Eco-Friendly Camping Equipment Winners and Losers

As a camper, I like gadgets that are multifunctional and portable. As a tree-hugger, I like inventions that minimize our negative footprint. As a woman, I like to shop and see some of the latest trends. Hence my list of Eco-Friendly Camping Equipment Winners and Losers for September.

WINNER Popup Solar Shelter You know that you're doing some posh camping when you have a portable shower and changing station. With a size of 4′ x 4′ x 6’6″, the tent provides ample space for adults. It was created with privacy in mind, so the materials are opaque yet there is plenty of ventilation along the top for air and light. Enjoy the added convenience of a 5-gallon PVC Solar Shower. It's no spa but it's better than a bucket of water or the potentially questionable bathrooms at your camp site.

 LOSER Solar Face Shield  Okay, so I appreciate the concept. Smearing chemicals all over your skin at set intervals of time in an effort to protect yourself from the sun is a health hazardous double-edged sword. Without it, your cells are at the mercy of the sun’s rays. With it, your still stuffing your pores with chemicals at best and absorbing carcinogens at worse. But this face mask is hideous. Who is going to walk around in that? Maybe as part of a Halloween costume but it just doesn’t seem cool.

WINNER Black Hills Solar Charger Backpack Having a power charger is like a vital necessity for today’s campers and hikers. Charge your GPS, batteries, smartphone, and other devices with this Black Hills backback. It holds 25 litres of your stuff and can deliver an output of 6V. The battery gives your about 3.7V. You can also change the internal battery using an AC adapter or USB cable, increasing this pack’s awesomeness.

WINNER Solar Powered Baseball Cap At first, this was going to be a loser. I thought to myself, it’s like a headlamp that just looks less nerdy than a headlamp. But doesn’t that make it great? I feel like an idiot with that silly trap tied to my skull and that appendage-like lamp protruding from my forehead. A baseball cap just looks cooler. Besides, it blocks your eyes from the sun during the day and provides you with light during the night.

Finding the Right Jacket for Rain, Wind, and Cold

With the fall underway, it is time for me to stock up on outdoor gear for cooler weather. After leaving much of my stuff in Paraguay post-Peace Corps service (the stuff was already old and I needed to make room for souvenirs) I experienced the first cool week of fall in Atlanta just to remember that I didn’t have a jacket, a rain coat, or gloves so I started shopping around online.

I’m an obsessive comparison shopper. There are so many options in the world, I like to make sure that I’m getting the best quality for my budget. If you are like me, hopefully this post will save you a few hours.

I wanted a jacket is: 1.) water resistant and wind resistant yet breathable 2.) hooded 3.) light enough to tuck into my pack when hiking yet thick enough to keep me warm since I get cold easily 4.) figure flattering on my petite frame. Oh, and if possible, I’d like to keep it under $100.

Columbia 3-in-1 Bugaboo

Columbia 3-in-1 Bugaboo Interchange Parka

I originally stopped into Bass Pro shop for hiking socks. I generally don’t shop there because I’m not an avid hunter or fisher and I always assumed that’s what the store was all about. Not true. While you can find everything you need for the aforementioned sports there’s also a decent department for outerwear and active wear. In addition to finding the socks (Redhead, $9) I also came across a Columbia 3-in-1 Bugaboo Interchange Parka for $160 and thought that I was in love. It’s waterproof with taped seams, wind resistant, has the Columbia Omni-heat technology, and has the added bonus of being worn as a fleece jacket, a raincoat shell, or zipping them together for maximum protection in diverse conditions. The Bugaboo felt warm and comfortable but a bit bulky because I was trying on a medium (I’m 5’3’’, 110lbs). I felt that the medium provided more than enough space for layers and the sleeves passed my knuckles so I opted for a small. No smalls on the rack. The kind sales rep put in an order for me with a nearby store.

I read reviews when I got home and learned that just about everyone loved the jacket. The downsides are that, for some, the back of the jacket isn’t low enough to protect your bum while sitting. There were rave reviews for Columbia’s durability and resistance to the elements. A female hiker was just getting a new jacket after ten years, and that was only because the old jacket didn’t fit anymore.

