Rumpl Blanket Review – Best Camping Gear Purchase

This year I bought tons of gear for new SUV RVing camping adventures. I tried to keep in mind that I wanted to use each piece for home, car camping at a campground, SUV RVing, and backpacking. This year I have had some success and some failures. This posting is to talk about my best multi-use gear purchase is The NanoLoft Rumpl Puffy Blanket.

Earlier this year I was watching Shark Tank. Wylie Robinson, from Rumpl, was showcased on an episode and one of the sharks knew about this product and had purchased from REI already and was a fan. Wylie was on to see if he could strike a deal with a shark so Rumpl could get the professional sports licensing logos on their products and “open the market” to new customers. This did not work. The sharks were in the headspace that he was there for the free publicity.

You know what?

It worked on me. After that episode, all I could think about weekly was, how to get a Rumpl blanket to use for SUV RVing. I looked longingly at their site trying to justify the expensive price of their blankets. I was trying to see if the “kid-size” blanket would work for me because I’m short. Then my tax refund for 2020 can in, I was able to finally purchase one of these blankets. I knew the down blankets were overpriced and I did not like the idea of the blanket “losing its warmer when wet” and (not to mention) all the fuzzy feathers flying around that seem to make their way out through pinholes. Then there it was the NanoLoft Rumpl Puffy Blanket in black was on sale for $99 from $179. What? That’s unheard of, I did want a colored one, but not at full price. It was for the adult size – 52” x 75”. I could not refuse. This was the price of their original puffy blanket and a lot warmer with the NanoLoft. It is rated to 45 degrees comfort rating.

I got my black Rumpl puffy blanket and we are inseparable. This has to turn into my blanket for everything. I use it on rainy/chilly days and nights in the summer while camping and bone-chilling times at home during the fall and winter. It’s a champ! My mother even was surprised when I bought it home for my blanket to chill out and sleep with over the holidays. It’s won me over. The fabric is soft and slick, it’s ripstop so it makes some noise when moving around wearing it with the Cape Clip. The fabric feels like a higher-end sleeping bag material. My only con is that it slides off you if you don’t pay attention to it. I am going to use it inside my sleeping bag to help the comfort and R-value of it. The NanoLoft Blanket from Rumpl is well worth over the $99 I paid and might be worth the full price on the website. As something to think about the Travel Version of the NanoLoft Puffy Blanket is $99 it is sized at: 38” x 52”
This blanket features:

• 100% post-consumer recycled polyester shell and insulation
• NanoLoft® insulation technology that mimics down
• DWR finish for stain and water resistance
• Cape Clip® (1-Person only) for hands-free use
• Corner loops
• Machine washable
• Water-resistant stuff sack included
• Fabric: 100% recycled 30D ripstop polyester fabric
  
• Insulation: Nanometer high-elastic cloth with a soft nap (100% recycled synthetic down); 200 gsm
  Weight: 1-Person: 1.8 lbs / 2-Person: 3.4 lb
  Flat: 1-Person: 52 x 75" / 2-Person: 80 x 84" and
  Packed: 1-Person: 6 x 14” / 2-Person: 8 x 16"
  
• Weight: 1-Person: 1.8 lbs / 2-Person: 3.4 lb
• Flat: 1-Person: 52 x 75" / 2-Person: 80 x 84" and
• Packed: 1-Person: 6 x 14” / 2-Person: 8 x 16"
• Weight: 1-Person: 1.8 lbs / 2-Person: 3.4 lb
• Flat: 1-Person: 52 x 75" / 2-Person: 80 x 84" and
• Packed: 1-Person: 6 x 14” / 2-Person: 8 x 16"

This is a picture of my actual black 1-person NanoLoft Rumpl Puffy Blanket at home. It feels like a sleeping bag.

Size-wise it is pretty small if you fold and roll it up the way shown on Rumpl's product website. To see the video scroll past the specifications on the website. If you are a little lazy or in a hurry you can just stuff the blanket into its stuff sack. The picture with my Nalgene bottle it the size of the blanket "stuffed" into the stuff sack.

How about some Legend Tripping?

