Missoula, Montana: A Great Family Destination

by Jamie Rhein on

In the midst of time we spend in Philipsburg, Montana every year, we make sure we have a day or two designated for Missoula. This year we spent more time then planned because of fires elsewhere. No matter. It’s a perfect place for families with multiple ages and interests. We’ve done most of what there is to do over our years of visiting.

This is a town where you can hook up with an outdoor company for float or a rafting trips of the Clark Fork or Big Blackfoot Rivers, visit Fort Missoula established in 1877 and now a museum, and ride on the Carousel for MIssoula with a wooden dragon that has a plastic sleeve with rings in it coming out of its mouth. Riders who score an outside horse attempt to grab the rings each time they go by until the last one is gone. The last ring is a golden. Whoever gets it gets a free ride. I tried this yesterday, and grabbing those rings is easier than it looks.

The carousel itself is stunning in the artistry of its horses and it goes a bit faster than most-often there are as many adults on it as kids. I wasn’t the only one. Adjacent is Dragon Hollow, a wonderous playground with outdoor musical instruments and art tiles as part of the play structure.

Another thing we’ve done a couple of times is hike up to the large white M above the University of Montana’s campus. The switchbacks make the climb not so dreadful and the view is wonderful. The town is filled with events year-round and downtown Missoula has some terrific stores for browsing. Made in Montana goods are easy to find and no matter where you shop, there’s no sales tax.

The best store, though is Rockin’ Rudy’s. There is a medley of stuff from Made in Montana goods like huckleberry jelly and candy to politically incorrect gee gaws that make fun of politicians (before the last election both George Bush Jr. and John Kerry were equally parodied in card games, chewing gum and bobble-head type stuff), great jewelry, music and videos, joke shop items, luscious smelling soaps, clothing and racks and racks of greeting cards. You really have to go there to understand the beauty in its bounty.

Here’s the “2007 Best of Missoula” article that lists what folks in Missoula like about their town. It gives me some ideas of where else to head the next time.

AmeriBags: Ergonomic and Useful

by Jamie Rhein on

If you’re looking for a bag that’s like a day pack, but less cumbersome and more sleek looking try an AmeriBag. My mom bought me my first one after she became friends with the inventors and owners of the company. The bag design came about after Margery Griffin, one of the founders hurt her back. She was looking for a bag that was a healthier fit and figured that is she wanted one, she and her husband Irwin should design one.

The reason I like the Healthy Back Tote is because it’s durable but light, and I can sling it over my shoulder. When I use a daypack, I tend to use only one strap anyway. The one pictured is only one of the colors. There are several other choices.

The AmeriBag company also has a variety of smaller bags that can be used for jewelery, toiletries or wallets. There is also a collection made to carry baby paraphelia and one with sports types like cyclists in mind. If you want to go more upscale, some items come in leather. The company has expanded its offerings into duffle bags and purses as well. You can order an entire set like this Metro collection that go together.

Travel Writer Found Dead in China

by Iva Skoch on

Bad news from the travel world today.

Clem Lindenmayer, 47, a seasoned Lonely Planet writer, was reported missing three months ago, after he had set out to climb Mount Gongga, in a remote area of south-west China. Last Thursday, villagers had found his dead body on a mountainside 4,600m (some 13,000ft) above sea level, The Independent reports.

Mr Lindenmayer was from Melbourne and spoke Mandarin, German and Spanish. He had helped to update guides to China, Malaysia, Germany and Sweden. Lonely Planet said he had “developed a special affection for the Swiss Alps”. He was an experienced hiker, author of Trekking in the Patagonian Andes, published in 2003, and Walking in Switzerland.

Tidepooling: Another Simple Pleasure

by Jamie Rhein on

As gadling reader Caz noted in a comment on one of my creek wading posts, folks in California and parts of the Southwest are hard pressed to find a creek to wade in this time of year. Tidepooling was suggested as an option. After looking for tidepooling possibilities, I’ve discovered that tidepooling is for people who live on a coast–any coast, as wading is for people who live near creeks.

I’ve been tidepooling before, but not often since I’ve never lived on a coast. I was happy to be reminded of those times. The most memorable was near York, Maine. When my daughter was small we wandered along the places where the ocean had left pools of water when the tide went out. We wandered along the craggy edges of barnacle covered rocks looking for treasures in the seawater left behind. Maine is a terrific place for tidepooling. Here’s a link to tidepooling at Acadia National Park. There is useful how tos and what to look for information. The tidepool in the photo posted by choirbell on Flickr is off the coast of Monterey, California along 17 Mile Drive.

Another place I found with tidepooling options is the Rouge River area of Oregon. According to the Web site, there are tidepooling activities for kids at Sunset Beach State Recreation site. There are also detailed descriptions of what you can find if you tidepool here.

If you’re in Southern California, check out north of Torrey Pines State Reserve. This is one suggestion from the San Diego Natural History Museum. The museum lists several others.

If you do go tidepooling there are guidelines to follow. Here are the major ones.

  1. Like with wading, wear closed-toed shoes.
  2. Like with wading, watch your step and avoid slick rocks.
  3. Don’t turn your back on the ocean–big waves come when you least expect them.
  4. Don’t wade in the tidepools since you can do damage to the sea creatures there. Walk around the edges to do your observing.
  5. If you find sea creatures under rocks and moss, make sure you recover them.
  6. If you move anything living, put it back where you found it.
  7. If you have a compulsion to pick up a live creature, don’t pry it loose. You might do it harm.

Das Urinator: German Pee Bag for Long Road Trips

by Neil Woodburn on

We’ve all been there before. You’re on a long trip and you’ve got to pee really, really bad. The only problem is that there is no toilet anywhere near.

Well, now a German manufacturer has solved this age-old problem.

The RoadBag is a handy little receptacle for your urine. Simply do your business into the bag and a special chemical immediately solidifies your waste, thus preventing any spillage or mess. Seal it up and then throw it away at your next stop. Problem solved!

The RoadBag website is unfortunately all in German. For your convenience–and entertainment–I’ve translated it using Google Translator:

Each man knows it: Situations, in which one would give everything for a toilet. Roadbag® this problem eases once and for all.
Whether in the back-up or on the festival, with the camping or in the sport airplane – Roadbag®, the bag WC for men, facilitates you, where you also are.
Roadbag® is handily, surely, hygenically and comfortable.
The secret of Roadbag® is the superabsorber: This special granulates in the interior bag connects itself with the urine to a firm gel. Thus no drop can run out, become unpleasant smells reliably prevented.
For clean hands after urination Roadbag® a refresher pad is attached to everyone. A completely clean thing.

Oh, and be sure to listen to their classic theme song.

(via RandomGoodStuff.com)