🧑‍🤝‍🧑 / 🏡 Camping in dry tortugas

[Krimson]

What is your name? I could find out...but, want to ask. just the first

Kayne

 

[TerryP]

Yeah I've seen those too, same issue up front I'm carrying 2 ebikes. Hitch on back is only rated for 300lb so hitch and 4 bikes are over the limit. Kayak i want is 13.5' i think so it would stick out front quite a bit too. Thought about trying inflatable but think I'd rather rent a real one.

I get, but don't get, the E-back thing.

I'm bike shopping right now. It'll be seven bills...but not E.

I saw this commercial about a package that replaces the front wheel ... mounted in front, about the size of an tablet (thicker.)

All that said...I'm staring at this bike. It's bookmarked in my browser bar. But, 11K?

Trance X Advanced E+ EL 0 20MPH (2023) | Trail bike | Giant Bicycles US

www.giant-bicycles.com

 

[TerryP]

Kayne

Named after...?

 

[TerryP]

The "Boyz" are at Santee right now.

As an update...

They are tubing. I chose not to go up.

Story time:

I have evil friends.

The guy I mentioned earlier with the Jon-boat?

He put a 90 HP on a 14' Jon boat...

 

[Krimson]

Named after...?

Kwai Chang Cane, David carridine character believe it or not

 

[Krimson]

As an update...

They are tubing. I chose not to go up.

Story time:

I have evil friends.

He put a 90 HP on a 14' Jon boat...

Must be a wide model to float a 90. Better not goose it.

 

[Krimson]

I get, but don't get, the E-back thing.

I'm bike shopping right now. It'll be seven bills...but not E.

I saw this commercial about a package that replaces the front wheel ... mounted in front, about the size of an tablet (thicker.)

All that said...I'm staring at this bike. It's bookmarked in my browser bar. But, 11K?

Trance X Advanced E+ EL 0 20MPH (2023) | Trail bike | Giant Bicycles US

www.giant-bicycles.com

I really like ebikes, especially in key west. Don't take long to get where you're going and you can ride in traffic without pissing everyone off. Helps with kids being pretty slow as well and when you have bags of groceries on both handle bars.

 

[TerryP]

@It Takes Eleven when you are hiking, overnight, are you carrying a tent?

 

[It Takes Eleven]

@It Takes Eleven when you are hiking, overnight, are you carrying a tent?

Usually. Depending on the time of the year, if on a trail with a series of shelters or huts, I might just carry a bivy for emergency shelter. I have a single tent that I will typically carry, and a three-man tent that's a little more wind resistant that I bought to carry when we have the potential for more severe weather. Haven't used it yet, but I plan to take it west when I get to the John Muir (maybe), The Enchantments and Teton Loop.

Here's a good article on the Teton Crest Trail and the loop:

Enchanted by the Mountains’ Ever-Changing Beauty: 45 Miles on the Teton Crest Trail (Published 2021)

A three-day hike through the Teton Range in northwest Wyoming offers consistently stunning — and constantly unfolding — scenery.

www.nytimes.com

The Enchantments has the most difficult lottery system of any public land permit. You can see why:

Ultimate Guide to the Enchantments Day Hike

Go on one of the toughest and most spectacular trails in the US! Get your complete Enchantments Day Hike trail guide.

www.litaofthepack.com

The AT has shelters of varying size and quality on it, along with huts through the Presidentials. The Pinhoti has a nice shelter system. The Ouchita has an incredibly nice shelter system.

There are various schools of thought on shelter. The hammock hangers swear by their method, just doesn't work for me. Some only carry a rainfly and/or tarp and have a minimalist setup. It's fun to watch the bushcraft videos of guys making a shelter in the woods, but that's not feasible on regularly traveled trail, or if you plan for a single night stay.

 

[Krimson]

@It Takes Eleven have you ever tried a hammock? Don't save much weight over ultra light tents but it's a lot more comfortable to me. Have a chair while eating, don't have to get down on the ground and I sleep great. I use a top quilt instead of a sleeping bag and you need an under quilt if it's below 60. Would never go back to a tent unless no trees.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

@It Takes Eleven have you ever tried a hammock? Don't save much weight over ultra light tents but it's a lot more comfortable to me. Have a chair while eating, don't have to get down on the ground and I sleep great. I use a top quilt instead of a sleeping bag and you need an under quilt if it's below 60. Would never go back to a tent unless no trees.

I have, just never got comfortable with it. You're right, it sleeps cold being off the ground. For me, sleeping on the ground requires a good pad for me now, and I never sleep well the first night out. After that, I'm fine.

 

[Krimson]

I have, just never got comfortable with it. You're right, it sleeps cold being off the ground. For me, sleeping on the ground requires a good pad for me now, and I never sleep well the first night out. After that, I'm fine.

A good pad is definitely required in the tent, some use them as their bottom layer in a double layer hammock instead of an under quilt. Hammock is the only place I've found it comfortable to sleep on my back. I'll have to tent camp in the Tortugas but it's only 2 nights.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

If you want any pointers let me know as far as Utah. We hit Bryce, arches, and zion with Bryce being my favorite. We went there early and some of the trails were closed due to snow still but we saw a lot and it wasn't crowded. Zion was terrible for crowds and we got there early so didn't get to hike the Narrows. If you hike there are a couple great slot canyons that aren't in the park so aren't crowded. Arches, meh, just not that great. Didn't make it to canyonlands. We've been to about 30 NP and the crowds are just so bad I don't want to see any more.

Also any key west questions I've spent about a year down there overall so let me know.