I was told to check out this podcast from its creator, Jeff Belanger. He is "one of the most visible and prolific researchers of folklore and legends today. A natural storyteller, he’s the award-winning, Emmy-nominated host, writer, and producer of the New England Legends series on PBS and Amazon Prime, and is the author of over a dozen books (published in six languages). He also hosts the New England Legends weekly podcast, which has garnered over 4 million downloads since it was launched.
Jeff Belanger is an author, podcaster, storyteller, adventurer, and explorer of the unexplained. He’s written more than a dozen books that have been published in six languages, he’s the Emmy-nominated host, writer, and producer of the New England Legends series on PBS and Amazon Prime, he provides programs and lectures to audiences all over the world, and he’s been the writer and researcher for every episode of Ghost Adventures on the Travel Channel. Jeff has made media appearances on hundreds of radio and television programs over his 20-year career, and he has a passion for mysteries and legends."(c/o jeffbelanger.com)

The few times I have been in the same room with him was at The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO, Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, NH, Houghton Mansion in North Adams, MA, and Slater Mill in Pawtucket, RI. I listened to the haunting in these areas and they were set loose with all these ghost hunting tools and sitting in the dark trying to get just a whisper of an electronic voice phenomenon (EVP). I might have gotten something if I was bold enough to go alone. I have had some bizarre encounters in person while in group settings as well, but I think I would be less intimidating as a solo ghost hunter.  

Here is a picture of me with Jeff Belanger at The Stanley hotel in 2010. Here is my blog post about the ghost hunting experience. there.

Since then I have been to a couple of library readings of his ghost stories in the Peterborough, NH, and Franklin, MA. He is a great storyteller. The stories suck you in and you want to visit the places he talks about. He talks about sites in New England in his podcast so if you are local, you can. I plan on visiting some of the sites that are highlighted in his podcast and I'll document in this blog and on my YouTube Channel.

Jeff has a series of library readings both virtual and lives in New England's libraries. I recommend checking out an event with him. You'll never be more captivated by a ghost story. He lives them, he goes to the sites he is talking about and he makes the hauntings believable. When I attended the event at the Stanley Hotel I bought one of his books. The book is Picture Yourself Legend Tripping: Your Complete Guide to Finding UFOs, Monsters, Ghosts, and Urban Legends in Your Own Back Yard. It is an amazing book. I am originally from the southern Massachusetts area and there were tons of sites uncovered in his book in the area. I was in Colorado longing to go home and check out what he was writing about. It was wild. I also have Weird Massachusetts: Your Travel Guide to Massachusetts’ Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets and it's just mesmerizing.

Below is the first legend I will check out per Jeff Belanger himself. I did some wild stories about Scobie Lake (Haunted Lake) in Francestown, NH. I will camp there with my SUV and I'll try to see if something is going on there. I have not spent anytime there, only a drive-by when I first moved here 4 years ago. You can check out the story for yourself, New Hampshire's Haunted Lake 

Hedgehog Ridge Trail - Hedgehog Mountain Forest

Hedgehog Hill Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 450'
Rating (click for info): 5/10
Elevation: 1322' Prominence: 192'


Hedgehog Ridge Trail Map

It was going to snow today so I had to get out for a hike and test out my new pack and navigation app on my iPhone. I bought my Osprey Sirus 24 a couple of months ago when I realized that my purple eggplant Osprey pack had seen better days. It was well loved and a great pack.

I started at the “High Five Reservation” trailhead off of Sky Farm Road in Deering, NH. There was another car there before me. Taking my pre-made bagel w/cream cheese, I started the trek at 10am. I quickly realized I did not have my new super camera with selfie stick and I have to “wing” my video content with my iPhone XR.

At the fist clearing you can see a great mountain landscape to the south including Crotched Mountain. I did not get a shot of it because I thought I would be coming back the same way and would get a picture then.

Once at the top of the hill I noticed someone was disperse camping. He was breaking down camp, his tent was still up and he had a fire and cooking breakfast. He told me it was a great camp the past night. It was a full moon the night before. It was cold last night in in the morning so I guess he must have had winter equipment/sleep system.

The pictures from the back side of the hill looking towards the north at Hedgehog Mountain Forest.

After a quick look at my navigation app (Gaia GPS), I was able to easily locate the continuation of the trail that lead to the Hedgehog Ridge Trail (see below).

In this part of the hike it was noticeably quiet. Nature knows when a storm is coming. At one point I found some scratches in the leaves. They had been pushed out of the way and the dirt was scratched at, this was in two different places, ON the trail. Also, I heard something wading through water, sounded like a significant sized animal wading through water. I checked the map and there was not any water sources near by so it was most likely something walking through the woods and came upon a creek and just walked through it to travel in my opposite direction.

2.2 miles in was a good enough clearing to sit and have my coffee, I had a small cup at home and I was jonesing for it. So quiet a peaceful and this was the spot. I ended up drinking my whole thermos full. I felt better, fully caffeinated.

