Matt, I'm not going to be able to make it, but I do have a cat tarp you can come over and check out sometime if no one else brings one...

I feel a bit left out with all you guys meetin' up! Maybe I will have to start planning the next one so I have something to look forward too....

J

I can bring an Oware cattarp 2 and my new copy of Trail Life.

This'll be like show and tell for adults!

Edited by mn-backpacker on 03/06/2009 07:46:47 MST.

Meet up is today; remember day light savings time so you don't show up at 5:30!

I like show an tell as much as I like meeting other hikers in camp and seeing their kits. Backpacking is unique to the point that no one carries the same stuff.

Hi, all. Have a great time tonight. I wish my husband and I could be there to meet everyone. As far as Jeremys question about St.Croix's wood ticks? The park is notorious May thru July for the worst tick population in Minnesota. I also found deer ticks are common. The park were you camp isn't bad, but the trails are horriable. There are paved biking trails which provide some protection, but I like hiking in the woods. The fall would be a great time to camp and hike there. There are two off site camps for backpackers. I have only hiked to the one and spent my afternoon picking off ticks. Hey, it gave me something to do....Hee hee

I think the Show and Tell should be with items that are very small, there won't be table space. There might be space beneath the table for a tiny day sack. All I'm bringing is a 1.2 oz cuben fiber pack cover and/or maybe a Brunton ADC Pro 2 oz weather forecasting device that is the size of a pocket watch.

I walked 8 miles yesterday to walk off the calories ahead of time. Aim to do such again today.

Skipping lunch... :)

Ditto.

FYI - this is posted in the gear deals forum, but Midwest Mountaineering has a GoLite Ultra quilt on sale for 40 percent off! I'm not sure how many they have, but I did see one.

Hi everyone. I had something come up today and am not going to be able to make it downtown.

I'll be at the next one....

Here are the photos, untouched. I wondered if they should have been "one photo fixed" but decided it's best for each person to do their own "fixing". The One Photo Fix brightens the photos.

The event was much fun, some of us were there for 3 hours, all for at least 2 hours and a half hours.

In hindsight, I should have had the waiter take photos from both ends of the table, so I apologize for that oversight.

Next event we want to do mid-day in the St. Paul area. Jim suggested The Highland Grill. http://www.highlandgrill.com/directions.php

What do the others think? Should we go for the last week of April?

Edited by marti124 on 03/09/2009 10:18:39 MDT.

Thanks folks - my run this morning was extra-sluggish. I blame the servers.

End of April should be fine for myself and Jacci, so long as we do not go in May.

hi, roleigh. as far as i know, end of april would be fine for craig and i. sounds like everyone had a great time... ditto on the saturday date for the next meeting...vicky

Edited by clt1953 on 03/09/2009 12:58:14 MDT.

Sunday Apr 26 I'll be punishing myself (for yesterday) via the MIBR. But I'll be there if it's on Saturday Apr 25.

I'm unavailable for April 25 or April 26.

There are two big backpacking events going on in the TC area on the 25th. Midwest Mountaineering is having their weekend expo happen this weekend and the Meetup.Com Minneapolis/StPaul Backpackers is having a weekend campout at Afton State Park with a expo for new backpackers on Saturday afternoon at Afton.

See http://www.midwestmtn.com/articledetail.php?categoryID=3&sub_catID=9

and

http://www.meetup.com/Minneapolis-StPaul-Backpackers/calendar/9959012/

Can we move the lunch to Saturday, the 18th? We need to get a head count to make reservations for that many at The Highland Grill. http://www.highlandgrill.com/directions.php

What about 11:30 am, Sat, April 18?

I know for sure myself, Vicky and Craig Maki will come, making it 3.

Thanks

>>What about 11:30 am, Sat, April 18?<<

I can do that! Count me in!

Would it be worth starting a new thread?

Edited by Beep on 03/27/2009 09:24:31 MDT.

Count Joe and I in for lunch. Thanks for organizing, Roleigh! Let's see how many varieties of trail bars I can whip up for sampling.

I can make it on the 18th provided it doesn't get moved later than that.

Anyone interested in moving to a nearby park after eating? Some place with space to spread some gear.

edit: I've posted this even on the MN Chapter's Wiki page

Edited by jcolten on 03/27/2009 09:55:45 MDT.

Any recommendation? I don't know the St. Paul area that well. All I can think of is the preserve near the airport by the Minnesota River. They have a 9 mile hiking trail and picnic tables. But that is probably a bit away from the cafe.