The main reason for this kayaking day trip (besides having a good time) was to conduct a river test of my Tucktec foldable kayak. I had taken the Tucktec out on a lake kayak a couple weeks before, but I wanted to see how she would stand up to river kayaking. Granted, the Kishwaukee River is shallow and slow moving most of the time, but a river she is and would provide a great testing ground for this kayak.

Kayaking the Kish

The total distance from Baumann Park to Atwood Park on the Kishwaukee River is about eight miles. It normally takes 2.5 to 4 hours to kayak or canoe that distance, depending on how fast the water is flowing and how fast you are paddling. I took a leisurely pace to enjoy the fall colors.

I hadn’t kayaked a river since I was a preteen and I had forgotten that you have to pay a lot more attention to the water than when you are on a lake. There were a lot of shallow areas and downed trees I had to navigate around for the first two miles. I ran aground several times because the water was so low. But kayaking is like riding a bike; you never truly forget the skills you learned in the past.

There was a lot of wildlife on the river including Canadian geese, mallard ducks, and several blue herons. I also saw some large fish in the shallow waters. The leaves were beginning to change color and there were several shades of red, orange, yellow, brown, and green. It was a quiet day on the water as I only encountered four other canoers and kayakers.

I stopped for lunch about a half mile before the I39 bridge. After pulling up to a rocky shoreline, I went inland about twenty feet. I brought along a Readywise Adventure Meal of wild rice risotto and my Jetboil Flash to boil the water. I was sure to drink a lot of water while I waited for my meal to cook.

The Final Stretch

After about 30 minutes it was time to get back on the water. I loaded up my gear and headed on my way. About a half mile down the river was the I39 bridge, which is known for the wicked headwinds that come off it. I remember canoeing this river in February with my family when I was a child and the I39 bridge was always a really windy spot. Once past the bridge there was glassy, reflective water with lots of leaves floating atop. It was a picturesque scene.

And just like that, I arrived at Larry’s Landing in Atwood Park. When I was a child the landing had been completely rebuilt and had a large sign marking it. But time has done a number on the landing and it is now a pebbly, muddy beach with some sidewalks leading down to it. You know you have arrived because you will go under a pale blue suspension bridge. I pulled my kayak out of the water, folded it up, and went on my way.

The Baumann Park to Atwood Park section of the Kishwaukee river is great for all ages and skill levels. Be sure to check the water levels beforehand. The Kish is a shallow river and you have to keep an eye out for shallow spots, debris, and downed trees. If you paddle in the spring the water will be higher and faster with a bit more debris, so be vigilant. If you are looking for a calm river to paddle, the Kishwaukee River in Illinois is for you. Happy Paddling!

The post Kayaking the Kishwaukee River first appeared on Adventures in Jennyland.

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First, the specs.

• Advertised to be the Size of a water bottle (definitely a bit bigger, more like a 2L bottle of soda)
• Weighs 3.5 pounds
• Has a weight capacity of 300 pounds
• Manufactured from aircraft-grade aluminum, ripstop ballistic nylon and has double seams
• Comes in 7 colors: black, burgundy, moss, red, royal, silver, and sky
• Cost: $99 on Amazon, click here to check it out
• Has an additional carrying case that you can purchase (2 or 4 chairs), click here to check it out     

My Review of the CLIQ Chair

First, it is more like the size of a liter bottle of water, or even a 2 liter. Not a 16.9 or 20 oz for sure. I think the whole “size of a water bottle” schtick is just marketing and it is not accurate. That being said, the CLIQ chair does close up compactly and doesn’t take up much space. I think this is what the manufacturers were trying to communicate with the water bottle size comparison.

Next, the weight of the CLIQ chair at 3.5 pounds will be light for some people, heavy for others. I did a 3 chair comparison last summer with the other two chairs coming in around 2 pounds and 14 oz respectively, so it really depends on how you plan on using the CLIQ chair. I took it on a backpacking trip and it was a bit too heavy and took up too much space in my backpack. But, I think it works great if you are car camping, or to the beach. I bring it with as an extra chair when we are in the Airstream as well. The CLIQ chair can be used pretty much anywhere.

