for a last minute run on the Downieville Downhill Trail. As you can see, the snow had already made the ride from Packer's Saddle a little more interesting.
The Yuba Expeditions shuttle couldn't make it up the last mile to Packer's, so it dropped us off before the steep road became covered in snow and ice. We made the long push up the road, slipping and sliding all the way, and got to Packer's to find 3-4" of snow and a beautiful clear sky.

Riding the snow was tricky..the trail varied from fluffy stuff that required constant attention and steering adjustment, to well tracked snow that was grippier than it looked. We wobbled and swerved through the soft snow and many times the snow just steered us off the trail altogether.

Once we got below the snow line, we found a lot of sloppy wet trail and I got ejected several times by slippery rocks. Fortunately that didn't last too long and the trail soon became fast and tacky. 3rd Divide was as ripping fast as ever.

Downieville is a guaranteed good time, this particular trip we had an extra added challenge. Cheers to everybody for a great trail ride!

Go enjoy the fall colors, while they last!!

2009-10-25T17:55:00.000-07:00

This post might be a little late, as the trees are well into their seasonal change. But this weekend along CA Hwy. 4, we saw a lot of color. The Oaks were showing yellows and gold, the Dogwoods were everything from deep red to yellow, and the Aspens and Willows were bright yellow.

We asked Anna at the Bear Valley Adventure Co. where to hike, and she suggested Noble Canyon would be a good one to see the Aspens. Unfortunately we were too blind to find it, but we did get out on a nice hike on the PCT from Ebbett's Pass that would have led us to Noble.

I got up early Sunday to do some back-roads exploring, and found a lot of beautiful Aspens in Corral Hollow. The trail starts off Hwy. 4, just downhill from the Bear Valley village. From there it ascends to the top of the ridge where you can see most of the Mokelumne wilderness, and the backside of the Bear Valley ski runs. It then goes back down into the hollow where the Aspens are. Connect to forest road 7N11, then 7N09 which will take you to back to the highway near Cabbage Patch. This is a technical OHV route that requires a high-clearance off-road vehicle. It is also a great long MTB ride.

Backcountry adventures: Throwing a dart

2009-08-04T11:53:00.000-07:00

You're a camper, that's the whole reason you're reading this blog. Camping is a great escape from the hassles of home and a chance to immerse yourself in the wonders of the natural earth. Most people are happy to head to a destination campground and pitch a tent for a weekend.

But what about the trips where you felt like you never got away from the crowds? Maybe there was a beer-soaked bachelor party in the site next door? Or an RV that ran its generator 24/7.

Many people don't realize that you don't need a campground to go camping. The U.S. has thousands of square miles of National Forest land, among other public lands, where you can make a camp virtually anywhere for free (contact the ranger station for restrictions).

First you need to figure out the general area you'd like to explore, and how you'll get there. Backpackers typically have the least restriction, but you can also bike, paddle, snowshoe, ski, ride a horse, or drive to get there. Find a USGS topographic map of the area. You can purchase them at REI, at the ranger station, or download them free here.

Now that you have your map laid out on the kitchen table, take a close look at it. Maybe there's a geographic feature you'd like to camp near and explore. I often look for a body of water that we can swim in. Study the contour lines on the map to see if there is a spot that has an elevated view of the surrounding terrain.

Unless you're really good at orienteering, you'll probably want to find a trail that leads to your destination. The map will indicate what kind of trail it is, and the contour lines on the map will tell you how steep it is. The closer the lines are together, the steeper the hill. If the trail crosses the lines at a perpendicular angle, it goes directly uphill.

Much of our National Forests are quite well covered by fire and logging roads, and you may be surprised to find that they are often accessible to two-wheel-drive street vehicles. These tend to be unpaved dirt and gravel roads, but after the snow has melted and the rainy season is over, you may be able to get much further into the wilderness than you expected. Check with the local ranger station to find out the condition of these roads.

Home again!

2009-07-16T19:05:00.000-07:00

We had an awesome trip through the Pacific Northwest, and we want to give a big thanks to everyone who helped us along the way.

Being on such a long trip is a good reminder of what we really live for. We explored so many beautiful places and got to meet cool people and hang out with old friends.

Cheers everyone, we hope to see you on the next trip!

Don't forget there are a lot more photos here!