The North Face Cedar Falls Triclimate Jacket

The North Face Cedar Falls Triclimate

As I waited for Bass Pro Shop to call and let me know that my order had arrived, I stopped into the Sports Authority to get a wicking shirt with my boyfriend. Waiting for him to shift through the inventory, I began to browse as well. What do I find other than another super cute interchange jacket, this time The North Face Cedar Falls Triclimate Jacket in Moonlight Ivory. It first caught my attention because it’s just so lovely. It’s got a sophisticated cut to it, which is more versatile for my purposes. I could wear it around town and not look like I just crawled out of the state park. When I am at the state park, Cedar Falls has all the fixings that I liked for outdoor play. It’s waterproof with taped seams, windproof, breathable yet warm (I still don’t know how they do that) and has eight pockets, four of which have zipper closures. The waist has a drawstring to block out cold, and the hood is fully adjustable as well. I pulled the Cedar Park off the rack and tried it on. The angels were singing more loudly this time.



The only disadvantage is that the hood doesn’t detach; not much of a problem for me because the hood lays flat. The medium fits beautifully, allowing room for layers underneath but it's still flattering on my figure. With a price tag of $99 thanked the shopping gods and made the purchase. I promptly canceled my order for the Bugaboo with Bass Pro.

The North Face Atlas Triclimate

I came across more durable and versatile jackets in the higher price ranges. The North Face Atlas Triclimate has a two-toned fleece that is thicker than Cedar Fall's. The Atlas comes with pit zips and a detachable hood. As much as I’d love to have those features, I couldn’t find it online under $230. The Passport Triclimate has all of the aforementioned features with the addition of an insulated lining. It’s also about $230. But let’s face it. I live in Atlanta, Georgia. I don’t ski and I don’t plan on hiking the Himalayas anytime soon so Cedar Falls provides sufficient for warmth and protection for what I need. (One reviewer from Michigan exclaimed, “It was 3 degrees this morning but I was toasty in my Atlas Triclimate!” It’s never that cold here, which just proved that I didn’t need the $130 upgrade.)

Lessons Learned:
1.)Try stores outside of your comfort zone. You never know what you might find!
2.) Be lame and create a list of what you need in a jacket. Make sure that your jacket meets the requirements and see any additional features as bonuses. If the bonuses are going to break your budget, just say no. That money can be used for other items that you need later.

I'll update you on the jacket's performance as soon I we get some inclement weather!

Camping at Lake Lanier and Getting Hit by Bikes at Roswell Park

I enjoyed my first camping trip to Lake Hartwell so much that I wanted to go camping again and bring my sister, brother-in-law, and my dog Riley. We decided to go to Lake Lanier the weekend after Labor Day.

My sister was a summer camp counselor so she’s been there, done that with the camping thing. My brother-in-law has also camped before and he grew up playing in forests, mountains, and fields in Germany so I figured neither of them would have any serious issues with camping at a relatively posh site like Lake Lanier. They didn’t. Not that we gave them anything to worry about. My boyfriend and I set up the tents and everything so that my siblings could arrive like royalty and just enjoy the night. (It was a post-anniversary gift).

The Sawnee camp sites at Lake Lanier are larger than those at Lake Hartwell but they are also a bit closer together, it seems. The Lake has 692 miles of shoreline offering plenty of campsites for people who want easy access to the water. Again, the drought* has taken its toll on this lake, too, but we were still equipped with a nice view and plenty of wet space to cool off in.

But that’s not what we did. My boyfriend has got problems with lake water (“It’s slimy!”) so we opted to hike instead. (Note: dogs aren’t allowed on the trails at Lanier. Riley had to sit this one out.) My boyfriend and I took the 3.8 mile trail that skims much of the lake and veers off into the forest. The hike was quite pleasant: most of the trail is shaded and there are little wooden footbridges throughout that direct you over marshes and small streams. We saw a family of deer (4 or 5) and crossed paths with a turtle that was headed toward the highway. We redirected him and hoped he took the hint.

