Captain Paul McNamee has found himself good gear.
By Paul McNamee, Captain, Frontier Partisans New England Ranging Company
My wife and I have a long running joke/tradition: We never go on vacation without buying a new sweatshirt. It’s not that sweatshirts are our favorite form of souvenir. It’s that we invariably under-pack and find ourselves a bit chilled.
One year, on our annual Maine beach vacation, we patted ourselves on the back for remembering to bring sweatshirts from the previous year. It rained wild and the winds howled a few days that week. We went out and bought sweatpants for everybody, too.
This January, we took the family to Disney World in Orlando. It was chilly — downright cold by Florida standards. We were dealing with (Fahrenheit) temps in the 40s some mornings and evenings.
My wife performed the lion’s share of planning, bless her. I went along with the flow but suddenly it was departure day and I packed poorly. I completely messed up on proper layers, among other things.
My new ANIMAL KINGDOM sweatshirt might have been bought in record time.
The problem with layering, though, was that I just didn’t have enough to keep the wind off. I’d be fine until a breeze kicked up. Then the wind just whipped through the material mesh, chilled my skin, tried to get at my bones.
All of which made me sorely regret not packing my trusty Cabela’s windbreaker / outer shell.
I bought it on one of those said Maine beach vacations. (There is a Cabela’s store up there.) It was a little pricey as windbreakers go. I could have bought a cheap beach version but I decided to make the investment.
It’s not waterproof, only resistant. You can’t stand out in the pouring rain. Aside from that, it does a great job. It’s lightweight, too. I enjoy cloth but nylon has its place. With a fleece jacket underneath, the combo has become my late Spring and early Autumn go-to these past few years.
Someday, maybe — especially if I’m folding it in and out of suitcases — the material might age or breakdown and the windbreaker might need replacing (and I’m not sure Cabela’s offer the exact model any longer.) But for now, it still keeps the wind off my bones. And its absence from Florida has indeed made my heart grow fonder for it.
My Cabela’s windbreaker — simple and effective. It’s stuff that works.
Mrs. Petitcarras says
And next week scones and tea like Nana used to make.
JimC says
A bit arch today, Mrs. P…
Mrs. Petitcarras says
Arch top, flat top, bed flop, bebop, short stop, don’t get fresh with me you louts.
You on vacation ? it’s International Woman’s Day find something frontier about that why don’t ya ?
JimC says
That’s tomorrow, Mrs. P.
Mrs. Petitcarras says
Not here it’s not, but tomorrow then Jimmie me lad whilst thou file?
Remember soon as well, San Patricios and oh poor Mrs. Polk.
In the roque blood! oh yes, write me boy, write!
JimC says
Oh, lord… In the Rogue Blood. Dark stuff.
Paul McNamee says
More likely an ode to my Stormy Kromer cap…
lane batot says
I say! Capital! I raaaather like tea and scones–and crumpets! I serve them in my tipi to guests(“Tima hiye okonye”–“Come inside there is room!) along with buffalo liver and gall ALL the time! Yup, you NEVER know just WHAT amenities you might encounter out on the frontier……
Mrs. Petitcarras says
Oh mister sjalot you scallywag you’re the sugar in my cup of tea you ruffian you!
Black Tyrone says
Mrs Petitcarras, Ortheris believes you are like the corporal’s wife. The Black Tyrone loves their ole washer woman!
Keith West says
“It’s that we invariably under-pack and find ourselves a bit chilled.”
Ha. If you lived where I do, that sort of thing would rarely, if ever, happen.
Wayne says
Always take one more layer than you think you’ll need, even if it’s just a suit of silk long underwear – especially if it’s a backcountry trip.
lane batot says
Talking about underpacking–not being terribly well-versed in travel–at least not in repeating various exotic excursions due to certain limiting factors(like poverty), I have had my share of THOSE moments! My advice if you are going somewhere, and your local contacts/friends/hosts/guides tell you you WON’T NEED this or that–consider their lifelong adaptions to climate and other factors, and the fact that it is alien territory for you, and pack accordingly! And remember in remote 3rd world locations, stuff just ain’t available for purchase, even at exorbitant prices! I tried my best to buy a panga(machete) from nearly every East African I came across who had one(and you were considered rather naked in the Bush without one!), and, despite the local countryfolks’ desperation for any kind of cash money, NO ONE would even consider selling their trusty panga! I was told not to worry about supplies during my African “employment”, but found out too late and too far away that things we in Uh-Mare-ikka take for granted, like soap, toothpaste, etc., were NOT available! Clothing-wise, I was fine, as I didn’t havta wear much in the way of clothing there! But on a trip to Montana years ago, camping and ranging on the Rocky Mountain Front with a college group(all local Montanans–I was the only “foreigner” in the group) on a wolf study program, I was told by the locals it was SUMMER, so I wouldn’t have to bring cold weather clothing. As I found out to my further enlightenment, them thar folks in Montana DON’T REALLY know what a “Summer” is! I would have frozen my dangly bits OFF–especially at night high in the Rockies–if I hadn’t had the sense to at least bring a good old wool army blanket in my backpack, which I literally WORE most of the trip! Wasn’t much of a fashion statement, but kept me quite snug, and I learned for myself WHY such wool blankets carried such value in the Northernmost Injun trade!
JimC says
My Pendleton blanket ain’t just for pretty.
Dave Allen says
Here’s to Stormy Kromer, Paul. My bald head never lets me forget to don it in the winter months, or on a cold and windy spring morning (like today) , or on a chilly fall day in the mountains cutting wood, or …….
JimC says
Yep. Stuff that works. I’ll take Paul’s ode to Stormy (Kromer, not Daniels) any day.
That’s a hint, Paul.
Dave Allen says
Or an ode to Jack Daniels! Stay warm.