Construction and Use of CLIQ chair

The construction of the CLIQ chair is super high quality. The frame is aircraft grade aluminum (is there even such a thing? I think this another instance of creative marketing). It just feels high quality. The chair cover is attached permanently to the frame, so no need to snap that on later. The CLIQ chair is made from ripstop ballistic nylon and has double seams for strength. I like that is has a weight capacity of 300 pounds. It makes it a very versatile seating option.

Opening and closing the CLIQ chair is a breeze. You just undo the strap and telescope the legs. The chair cover is permanently attached to the frame.

When sitting in the CLIQ chair, it has a bit of a rocking motion. It is not a fully rigid chair. It is a very comfortable chair. I used it during my hot tent campout this winter when I was cooking my meals on my wood stove, and I was comfortable the entire time. I have also used the CLIQ chair in my Airstream renovation project and it worked great.

Price

Now lets talk price. As of recording the CLIQ chair is still selling for $99.95, which is the same price I paid a year ago, and with the inflationary economy we are currently experiencing in summer 2022, I think it is pretty amazing that CLIQ hasn’t raised their prices. Is it worth a hundred bucks? I don’t think so. I would put a price point of maybe $75 tops.

That being said, it is a super high quality camp chair. I know I will be using mine for years to come. The high quality construction, ease of use, and portability of this chair make it a great option. If you are looking for something to take with you on a backwoods camping trip, I wouldn’t recommend the CLIQ, it is too heavy and bulky for that. But, if you need a camp chair to bring with you to a BBQ, the park, a concert, the beach, or car camping, the CLIQ chair will work beautifully and last for many years. Click here if you want to purchase the CLIQ chair or take a look at it.

If you would like to see my CLIQ chair review video, I linked it below as well. If you would like to check out my three camping chair comparison review, click here. Happy Camping!

The post CLIQ Chair Review One Year Later first appeared on Adventures in Jennyland.

The post CLIQ Chair Review One Year Later appeared first on Adventures in Jennyland.

Looking for an easy backpacking meal? Spam is a delicious and calorie dense food that is perfect for the trail or camping. Today’s recipe uses Spam and adds fresh veggies and lentils to create the perfect easy backpacking meal on the go.

(Adventures in Jennyland is viewer and reader supported. When you buy through the links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.)

Ingredients and Tools Used

To prepare spam and lentils I will be using my Jetboil Flash. The Jetboil Flash is typically used to boil water, but you can cook with it as well. I always bring my Jetboil skillet (which has a little spatula that tucks into the pan handle) and the Jetboil pan support so I can cook a meal easily.

Here are the ingredients you will need to cook spam & lentils:

• One can of lentils
• One can of Spam (lite, low sodium, or regular, the choice is yours!)
• 1 bell pepper, any color
• 1/4 of a white onion
• One small tomato
• Butter
• Garlic cloves

How to Cook Spam and Lentils

Set up your stove or fire (I am using the Jetboil Flash). Chop up your veggies and Spam ( I use half a can of Spam for this recipe). Next, heat up the butter and the garlic in the skillet. Then, sauté the veggies until they are soft. Remove the veggies and garlic from the skillet (I like to put them on the plate I am going to use to eat). Now, fry up your Spam in the skillet. You can add a little butter if you like, but there is sufficient fat in the Spam to keep the pan lubricated. Once the spam is cooked through remove it from the fire. Cut it into pieces. Then, add the veggies and cut up Spam to the skillet to reheat. Add the can of lentils (the entire can will fit, but add less if you like). Heat through and that is it! Time to eat.

Final Thoughts on This Backpacking Meal

Spam and lentils is a hearty meal for any camping adventures. I’ve linked the video recipe below if you would like to check it out!

The post Easy Backpacking Meal: Spam & Lentils first appeared on Adventures in Jennyland.

The post Easy Backpacking Meal: Spam & Lentils appeared first on Adventures in Jennyland.