BTW, sorry for the sloppy formatting below, blogger was being stupid and wouldn't let me upload pix.

Bend, Oregon

2009-07-16T18:39:00.000-07:00

Turns out, Bend is out in the middle of absolutely nowhere. BFE, if you know what I mean.

Which is great, because it is a sort of urban oasis where you can get anything you need, including the company of other decent people, while also having immediate access to some incredible outdoors. The Deschutes River runs through the middle of town, alongside several brewpubs including the legendary Deschutes Brewery, as well as concert venues and art galleries. Just a stones throw away there are several national and state parks, national forests, volcanic monuments, you name it, right outside of town.

In fact, we drove 10 minutes from downtown into Deschutes National Forest, drove another 10 minutes on forest fire roads, and found a prime backcountry camp site on the edge of a bluff over Tumalo Creek. While staying there we were treated to some light thunderstorm action and a rainbow.

We left Bend the next morning, and didn't see any real civilization until Klamath Falls almost 3 hours later. Our original plan was to stop and camp in the backcountry near Shasta, but by the time we got there we were feeling strong enough to push all the way home. We'll save Shasta for another trip!

Seattle

2009-07-16T18:07:00.000-07:00

For whatever reason, Seattle has been a magnet for my bay area friends. Within the last year, two good friends have moved there, and my cousin has lived there for 5 years. After spending a little time there, we could see the attraction in spite of the drippy reputation.

First, a fair portion of the city is on the waterfront simply due to the bays and lakes. Then my cousin and her husband pointed us to the Burke-Gilman trail which is a flat, paved bike trail that crosses the larger part of the city and extends into the northeastern suburbs. With my friends Jordan and Coree, we set out to ride this trail over 30 miles. From the Green Lake neighborhood, our destination was the Red Hook Brewery way out in Woodinville.

We're not accustomed to long rides on pavement, and we were all on fat, knobby tires. Fortunately the trail is essentially flat, so we enjoyed the cruise and the scenery of Lake Washington. By the time we had covered the first 12 miles on the way out, we were getting pretty hungry. Jordan and Coree didn't complain about the distance, as they had recently completed a cycle tour from Seattle to the SF Bay. Lauren and I however were feeling the burn in the old Gluteus Maximus area.

By the time we were completely desperate for solid food and a cold beverage, we began to smell the distinct aroma of fermenting grain. It crossed my mind that we hadn't checked to see if the Red Hook Brewery actually had a pub, but alas we prevailed and found brewery-fresh beer and pub fare. Even my rear tire held out until the parking lot to finally release all of its air.

The trip home seemed a lot longer than getting there, and we climbed the big hill from the trail to my cousin's house.

That evening we hooked up with Eric and Erika for some sushi, followed by a visit to the great troll who lives under the overpass and eats VW Beetles.

Vancouver Island

2009-07-16T17:11:00.000-07:00

The city of Victoria is indeed the most popular destination on Vancouver Island, but we blew right past the tea and crumpets and a wonderful opportunity to pretend we were British. And Old. And Aristocrats.

Rather, we drove to the China Beach campground and enjoyed some Canadian microbrews. I had a fine nap while Lauren took Scout to the nearby beach, and in the mean time the camp host delivered a nice bundle of firewood right to our campsite. This campground boasts some very nice spacious sites and is a short hike from China Beach with views of the Olympic Peninsula. From this beach you can hike to the start of the 30-mile San Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, which follows along the coastline. It is very popular for backpacking, and with a hike of only a few miles you can camp directly on several beaches.

We did the stretch from China Beach to Mystic Beach on a trail that was adapted to the heavy deadfall. At any time we could have been on a North Shore mountain bike trail with all of the wooden bridges and ladders that carried us over old stumps and fallen trees. There is even a cable suspension bridge that crosses a deep ravine. Scout was not a fan of the metal grating on the bridge and instead decided to take the more difficult route down into the ravine and back up the steep side.

Whistler!!!

2009-07-12T10:22:00.001-07:00

I'm not kidding when I say that Whistler, BC is my favorite place in the world. This is in no small part due to the phenomenal Whistler Bike Park that offers trails for every kind of mountain biker. Just outside the Whistler village are world-class cross-country trails, but the big fun is to be had on the lift runs. The difficulty level ranges all the way up to pro-only, and you can descend all 3,400 feet of the mountain on jumps, wooden stunts, drops, wallrides, roots, rocks, berms, skinnies...