Once I got up to put my pack on and it started snowing. Being quite away from the summit, I decided to not mosey anymore and get there so the return trip would not be a burden.

Came through an area where logging took place. I took some pictures of the property signs and saplings growing back.

In time I got to the Woods Road crossing and to the rocky ledges of Hedgehog Mountain. At that time the snow was coming down at a pretty good clip and the footing was getting slippery. I made the call to descend and return with a road walk. It was a bit sucky, but it would have sucked more if I got hurt and stranded up on that ridge.

As a pre-caution, always carry a map of the area you are hiking. You never know when you might have to call the hike that take a different route to safety. It’s happened multiple times to me. Carry enough of the essentials, as you know you “might have to” spend the night in the woods and you’d survive. Hope you get a change to hike this trail. It is great, I know i will return in every season now that I know how close it is to me.

Thanks for visiting, enjoy the hike.
Bev

Check out my YouTube channel of this hike.
My Instagram link for pictures.

Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt

I know it has been a while and I want to start blogging again. I wanted to try an adventure in cooking.

About a year ago I bought an Instant Pot just to make yogurt.  Some of them do not have the yogurt setting on it.  Double-check before you purchase one.

I am lactose intolerant and I noticed the more yogurt I ate the better my body digested diary easier.  I was told it was the probiotics in it.  I tried making it with whole milk (in the red containers) and a few batches in I decided to try to see if I could do it with almond milk or something else that was easier on my stomach.  One of my coworkers I suggested I used Fairlife©.  It is lactose-free and ultra-pasteurized.  I tried the milk right from the carton and was hooked.  It was good and it works with me a lot better.  So of course, I realized I had to change my original yogurt recipe, just a bit.

Here is the recipe I used for regular whole milk.

With the ultra-pasteurized milk, you can skip the boiling of the milk for an hour because it is ultra-pure and there does not need to be cleaner.  I used the same website where I got the original recipe but with a cold start recipe. 

When I start, I boil water and pour into the IP pot and swish it around so it covers all surfaces inside the pot.  You want to have a clean pot before you make yogurt.  It is a process that takes a long time and anything in that pot can contaminant your yogurt and make it taste funny.  I whisk in the yogurt until it is all frothy and looks like a milkshake then I set the pot back into the warming unit.  I push the yogurt button and set the time for 11 hours.  It comes out thick with a little wateriness that you can stir back into the batch.  It stays thick.  If after 11 hours your want it thicker, try cooking it for another hour.  It helps.

I use the Whole Milk version of ultra-pasteurized milk, Siggi's© plain Icelandic yogurt and that’s it!  I put two teaspoons in if I can’t find the single-serving size.  I put the whole container of yogurt in.  It comes out a little better (maybe it’s just in my mind).  You can use any yogurt you want just make sure it is plain and has LIVE CULTURES in it.  The cultures are what make the yogurt.  If you have ever made beer it acts like the yeast, it eats the milk and the result comes out as the yogurt.  The idea of using the yogurt you enjoy it because it will duplicate itself in the pot.

The recipe I used with the ultra-pasteurized milk is here.

The last time I made yogurt I could only get the DHA-Omega additive version (COVID-19 shopping) of the ultra-pasteurized milk and found out that I had to cook it for 12-hours and the result was just a thick and creamy as the one I normally use.

Happy cooking and leave a comment and let me know how this recipe works out for you.  Thanks for “A Mindful Mom” for making me seem like a cook.

Bev

Tuckerman Ravine - Nuff Said

A couple of years ago I hear about it from my friend Matt.  He's an avid skier and hiker like me.  He told me of a tale of where you can ski until June or July and enjoy a great day with people of all ages doing the same thing I was doing.  This magical place I was told is Tuckerman Ravine.

If you haven't heard of it...it's a bowl on the South side of Mt. Washington.  There are hundreds of pictures floating around the internet and posters available from the site at your local adventure store.  I always thought of it as a myth.  When I skied Wildcat...I would stare at it - marvel at it's beauty and monstrosity - humbled by the non-survivor stories I heard about it.  I was in a secret love affair, but had never met.

On April Fool's Day my friend John and I decided to hike up there ourselves and see it with our own eyes.  We were both Tuckerman Virgins and we couldn't wait to see if it exists and really looked like that up close.