The paths are well marked in most areas and points of interest, though not very interesting to me, helped us to gauge the distance and the route. There are about 20 beaches on the lake and we passed two of them along the trail. We also passed three rest stops and two small playgrounds so there is plenty of opportunity to rest for anyone who needs a respite. We strolled at a comfortable, moderate pace and made it back to our starting point in 2.5 hours. The trail is easy without much elevation gain.

One good thing about Lake Lanier is the team of rangers that walk around handing out fliers and talking to people about when the floodgates open. They really want to prevent accidents and they do what they can to keep the dam and its guests safe; it’s up to the guests to heed their advice. The ranger we spoke with really seemed to love his job and was quite helpful.

I felt bad that Riley wasn’t able to hike with us at Lanier so we went to nearby Roswell Park. The original intent was to do a bit of geocaching (Riley would’ve liked the off-road action) but we doubted that my sister and brother-in-law would dig it so we stuck to the paved trail. Maybe next time.

Roswell Park trails are comfortable to walk with very few stretches that aren’t covered. The wooden bridge reportedly gets very slippery when wet and it can be dangerous for joggers and bikers. Oh, the bikers… they add a different dynamic to the trail experience. I love bikes and bikers, don’t get me wrong. It’s just an additional thing to think about when you’re walking, especially with a dog or child. “On your left!” is what most bikers shout before zooming by (thank you!) but sometimes they don’t say anything at all. You don’t know a stealthy road bike is coming until a handlebar clips your elbow and you feel a breeze pass. Sometimes the bikers do shout but the runners have their headphones in and don’t hear them. Quite a few near collisions. The biker/runner relationship can get a bit strained at Roswell Park because of that.

Image Credits: Lake Lanier Path
Young Biker
Woman by the Water

Labor Day at Lake Hartwell, GA

I’ve always wanted to go hiking but lacked the equipment and the people to do it with. (Of course, the second that I mentioned that I’m going camping half a million friends come out the woodworks who are also into camping but never mentioned it.) Anyway, I didn’t have to do much persuading to get my boyfriend to take me out over the Labor Day weekend.

All the sites close to Atlanta were taken so he looked farther north and found Lake Hartwell. It was constructed by the Army Corp of Engineers and there were quite a few campsites available. He assured me that my first time camping wouldn’t be too “hardcore” and he was right. I was actually quite spoiled.

Lake Hartwell rests a pleasant drive up I-85, close to the South Carolina border. Once you get off of the interstate there are a few miles of winding roads that lead to the lake but with a halfway decent GPS there shouldn’t be a problem finding it, especially since the Corps did a great job with posting signs.

The ranger, a mature woman with gray curls, a bright smile and a warm Southern accent, welcomed us and immediately told us that the sight we picked wasn’t “very nice.” With 56,000 acres of park there were more spaces to choose from. “There are quite a few sites that are open,” she said, scribbling the numbers of the available sites on the back of our pass. “Take a look at them and feel free to pick another.”

We did as she said and got a much better site well within walking distance to the bathrooms and showers. The sites are well maintained. Ours came with the standard picnic table and a grill. We set up the tent, an REI Hobitat 4, and inflated the mattress (yes, I know that’s cheating). Even with the mattress inflated, we had sufficient space in the 4 person tent to be comfortable. Since he promised me posh camping, my boyfriend took me to dinner in downtown Hartwell. There are choices but keep in mind that it is a small, small town.

We settled on Mi Jalisco, a Mexican restaurant in a strip mall that wasn’t as pleasant on the eyes as it was on the palate. The staff was extremely kind (it helps to speak Spanish, of course) and the food proved to be delicious. My boyfriend ordered a chorizo nachos appetizer that was loaded. It could’ve been an entrée for a moderate appetite. He was in heaven. I ordered a shrimp fajita quesadilla with spinach that tasted divine. My margarita was a bit more tart than I prefer but it got the job done. My companion ordered some creamy shrimp plate with beans and rice; he wasn’t feeling the creamy sauce but everything else was good. We give it a 7.5/10 which is decent with a Tapatio judging the restaurant.

