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Home » Archive for  Musings (Page 10)

Category: Musings

My views on life, the universe, and everything.

Simply Walking

Posted onNovember 18, 2016February 7, 2017AuthorPaul Mags5 Comments

Walking. It is simple, enjoyable and healthy. And if you are thinking of a long hike, something you should be doing. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsexercise, simplicity, time bank, walking

Mad Libs – Gear review edition

Posted onNovember 16, 2016January 3, 2021AuthorPaul Mags11 Comments

Love to read about gear? Save yourself some time. Use this gear review template for the majority of your future gear review needs! Read More …

CategoriesGear, MusingsTagsfavorite, gear review

Backcountry Moratorium in Arches National Park

Posted onNovember 15, 2016January 3, 2021AuthorPaul Mags18 Comments

The backcountry is currently closed effectively in Arches National Park. And camping will soon be, too. At least for a little bit. Some thoughts. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsColorado Plateau, utah, Wildness

Wild places: Islands in the sea?

Posted onNovember 3, 2016January 3, 2021AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

Some thoughts on recent events that perhaps show how increasingly rare wild places will become in the coming years. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsactivism, favorite, Wildness

Musings on Hatch Green Chile, 4oz can

Posted onOctober 6, 2016November 17, 2023AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

And now for a review of something that is very important: An item of food. Why? Because if you don’t think food is important, you don’t backpack enough. 😉 Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsbackpacking, food, luxury items, New Mexico

Wonderful fall

Posted onSeptember 28, 2016September 28, 2016AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Fall. The best time to be outside. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsbackpacking, camping, Fall, hiking

The AliExpress wormhole

Posted onSeptember 27, 2016April 26, 2025AuthorPaul Mags6 Comments

AliExpress is becoming more and more of a choice for outdoor gear. Some observations. Read More …

CategoriesGear, MusingsTagsbudget gear

FKT meets Jerry Springer

Posted onSeptember 23, 2016September 24, 2016AuthorPaul Mags10 Comments

Another FKT record. And then another controversy. So it goes. And will probably be how it will go again next year. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsFKT

Happy 100th birthday to the NPS!

Posted onAugust 25, 2016November 17, 2023AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

Today is the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. And that also means the lesser known National Monuments are part of this celebration, too Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsAncestral Pueblo, anniversary, Colorado National Monument, Colorado Plateau, High Plains, National Monuments, national park service

Mountain bikes in the wilderness

Posted onAugust 15, 2016December 20, 2017AuthorPaul Mags7 Comments

Thoughts on mountain bikes in designated wilderness areas. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsmountain bikes, Wildness

Who are you?

Posted onAugust 12, 2016November 25, 2023AuthorPaul Mags10 Comments

I was asked recently “What kind of hiking am I doing?” Here’s an answer. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsdefinitions, hiking, labels, time bank

Bears and food storage: Looking ahead

Posted onAugust 10, 2016April 26, 2025AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

In the backcountry, regulations mandating bear canisters are becoming more common. I see more of these mandates in the years ahead. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsbear canisters, bear resistant food container, bears, ursack

Alphabet Soup Hiking

Posted onAugust 3, 2016January 3, 2021AuthorPaul Mags7 Comments

Just a term I use to describe a certain mentality and type of hiking. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsalphabet soup, favorite, thru hiking

Memento mori

Posted onJune 16, 2016February 7, 2017AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Musings on a Roman fresco. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsfresco, Roman, time bank, work life balance

REI’s #optinside campaign

Posted onJune 10, 2016April 25, 2025AuthorPaul Mags8 Comments

Having big sales for the outdoors on weekends rather than weekdays and evenings? Because a lifestyle is being sold. Selling outdoor gear is secondary. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTags#optinside, #optoutside

Maps are dead? Long live maps!

Posted onJune 8, 2016April 12, 2018AuthorPaul Mags5 Comments

The death of maps are greatly exaggerated. Here’s why. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagselectronics, maps, navigation

In defense of car camping

Posted onJune 3, 2016January 3, 2021AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

I’ve backpacked thousands of miles. But there are times when car camping is preferable. Here’s why I feel that way. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagscamping, car camping, favorite, Wildness

Corporate sponsorship in the National Parks?

Posted onMay 17, 2016June 20, 2025AuthorPaul Mags11 Comments

The National Park Service is actively courting corporate sponsorship. Is that good? Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsactivism, National Parks, Wildness

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A Quick Guide to Moab

The Squak – A readily available, $60, active-focused grid fleece hoodie from a Utah-based company. Read the review.

Women’s | Men’s | Children’s   

The Squak Camp Dress 

One of Joan’s favorites!

The Squak Alpha Fleece 

                                                                    

– 15% off coupon = PMAGS-SQUAK                                                                                                      

  • REI: Shop Deal of the Day at REI Garage!
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Our original plan had to be modified due to the weather. Putting in long miles on a dirt road with thunderstorms rolling through would not have made for a good weekend.
A couple of days meandering near Moab.
Moody day in Moab
@ramblinghemlock and I spent one last day in Wisconsin. We visited Aztalan State Park, where ancestral mound builders established an outlier connected to Cahokia further downriver. A few hundred people lived here, shaping a piece of history I did not learn about until well into my 20s.
Another day meandering through Wisconsin woods and prairie. We hiked along rivers, visited a natural landmark once used by voyageurs, and saw pictographs, petroglyphs, and mounds left by the ancestors of the Ho-Chunk people.
A rain and cold day means "section hiking" the Ice Age Trail where @ramblinghemlock 's folks live here in town.

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    • From The Web
    • Thru Hikes, Long Walks, or Routes
      • My Alphabet Soup summary
      • Vermont’s Long Trail
      • Appalachian Trail
      • Pacific Crest Trail
      • Colorado Trail
      • Continental Divide Trail
      • Ring The Peak Trail (Pike’s Peak)
      • Benton Mackaye Trail
      • Tahoe Rim Trail
      • Uinta Highline Trail
      • Collegiate Loop
      • A Walk Across Southern Utah
      • Great Divide Trail (Canada)
      • The Northern New Mexico Loop
      • Grand – Moab Route
      • SEUG Circuit
      • A Walk Across New England
    • Other Outdoor Jaunts
      • Utah
      • Colorado
      • New Mexico
      • Arizona
      • California
      • Florida
      • Georgia
      • Nebraska
      • New England
      • Nevada
      • North Carolina
      • Oregon
      • South Dakota
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    • New to the outdoors? Start here!
    • Getting Started
    • Quick Tips
    • Trip Planning
    • Quick and Dirty Guides
    • Food
    • Gear
      • All Gear Posts
      • Gear Reviews
      • Gear Quivers
      • Gear Lists
      • Budget Gear
      • What I’m Wearing
      • Clothing and related
      • Footwear
      • Packs
      • Shelters and related
      • Sleeping bags, quilts, and pads
      • Stoves, cooking, and related
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      • Water containers
    • Road trip and car camping – gear and techniques
    • Winter trip reports, gear overviews, tips, and techniques
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