into everyone's life, a little rain must fall

Over this last week we got about two and a half days of heavy rainfall to be exact, and I welcomed the break from the warmer weather we've been having. Then there was the other kind of rain falling into my life. The shoes I ordered arrived but we ran into a problem. Mine were fine and I can't wait to break them in after the mud dries up a little. It was Bridgette's shoes that were the problem. The maker had resized them and the smallest size available is not too big for her paws. I called asking and pleading if they would make at least one pair in her size, but they wouldn't budge. They did offer me an alternative by way of a different model line that they do make in her size. Although not quite as cool as the Grip Trex they are still better than her original ones. I had to order them direct from the maker since REI didn't carry them, but I had to shell out for shipping even though they were cheaper. I saved a little so it's not all bad.

I went to return her shoes and wound up picking up some hiking pants instead. They're the REI Sahara hiking pants and were on sale so I still got some cash back on the exchange. I didn't realize just how badly I needed these things until wore them on my hike yesterday. The light weight and quick dry features are a welcome change over the old khaki cargo pants or shorts I usually wear. I realize I may be a bit of a late comer to this but didn't realize the weight would make such a dramatic difference on a hike. The beagle and I knocked out an almost six mile hike in about an hour and a half yesterday because of it.

I also didn't get the trailer tires replaced this weekend as planned. I forgot to write down the tire size last weekend and couldn't have them place the order for them in time for this weekend. I corrected that today so they'll be there ready and waiting this coming Saturday.

In case anyone hasn't noticed. The frequency of my weekend trailer visits has increased recently. There've been lots of reasons for this, but mainly I needed a quiet place to think and work out what's been going on in my life lately. My trailer is finally living up to it's name in being the haven I needed. I've been seriously wondering if now'ish is the right time to pull up stakes. It's a game of chicken with fate at present. Here are some of the game pieces I'm dealing with. The longer I work, the more I save. When my parents reach the point where I have to be there to care for them. How much longer can I stand the work commute. Will my position still exist with all the changes they're making at the company. And a few other odds and ends but that's pretty much it. No decisions or dates have been made or set yet, and the status quo is allowing me to save. I think that's the answer right there. Keep the status quo and keep saving until one of the aforementioned factors decides it for me.

I think now is a good time to take the beagle out on another hike.

happy zombie jesus day

I completely forgot what today was and misplanned my weekend errands. Oh well, I adapted and managed to get some of what I set out to do done. Since I had time to kill I picked up some lunch and payed the trailer an unscheduled visit. During lunch I noticed things were a little dusty in there and gave the place a nice spring cleaning afterwards. Nap time! 

The phone woke us up about an hour later, it was mom calling to wish us a happy easter. After the call I kept laying in the bunk and daydreamed for bit. I'm really looking forward to the day when I'm no longer working for the man.

In the meantime I've got a date with The Walking Dead and some Indian food tonight. Hope your day and night was a good one too.

"Obscurity and a competence. That is the life that is best worth living." - Mark Twain

baby needs a new pair of shoes redux

Well not just baby as things turned out. I've had my Vibram KSO Trek's for a little over two years, and the beagle her Ruffwear Bark'N Boots for eight (a gift from her aunt). In that time we've both logged a lot of miles on them with B's easily beating mine by six extra years. Anyways, even though you probably can't tell from the picture above they're all pretty ragged and coming apart at the seams. We all need new shoes.

I ordered Bridgette the Ruffwear Grip Trex shoes, and really like the improvments they've made in them. The new ones have a pleat at the top which helps with keeping the shoes secure and from being loose or thrown as a result. They also added treading to the soles. The old ones had a rubber/leather kind of bottom to them and kept sharp stuff from poking thru or slippng on mossy rocks when crossing streams. The old ones look more like prototypes in comparrison. I'm looking forward to seeing them in action nonetheless.

I ordered myself the Vibram Spiridon LS's. I picked them over getting the same pair again because they had a more aggressive tread as well as offering a bit more protection. It's not that the old pair didn't protect me so much as Texas hill country is pretty brutal on shoes. Especially if you like to go off path as I often do. They are kind of expensive, but I got them for 20% off at REI's annual dividend sale. That combined with the my dividend saved me about $40 off the total price. 

I held off replacing the travel trailer tires a few weeks ago because I wanted to research the brands a bit more. The guy at the shop recommended Carlisle's stating they were a little cheaper but just as good as the leading competitor (Maxxis). I'm not saying Carlisle is a bad brand, but they're not as great as some make them out to be. I was able to get a couple of first hand accounts regarding their performance in comparrison to Maxxis tires and am glad I held off to do the homework. I'm going with Maxxis and gonna get my baby reshoed next weekend.