I'm a Neglectful Abusive Parent (if this blog were my child)

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So, I've done it once again. Actually, set a record this time. My last post was something over a year ago. If this blog were my child I'd be getting served with papers for unpaid child support. It would probably also have daddy issues which would eventually lead to a life of stripping followed by a life of working at Radioshack. So, as I try to rebuild that bond between myself and my neglected blog child, here are a few important updates:

1a) The origins of Cowboy Orchestra

1) Cowboy Orchestra is actually in the process of becoming more of what I hoped it could be. In other words, parenting 101. If you want your child to do something, just neglect the shit out of it until the overwhelming guilt forces it to greatness.

2) Cowboy Orchestra has once again been transplanted. We're now lucky enough to be based in the Pacific Northwest. This means two things. First, we automatically get to subtly imply in back handed ways that we are much better than our remaining friends back east. Two, it means more gear news, outdoor news, trip reviews and general fun stuff that those of us who consider ourselves outdoorsy like to drool over while we sit in front of a computer all day. We will also be hosting more authors to maximize the scope of what we cover. If you are interested in writing about anything like this, think you are witty, are bored at work, or have access to free gear of some sort, hit us up. When we return it will be with a new look, new content, and even a new URL.

3) With that said, Cowboy Orchestra is going on another hiatus. There will be posts during this time, but they will mostly be crap like this that required no actual preparation and very little mental effort.

4) In the meantime here is a fun little series of maps charting Cowboy Orchestra's migrations over the past few years. We've driven...a lot...turns out it is close to 50,000 miles over the past 3 years.

Part 1)

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Part 2)

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News(URGENT): The Death of Arizona State Parks

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Starting on Feb. 22 Arizona will begin to systematically close down all but 9 of the states 27 parks. Due to a staggering budget deficit Arizona is looking for major budget cuts from all areas, but the park system has been especially hard hit. The budget for Arizona State Parks Department has been slashed down to less than 30% of the original operating budget and there are indications that if things do not improve by the end of the fiscal year, the remaining 9 parks will be forced to close.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/01/04/20100104park-closings-ON.html

Take Action Here: Arizona State Parks Foundation

Driver

News: Jackson Hit Twice by Adventure Life Deaths

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Mark "Big Wally" Wolling, a ski patroller at Jackson Hole, died on Saturday after being swept up in an avalanche while working to prevent just such a thing. Wolling pasted away from injuries sustained during the avalanche sometime Saturday afternoon after being medevaced to an Idaho Falls hospital. Wolling, 58, had worked at Jackson Hole since 1978 and had been on ski patrol there for the past twenty years.
Back in July, Jackson suffered another tragedy of the adventure lifestyle when Wesley Barron, son of Jackson Mayor Mark Barron, died after falling while rock climbing. Both of these deaths hit the tight knit year round community in Jackson particularly hard. I was in Jackson in July when Barron died, and climbed feet from where he fell just days later.
The point is that the adventure life comes with some inherent risks and dangers that participants must be willing to assume. There is, however, a glaring difference in these two stories. While Wolling was simply out doing his job, albeit a risky one, Barron chose to climb solo without ropes.
There is no moral to this story, and I am not by any means critiscing Barron's choice, however, foolish it may have been. Instead I am simply suggesting that we all take that extra moment each day to ask if we really want to die, or if it is worth taking that extra precaution that allows us to wake up tomorrow and do it all over again.

Driver

Gear: MSR Autoflow

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There is an age old debate among the camping community...what should I use to purifier my water? Each year seems to present a new option. The organization I have spent the last three summers with continues to use Potable Aqua, also known as iodine tablets. Iodine makes your water taste like chemicals, stains your water bottles yellow (and probably your insides too) but it kills giardia about 99.9% of the time. It is also makes refilling 12 water bottles at once a much simpler process than most pumps or alternative methods.
At the beginning of this past summer I was given an MSR Autoflow as a gift. The Autoflow is part of a newer segment of the water purification market. The Autoflow is a relatively simple concept. Fill a bag (similar to a dromedary) with dirty water, hang the bag, and let the water run down throw a filtration system and into a hose that connects easily to most common water bottles. When functioning at 100% it filters about 1.75 liters per minute, and the bag holds up to 4 liters.
The concept behind the Autoflow is great; fill the bag, hang it, and forget about it. There are, however, several design changes before if is actually that carefree to use. First of all, the reservoir could be about twice the size, allowing for refills less often. The biggest downside to the Autoflow is that the filter requires backwashing after every 8 liters. This means that after filling the reservoir twice, one must waste 1 liter of water backwashing the filter (which needs to reversed for the backwashing process).
In the end, I say stick with the iodine. After the first bottle or two, you get used to flavor and there are never any parts to worry about cleaning or replacing. Plus, it won't be until years from now that you know the full extent of the damage done by ingesting all those chemicals.

Welcome Home

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I've neglected The Cowboy Orchestra once again. My holiday break was extended by two weeks as I traveled about 2,900 miles en route to my new home in the Adirondacks. My love affair with the west is certainly not over, but I've taken a break to return to an old love in this Northeastern mountain and lakes paradise. At the moment my new home is about 43 degrees colder than my previous stomping grounds in Arizona. It is, however, a radiantly sunny day in this most beautiful place. Everything is snow covered and glistening, and I'm told in a few days the lake (George) will begin to freeze.
Anyway, I'd want to say thanks to everyone who put me up or took my out on the town on the way here. I made stops in Dallas, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Philly (the West Chester), and Boston. Thanks to Mike F, Dave A, Kate M, Matt D, Joe S, Miles G, Dave P, and Justin B. Was great to see everyone! You're all welcome to pay a visit anytime!

Driver



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News: Nature Conservancy and Brothels, a natural love...

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The Army Corp of Engineers loves to build stuff. They also love to build very unnecessary stuff. From 1950-1960 the corp worked in Nevada to transform the meandering Truckee river into a straight, concrete sided, less flood prone canal. In 2000, the Nature Conservancy began a multi million dollar project aimed at returning the Truckee to a more natural path, and encourage the return of native species to river. A final piece of that plan fell into places early this year as the BLM transferred ownership of The Mustang Ranch, a former brothel situated along the river, to the Conservancy. The ranch was siezed by the IRS several years ago. The buildings and the name were auctioned off the highest bidder, who relocated the structures down river and reopened the ranch.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/15/science/earth/15ranch.html?_r=1

Go Here: Isle Royale NP

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The largest island in Lake Superior, Isle Royale is actually closer to Canada than it is to the states. Lucky for us the Canadians are laid back enough to let us steal this gem away from them. Accessible only by boat (or a long cold swim) Isle Royale sees only about 15,000 visitors annually and is the 5th least visited National Park (the top 4 are all in Alaska and American Samoa). Random fact: Isle Royale is the only known place where moose and wolves live together without bears. It is probably kind of cold there right now, but it is never too early to start planning a Spring expedition. Just make sure to bone up on your moose dodging skills.