Cooped Up? Get Uncooped.

What's the best way to store a Kevlar canoe for the winter in -30 Celsius weather? The only space I have is a back yard, so I thought a sawhorse setup similar to the one in this photo might do. I would cover it with a tarp for UV protection. Any suggestions welcome!

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I was and still am a huge Scooby Doo fan. My level of fandom has even made me consider getting my hands on a panel van and tarting it up into a Mystery Machine knock off. Can you imagine pulling into a state park in anywhere USA with the Mystery Machine? It would be AWESOME! If you think this fantasy is unique to me, it's not. Check out all these Mystery Machine makeovers. The weird...

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A couple of weeks ago I found out that Itasca State Park in up state Minnesota has wifi. Slated next on the wifi list is St. Croix State Park. Frankly, I'm jazzed about it. It means I can search for coordinates for new caches not yet downloaded to my GPS. It also means I can still be connected to the outside world. On the downside, it also means I can still be connected to the...

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So a few months back I snagged myself a new MacBook. I love it, but my Garmin (e-trex Venture HC for geocaching) doesn't. I know I can hook them up via some download, but I'm hesitant to add anything to the Mac. (It's so new and pristine and free of junk.) I snooped around geocaching.com and found the Mac applications, but I'm not sure which would be best for me. GPS Connect for Mac OS...

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A couple of days ago, I took the day off to go snowboarding. With 16 inches of overnight snow and  snow still falling into the morning, it was going to be a prime day. As I pulled into the resort, and got ready to gear up, I made a devastating realization--I forgot my snowboard pants. Damn. After considering purchasing overpriced $200 resort shop pants or riding in my sweats, I came to the realization that I'd have to go home. There's no faking...

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Not only did Ariel Schlesinger ask that question but did it, using an 80's Italian racing bicycle. The answer, of course, is flames coming out of your valves.

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If you had the chance to ask McCain and Obama each the same question, and only one question, relating to the outdoors, what would your question be?

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The National Parks Conservation Association is helping give voice to people who oppose the NRA's push to allow loaded guns into our national parks. The NPCA is providing an editable letter of concern that will be e-mailed to the current administration. The comment period for this issue closes August 8, 2008, so if you feel the need to express your opposition, do so soon! For more information about existing firearm regulation in our national parks...

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I've used the OtterBox watertight storage cases in a variety of sizes to protect my cameras, cell phones and laptops in various outdoor situations, and I've always been impressed with the results. However, a friend asked me for some suggestions on soft-side and collapsible waterproof bags and containers. I really don't have much experience with any of those. Do you all have any suggestions?

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Some friends have been telling me that national parks they've been to this summer as looking kind of shabby, like they're really in need of major repairs and maintenance. I remember news coverage earlier this year that reported the National Park Serivce is billions short of the money it needs to get things back on track and keeping them from sliding any more. Have any uncoop-ers seen similar problems on national park visits this summer?

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