I try to avoid crowds and look for 65 to 80 temp wise everywhere we go. Not always accomplished but my goal.

Will do... if the trip starts to get set in stone, I'll try and remember to reach out. One quick one though, assuming weather is decent, how much time is necessary for each park to see the main highlights? We'd do minimal hiking, nothing more a a couple miles per trail or so... Little Miss Van de Graaff ain't really digging that too much. We did YSNP and GTNP 2 years ago... we went at the end of May before the crowds really blew up and it wasn't too bad some many schools were still in. We'd probably do the same this time.

Not sure when we will do Key West... but I want to go. They started a county music festival down there (with 80's and 90's acts) a few years back, but I don't believe it's gonna last. I had tentatively planned on us going down there when it was going on one year, which was in early February. And already have a couple of places saved in Google maps that I want to hit that Mike Leach use to recommend to people who asked him. I envision a cleaner, more laid back, safer, New Orleans.

 

[Krimson]

Will do... if the trip starts to get set in stone, I'll try and remember to reach out. One quick one though, assuming weather is decent, how much time is necessary for each park to see the main highlights? We'd do minimal hiking, nothing more a a couple miles per trail or so... Little Miss Van de Graaff ain't really digging that too much. We did YSNP and GTNP 2 years ago... we went at the end of May before the crowds really blew up and it wasn't too bad some many schools were still in. We'd probably do the same this time.

Not sure when we will do Key West... but I want to go. They started a county music festival down there (with 80's and 90's acts) a few years back, but I don't believe it's gonna last. I had tentatively planned on us going down there when it was going on one year, which was in early February. And already have a couple of places saved in Google maps that I want to hit that Mike Leach use to recommend to people who asked him. I envision a cleaner, more laid back, safer, New Orleans.

I'd say 2 days for zion and Bryce, one for arches. We went to Bryce end of April and zion a couple weeks later. Arches was in March. All three are really a lot of hiking, not a lot to see from the road. Zion has busses that you have to take through the main canyon and there are some nice places right off the rd. You can see a lot in a couple miles but there's a good bit of elevation change in Bryce and arches if that's an issue. Slot canyons are beautiful, watch the weather for rain and you'll probably get your feet wet.

February is a good time for key west but in the busy season. If you want crowds and crazy there's fantasy fest for Halloween, once was too much for me. Lots of nudity with the 80+ rule, over 80 years old or 80 lbs over weight. I'd shoot for a Monday thru Friday in key west, spend weekend coming in in key largo and going out in marathon. Lot less crowds and different environments but nice places. Key West is just different than anywhere I've ever been. Really laid back, perfectly acceptable to be drunk at 9am but have never seen a fight. Good cuban food, Duval st for bars and lots of live music, very few beaches. I know how much you like sand, there's not much there. Hogfish and latitudes for dinner, Geiger key marina for lunch. Gotta go to captain Tony's, Leach hangout, and sloppy Joe's but my favorite bars are hogs breath and smoking tuna. Water is great but little chilly in February so if you want to snorkel or dive then you'll need a wet suit. It's nice in early December and again around late March. November is probably the month I'd recommend, early in the month it's still not crazy busy and the temps are great.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

I really like ebikes, especially in key west. Don't take long to get where you're going and you can ride in traffic without pissing everyone off. Helps with kids being pretty slow as well and when you have bags of groceries on both handle bars.

My sister in-law and brother in-law are thrifty shoppers and picked up a couple of good quality ebikes on Marketplace. He had done his research on the best brands and they got them for about one-quarter the price new. They love them, will carry them to where the bike trail system begins in Cobb County and just go from there. They don't ride them on the streets. Any place with a golf cart or bike path network is perfect for them, or trails.

 

[Krimson]

My sister in-law and brother in-law are thrifty shoppers and picked up a couple of good quality ebikes on Marketplace. He had done his research on the best brands and they got them for about one-quarter the price new. They love them, will carry them to where the bike trail system begins in Cobb County and just go from there. They don't ride them on the streets. Any place with a golf cart or bike path network is perfect for them, or trails.

I'd only ride in the street in a place like key west. 25mph speed limit, sidewalks are crowded and at least a 3rd of traffic are bikes so everyone's used to it. You can accelerate faster than most cars and 23mph so you fit in pretty well without causing issues.

 

[TerryP]

@It Takes Eleven @Krimson

I find this strange. I was just outside retrieving the junk mail from the mail box and saw one going down the street: a student headed to class. I kid you not. If I see one a day, I see a half of a dozen, or more.

On a different note: same thing with Moped's. Especially with hospital workers at Trident. A few minutes before six, five days a week, I hear one of their cafeteria workers riding by...literally, I know what time it is based on his bike.

E-bikes on trails. It all depends on the trail.

Giant has this one $180 off right now...getting real tempting. $350 / normally $530

 

[TerryP]

If I see one a day, I see a half of a dozen, or more.

On a different note: same thing with Moped's

Oh, those "scooters" that are battery powered...like a skateboard with handles? I think the brand name is Razor ... don't hold me to that.

Three, four of those a day...see them all the time.

 

[TerryP]

I wiped out majorly today on wet leaves riding through the park trail...sitting here looking at a sprained wrist. It's black. I'm horizontal on the trail...looking at the ground, saying, "this isn't going to end well." I was seven, or eight miles in...

My wrist isn't broken. But hell...it hurts. I'm sitting here staring at it typing with one hand.

I would ride the same trail tomorrow.

I'll bet ya...rode this trail 200+ times...

 

[TerryP]

And yes, I do this often.