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New outdoor adventures, especially those that allow me to meet new people, are always a thrill. For years I have been eyeing the sport of kayaking, but for some reason I had not yet tried it due to a feeling of timidity which is very uncommon for me. I am usually a girl that attacks all adventures head on. Kayaking seemed like one of those sports that required vast amounts of skill! The whole concept of staying afloat in a tiny box like flotation device while trying to paddle with rhythm, and oh yes not flip over and drown. All those variables didn’t add up well in my head. In fact I had the cat in water scenario playing in my mind.

This past week I decided it was time to put my Girl vs. Wild brave face on and paddle deep into the waters of kayaking. With fear in tow I met with Dave Lindo of OKC Kayak at Lake Hefner to try out my undiscovered kayaking prowess. OKC Kayak is located at 2nd and Western in downtown Oklahoma City.

Lindo is a man that knows kayaking. In fact he got his start kayaking A few years back when he went on his first kayaking trip. He loved it so much that when he got home and he purchased two Prijon Sea Kayaks. Dave says,

“I stacked the two kayaks on top of each other one night, and they multiplied like bunnies,” Lindo said.

Now Lindo runs Dave is running a top of the line kayak outfitter and guide service here in OKlahoma City and takes ing groups kayaking locally, across the United States and elsewhere.

First things first, Dave Lindo reassured me that I was not going to drown drowned in Lake Hefner kayaking. I reminded myself I was with a pro and had nothing to worry about. With that in mind I zipped up my life vest and we started covering the basics. Paddle technique, weight to kayak ratios, and the general concept of just having fun! Basics were set and I was ready to get my paddle wet. With growing excitement and anticipation I hopped in the kayak and was off.

Instantly kayaking gave me a freeing feeling that I had never experienced before. There is nothing like being in the water paddling. It’s absolutely euphoric. As soon as I got in the water I was a totally different person. All the cautions I had about kayaking disappeared and with all my fears of feeling like a wet cat gone instead I felt like a fast little duck!

Dave Lindo and the staff at OKC Kayak offer classes, trips, and rentals to fit your kayak adventure needs. From Quickstart Kayak Lessons to the Eskimo Rolling class OKC Kayak can have you paddle savvy in no time. Rentals are available too with single or double kayaks and rates are set hourly or for the day. This is perfect if you’re already paddling like a pro, but don’t have your own. Simply rent a top of the line kayak with no worries. I am most excited about the various trips and group activities OKC Kayak offers. Such as the Social Paddle held on Tuesday evenings or hey how about signing up for the Illinois River Daytrip, or better yet paddle big and join the SE Alaska trip!

No matter you kayaking skills be it novice or a pro OKC Kayak will have your paddle wet in no time.

Food is essential to survival. This is not rocket science or some lost truth I have sought since I was a wee adventurer. Its just common sense!

With it decided that yes in fact I must eat to survive I started taking a look at the foods and snacks that I pack for a typical backpacking or climbing trip, and most important ways to save space. You are what you eat!

I stick to a few simple tricks to create the least amount of mess. I prepackage everything. Creating individual servings makes less trash as well as bulk. I suggest getting high quality zip locking sandwich bags and packing your items ahead of time. Recently I have discovered bags that have a double seal which adds peace of mind. There is not much worse that having a pack bottom full of smashed chips.

The night before a trip I will individually bag all my meals in zip bags. This way all I have to do is grab a bag from my pack and go. There is no mess of preparation in having a snack or meal.

Leave the biscuits and gravy at home! Instead granola or meal replacement bars are ideal for a breakfast on the trail. They pack small and are no mess. Literally you can eat these as you hike.

Don’t pack a fruit basket as your trail snack. The odds of the fruit not being bruised and smashed is so unlikely. In fact I would go as far to say your much for likely to win the lottery than having bruise free fruit after it travels in your pack. Instead go to your favorite grocery store and get your various fruits in the dried form. Just as good, but packs light and doesn’t make a squishy mess.

Assorted pretzels and cheese crackers make great trail snacks too. There is no mess and they pack small and light in a zip bag.

Try and stay away from chocolates and candy bars. Yes they taste great, but I have never not had them be a melted mess. This is a huge hassle to clean up and at times can ruin gear.

