The Great Outsmores

I know what your thinking, paddle boats are for girls.  With Hobie Cat Mirage Adventure Island you can propel yourself via paddle, pedal, or sail. And it looks pretty stable too.  Technically, they’re not paddles -they’re a “Mirage Drive” which is like two fins that somehow propel you through the use of two fins hooked up to bicycle pedals.  Here’s some features from Hobie’s website:

• A boomless, roller-furling sail rig similar to the rig on the Hobie Bravo with plenty of sail area for excellent performance, completely manageable from the cockpit with the pull of a line.
• Two retractable amas that fold up against the side of the boat, again with the simple pull of a line, for easy docking, maneuverability, and transport.
• The cockpit is the stable platform of the Hobie Mirage Adventure Kayak, offering full versatility as a pedaling kayak when conditions are not convenient for sailing. All 2007 model year Adventure Kayaks, including the Fish model, will have inserts molded into the hulls so that they may be upgraded to an Adventure Island with a kit available through the Parts Department. The ama colors will be limited, and the Adventure Island will cost more when purchased via an upgrade kit rather than purchased initially as a complete boat package.
• The Hobie Mirage Drive allows the boat to be pedaled while under sail, or simply pedaled with the sail furled for versatility not found in any other sailboat.
• The Adventure Island is loaded with additional standard features such as a daggerboard; oversized “Twist and Stow” rudder; Mast and Sail Cover; and an Ama/Daggerboard Bag.

If it just had a built in cooler……..

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A couple of folks asked, so I wanted to share. I must have been good this year, cause Santa was as good to me as I ever remember.

First up, a Coleman Duel Fuel lantern. I’ve had an old propane powered single mantle lantern for years, and it’s been great. But this was a huge step up not only for the extra mantle, but that it can run on arguably the most available fuel around: unleaded gasoline.

This will be (i hope) more convenient for resupplying on longer trips, since gas stations are more prevalent than Walmarts in the boonies. Also, it’s always a pain when having to track down a REI or Walmart when travelling via plane.

Nalgene makes a great product, as best covered here. North Face also makes a great product. Both companies have been criticized lately for getting away from their core businesses, but this has got to be a home run!

On the outside, a super tough lexan skin sporting the NF logo. Inside, is a slide out plastic liner that won’t hold the smell and taste of booze (scotch flavored vodka must be awful). The outer part of the cap (blue part) actually slides off, making a neat little jigger sized measuring cup!

Lastly, I just can’t figure out how he got down the chimney with this one. Nothing less than a 17 foot red Mad River canoe, with a square back. Actually, my wife got me this, making me the luckiest man on the planet. I mean, who gets their husband something that will inevitably lead to more weekend days away from her on the river? This can only mean that she wants to come along…..

I spend so much time working, playing, working, working, playing, charity working….. I forget sometimes to stop and be thankful for all those around me that care so much. I guess that’s the most important part of Christmas, the thoughts and best wishes that these material things represent, not the things themselves.

That said, I look forward to testing the last two out this weekend!

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Former Adairsville City Councilman and current mayoral candidate Tommy Young called The Daily Tribune News Thursday to say Cabela’s has withdrawn plans to come to the city in northern Bartow County.

 Full article

 I’m bummed, even though the other big box outfitter, Bass Pro is a good hike for me, I’d love to see Cabela’s come to Atlanta.  Rumor is, it might be further South toward Atlanta.

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A heads up to you outdoors folk….  TheGearJunkie.com is giving away some very cool stuff every week in celebration of it’s one year anniversary.

Here’s the gear:

•  Jetboil PCS Camp Stove
• GoPro Digital HERO 3
• Osprey Circuit
• Ahnu Footwear’s SoMa travel shoe
• Kelty Lightyear 15 (Women’s) Sleeping Bag
• La Sportiva Onix GTX-XCR
• Origo Pedometer Watch
• Primus EtaPower Multifuel backpacking stove
• SOLE DK+ footbed
• Gregory Z22 backpack
• Osprey Talon 11
• Outdoor Research Men’s Furio Jacket
• Outdoor Research Women’s Enigma Jacket
• Pacsafe DaySafe 100

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