I took a few runs down the heavy stuff, but I have to admit I was having a lot more fun on the intermediate runs like Crank It Up. Now, A-Line is often the most talked-about trail on the mountain, and it is indeed a blast with all of its fast berms and table-top jumps. It's got so many jumps you spend about half your time in the air. Crank It Up was where I really found myself laughing because the jumps are a little smaller and less technical. Rather than brake-checking and sometimes coming up short like on A-Line, I was floating over every jump and rarely touching the brakes. It's good to push yourself sometimes, but the most fun is when you're relaxed and flowing smoothly.

A short bike ride outside the village is Lost Lake, which has some good swimming and a designated dog beach. The floating dive platform even has a doggy ramp.

Orcas Island

2009-07-12T09:36:00.001-07:00

We next went to Orcas Island and took a hike up Mt. Constitution. There are several routes to the top of varying difficulty, and while the easiest is to drive, the view at the top is one you should have to earn. On a clear day, you can see Mt. Baker and Rainier, and many of the other surrounding islands. There is a tall watch tower at the top, but it was closed for repair.

The campground at Moran State Park offers nicely divided campsites tucked into the dense forest. From here you have easy access to several swimming lakes, and the longer route up Mt. Constitution begins at the campground.

San Juan Island

2009-07-12T08:53:00.000-07:00

Leaving Portland, we had to make a very early departure to be on time for the ferry from Anacortes, WA to San Juan Island. This early morning pack-and-go became the theme for days when we were to travel by ferry, especially on mornings like this one when we had a few hours of driving before we reached the terminal.

We arrived in Friday Harbor and made our camp at the Lakedale Resort. The resort has a nice new lodge on the lake, and accommodations include rooms, upscale tent-cabins, an Airstream trailer, and lakeside campsites. Scout was particularly pleased with our campsite as it was directly next to the water, and there was plenty of swimming to be done while we relaxed.

San Juan Island is a great place to explore by bike, as the traffic is slow and the hills are mild. One afternoon we cruised out to a nearby vineyard and enjoyed some wine in the sun. While the wine on San Juan isn't going to win any awards, the sun is apparently plentiful, shining upwards of 300 days a year according to locals.

It should be no surprise that the islands here are also a great place for paddling, and we took a guided tour out of Roche Harbor. Since it was Orca migration season, we had hopes for a sighting, but the odds were not in our favor. However, we had a very nice cruise out around some of the nearby islands, with warm sun and a calm sea. We did sight some Bald Eagles and Harbor Seals, and munched on some tasty (?) kelp.

The next time we are in the San Juans, we will probably either be cycle or kayak touring. On a bike, you just ride onto the ferry for a reasonable fee, then ride off and explore. With a boat, many of the islands are less than a few hour's paddle apart, and you can pull up on a secluded beach and make camp.

Freeride?? In San Francisco??

2009-07-02T18:52:00.001-07:00

Maybe I've had my head in the sand, but I just learned about a dirt jump and freeride park that's about to be built in San Francisco. It appears to have the green light, and according to SF UrbanRiders.org, the first build days will be held on 8/8 and 8/9.

Download a PDF of the plan here.

Portland

2009-07-02T17:56:00.000-07:00

We stayed a few nights with a friend in Portland. While I've never been a big fan of big cities, Portland is one of the few I can handle. People here have a great appreciation for the outdoors, and there are an absurd number of ways to play nearby. Forest Park, which is immediately within the city limits, has miles of hiking and biking trails and offers some nice views of the surrounding area.

The real gem that I found about 90 minutes southwest of Portland is the Black Rock Freeride Area. The locals have somehow managed to create a fully-legit freeride park in the middle of some state-managed logging land. Pedaling up the fire road, the first thing you find is a play area of over an acre, with everything from progressive drops, to tabletop jumps, to skinnies. I could have spent the entire day in the "Basic Training" area, but I pedaled further up to run into a group of local riders. They turned out to be very friendly, and showed me their favorite trails. As we ascended we passed everything from fast, flowy singletracks to enormous wooden stunts seen in the New World Disorder videos.