When it comes to lunches I usually pre make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for each day I will be out. They do stay fresh made ahead of time I promise! Just pack them individually in a zip bag and pull them from your pack as needed. I love the no hassle that comes with having my sandwiches made ahead of time.

Freeze dried meals are brilliant. I only use these for dinner meals because they are a bit bigger than what I would like to pack for all three meals. But they are a great way to have a hot dinner at the end of the day. They are packed full of calories which you need before crawling into your sleeping bag for the night. These are just an A+ idea!

These are just a few minimalist adventure tricks I follow when heading out on an adventure. In fact I used these methods before I headed out this weekend. Right now I am probably dinning on a pb&j out on the trail and enjoying life without the mess!

Happy trails from Girl vs. Wild!

Outdoors folk are taking their four-legged friends everywhere with them. Camping, hiking, climbing. You name it.

But before you take your pooch out for a hike there are a few things that need to be covered before leaving home and hitting the trails:

* Make sure Fido’s shot records are up to date. A dog that is not vaccinated is a danger to himself, as well other animals on the trail.

* Dogs will need water and a trail snack. A good rule of thumb is for every trail break you take, the dog will need one, too. Of course you won’t consume the same amount of water or food, but you will both need to stay hydrated and nourished. Dehydration and a general sluggish behavior can sneak up before you know it. You have to remember your dog is burning energy just like you are.

* Be prepared to administer first-aid treatment for your furry friend. Dogs are just as susceptible to trail injuries just as we are. Most injuries occur to dog’s paws. Since a dog’s footpads are in direct contact with the ground when they run, walk, and play, this makes them prone to injury. Cuts, blisters, and burns are very common in active pups and they need to be treated. In most cases cleaning the injured paw and applying antibacterial ointment and a bandage will do the trick. Be sure to keep and eye on it because a simple cut can lead to an infection, and in that case you need to see the vet as soon as possible.

* If striking out on an overnight trip keep in mind your dog needs shelter, too. Sure, letting your dog sleep outside is fine in most cases, but wind and rain can wear a pup out. If you’re not up for sharing your sleeping bag, be sure to pack a blanket or mat to protect them from the ground.

Local climber and proud dog owner Shane Seaton says, “you have to remember to pack enough food for each meal that you will be gone, and remember to pack bowls for food and water, and also pack a leash and something for your dog to sleep on.

“I always packs treats to reward (his dog) Happy when she is doing commands in a new environment, but before you even leave home you have to make sure your dog is trained to follow those commands.”

Happy has become an outstanding trail dog with just nine months of training. Happy is proof that any dog with a little love and care can be a perfect trail dog.

“Happy is happiest when we go climbing together,” Seaton said. “She loves it just as much as I do.”

I have shared the trail with both Shane and Happy, and the trail is always happier with Happy tagging along.

As an outdoors adventure girl I am very earth conscious, always doing my bit to reduce, reuse, and recycle — from recycling the paper and plastic products that come in the mail, to using less energy.

In doing so, I try to not buy bottled water, and instead use a hard plastic bottle like some made by Nalgene.

But, there are questions about bisphenol-a, or BPA, an ingredient in the most popular type of Nalgene bottle.

BPA, found in polycarbonate plastics, mimics the human hormone estrogen. Polycarbonates are used to make a variety of products, including water bottles. BPA could be harmful to our bodies. Canada plans to ban it’s use in children’s products, such as baby bottles.

Should we be concerned? The answer is, maybe. To me, the findings are unclear. In fact, the findings are so unclear that I am going to keep living on the wild side and use my trusty Nalgene until the FDA tells me not to.

But, if living risky is not for you, a way to tell if your water bottle contains BPA is by looking on the bottom. If you see a recycling number 7, it most likely contains BPA. Most hard, clear plastics also contain BPA.

But don’t throw your hands up yet. Several companies make a range of products made of softer, just-as-durable plastics that are BPA free. And if you want to steer away from plastics, the new trend in water bottles is aluminum. Aluminum bottles come in a variety of trendy colors, and are lightweight and packable.

You still can have your water in an earth-friendly fashion and feel safe doing so. With that said, I am going to go have a fresh drink of water from my wild, BPA-containing bottle.

Girl vs. Wild,

Jacquelyn Farris
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