The topic of female urinary directors (FUD) is something that's often discussed with amusement and comments about how much women must want to be like men to create a device to enable them to stand and pee like their opposite gender counterparts. Laugh all you want, but hell yeah I want to be able to stand and pee with minimal exposure when we're backpacking in zero degree weather, or when we're traveling and I go into a disgusting bathroom with overflowing toilets. Incase you're completely unfamiliar with these devices, they're all basically the same: some sort of funnel with a spout that allows you to remain standing without having to drop your pants if you don't wish to. I can't tell you how many times I've been traveling and had a bus stop for a bathroom break in the middle of nowhere without any good vegetation to hide behind. All the guys get out and all they have to do is face away to discretely relieve themselves, while all the women are stuck holding it and praying for better luck at the next stop. Get an FUD and problem solved. Fortunately, Justin wasn't a laugher and gave me my first, and so far only FUD. He did a lot of research and concluded that the Freshette was the best way to go, and it's been pretty darn awesome. Even if it hadn't worked well I think I would still have to be fond of mine since Justin used it as part of his proposal... it's a long story. Because of that I feel that I should be entitled to Freshettes for life - like the company should use the story for advertising purposes and give me Freshettes in payment. I can't imagine that there's anyone else out there who got proposed to with a Freshette. If there is, they probably said no! But obviously I'm a special kind of crazy. After receiving it I got a little nervous that I'd have issues using it and end up in a very uncomfortable situation. As such, I decided that giving it a few trial runs at home before taking it backpacking was a must. Fortunately I've had nothing but success and find it pretty easy to use, but I have read some reviews where the reviewer complained that they got splashed. I can see that being a possibility if you don't get it flush up against your skin, or if you pee on a really solid surface like a rock which would cause a lot of splattering instead of letting the pee soak in right away. Sorry if this is getting a bit gross - I'm an ER nurse so just about any topic is table conversation for me! Probably time to wrap this up before you're screaming TMI. In my opinion the ability to use an FUD in a myriad of situations from outdoor sports to travel and beyond makes these handy little devices something that every woman should at least consider adding to their gear stash. There are a number of different ones out there, so go do some research to find out which one is right for you. You can thank me later.
Backpacking With The Fly Creek UL3 Tent
For a number of years we've been using a Kelty four-season tent (no longer being manufactured) for all our camping and backpacking needs. It's a sweet tent that's seen us through a number of snow storms. But you're backpacking in the summer you really don't want to carry an eight pound tent. And so began our search for an ultra light weight tent. There are a lot of great tents out there but in the end we decided to go with the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL3. This is a three person tent that weighs just over three pounds, so it's pretty awesome. Here are some things we like about it.
Read moreWomen's Prolite Therm-a-Rest
When Justin and I were dating we decided to travel to Africa to spend Christmas with his parents who were working in Malawi. I was living in Nebraska and he was in California, so we decided to meet up at Dulles International Airport in D.C. and make the rest of the trip together from there. My delight at seeing him again was compounded by the fact that he had a present for me. A women's Prolite Therm-a-Rest sleeping pad. I'm still using it to date and it hasn't let me down from sleeping in airports, to backpacking, to snow camping. Here are some of the best things about the Prolite.
Read moreAround the World With the Basecamp Duffle
I'll be honest that my decision to go with the Base Camp Duffel was swayed by the fact that The North Face's description of it involved talk of strapping it to the back of a yak. Any duffel made for that level of adventure has to be good! Of course I did my research too and was impressed with its no frills functionality and extremely durable materials.
Read moreMy Photography Gear
When I look at photographs I like to know what gear people were using to get those shots. So I thought I'd write about my own gear in case anyone else is like me and has been wondering what I use for the photographs on this site.
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