Setting up Hot Tent

This season, I am testing the Luxe Outdoors Hercules hot tent. It is an eight person dome style tent with a built in stove jack. There are two ways to heat up a hot tent: wood stove or propane heater. For my main source of heat, I will be using the Pomoly T1 Ultra titanium wood stove. This stove is built for heating a space for three to six people and features two windows, a foldable body, and a weight of eight pounds, including the stovepipe.

I set up the stove already, so I need to setup my bedding and food prep areas. My winter sleep system for this season consists of four items. First, I am using the REI Magma 30 sleeping bag. This bag is rated down to 29 degrees F at a comfort level, and 18 degrees F for survivability. The camp pillow I am using is from Teton Sports and seems to be pretty comfortable. I got a new sleep pad I am testing this season. It is the Exped DeepSleep Mat 7.5 Sleeping Pad in the long extra wide version. It has an R value of 8.5, making it suitable for extremely cold climates.

As for my food prep area, I am using a small table covered with a Peruvian tablecloth. I have a cutting board, my pans, knife, and tea kettle on the table as a little prep area. In a tent this size, it is nice to have a dedicated food prep area. Also, I live in an area without bears, so I can prep and eat food in the tent.

Be sure to watch the video below so you can see the setup process. Also, Adventures in Jennyland is viewer and reader supported. When you buy through the links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Cheers!

The post Setting Up Hot Tent Interior first appeared on Adventures in Jennyland.

The post Setting Up Hot Tent Interior appeared first on Adventures in Jennyland.

Ingredients

• Can of corned beef hash
• 3 eggs
• White onion
• Bell pepper of any color
• Mushrooms
• Butter
• Fresh herbs such as thyme and rosemary

Tools Used

• Jetboil Flash
• Jetboil Skillet
• Jetboil Fuel
• Jetboil Pot Support (VERY IMPORTANT IF USING THE SKILLET)

Preparing Corned Beef Hash and Eggs Using Jetboil

It couldn’t be easier to prepare this meal. First, set up your Jetboil Flash. Make sure you use the Jetboil pot support when using a skillet or pan with your Jetboil. Next, chop up the veggies and open the can of corned beef hash. Add butter to the skillet and set the skillet on top of the pot support. Turn on the Jetboil Flash. Let the butter melt and then add the chopped veggies. Cook veggies until soft. Remove veggies from skillet and put aside. Next, add the corned beef hash to the skillet and cook through. You can use the entire can or however much you wish. Using the entire can will feed at least 2 people.

Once the corned beef hash is cooked to your liking, add the veggies back to the skillet and mix together. Add the fresh herbs towards the end. Remove the corned beef hash mix from the skillet and set aside. Now, add a bit more butter and fry up the eggs. I like mine over medium, but you can cook yours to your taste. Once the eggs are done, put them on top of the corned beef hash and veggie mix. Add salt and pepper to taste. Time to eat!

Easy Jetboil Recipe

Be creative with your Jetboil setup! It is not just for boiling water. I have cooked many meals using the system, including spam and lentils, a three cheese and sausage omelet, and much more! Check out the video of me cooking this recipe linked below.

The post Easy Jetboil Recipe | Hash & Eggs first appeared on Adventures in Jennyland.

The post Easy Jetboil Recipe | Hash & Eggs appeared first on Adventures in Jennyland.

I was looking for an easy way to make a fresh brewed cup of coffee while camping. I wanted a device that was lightweight and easily packed into my gear. A shopping trip to Cabela’s later and I had the Coffee Rocket in my hot little hands. I am not sponsored by Coffee Rocket and I purchased it with my own hard earned dollars. In this Coffee Rocket review, let’s see how it works and if it is worth adding to your camping gear!

Details of the Coffee Rocket

The Coffee Rocket retails for between $9 to $12. Find it on Amazon by clicking here (affiliate link, I may earn a small commission that helps support the channel). It is an eight fluid ounce pour-over coffee maker that claims to make a cup of coffee in less than three minutes. It weighs 110 grams. About three and a half ounces of coffee fits in the nesting cup so you can make your coffee as strong as you like. The Coffee Rocket is also very compact. The filter body nests into the water hopper so it doesn’t take up much room in your gear and the stainless steel filter is easy to clean after use. But does it work? And how good is the cup of coffee once it’s done?