We reached the top of the trail system after a gradual 3 mile climb. The trails have an incredible amount of work put into them, literally thousands of man-hours have been spent. All the berms are smooth and fast, the wooden stunts are worthy of any North Shore builder. In one descent we linked turns to drops to booters to ladder bridges and skinnies. If you are a freerider and you can get anywhere near this park, it is a must-do, and give some thanks to the builders for bringing some real freeriding south of the Canadian border.

Honeyman State Park

2009-07-02T17:46:00.000-07:00

After a few more eye-popping hours up the Oregon Coast, we came to Honeyman State Park. Typically this seems to be the spot for power sports fans, as this area is part of a long stretch of sand dunes that line parts of the coast. Still, we found a decent campsite with walking access to two lakes. Cleawox and Woahink Lakes both offer some great swimming opportunities, and Cleawox has a lodge with canoe and paddle boat rentals. We skipped the boat rental as they wouldn't allow us to take Scout in the boat.

Oregon has some very well developed State Parks, and we learned this was partly due to the State Lottery which has a certain percentage of proceeds earmarked for the parks.

Waiting for the ferry

2009-06-30T08:33:00.001-07:00

Sorry about the lack of posts lately. We are on San Juan island at the
moment, waiting for the ferry to orcas island. San Juan island is
gorgeous, we went on a kayak tour yesterday of the sound. Well post
pics as soon as we find an hour and some wifi.

Trinidad to Harris Beach

2009-06-25T17:45:00.000-07:00

On the way up to Harris Beach State Park in Oregon, we stopped in Redwood National Park to take a bike ride. We didn't find much in the way of a bike ride, especially a dog-friendly trail. But as I was riding into the parking lot, suddenly there were two 800+ lb monsters 8 feet in front of me. These Roosevelt Elk bulls had been relaxing in the dense green next to the trail, and I nearly surprised the antlers off of them. I stopped in my tracks, and they cautiously moved across the trail toward the meadow.

In a few hours of driving through the redwoods we reached Harris Beach State Park in Oregon. This is a gorgeous beach, with campgrounds a short walk away. We found some weird berries growing there that looked like blackberries but were orange. We asked a young girl what they were, and she replied, "those are never-ever berries, which means you should never-ever eat them". This came as a surprise because we had been munching on them all afternoon. A wikipedia search however revealed that they were not poisonous, and in fact were Salmon berries.

Big Lagoon

2009-06-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

A few miles north of Trinidad, we found Big Lagoon County Park. The name of the park is accurate, and it is a beautiful place to take your sea kayak out for a spin. At the east side of the lagoon, the redwood forest spills into the water, and the ocean side is bordered by a long sandy spit.

We rented a tandem sit-on-top from Kayak Zak's, who has a trailer full of 'yaks at the boat launch throughout the summer.

After a quick primer on paddling technique, we headed out into the water. A steady wind made the paddle out quite an effort, and Zak advised us to stay close to the spit where the wind wasn't quite as harsh. Returning with the wind at our back, we ventured toward the middle of the lagoon and found a lot of chop, and lost Scout overboard!

Next time we'll think twice about paddling in heavy wind, we got soaked from the waves that came over the boat, and had a tough time putting in at the choppy shore. Fortunately Big Lagoon isn't always so windy, and on a calm day you could have a lot of fun exploring.

First stop!

2009-06-21T08:19:00.000-07:00

The escapegoat is sitting close to the ground as we have loaded it with 3 weeks worth of camping gear, water, food, and toys. Just between the cooler and the pantry box we have at least 100 lbs.

We have reached our first stop in Trinidad, CA which is just north of Arcata. The landscape is much more lush than we're used to, the thick redwoods and ferns seem to be almost constantly bathed in the grey ocean mist. We were amused to find that just as Gilroy smells of garlic, Humbolt County often smells of fresh ganja.

Today is our 1-year wedding anniversary! I can't believe it's been an entire year since we had the best party in a beautiful place with so many good friends. As Robert Earl Keen sang, "The road goes on forever, and the party never ends!"

The Great Northwest Tour!

2009-06-18T11:46:00.001-07:00

escapegoat.net is taking the show on the road..for the next three weeks we will be exploring the Northwest and British Columbia. Heading north from the SF Bay, we will be following the coastline all the way up to Whistler, BC and Pemberton. Returning, we will be further east through Washington, Oregon, and Northern CA.

