Items of Want 049

I can't fully explain why I'm drawn to this hat. No one would describe me as "stylish" but I'm really diggin' this hat. Listen to this break in process from the product description: "Few good things look best new, so these have been exposed for 30 days to the elements for natural UV fading, and then open ocean, and fresh water rinsed, you can expect 0 shrinkage and a 1” breakout over time." I'm hooked.

Grovemade Brass Minimalist Knife

While I have a James Brand Chapter knife clipped to my pants pocket every day of the week, I'm always happy to add a quality tool to the ranks. It sounds odd to say that you can't overstate the "understated-ness" of this knife, but those are the words coming to mind at the moment so I'll just go with it. I also find the styling and material choices superb and it's great to hear that this knife is 100% made in the USA. Look, I don't mind chasing quality wherever it leads, but when the home team wins one, I'm extra proud to show my support.

Trouble in Paradise Motel Key Fob

If you know me, then you would probably be surprised that I like this artistic style but I really do. Can't pinpoint why either. And if you knew me, then you'd also know that I only use one keychain on a daily basis so I don't know what I'd use this key fob for but trust me, I'd find a use.

Silver Spring Bar Plier Tool

As a lifelong gadget lover, this tool scratches many itches I have and I have literally no need for it. Well, I mean I could certainly use it but I don't truly need it. There's also some inexpensive alternatives but since Hodinkee had the best photo of it, I linked to them. 

KODAK Pocket Pico Projector

I think I'd end up using this little projector for impromptu sessions of show and tell. See, my grandpa would always bust out the slide projector when anyone would stop by his house so I guess I have him to thank for passing down my penchant for show and tell. Same goes for my insatiable ice cream addiction, but that's a different story.

— Check out past Items of Want —

Old Rag Personal Record

 
 
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Not too long ago, I set a personal record up and down Old Rag Mountain. My reason for doing a speed run was twofold. Partly motivated by the fact I've hiked Old Rag literally dozens of times and hustling through it would be an interesting change of pace yet equally because I simply wanted to be home as my wife got off of work and it's about a 4 hour drive.

Starting at the trailhead marker and ending at the same spot, it took me a grand total of 2 hours and 12 minutes. Felt pretty good too. Didn’t overly push it and had a short rest at the top. Just for the record, the National Park Service says to allow for 7-8 hours. 

It felt good to set that PR but I don't know if I'll try to shave off any more time. When is enough enough? Even though it'd be neat to say I did the route in under 2 hours, I feel confident that I can. Sometimes you have to prove things to yourself but I'm happy with what I've accomplished so I think I'll just let it be.

See, part of me doesn’t even want to do a true all out speed run because I want to keep making sure I enjoy the hike. On this run specifically, I made sure to throw in the break at the summit without stopping the clock so it purposely slowed me down.

Not everything has to be timed and recorded to matter. In fact, I want to do another summit of Old Rag with the complete opposite goal. I want to go ridiculously slow and soak it all in. I think it'll be refreshing to stop frequently, see the sights, smell the air, and listen to the wind through the trees or the the critters scurrying around the woods. Maybe I'll report back with those findings. 

Seeking Advice for Weekend Warrior Adventure Truck

 
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The Gist

My wife and I want to sell my car (2002 BMW 525i) and buy a pick-up truck. Aside from the usual reasons for owning a truck, the biggest reason is that we want to sleep in the bed while we camp and travel, so that we’d avoid airfare, rental cars, and hotels. Spending time in the mountains is HUGE for us, especially at this point in our lives.

Stage One: KISS

Money is tight so stage one is to simply buy a truck with a bed cap/cover to sleep under.

The Usual Suspects

We’re currently considering early generation Toyota Tacomas and Tundras. 

It seems there are a lot of 4 door Tacoma trucks out there but they really have held their value, which is both good and bad. The bad is that it’s just outside of our price range. Also, the length of the bed is a major concern as I’m 6’2”. Anyone that tall sleep in the bed without going diagonally?

The prices of Tundras are more reasonable but the lack of a decent backseat (in the Access Cab model) could be a concern. We do hope to have kids and I’ve heard mixed reviews on getting a car seat to fit. I don’t truly mind the lack of fuel economy, and it may also come in handy if I ever need to carry or tow something heavy.

Note: We are very much of the mindset that we should "buy once, cry once” and I’ve heard so many good things about Toyota. However, I’m completely open to other ideas as we won’t be doing any kind of difficult off-road driving where a winch or a buddy may be involved.

Planned Use

For annual travel, we plan on spending two weeks in Colorado and one week in New Hampshire in a “camper” setup. At home, it’ll stay in a daily setup as a regular pick-up truck.

Needs

  • Pick-up truck
  • Reliability
  • 4 doors
  • 4x4
  • “Quickly” go between a daily truck setup to 2-week camping trip setup

Wants

  • Hitch
  • Can accept larger pop-up style camper later

Price

There’s is where it gets a bit hairy due to our extremely tight budget.

We’re entertaining ideas in the $10,000 and under range. Even that’s stretching it, and it will also depend on how much I sell my car for. 

What do you think?

Update 01: As I’ve done more research, I’m all but completely settled on an 04-06 Tundra Double Cab. Check out this video where a family of 5 (small kids obviously) traveled and slept in the bed of the truck for over 4,000 miles. There's hope.

Update 02: Well, we did a thing. Stay tuned for further updates on our new [to us] Tundra Adventuremobile. Or is it a Fundra? Either way, we're really looking forward to traveling this upcoming year.