How to Use

When you take the Coffee Rocket out of its packaging, it will be in two pieces. The water hopper is clear and has a stainless steel filter in the bottom. The coffee filter is navy blue and can be disassembled into two pieces: the stainless steel filter cup and the plastic cup that holds it. Fill the filter cup with coffee, about two tablespoons will do. Next, attach the water hopper to the top of the filter. Telescope the legs on the filter so that the entire Coffee Rocket will sit nicely on the lip of your coffee cup. Set the Rocket onto the top of your coffee mug and ensure that it is stable. Next, pour hot water into the water hopper, about an inch from the top. You will notice the water will start to drip through the coffee in the filter and come out the other side into your mug. Refill the water hopper as many times as you like, I usually fill the hopper twice. Add whatever you want to the coffee, such as cream or sugar. Or both, if you like to live dangerously. Or neither, if you’re a coffee purist. Then, enjoy!

Coffee Rocket Review Final Thoughts

After using the Coffee Rocket in the field several times, I have to say, I like it! If you really need to have freshly brewed coffee when you’re camping, but don’t feel like using a French press, this device is for you. It gives you a perfect cup of pour over coffee and is easy to use.

The post Coffee Rocket Review first appeared on Adventures in Jennyland.

The post Coffee Rocket Review appeared first on Adventures in Jennyland.

Today I set up my Pomoly T1 Ultra titanium wood stove in my Luxe Outdoors Hercules hot tent. I did a first burn of the titanium wood stove a few days ago. A first burn is important because you want all the chemicals, coatings, and oils from the manufacturing process to be burned off before you use the stove in an enclosed space. Now that the wood stove is burned in, it is ready to be installed into my hot tent.

Hot Tent Wood Stove Install

First, you must open the stove jack. The tent I am using, the Luxe Outdoors Hercules hot tent, comes with a stove jack preinstalled. Open both sides of the stove jack (interior and exterior zippers). Next, I lay down a half inch piece of plywood. You can pick up a 2×2 piece of plywood at any Home Depot or Lowes. I like to lay down the piece of wood because it provides a solid surface for the wood stove. The ground may melt from the heat of the stove and cause the stove to not be level. The plywood prevents this from happening.

Next, I covered the plywood with a fireproof mat. This will prevent any burns to the plywood or tent floor if an ember or spark comes out of the wood stove. I put another piece of plywood down for my wood pile.

Next it was time to bring in the fire box of the wood stove. I centered it on the plywood as well as I could. Next, I put the spark arrestor and guylines on the stove pipe. I loosened the guylines before I stuck the stovepipe down into the tent through the top of the stove jack. I go inside the tent and connect the stove pipe with the stove and make adjustments. Finally, I staked the three stovepipe guylines to the ground to provide stability in high winds and snow.

Time to Use the Wood Stove

The hot tent wood stove is installed! Time to make a fire and cook some food. Check out the video linked above to see the wood stove install and be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more camping and outdoors videos.

I am not sponsored by either Pomoly or Luxe Outdoors, I just like their gear

The post Setting up Hot Tent Wood Stove first appeared on Adventures in Jennyland.

The post Setting up Hot Tent Wood Stove appeared first on Adventures in Jennyland.

It’s a beautiful day to do a first burn in my new titanium wood stove, the T1 Ultra by Pomoly. I am not sponsored by Pomoly, I just love their products. I used a Guide Gear wood stove last winter camping season. This season, I needed an upgrade. And boy, this T1 Ultra is a hell of an upgrade. I went with the 9 foot stove pipe because I ran into some issues last season burning a couple of holes in my hot tent. I think a taller stove pipe will help with that.

