Reviews
When I used to think about rubber boots, four things came to mind: waterproof, clunky, ugly and no traction. Except for being 100% waterproof, these Arctic Sport Mid Muck Boots couldn’t be further from that notion. Not only do these boots fit well on my feet, but they have excellent traction -- I don’t feel like I’m going to slip and slide while out walking my dog. Comfortable, easy to take on and off, and very warm, these boots have become my go-to pair as I head out the door.
Long winter nights leave all of us fumbling for keyholes. ClipLit from Nite Ize, Inc. attaches to your key ring to provide a ready source of light. About the size of a quarter, Clip Lit has a built in carabiner you can snap to zipper pulls, backpacks, key rings or any place you need a small light. A small lithium battery provides 24 hours of continuous power to the LED.
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Everyone “otter” have an Otter Box. The company makes a selection of waterproof containers for carrying just about anything you want to keep safe and dry. The Otter Box 2500, shown here, has plenty of room to carry a cell phone, pocket camera and other small items. It’s convenient to keep in the cab of a pickup.
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The aforementioned qualities in the Jetboil Sol Advanced Cooking System makes super-economic use of fuel, with the smallest fuel canister (100 g) cooking about three days’ worth of breakfast, coffee and dinner. The stove includes a locking pot support that allows you to use larger pots and pans. All components, including the fuel canister, stow away nicely within the lightweight aluminum cooking vessel.
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I can stop looking—I’ve finally found THE cross-country ski pant. The Ibex Breakaway 2 Pant blends new soft shell technology with the old-school standby: temperature regulating and stink-fighting wool. These formfitting pants feature Climawool softshell panels on the front (a stretchy, breathable, wind- and water-resistant blend of nylon and wool), while the back is a plush wool knit. So far this winter I’ve used them in a range of conditions across the upper Midwest.
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An urban immigrant to a lake home in the small North Shore community of Schroeder, the author writes short vignettes about her new lifestyle. Walks in the woods, kind neighbors, cold weather and picking berries are among her topics.
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A hefty compendium containing more than 950 varieties of trees and shrubs for cold climates, this book has a clean layout that makes it remarkably easy to use. Color photography shows the flowers and foliage of many varieties. Specific information about how to plant and care for each variety is included, as well as a general section with chapters for planting, propagation, pests and other topics. Backyard horticulturists throughout the Northern Wilds will find this is the gold standard for information about trees and shrubs.
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Marlin Bree finds wonder in a bird many folks take for granted. This tribute to gulls looks at their natural history, interactions with humans and the lore associated with the birds. With photos and drawings on every page, Amazing Gulls is a visual delight. Although by no means a traditional bird guide, anyone who enjoys birds will like this book.
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Inspired by time spent in the woods with her grandchildren, Bolinger, who has a cabin on Tom Lake north of Hovland, wrote a book about going for an ATV ride and encountering northwoods wildlife along the way. It is colorfully illustrated by Rhonda Weitzel, her sister-in-law.
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The Lake Superior agate is a gem even a child can recognize and find, which is one reason agate picking is so popular. Another reasons is because many folks are fascinated with these beautiful rocks. This is an excellent book for anyone who shares that fascination. This slim volume is a compendium of agate information, including how to identify various agates, where to look for them, a list of local lapidary shops and a gallery of famous agates.
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