air travel

Seeking Silence in Wild Spaces

Sound is a signature of our environment, a narration of the scenery around us. The familiar clamor of vehicles, sirens, leaf blowers, and dinging phones is characteristic of living in populated areas. While the city soundscape can become mundane and unnoticeable, it can be a deafening annoyance to others. Part […]

backpacking food in zipper storage bags

Packing and Preparing Backpacking Food from the Grocery Store

Preparing meals is an essential step in planning a backpacking trip. You want to make sure you pack out foods that can withstand the conditions of outdoor travel, require minimal preparation, provide you with adequate nutrition, and taste good. You want to remember crucial items like your morning coffee. Here […]

lost in the woods

Walking in Circles

It is a common scenario: when we get lost in the wilderness, we wind up walking in circles. Much to our dismay, at some point we’ll revisit our tracks and feel despair that we’ll never make it out of this loop and back to civilization. The German research scientist, Jan […]

How Food Provides Energy

Food is a mixture of nutrients that produce energy for the body, stimulate growth, and maintain life. The six classes of nutrients: Carbohydrates Protein Fats Vitamins Minerals Water Of these six nutrients, only the first 3 provide calories in the form of energy for the body: carbohydrates, protein, and fat. […]

condiment packets taco bell

Expiration Date of Condiment Packets

Do you stow unused condiment packets from fast-food restaurants? These packets come in handy when traveling and when you run out of something at home. The most common single-serve packets include ketchup, mustard, mayo, soy sauce, hot sauce, parmesan cheese, salad dressing, sugar, salt/pepper, and plastic jelly cups. How long […]