Admittedly I had a hard time rolling the stove pipe the first time. It is not as easy as the instructional videos make it out to be! So I went to Home depot and bought two 4.5 foot lengths of two inch diameter PVC pipe. I had them cut it into 4.5 foot lengths to make it easier to store. There is no shame in using PVC pipe or a pool noodle to roll up the titanium wood stovepipe. Just use whatever will help you get that stove pipe rolled up correctly without crinkling it too much. I also had some guylines on hand in case it got windy out, but I didn’t end up needing them for the first burn on the wood stove.

How to do a First Burn in your Wood Stove

Before you use any wood stove in an enclosed space, be it a tent, van, or tiny home, you want to do a first burn outside to burn off any chemicals and coatings from the manufacturing process. You don’t want to breath that stuff in. First, you want to assemble the Pomoly. That is super easy because it is a foldable titanium wood stove. Fold everything up and place it outside on a hard surface. I used my back porch, which is stamped concrete.

Next, fill the wood stove with hard wood. Soft wood like pine will create a lot of black smoke, causing the windows of the Pomoly to blacken. The carbon will burn away, but in the mean time it will block your windows and that defeats the purpose of having windows in your wood stove.

After you have the stove loaded with hard wood and kindling, light that sucker! I like to do a long first burn, between three and five hours. That way, everything is burned in and seasoned correctly. Make sure to flip the stovepipe over one time so that both ends get a good first burn in.

I burned a fire for five hours. The titanium went from looking brand new to having this nice multicolored patina. That is totally normal for a titanium wood stove. I let the fire go out naturally and cleaned out the ashes the next day. This wood stove is ready for a hot tent!

The post First Burn Wood Stove: Pomoly T1 Ultra first appeared on Adventures in Jennyland.

The post First Burn Wood Stove: Pomoly T1 Ultra appeared first on Adventures in Jennyland.

A snowy morning in the woods, a hot cup of coffee, and a Jetboil recipe that is easy and delicious? Sounds to me like the start of a fantastic day. In today’s video I will be cooking a three cheese, sausage, and veggie omelet using my Jetboil Flash and the Jetboil skillet. Most people only use their Jetboil Flash for boiling water, but it can be used for cooking as well (links in this article may be affiliate links, if you purchase an item through these links I may earn a small commission that helps support the channel).

Ingredients for Jetboil Recipe

• 3 eggs
• 3 sausage links
• 2 mushrooms
• 2 slices of scallion
• 1-2 slices white onion
• Half a bell pepper
• Butter
• Swiss cheese
• Shredded mozzerella
• Shredded cheddar
• Splash of milk

Using Jetboil Flash for Cooking

Jetboil makes an amazing skillet that works great with all of their Jetboil devices. When using the Jetboil Flash to cook, you need to pay attention to the flame. Becuase the flame is not really adjustable, you have to turn the Jetboil Flash on and off so you dont burn the food. This also saves fuel and while it sounds kind of annoying, its not. I wouldnt use the Jetboil Flash to cook a meal for a group, but for one person on a backpacking trip, it works fabulously. Plus, you save on weight.

Omelet Cooking Instructions

First, chop all of the vegetables and sausage into bite sized pieces. Next, assemble your Jetboil Flash, leaving the cup portion to the side. Add butter to your Jetboil skillet or other skillet and turn on the Jetboil Flash. Once the butter is melted, add the veggies. Saute them for 2-3 minutes or until soft. Empty veggies onto your plate and put to the side. Next, fry up the sausage pieces until they are fully cooked. Remember, you will be cycling the Jetboil Flash on and off while cooking so you dont burn the food. You can also lift the skillet off the Jetboil so it can cool down as well.

Next, add the veggies back to the skillet with the sausage. Crack 3 eggs directly into the skillet and add a splash of milk. Stir everything together and add some salt and pepper to taste. Cook the mixture until the eggs are solid enough to flip over the entire omelet. Flip the omelet to cook the other side. Add your three cheeses to one half of the omelet. Once the other side is cooked, fold the omelet in half. And you’re done! Turn off your Jetboil Flash and enjoy your delicious omelet wherever you find yourself. For me, I was in the snowy woods. What a great way to start the day!

