Category Archives: Reviews and Recommendations

Tips on Boarding Airplanes

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Since the pandemic struck, it’s been a while since I’ve gotten on an airplane to fly anywhere. In this new (almost) post-Covid context, here are some tips on boarding airplanes for your travels! This is more specific to a Canadian context, but may help other travelers as well!

Flying now is a bit more chaotic and challenging, with mad rushes to the airport where it’s understaffed as massive layoffs struck the industry to keep them afloat, financially. This is particularly true for Canadian travelers, whether it be domestic or international flights. Domestic flights, as I remembered it, were to board 45 minutes before flight. Now, airlines advise 2 hours and international flights to 2.5 hours, whereas it was previously 2.

airport, airplane, terminal

In the background, staff are working to get luggage sorted, despite their best efforts, it is still a chaos with stories of lost luggage and wrong deliveries taking up to weeks to recover your bags, if ever. This is opting for several passengers to bring carry-ons, which then crowds the fuselage overhead compartments more and more, causing backups of passengers rushing to the front of the lines to board the plane for that prime real estate above their heads.

However, not all hope is lost, as there are some positive outcomes on these changes. No longer do you have to wait in line to get your boarding passes, which in its own right can be a nightmare, there may be opportunity to even book your security screening ahead of time if you know when you’ll be there!

So some tips to share after having gone through the whole process in our new context of, almost, post-covid era of flying. Information is largely dependent on your carrier and airport, but hope there’s enough similarities across the board that could help you out.

  • Check in: to be completed online, the carrier will send an email to confirm your check in. Once completed you’ll receive your boarding passes straight away to your email, or you can download a PDF containing the QR code and other relevant information.
  • Arrive to the airport actually early. This includes working backwards on how long it’ll take to get there, with traffic and delays. This should be 2 hours domestic and 2.5 international. This will also any stresses of delays and provide ample chill out time.
  • Boarding passes: as mentioned, it could be a QR code, or you could download a PDF and print it out (but why…?).
  • Check how long security takes here at Pearson International Airport
  • Security check can be booked online ahead of time, in that, you walk up to the gate and check in. (Not do the security check online): For Pearson International Airport: https://www.torontopearson.com/en/departures/yyz-express
    • Check your carrier and airport to see if they can book security

For those looking for COVID cleanliness, be prepared yourself. Bring hand sanitizer (wipes) and masks. Sanitize even the contact points around your seat, if it makes you feel more comfortable. I have learned the airflow in the plane is pretty good and only your immediate seat area is recycled air. The masks will be more important in the airport proper where transmission is higher. However, in the washroom stalls on the planes, be sure to keep your masks on.

Admittedly, and for the sake of complication, my flight, I made sure I didn’t have a need to do any check in luggage and not able to speak to that. I had the good ol’ carry on and personal bag.

Furthermore, I traveled domestically, so vaccine passports and other requirements were not necessary. However, I would suggest other travelers to pay close attention to the country entry requirements to avoid any disappointment. Hopefully these tips on boarding airplanes will be helpful for you!

Bannock Backcountry Bread: Explorations Eats

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Another video of Exploration eats, this time focusing on Bannock backcountry bread! Why Bannock in the backcountry? Well, why not!? You get fresh hot bread that’s easy to make in the back country for your breakfast, or great additions to your meals.

I will admit straight up, I’m not a bread maker, let alone a baker. Fry bread came to me when I was travelling in the Dakotas and found a fry bread mix that I thought would work for camping, decades ago. Only recently did I more actively seek recipes to make and try out in the back country. I share this to caveat that: if I misinform, apologies – please do share with us what could be done to make it better!

I will give full credit to The Spruce Eats for this recipe, being reproduced below: https://www.thespruceeats.com/native-american-fry-bread-4045432

Recipe:

  • 3 cups vegetable oil or shortening (enough for 1-inch depth, for frying)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup milk (substitute with 1.5 tablespoons of Bulk Barn powdered milk.)

Instructions and Tips:

  • Quite simply, premix this all the dried ingredients that’s ready to go for the back country into a container
    • Ziploc bag is recommended for space saving as you go through the ingredients, it’ll shrink in size as you consume it, as opposed to a solid container.
  • When ready (in the field), mix in the water to the mixture and let stand for 15 minutes so the milk reconstitutes. Or just be a monster and mix and go.
    • Add more just a little bit of water or powder as necessary.
  • The consistency should be thicker than pancake powder and sticking to the spoon, but still slightly gelatinous-like
  • The consistency will make it hard to work (I think), so I use a spoon to shape it in the fry pan.
  • Pour your vegetable into the fry pan.
  • Work your bannock batter into the pan, small balls at a time and press to flatten.