We both did the research on the AMC maps.  Asked lots of our friends and heard all the stories that followed after bringing up it's name.  "You ain't skied nothing, until you've skied Tucks."  That's what I got from everyone I asked, whose been there.  I was envied by coworkers who hadn't made yet up there this year and by the one who had.  Everyone seems to have the fever that Tuckerman Ravine gave out.

John and I discussed our trip and decided that the easiest and most frequent trail up to the Ravine, Tuckerman Ravine Trail, would be our best bet.  We both didn't know what to expect.  Didn't know if they'd be a crowd of people going up together or just individuals staggered on the trail up to the Winter fun spot.  We ended up being the first hikers stirring in the parking at Pinkham Notch Visitors Center.  We headed for the bathrooms while searching for the trail head.  Wouldn't you know it.  The trail starts at the restrooms, note to self!  We check out the conditions board and it seemed alright for hikers that day.  I didn't bring my skis because I wanted to first see it...then ski it.  This was an assessment hike for me.  I tend to be cautious about dangerous things and didn't want to bite off more than I could chew with skis, ski boots and my pack all strapped to my back.  Wasn't too sure what we would encounter.

The trail was a steady but no boorish climb all the way to to the Ravine.  There were some nice views and things that made me gasp.  A bit up from the trail head you'll see Crystal Cascade.  It's a very nice waterfall.  It was mostly frozen over when we were there, so I haven't any pictures of it.  I do have a picture of me on the platform near the falls (but that doesn't do you any good wanting to see it).  It's sometimes worth just going up to that to see, if you aren't a hiker at heart and believe that hiking to Tucks isn't for you.

2.4 miles up the trail we got to Hermit Lake with the USFS Cabins and lean-tos.  They were neat.  Since Tuckerman Ravine was featured in the latest Warren Miller film "Like There's No Tomorrow" I felt like I'd been there already.  If you want see below.  It's a very sweet vignette from the flick.

 

Back to reality.  There was still 40 minutes to the ravine left.  This is where is got White Mountain-like on us.  Lots of rocks to climb up, we were having a hard time deciding to stay with the mini-spikes or take them off because of the intermittent icing.  We took them off and stood on the "dry" rocks to stay safe.

 

Then, like out of nowhere we looked up and there it was!  LARGER THAN LIFE...THEE Tuckerman Ravine!  It was just as I dreamed it would be.  I think I was like a little kid at Disneyland.  We both rushed in and noticed that we were the first ones up there.  We were only seconded by a Ranger, who'd asked us what our plans were today while we went up to the bowl and did some assessment of his own of the snow and it's pitfalls.  He was the only person to pass us.

We rolled in the snow, dazzled and laughed that we both FINALLY made it up there.  The wait was finally over and it was there...in front of us. WICKED!!!!  I took out my Tuckerman Altitude Brew that I brought up and toasted the place and our maiden voyage to the Ravine.  What a sight to see.  MAN, I was hungry!!!  We ate lunch and watched all the other hikers/skiers/boarders show up.  It gave us something to watch and took away a little of the pain from our bit of snow blindness.  A group of Canadians head up to the headwall, they said they are doing the whole thing.  We stood and watched.  Most of the dare devils bailed 1/2 way up and came down.  It looked steep there, and I wondered, how steep is it up top!  That's crazy!  We spend over an hour there because you can without worry.  The sun kept us warm and our gear kept the wind out.  It was very pleasant to be there for that amount of time.  But we knew after checking the forecast that day, a winter snow storm/squall was due into the area after noon.  Rule of thumb:  you don't want to be on Mt. Washington when a storm hits.

We turn down the trail just as the families started arriving.  It looked like people bringing TONS of stuff to the beach.  There were skis, snowboards, snowshoes, skate skis, sleds and even butt slides.  That looked like that could be fun!  Next time, It thought and we headed down.  We passed lots of smiling and wildly anticipated hikers and adrenaline junkies.  Probably past about 100 people on our way down, easily.  I was right there with them.  They were in for a very sweet day, if they could withstand the weather coming in.

It was a fast paced hike down.  With the deep snow we didn't have to worry about our footing as much because the snow was covering most of the jagged and loose rock footing.  It was a breeze, best decent I've had in the Whites.  We got to the parking lot at 1:30pm and turned back to look at the ravine.  It was covered by a snow squalls.  I said, "thank goodness we got out of there in time".  Then I thought about the people heading up.  I hope they'll be alright.

