Archive for November, 2011
Backyard Sanctuary
When I get home from a busy day of work, it’s nice to have a sanctuary. My wife runs a daycare out of our house, so the living room is generally crawling with kids. My teenage son dominates the den with his videogames and guitar practice. More often than not, my only recourse is to retreat to the backyard screen house.
The Eureka screen house is a haven of peace and quiet. The only audible sound is the soft, steady click of the automated sprinkler system. I can catch up on some reading material or just take a brief nap before dinner. Occasionally the kids will come in and talk to me about their day – or, more often, ask for some money. In any case, I can always look forward to coming home to the screen house and relaxing in the warm summer air.
Hiking Tent Weight
Campers who tote their gear along in cars don’t have to worry about weight so much as space, but a backpacker needs to be concerned with both. Backpackers weigh their packs by the ounce and consider each item carefully before including it wit their gear. The most weight-conscious backpackers will generally carry a quality two person tent that weighs in at five to six pounds, or a solo tent that can weigh as little as three pounds.
If you’re planning a ip with several people, there are backpacking tents available that will suit your needs. A backpacking tent can sleep four people, fold down small and are a lightweight at eight pounds. Larger tents that sleep six to eight people can start weighing in the teens and even twenties. If you want everyone to sleep in the same tent then you may consider sharing the weight during the trip; however, it is probably easier when traveling with multiple backpackers that everyone, or every other person, carry a one to two person, lightweight tent.