Stay tuned, we will be reporting regularly from the road when we have internet access.

Mountain Lakes to Explore

2009-06-18T11:41:00.000-07:00

Outdoors Guru Tom Stienstra has written a nice article on California mountain lakes, it ran today on SFGate.com:

Mountain Lakes

Getting there..

2009-06-04T11:55:00.000-07:00

Right now you might be planning a summer trip. You've got some time off work, and an itch to go see someplace new.

Once you figure out where you want to go, there is the question of how to get there. Our suggestion here at escapegoat is anything but an airplane. Flying is great for getting somewhere in a short amount of time, but think about everything you miss while cruising at 30,000 feet. From your tiny window, you will be seeing the vast expanses of land that should be under your feet.

It's a big planet, even though humans keep finding ways to make it smaller. When you drive, ride a bike or hike to get to your destination, the territory in between becomes part of the larger adventure.

Also, if you're driving, take the more scenic route. Take an extra couple of days off work and instead of beelining from point A to B, take your time and enjoy the road. A 5-hour drive with views and diversions seems no longer than a 3-hour drive with the tail of a Safeway truck to look at. The dollar cost of an extra day off work is soon forgotten, while your memory of a summer snowball fight on Tioga pass will last forever.

Los Padres NF Reopens

2009-05-19T13:00:00.000-07:00

The area of Los Padres National Forest that was previously closed due to last year's fires has been reopened.

See here for details.

Sonora, Ebbetts Pass Open

2009-05-19T12:41:00.000-07:00

FYI--Sonora Pass (CA 108) and Ebbetts Pass (CA 4) are now open. That means you can take a very scenic drive over the height of the Sierras and get to the east side and Highway 395 without going over Hwy 50 or 80.

These passes are typically closed during winter due to snow. Tioga pass (CA 120) in Yosemite is still closed.

Avoid Heat Stroke This Summer!

2009-05-18T21:21:00.000-07:00

A hot summer day never stopped me from getting outdoors; I've mountain biked and hiked in 90º+ heat plenty of times. But last summer I got severe heat exhaustion twice, and it was a serious bummer. The second time was the day before my wedding and I missed the rehearsal dinner.

On a hot day, your body normally sweats to keep itself within a safe range. If your body temperature is allowed to elevate, it leads to heat exhaustion, and more seriously, heat stroke. Heat stroke is very dangerous and can lead to permanent injury or death.

The first defense is to stay hydrated. You should be drinking water all day, and if you're not peeing clear, you are beginning to get dehydrated. It's also very important to get electrolytes, such as in Gatorade. Even eating salty foods helps, because your body loses salt along with the water in sweat. Be aware that any alcohol you drink around the campfire will leave you with minor dehydration in the morning.

If you've been outside on a hot day and start feeling weak, dizzy, or nauseous, get cooled down as fast as you can. Go swimming in the lake, and drink as much water and electrolytes as you can handle. The first time I had heat exhaustion, I couldn't keep water down, but as soon as I got cooled off and drank some Gatorade I recovered quickly. If you pass out, stop sweating, or have a fast heart rate or high temperature, get medical help immediately. See WebMD for more symptoms and treatment information.

Recipe: The Pineapple Goat-Cheese Burger

2009-05-18T20:24:00.000-07:00

This hamburger is so easy it hardly needs a recipe. Adding any other condiments would be a mistake, it is delicious on its own.

Ingredients:

ground hamburger

soft goat cheese

pineapple

onion

hamburger Buns

Form the hamburger into patties, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Trim the skin, top, and bottom from the pineapple, and slice it into 1/2" thick rounds. Slice the onion into 1/4" thick rings.

Brush the pineapple and onion with olive oil. Grill onion until transparent, and pineapple until it has grillmarks. Grill hamburger patties, and after flipping, place desired amount of goat cheese on top. The goat cheese will not melt like cheddar. Toast the buns on the grill.

Assemble the burger and enjoy!

Gear Review: Kelty Carport Deluxe

2009-05-13T18:13:00.000-07:00

Last fall I decided that it would be really nice to have some sort of outdoor shelter to extend my camping season year-round. I sleep dry in my camper shell, but what about cooking and guitar playing? Also, in the summer months, shade is critical in areas with less trees.