The variation with the powdered milk is our adaptation, for the backcountry. For the powdered milk, if you’d like to have more insight, follow this link to other powdered milk that we have reviewed for use in the back country, specifically!

Bulk Barn states, “To reconstitute, always add milk powder to cold water. For smoothness and flavour, mix at night for use the next day. For 1 glass of milk, mix 3 tablespoons (30 g) of powder with 1 cup (250 ml) of cold water.”

Bannock comes from a complicated history of colonial rule and the creation of the reserves in Canada. Fry bread was brought over to Canada on sea-faring ships by the British (also consisting of Irish and Scottish descendants). When the Indigenous population was put into reserves, from 1830 onwards, they had learned the way to create fry bread and has since become to be recognized as a staple of Indigenous cuisine.

Hope you enjoy the Bannock backcountry bread! Video, below:

Introduction to Scuba Diving: Amateur Hour Episode 5

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Our fifth episode of Amateur Hour, where we’re not experts, but we have a little more experience than the lay person on various topics. This episode, we’re giving an introduction to scuba diving! Check out our first episode here where we introduced ourselves and various topics on back country camping.

In this episode, it is Damian who is the one that has zero diving experience and has all the questions. Rob has his Open Water and his own gear for 20 years, while Ian has been diving for 10 years and has his Advanced Open Water and his Wreck Diving. Both have their licenses through PADI.

Damian has his well founded reservations of scuba diving, especially into the unknown. The lakes in around Ontario and typically very dark, with some exceptions, are also very clear waters. What got Ian and Rob into diving is specifically that, the unknown. The flora and fauna is something everyone typically sees on land. But only few get to be up close and personal of the flora and fauna under water. All of this is so different than the life forms you’d see on land and the experience is just one of a kind.

Ian swimming through wrecks in Northern Bali

The experience is also unbelievable, to be neutrally buoyant and floating and suspended in space while observing the odd life forms from a close-ish distance, relative to the size of the organism. You get to see sharks and abundance of sea life, corals, giant kelp forests, ship wrecks and go exploring through them. Things you may not otherwise find on land!

Despite the amazing experience you could garner from diving, it is a higher barrier to entry and can be cost prohibitive. You’ll also typically need boats to reach better dive sites, dive masters/guides who’re familiar with the tidal area, and a crew to operate the boat while you’re out diving, especially in a drift dive. The cost is also higher in North America for getting trained up, though usually at resorts in the Caribbean’s and South east Asia (both regions where Rob and Ian got their licenses) are typically cheaper. However, you still need to get there, which in itself is not very cheap.

However, once there, we would suggest to do a “try – a – dive” with Padi; you’ll be with a personal dive master/guide who will walk you through everything and will not stay far away from you during your dive. This is a good way to try it out before committing a couple hundred bucks to getting your Open Water!

All this information and more, with the introduction to scuba diving episode!

If you enjoyed the introduction to scuba diving amateur hour, you may want to check out:

Introduction to Overlanding: Amateur Hour Episode 4
Winter Camping: Amateur Hour Episode 3

Unleash Your Outdoor Chef: A Comprehensive GSI Bugaboo Camper Cook Set Review!

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Are you an outdoor enthusiast seeking the perfect companion for your culinary escapades in the wilderness? Look no further than the GSI Bugaboo Camper Cook Set. This all-in-one camp kitchen solution is designed to elevate your outdoor cooking experience, whether you’re embarking on a backcountry backpacking trip or enjoying a weekend camping getaway with friends and family.

Jump straight to the video gear review where Rob walks us through the GSI Bugaboo Camper Cook Set. He’s had this set for nearly 9 years, in total usage, is about 36 weeks. Frankly, I think this is a gross under-estimation as he also camps through the winter and it goes through some hard extreme uses.

But given his total time of owning and using the GSI Bugaboo Camper Coosk Set, he’s got some great insights to this cook set! For a set that lasts for 9 years and counting, it’s an investment to make!

GSI Bugaboo Camper Cook Set: A Comprehensive Review

As an avid camper and backpacker, we understand the importance of having reliable and efficient cookware that can withstand the rigors of outdoor adventures. That’s why we were excited to review the GSI Bugaboo Camper Cook Set after years of using it!