We changed out of our hiking clothes and settled in for a relaxing ride back to our lives in the real world.  Whatta bummer.  I'm just happy that I live in the same state of the mountains I can to love to climb.  I think it's meant to be.  Next hike planned is up the Carter Mountain range.  Not sure how many of the 4,000-footers we'll hit, but my saying is:  "if you're up there anyway, you might as well get 'em in".  Until next trip, enjoy your hiking, stay safe and use your common sense when you venture out.

Bev

Below is an article that we found about Tuckerman Ravine.

Death in Tuckerman Ravine - this death happened the day we were there.  That's humbling and so sad.

The Gunstock Virgin

It was my first time skiing at Gunstock Mountain.  I was happy to have my friend Matt show me around.  Took the Pistol Lift and headed down Sidearm.  For the first time down Gunstock, or anywhere, that was a great run.  Matt is a snow maker at Gunstock and even he was impressed with the condition of the snow after all the rain they got the week before.

We eventually made our way to the top.  I marveled at the view of Lake Winnipesaukee (above), it's beautiful up there.  A reminder that we don't only ski/ride because it's fun.  After I shoved my camera in my pocket with excitement we came down the main run from the top (Upper Trigger) which lead to Middle Trigger the black diamond trail.  I couldn't resist!  It was beckoning me with it's fluffing white powdery yum-yum goodness.  BAM!  Two short turns and it was over.  I stopped and peaked back at it, it didn't seem as steep as it looked, but it was a beautiful thing.  Made my early season legs ache a bit though, in a good way.

I found out that Gunstock boasts the longest zip line in the Continental United States.  It's 1.5 miles and  you can reach speeds up to 60 mph.  Yeah, WHOA, is right.  Here's the site to learn more - Zip Tour Zip Lines - Gunstock Mountain.  It looks wicked fun.  They run it right through the Winter, so you can enjoy the thrill of the wind chill.  BRRRRR

When it came down to our last run we both agreed that it had to be Out Of Sight.  Since our last run on it the surface had softened up, from the other skiers and riders being on it.  It was just a little piece of heaven.  Wish I still was on it, as I'm writing this.

5 second report:  Very good Gunstock, Amen.  See you sooner than later.  JOY!

Here's Gunstock's website if you're interested in learning more.  http://www.gunstock.com

Gunstock was a place where I camped and played as a kid, Morbid Mountain a couple of Halloween's ago but now it's another resort worth visiting once it's fully or more partial open.  Thanks for the great party.  I did enjoy!
Bev

To stay update on all ski areas locally & globally, check out SnoCountry.com.  Where to go to find snow!
The premier snow reporting site on the world wide web.

My First Tracks at Wachusett - Night Skiing

IT'S HERE - FINALLY.  My ski season 2012 (since there wasn't skiing late 2011 for me in New England).  This year my schedule will mostly involve me skiing/riding at night.  It's a whole other way of going.  You usually don't see the little bumps and ridges that you would normally avoid.  So you maybe catching bits of air which is a little rush...but it's still wicked fun.

Being Sunday on a holiday weekend, I was skiing with the snowboarding younth.  I guess that's what kids do.  I used to go roller skating every week, the kids here snowboard.  It was so fun dodging them on the really wide trail on the bunny slope, Ralph's Run.  I remembered that was the slope I spend most of my time the LAST time I was at Wachusett over a decade ago.  I learned to ski there and this was my first time back.  It's a great place!  I have no idea why I didn't get back there sooner.


As for the conditions, SUPER!  I stole this quote from my Facebook page, "soft snow...no ice not cold, JUST AWESOME".  I kept looking at the thin snow, thinking it was ice.  It was warm so there wasn't anything to worry about in that category.

The staff I came in contact with were so helpful.  Being a SnoCountry/NESAC member, I have to call on holidays to make sure it's alright to ski on those days.  Hannah helped me and shared in my enthusiasm when I found out I could ski and the mountain was open until 10pm on Sundays.  The two girls behind guest services were very nice too.  Usually I get a little unsureness when I flash my membership card but not here.  They smiled through the uncomfortable feeling of "how to I look this up in the computer" and got me my ticket.  Kudos to them, I wish I remembered their names.  I bet Wachusett knows who I'm talking about already.   

5 second ski report: Very neat ski, can't wait to go back when the kids are back in school, WHA-WHO.

Here's there web address if you want to learn more: http://www.wachusett.com

Thank WA-WA-WACHUSETT.  You are a truly great edition to my ski mountain resume.  See you next time.

Bev

To stay update on all ski areas locally & globally, check out SnoCountry.com.  Where to go to find snow!
The premier snow reporting site on the world wide web.