I discovered several options. One was the simple tarp and poles, which is great in the sun and cheap, but come a heavy rainstorm with wind, you'll still be wet. Then there is the screenhouse or dining fly, which is great for bugs and weather, but then you feel like you never got out of your tent. There are a hundred variations in between these two extremes, but when I found the Kelty Carport on clearance at REI, it seemed like the best compromise and the most versatile.

First, the thing is expensive as heck. $320 is the MSRP tag. That's a lot for anything you won't be using every day. But I have a theory that if you (and especially your spouse) feel like you won't be comfortable on a camping trip, you probably won't go. And what is life worth if you don't go out and live it?

The Carport takes a fair amount of effort to assemble, and the first time you do it you will be scratching your head. It's trickier than a backpacking tent, so read the instructions. In the picture below you can see that I set it up inside-out the first time. Once you get the hang of what all the poles and weird connectors do, it only takes a few minutes and you have shelter. One end attaches to your car's roof rack, so that's two less poles and guy lines you have to set up.

The versatility of this shelter comes from its ability to set on the upright poles for shade and light rain, or remove the poles for heavy rain and wind. When in the down position, there are side flaps that can be staked to the ground to stop weather from blowing in. This mode turns my campershell into a suite with kitchen--crawl out of bed, flip down the tailgate, fire up the campstove and coffee is on the way while the nasty weather stays outside.

When the carport is in the up position, it's particularly vulnerable to high wind as it becomes a huge sail. But with the side flaps down and tethered to the ground or the vehicle, it has a much more aerodynamic shape.

Since I got the Carport I haven't cancelled any trips due to the weather report. Often I'll get to my campsite and find that I didn't even need the Carport, and I'll have a campground to myself because everyone else was scared off by a little rain.

For more information

Destination: Kirk Creek Campground, Los Padres NF

2009-05-12T18:17:00.001-07:00

Location: Rugged mountains falling into the sea.

Weather: Coastal, but often sunny and warm even in winter.

Neighbors: Well spaced sites, popular campground but often possible to get a site on Friday afternoon.

Activities: Hiking, beach, cycling, backroad exploring, surfing.

Dog: Leash required but rarely enforced.

Facilities: Flush toilets, non-potable water.

Kirk Creek has become a go-to spot for myself and several of my friends. When the rare weekend comes along with a blank space on the calendar, we will throw some firewood in the truck and cruise down the winding Carmel and Big Sur coastline. This is one of those destinations where the drive to get there is part of the fun.

Just a few miles south of Lucia, the campground sits on a cliff between Highway 1 and the ocean, and nearly every well-spaced site has a view. The remoteness and distracting beauty of Big Sur make it exceedingly easy to let go of the real world. Bring binoculars for seasonal whale and dolphin spotting.

A short trail leads down the cliff to the narrow beach, which depending on tide may be under water. One of the best features of Kirk Creek is the often favorable weather; in fact winter is probably the best time to go if a sunny weekend is in the weather report. The beach here is nice for sunning and playing with the dog, and the sheer cliffs provide privacy and wind shelter.

Should the beach here be submerged, there are plenty of other activities within reach. Nacimiento-Ferguson road, which begins across the highway from the campground, leads all the way across the Ventana Wilderness and is the access to many hikes and forest fire roads. Cone Peak is one excellent short hike, providing a mile high, 360-degree view of the surrounding wilderness and ocean.

Cut in a half-circle from the cliffs, Sand Dollar beach is a short drive south on the highway, directly across from Plaskett Campground. It is popular with surfers, and gentle waves are good for kids while you enjoy the sun and the view.

Limekiln State Park is just north of Kirk Creek. It is currently closed due to the recent fires, but offers extensive hiking and exploration of the historic lime kilns used by the mining operations there.

Be aware that the fires of last year caused much of the Big Sur area to be closed. Kirk Creek and most everything on the ocean side of Highway 1 was unaffected. See this map for the area of the National Forest closure. There is no official word on when the wilderness will reopen, but it is likely that when the threat of mudslides has passed we will be able to explore the Santa Lucia range again.

For more information

View Kirk Creek Campground in a larger map

Destination: Wright's Beach Campground, Sonoma Coast State Beach

2009-05-12T12:02:00.001-07:00

Location: Gorgeous California coastline

Weather: Expect morning fog, cool afternoon seabreeze.

