Reviews
Hank Shaw has a wild appetite. His award-winning blog, Hunter Angler Gardener Cook, taps into the burgeoning locavore movement, teaching people how to gather and prepare wild foods. Unlike many outdoor cooks, Shaw’s experience is nationwide, which means he covers everything from saltwater mussels to High Plains pheasants, as well as a long list of unusual creatures you won’t find in a typical fish and game cook book. There is also a section on edible wild plants.
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Many people dream of moving to a lonely island or a remote cabin in the woods. In 1949, Art and Nan Kellam did so, building their home on an uninhabited island off the Maine coast, where they lived until 1985.
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The wolves on Isle Royale are in trouble. They must leave the island to attract new blood to the pack. To do so, they need human assistance. Duluth author Zhuikov’s first novel blends science and science fiction as wolves and the werewolves they create work together so the wolves can reach the mainland.
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On a dark and snowy night, a wayward cat shows up at the door of an old folks home. So begins Bill McDonald’s warm, offbeat tale. As always, the book's cast of characters—residents of the home—may or may not be based upon real people. We come to know them through Oscar’s eyes as he tells of his life at Gull’s Wing Sanctuary.
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This quilted 800-fill goose-down jacket is a stylish layering piece that provides serious warmth. Weighing in at just 9.9 ounces, the Nitrous Jacket was perfect for chilly days.
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Don’t let the darkness of winter stop you from getting outside. The TIKKA XP2 CORE headlamp has two light sources: a white highoutput LED and a red LED with maximum light (60-meter beam of light) and strobe-light settings.
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A pair of winter-proof slip-on boots are invaluable. Bogs Footwear’s Classic Ultra Mid combines a rubber boot with Neo-Tech uppers and insulation. A slip-resistant outsole is designed for snow and ice.
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The Sport-Brella Chair is smart new version of an old standard—the fold-out sport chair. Although it is about the same size and weight as a standard chair, it has an attached swivel umbrella to shield you from the sun.
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The Triple Aught Design Valkryie Hoodie is akin to a good pair of cargo pants: durable, versatile and packed with pockets. The fleece jacket comes in both men’s and women’s styles.
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Adjusting the Leki Cressida Aergon SpeedLock AS trekking poles is a snap. You simply flip out the two blaze-orange clips, extend the pole to your desired height (the range is 65-125 cm), and flip the clips back in place to lock it.
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When I received the Mountain Hardware Kanza, I was surprised by its light weight. The size medium weighs in at just over three pounds and offers 55 liters (3,350 cu. in.) capacity, yet manages to include the adjustability and features of a heavier pack.
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Despite the term “doggy paddle,” not every canine is a strong swimmer. If you plan to take your dog on a canoe trip or water-related adventure, you might want to invest in a life jacket.
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We all know we are supposed to be drinking more water, but unless you’re sitting at your desk or riding in a car, it can be a real pain to carry that jug around. Enter the Go Caddy.
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Even near Lake Superior, there are days in the summer when keeping cool outdoors is an unavoidable priority. So when we received a Magic Cool Personal Cooling Cloth by Grabber at a trade show, I couldn’t wait to give it a try.
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David Thompson was an extraordinary explorer and geographer who mapped much of western Canada and was the first European to navigate the entire Columbia River.
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Imagine a poetry society in Thunder Bay comprised of quirky poets from all walks of life. Then imagine a published anthology of poems from the Bell, Book & Candle Poetry Club of Thunder Bay. With his tongue firmly placed in cheek, this is what author Bill McDonald has done in Brandy & Summer Wine.
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Every now and then, an author comes along who gives conventional wisdom a gentle nudge and causes us to look at the natural world in a new way. Ian McAllister, a naturalist who has observed and photographed the daily life British Columbia’s coastal wolves for 20 years, provides a lucid view of these fascinating, family-oriented animals.
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Why do crickets chirp? Why do stars die? Why can’t the wind wall of a hurricane be zapped with lasers, disrupting the airflow and degrading these monsters to just simple passing storms?
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The Isis Melbourne Skirt pairs function and classic style. An A-line wrap skirt with a tie on the left hip and flattering vertical and diagonal seaming, it should hit you between knee and mid-calf, depending on your height.
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My favorite feature of the Montrail Mountain Masochist Mid GTX – sturdy yet surprisingly lightweight trail running shoes – was the snug-fitting ankle openings, which kept out every dirt clod and stray pebble.
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