First trip to Comerica Park and DetroitTigers Game for the Family

This is the first time we caught a Detroit Tigers Game at Comerica Park. I personally haven't been to see the Tigers since their last few years at Tiger Stadium at Michigan and Trumbull. It was a great atmosphere and everyone enjoyed themselves. I plan to setup another game day for us to attend in the summer of 2010. Compared to some other professional sports, I thought this was relatively reasonable in price.

Consider taking your family out to a great time at a local ball game. Your kids won't forget it and the memories can last forever.

NQE out.

Second Hike

I went on a second hike after enjoying the first one so much. I invited my wife and kids along and they really appeared to enjoy it as well. I took the time to explain some survival skills or preparedness techniques to them. It was the same short route, but the family really seemed to take to it.


 
Initially we checked out the visitor center and learned a little about different animals indigenous to this area.

After that previous successful hike we decided to take another one together. It was in the same nature preserve, but the route was about 3 times as long and much more diverse in scenery. As you can see the scenery is a bit more lush and green than the previous hike.

Actually this hike was long enough we sort of got tired...which I suppose is a good thing.








Afterwards, we went back to a picnic area and had lunch. I prepared everyone for what I had in mind for lunch. I wanted to try a freeze dried backpacking food, "Mountain House" meal and the Mountain Oven. We were quite intrigued at how the flameless oven worked and it heated up the meal quite well. We had a Chili Mac meal which other than tasting a bit salty which was expected, was pretty good.

We had a lot of enjoyment on these hikes and look forward to experiencing some others in many great places in the future.

Frankenmuth Balloon Village Competition and show Part 1

Frankenmuth Balloon Village Competition and show Part 1

One evening in early June 2010, I heard a news report on our local station about a Hot Air Balloon competition in a location about 25 miles from home. I looked the story up again on the stations' website and found the details. It indicated that there was a competition and that it would continue the next morning at 6:00am. While I figured that I'm never afraid of an early morning jaunt and decided to go there and take a look. It was in Frankenmuth, MI. As I got there they weren't even set up yet. I waited a few minutes and  I could see some of the competitors getting things together.

I was able to watch them setup the several of the balloons, inflate them and launch just over my head. It was great. I took a bit of video footage and pictures to hopefully give you a feel for what it was like. Enjoy.

How to Adjust Your Backpack Properly Video

I liked this video as it is pretty straight forward in explaining the different adjustments and straps on todays' modern internal framed backpacks. I have one and it didn't take long to realize that the companies don't put instructions with them because they assume that you already know what you're doing. Well for us neophytes this video is great. It showed me a lot of things about my backpack that it didn't know.

Speaking of things I didn't know...Last year I had planned on getting another pack because I wanted to get one that was hydration compatible. Well as I said this pack didn't come with any instructions so lo and behold when I watch a video on YouTube of a kid describing the same backpack, he says it is hydration compatible. WHO KNEW! He was right.

Just goes to show you that you can always learn new things. I guess that is what makes everyday new and interesting. You never know what's going to to come around the corner.

NQE out.

First Official Hike...well sort of.

Today I did something I've contemplated for some time. Well it's not real exciting to most folks, but I had a great time anyway. Approximately 10 miles from my home there is a County Park with an extensive amount of trails and gravel roads. As silly as it seems, I never took the plunge and went to this park and took off on a short hike. Well today that changed. Actually I had a great time and am looking forward to going back sometime soon and taking my son and possibly my daughters along with me. I might take my wife but she's not the outdoors type; so I'm not holding my breath on that one.

As I said earlier, I'm looking forward to going again soon. It was so quiet and serene. It felt perfect in so many ways. More to come.

NQE out.

Shotgun1

Another great vid by Hickok45 for shotguns. I'm a big fan of the Remington 870, but I thought this was a great look at some other types of shotguns and their uses. Wouldn't it be great to have a personal range like his. Take a look.

NQE out