The post Jetboil Recipe: Three Cheese Omelet first appeared on Adventures in Jennyland.

The post Jetboil Recipe: Three Cheese Omelet appeared first on Adventures in Jennyland.

Today I will be sharing my Wolf and Grizzly Fire Safe Review. I am not sponsored by Wolf and Grizzly and I purchased the Fire Safe with my own funds (links in this article may be affiliate links, if you purchase an item through these links I may earn a small commission that helps support the channel).

I was in the market for a portable firepit. It needed to be small and light enough to fit in my backpack. Enter the Wolf and Grizzly Fire Safe. It is a portable fire pit that is lightweight and easy to assemble. The M1 grill accompanies the fire safe and allows you to cook with your Fire Safe. I tested the Fire Safe in many different weather conditions on several camping trips and I wanted to share my impressions.

Specs at a Glance

• Weight: 2 lbs (910 g)
• Dimensions: 11.4″ x 11″
• Materials: 304 stainless steel
• Compatible fuels: wood and charcoal
• 3 year post-fire warranty
• Easy assembly
• Easy cleanup
• Cost: $89-$100 USD

First Impressions of Wolf and Grizzly Fire Safe

My first impression of the Wolf and Grizzly Fire Safe was that it was high quality. It comes in a sleek black carrying case that unzipped like butter. The Fire Safe comes in two pieces. It’s so easy to assemble I could probably do it with my eyes closed. The Fire Safe is made from a high quality stainless steel that looks as if it will stand the test of time.

The first time I used the Fire Safe was on my snow fort campout in snowy, cold conditions. I went to the woods and processed a bunch of wood, then built my first fire in the Fire Safe. One thing to keep in mind is that you will needed small pieces of wood for building a fire in it. The dimensions are less than a foot square, providing a small footprint. That being said, I had no trouble cutting wood to size. Once the fire is going, you can use larger pieces of wood.

Wolf and Grizzly have a sister product called the M1 grill that is manufactured to be in tandem with the Fire Safe. I purchased it as well and used it in my testing. The M1 grill is of similar high quality and is easy to use. I cooked several meals using the Fire Safe and M1 grill and loved how everything turned out.

You can also use charcoal with the Fire Safe, but I did not test it. I purchased the Fire Safe primarily for wood fires, but it is nice to know that I can use charcoal in it as well.

As far as cost, the Wolf and Grizzly Fire Safe is not cheap. As of this writing, it cost $89.95 on both the Wolf and Grizzly website and Amazon. The M1 grill goes for $99. You can purchase both in a bundle on the Wolf and Grizzly website for $189.95.

Tips for Using the Fire Safe

When using the Fire Safe with wood, be sure to have lots of short pieces. The wood burns faster when it is smaller so you will need more wood. You can use larger logs, just use your judgement. DO NOT put water directly onto the Fire Safe when it is still hot. This could warp the stainless steel and void your warranty. Wait until the Fire Safe cools off and then dispose of the ashes in a responsible way. When I used the M1 grill in conjunction with the Fire Safe, I would out the grill frame over the Fire Safe right away and build the fire under it. That way, I would ensure it would fit over the Fire Safe and not be blocked by a log or stick.

Final Thoughts

I am IN LOVE with the Wolf and Grizzly Fire Safe. This company has hit the ball out of the park with their high quality products. I would 100% recommend the Fire Safe. Its small size, high quality construction, and ease of use are the main factors contributing to my recommendation. While the price is a bit high, you need to consider that you will only ever need one of these; as long as you take care of it, the Fire Safe will last a lifetime.

If you want to see the Fire Safe in action, click the link above. If you would like to see it used in snowy conditions, click here. I hope my unbiased Wolf and Grizzly Fire Safe review helped you in your research! Cheers!

The post Wolf and Grizzly Fire Safe Review first appeared on Adventures in Jennyland.

The post Wolf and Grizzly Fire Safe Review appeared first on Adventures in Jennyland.