Trail Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe

Ever since I was a kid I've loved tuna noodle casserole.  It's that home cooked meal you need every once in a while...especially my moms.  She use to make it "perfect" every time and I try to achieve that about once a month on my own at the house.  As a follower of the YouTube channel UrbanPrepper I saw he was having a "Bug Out Cook Out" contest.  I wondered if I could make tuna noodle (aka tuna nooda as my son calls it) on my backpacking pot and stove.  So I generated a recipe and gave it a shot.  Here is the end result:

I'm very surprised how it came out.  I'm sure I could tweak the ingredients and make it very close to "my" homemade version, but this was darn near perfect on the first shot.  I searched the web to see if another folks were cooking this dish on trail (after my first attempt) and found a few variants, but they were nowhere near my version with a creamy mushroom base.  Total success as far as I'm concerned.

So now I can basically cook a home cooked meal on the trail.  Perfect way to prepare for a chilly night on the mountain.  Thanks for the motivation UrbanPrepper!

DIY Alcohol Backpacking Stove Test Burn

So this weekend I got into building some lightweight alcohol burning stoves for backpacking.  I've been watching Tinny and WoodenArrows on YouTube and they've got me thinking of how I can build some stoves and pots for myself.  

I started with some Dollar Store aluminum water bottles and some Miller Light aluminum bottles.  The video below is the first "useable" stove I made.  I pretty much crushed the first one (on left) when I was trying to fit the two parts together and the third (on right) I changed the jet arraignment to see if I could make it more efficient.  I used the beer bottles to make some lightweight versions that are still being finished.  I plan on testing those soon.  As you can see these stoves can heat water quickly.  This one is the stove in the middle.  I still need to build a windscreen and do some actual field testing before taking these little guys with me.  

 

Aluminum Bottle Backpacking Stoves

Gave it my first serious try at making some alcohol burning stoves.  This is from a dollar store water bottle.  Still trying to figure out the most efficient way to boil water.  Testing in progress see video below.

It's is done!

I'm back!  Just finished my first overnight backpacking experience.  It was everything I expected and so much more. I learned a ton!  My gear and pack out list need some work, but  I'm ready to share my experiences.  In the next few weeks I'll be posting on my trip, the gear and the lessons learned (some harder than others).  Stay tuned!  

Route Research Done

Google Earth is the sh!t!  I knew it could do some cool stuff, but these were scans to PDF's I imported and registered.  My whole trip is in all it's three dimension glory.    Heck I've even been scouting my campsite for the best views on my route.  Much more coming.  

Backpacking Trip

Been planning my backpacking trip for later in July.  Wasn't able to do the whole Art Loeb Trail due to a logistics issue, but I have a good alternative.  As I get closer I'll post my gear and routes.  Stay tuned! 

Art Loeb Trail This Summer

IT'S ON!!!  Today I dropped the idea that I'm interested in doing a overnight hike while we're on family vacation near Mount Pisgah, NC.  The wife looked at me and said "By yourself...your weird!"

With that comment...she picked up a MSR Pocket Rocket Stove and a few clothing items I'll need as a Fathers Day gift.  Not sure if they we're planned, but YES!!!  We're in business.

I've been a day hiker and camper for many years, but now I need to get my backpacking skills ready.  Watch me plan here.  

Inaugural Run for the Dream Half Marathon Review

One thing I now know!  Williamsburg has a lot of rolling hills!  Last weekend I had the opportunity to run in the inaugural Run for the Dream Half Marathon held in Williamsburg Virginia.  I was very happy with the experience and here is feedback about the event:

This event spanned the etire weekend with two races.  An 8k on Saturday (21 May) and the 1/2 Marathon (22 May).

Proceeds from the event benefited "An Achievable Dream", which is a nationally recognized K-12 school dedicated to the belief that all children can learn and succeed regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds, and that education can break the cycle of poverty.

The race also benefitted the Wounded Warriors Program, which is dedicated to assisting and advocating for the severely wounded, ill and injured members of the armed forces and for their families.

So running for two good causes made it even more of a pleasure hit those hill's I'm going to talk about.

I participated in the 1/2.  