We rushed back to the site to make it before 10:30pm. We basically slid under the gate. At the site, our neighbor came by to make sure his generator wasn’t going to bother us. We carried on a good conversation until the mosquitoes came to eat us all alive. We scurried to the bathrooms (which were very clean and well stocked) washed up, and headed back to the campsite.

I slept well on the comfy air mattress and woke up to a view of the lake. It's a large lake with 962 miles of shoreline but it wasn’t at the height of its grandeur due to the drought (sigh). The deepest point is usually 200 feet but I could tell that wasn't the case that weekend and the other visitors were having to work around the low water levels. With a bit more water I could imagine that Lake Hartwell would be a great destination for water sports and activities, an alternative to the more crowded Lake Lanier and Lake Allatoona.

Have you visited Lake Hartwell? What are your thoughts?

Image Credits: Lake Hartwell
Shrimp Quesadilla

Hiking at Amicalola Falls

Hiking at Amicalola Falls was my first hike since returning from the Peace Corps. It was an excellent start, a low to moderate intensity hike with lots of shade, well-marked paths, and a stunning view at the top.

The day began at the visitors’ center where we met a ranger and his friendly great horned owl. If you’ve never seen one of these bad boys in real life, they’re amazing. Seriously, their eyes are huge, their heads really do a 360 (okay, not really) and their talons could easy carry away my dog. There were an array of snakes on display as well as maps marking the Appalachian Trail and relics from the trail’s first hikers.

We arrived to the trailhead soon after. My boyfriend planned the hike right before my birthday (mid-August) so he gave me one of my gifts early, a Camelbak L.U.X.E. in blue and gray. It certainly came in handy. It is my first hydration backpack and I simply adore it. Whenever I got thirsty I just tugged the straw and—tah dah!—instant hydration without the annoyance of holding a water bottle while hiking or having to unsnap/dig the bottle out of a backpack. The only disadvantage was that the fluid in the tube gets warm overtime so the first sip is warm before the fresh, cool fluid rushes through the tube.

As for the hike, it starts with a gentle incline and gradually zig-zags through the forest. Points of interest along the way include a large tree that was hallowed out by lightening (I think) and a 1940s-style pickup truck that is lodged and rusting on the cliff. Both were fun photo ops.

I’m not in excellent shape so I was surprised that I didn’t get winded during the walk to the bottom of the falls. We chatted casually, joyfully even. Until we got to the stairs. I had to tilt my head back to see the top. I glared at my boyfriend.
“You said that this would be a relaxing hike,” I murmured. I don’t remember his response because I was too busy fuming. I hate stairs with a passion and there were 175 of them looming overhead. I looked at the bottom of the falls, which was lovely, and figured that the view from the top would be even better. He assured me that it was and thus began the ascent. (Note: it is possible to drive to the top of the falls if you’d like.)


No lie, I stopped three times. We played stair-style leap frog with another couple who was stopping at alternate intervals. I was surprised to find that my legs weren’t really tired, just the burn of some lactic acid, but my endurance sucked. I don’t think the elevation is high enough to effect our bodies but I know that I could hear my blood pumping in my ears and that’s when we stopped.
It was well worth it! I felt like a champion when we finally reached the top and I was rewarded with a view of a small but beautiful waterfall. Amicalola is derived from the Cherokee word for “tumbling waters.” Due to the drought the falls weren’t tumbling and full as they could’ve been but it was still a sight to see. Other hikers had tossed coins and roses at the top of the falls, some lodge in the rocks and puddles.

The view down the mountain wasn’t nearly as nice as the view overlooking the southern peaks of the Appalachian Mountains. I didn’t think we were that high but Amicalola Falls is the highest falls east of the Mississippi (at 729 feet) and we could see for miles and miles.

At the top of the falls there are places to picnic and other trails that veer off into the mountains. We went geocaching and actually found the cache after about 30 minutes (woo-hoo!). Another fun photo op.

We hiked back to the bottom and enjoyed a picnic at a table adjacent to a stream, close to a visitors’ center. Overall it was a great way to get back into the hiking scene.

Photo Credits: Amicalola Falls
View from Top of Falls