Neighbors: Wright's is tightly packed, very popular. Reservations recommended far in advance.

Activities: Coastal hiking, beach, swimming not recommended due to rip currents.

Dog: On leash, strict rangers.

Facilities: Clean, newer bathrooms, flush toilets, hot water. Showers at Bodega Dunes campground.

When I was a kid and my parents said, "We're going camping at Sunset State Beach!" it sounded to me like we'd be camping on the beach. How cool would that be? Not wearing shoes the whole weekend, and making your brother eat breakfast while buried neck-deep in the sand!

That turned out to be a ruse, but at Wright's Beach you can camp on the beach. The tightly spaced sites are on the sand, and if you reserve your site really early, you will have an ocean view from your campfire. There is a trade off to the best sites, as they are the frontline to the chilly breezes that whip off the sea in the afternoon. It is an extremely popular campground, and people wait until the stroke of midnight to get choice reservations as they come available 6 months in advance.

Wright's beach is not a place to go if you expect to swim in the ocean. There is a very strong rip current just off the beach, and the park rangers are more than happy to regale you with stories of those who have been sucked under. I was indeed amused by the sign near the bathroom which depicts a cartoon man in a spin cycle under a wave.

Starting immediately from the campground is the Sonoma Coast Trail, which makes its way along the meadows above the beach, all the way to Goat Rock. This relatively flat hike will take you 3 miles across some truly beautiful coastline, and our trip in mid-May included some vivid wildflower displays.

Nearby Bodega Dunes Campground is also reportedly a fine place to camp, and is easier to get into, although it is not "on the beach". No dogs are allowed on the beach here to protect the endangered Snowy Plover.

For more information

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escapegoat.net's Destination Rating System

2009-05-12T11:47:00.000-07:00

At the top of each destination entry, we'll try to give you a quick-and-dirty summary of the scene at a particular spot. Here are the criteria:

Location: Is it a nice place to be?

Weather: What can you expect for weather, depending on season?

Neighbors: Who else is camping with you, if any? Is it crowded?

Activities: Is there anything to do?

Dog: Is it a good place to bring a dog?

Facilities: What is the campground like, including bathrooms, showers, etc?

Gear Review: The Coleman Campstove

2009-05-12T07:08:00.000-07:00

For escapegoat's first gear review, we have chosen..a thirty-year-old campstove.

What? Not the latest solar-powered camp microwave or -20 degree sleeping bag?

This is the campstove that matters, and possibly the piece of camping gear by which all others will be measured. Simply, it works, and keeps working. And, you can probably pick up a good one at a garage sale for less than $5.

I grew up with this Coleman propane campstove. It outlived my parent's VW poptop, survived all the years of Boy Scouts, frying bacon, boiling water, and hundreds of miles of washboard roads.

Once one of the burners quit working. I took the top off and looked inside the carburetor tube. Sure enough, a spider had built a nest inside, and with a quick swish in the nearby lake, the tube was clean and the stove back to normal.

The Coleman stove boils my coffee water as quickly as my range at home, has plenty of wind protection, and the burner controls can be finely adjusted.

This stove does have a few drawbacks. Because of the wind flaps, a pan larger than 10" won't center on the burner. Also, propane is useless in cold temperatures (get the white gas version).

Coleman now has upwards of 8 models of campstove. There is a model very similar to this one which sells for $50. Everything seems to be there, but I think the quality of the valves has declined, so that it's more difficult to properly adjust the flame. Some models have push-button ignition, which would be a very welcome feature in the morning before coffee.

When you're camping, all that really matters about your gear is that it works and can be expected to work many trips in the future. The Coleman campstove is a classic piece of equipment that will serve as a standard.

Welcome to escapegoat.net!

2009-05-10T19:12:00.000-07:00

Welcome to escapegoat! If you consider yourself a camper, you are in the right place. Here you will find new places to explore, and ideas for making your trip even better.

You can see that escapegoat is starting small--that's because we are people like you who love to venture into the outdoors. In the future you will find trip reports, camp recipes, honest gear reviews, photo galleries and more. Whether you are a backpacker looking for serene wilderness, a family looking for a campground next to a lake, or a 4x4 or motorcycle explorer, we hope to offer you the destinations you crave!