Packet pickup was at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitors Center.  It was an easy stop and they had just the right amount of vendors to load up on free gear, taste test and GU for the race.  The race shirt was a short sleeve moisture-wicking tee that was pretty nice. I had noticed from studying the map earlier in the week that they had a "ton" of water stops planned.  So I decided to not go with my Nathan fuel belt and picked up a SpiBelt to run with instead.  (Review coming soon) I was in and out in about five minutes. My kind of packet pick-up!

The start was very relaxed.  It didn't feel like a race at all even though they had some top runners from the region trying to establish primo times for this inaugural event.  About 2000 runners were present at the start.  Several shuttles were running from the visitors center where the bulk of the parking was to the start line.  Or your other option was to be dropped off.  The finish was about a 1/2 mile away in the William & Mary Track and Field Facility (aka Zable Stadium).  I was fortunate enough to be dropped off so I didn't experence the shuttles however I didn't hear anybody complaining about them during warm-ups.

And promptly at 7:30 am we were off!  To my surprise about 1/2 mile into the race I found myself in Colonial Williamsburg.  It was very cool needless to say.  Flanking us was the old courthouse and armory all while we were being cheered by people on bikes and locals all along the way.  It was a great way to experience all the sights.  

The race opened up to some rolling hills along some of the major roadways to Williamsburg. Down to a turnaround point near the water. Around the eight mile mark a steep hill presented a little challenge, but the motor was running fine with all the waterbreaks supporting us.  The hills did challenge many runners and I saw a good number walking past the 8 mile mark.

The end brought us back into the rear area near Zable Stadium.  A quick run up the hill and a 1/4 mile around the track and your done!  13.1 in the books - for me this was a PR.  Not sure if I was jazzed up from posting a good 10 mi time or what, but I felt compelled to push it.  

The after festivities included two beers, a bunch of food and live music.  It was a great time and again very relaxed atmosphere.  My family was able to find me quite easily and we enjoyed the rest of our day hanging out.   

When its all said and done I would definitely do this run again.  I just wish I took advantage of the free Bush Gardens and Colonial Williamsburg tickets.  Next time I'll spend more time and make a full weekend out of this event.  You won't be sorry if you do the same.  Enjoy!  

Paracord Fun!

I'm a recent Instructables Pro (paid) account subscriber.  I got it to download projects to do with my son.  While I was looking through I found a few quick paracord projects.  Pictured is the In-and-out Knot and loop Bracelet.  I made this to wear when I was hiking, camping or geocaching.  One quick cut of the knot and I have about 12-15 ft of paracord for use.  Plus it doesn't look to bad.  Post you photos if you decide to make one.  

Ready for The Run for the Dream Half Marathon Williamsburg Virginia

Just a few more days to go and I'll be hitting the road to take part in this years first 1/2 Marathon.  This weekend is the Run for the Dream 1/2 in Williamsburg, VA.  Looking forward to the race as it's the inaugural event.

We may camp or hit a cabin the night prior to.  Just to make it easier the day of the race.  Ether that or I'll just drive up that AM. All depends on weather and whats going to be easy for the group I'm running with.  Wish me luck!

Camping at North Landing Beach Campground

We'll it looks like almost a year to the date we're going back to North Landing Beach Campground. My last post about this particular outing brought back some good and bad memories.  We're going to give it a try again.  I'm hearing that its a "pirate" themed weekend so "I be practicing me piiiirate accent" all week.  My coworkers should love that!

This time we're going with some different friends who have a child the same age as ours.  Hoping to get some hiking done and maybe a geocach or two.  

North Landing Beach Campground, Virginia Beach, VA

Went and did our first family camping trip ever two weeks ago.  My wife and I have camped for many years together, but we have our son now so we took him on an adventure outdoors for the night.  Surprisingly he did very well under the circumstances and I believe we're already planning our next outing.

Friday night was a little crazy.  The "men" went out in advance and set up camp.  The women and children came out on Saturday.  Seemed like a lot of "Spring Breakers" were having a good old time on Friday night.  Heard a few people puking after too much partying and saw the cops pull a man off the property for fighting with his girlfriend.  Just enough to keep me up most of the night.  I wasn't happy, but I can deal with it.

Saturday night was much different.  Seemed like the families showed up and it was pretty quite.  Had a good Easter AM with a egg hut and all the fun  you'd expect.  Overall it was ok.  Not sure if we're going to make it back to the same campground, but was a good place to test out a two year old's desire to camp.