Some quick highlights of Pros and Cons, below:

Pros:

  • Super compact and stackable into itself
  • 9 x 6 inches, perfect for 4 people
  • 3lbs, which is plenty light for backpacking, including bowls and cups!
  • Non-stick (is a preference, but here we placed it in a pro)
  • Locking handle, to secure pots and pans
  • Measurement lines for convenience for things like powdered milk!
  • Carrying bag which doubles as a wash basin

Cons:

  • Non-stick (I know, we stuck it in a Pro. We just have to be more careful with it in the field)
  • Not incredibly robust on the coating
  • Orange tabs on the lid top falls off right off the bat
  • The side walls on the pots are starting to deteriorate; though granted it has been 9 years
  • Cannot replace individual components and you’ll have to replace the whole pot set
  • The little foam insulation pads on the cups… check out the video – too much to describe! haha

A quick note on non-stick pots and pans, it’s important you do not place them on the top of the fire as it will destroy the non-stick coating. This set is only used with stoves.

Design and Durability: Built to Last

One of the first things that impressed me about the GSI Bugaboo Camper Cook Set is its sturdy and durable construction. Crafted from high-quality aluminum and featuring a non-stick Teflon coating, this cookware set is built to withstand the demands of outdoor cooking while remaining lightweight and easy to transport.

Versatility: Everything You Need in One Package

The GSI Bugaboo Camper Cook Set comes complete with everything you need to prepare delicious meals in the great outdoors. From pots and pans to plates, bowls, and even a folding pot gripper, this comprehensive set has you covered for all your camp kitchen needs. Plus, the nesting design allows for convenient storage and organization, making it perfect for backpacking trips where space is limited.

Performance: Cooking Made Easy

During my camping trip, Rob had put the GSI Bugaboo Camper Cook Set through its paces, cooking everything from hearty breakfast skillets to savory evening stews. I’ve had the change to use it many ‘o times and I impressed by how quickly and evenly the cookware heated up, allowing me to whip up delicious meals with ease. The non-stick coating made cleanup a breeze, even after cooking sticky sauces and marinades.

Portability: Ideal for Backpacking Adventures

As someone who enjoys backpacking in remote wilderness areas, we appreciate gear that is lightweight and compact without sacrificing performance. The GSI Bugaboo Camper Cook Set ticks all the boxes in terms of portability, with each piece nesting neatly inside the next to minimize space and weight in my pack. Plus, the included carrying case keeps everything organized and protected during transport.

Conclusion: Elevate Your Outdoor Cooking Experience with the GSI Bugaboo Camper Cook Set

In conclusion, the GSI Bugaboo Camper Cook Set is a must-have for any outdoor enthusiast who enjoys cooking delicious meals in the wilderness. With its durable construction, comprehensive design, and impressive performance, this cookware set delivers everything you need to enjoy gourmet meals under the stars. Whether you’re embarking on a weekend camping trip or a backcountry backpacking adventure, the GSI Bugaboo Camper Cook Set is sure to become your go-to kitchen companion. So why wait? Invest in the GSI Bugaboo Camper Cook Set today and take your outdoor cooking experience to the next level!

Without further adieu, check out the review in full, below!

If you liked this GSI Bugaboo Camper Cook Set review, perhaps you’ll also like:

North Face Storm Break 2 Review

https://explorationsevo.com/2022/07/storm-break-2-review

Best Powdered Milk for Camping

https://explorationsevo.com/2022/05/best-powdered-milk

The North Face Stormbreak 2 Review

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This is The North Face Stormbreak 2 review. Looking for your first tent or a new one to add to your collection that won’t break the bank? Cost of this tent is well worth the price and value!

Choosing your tent depends on your ultimate goal of what you’re looking for it to do and, to future proof your investment a bit, what you see yourself using it for (front country, back country, hiking, paddling… etc) in the medium term. My goal for this tent was 2 having a lighter smaller tent that will fit well in backcountry as my current one has suffered several challenges in finding good places to pitch.

Read on for more of the review and the video below!

Bottom Line Up Front

  • Good valued tent for under the price, but little heavy
  • Best for backpacking, runner up for car camping, not recommended for paddling.
  • Minimal gear storage in the multi-configuration and versatile vestibule, though no window
  • Large tent doors allowing for ease of access in and out of the tent
  • Footprint purchased separately
  • Waterproofness on average with other tents

Specifications (for nerds)

  • 31sq feet (2.8m2)
  • 5 lbs 5 oz (2.41kg)
  • 43 inches (109 cm) height
  • Fly: 75D Polyester, 1200mm waterproofness
  • Floor: 68D Polyester, 3000mm waterproofness

Pros

  • Tub-styled flooring with extra side walls to prevent splash back into the tent in foul weather
  • Large vestibule and tent doors to allow for great ease of access in and out of the tent
  • Extra guy line support that pulls from loops attached to guy line points
  • Fast setup with identifiable (red) tab on the footprint and tent to orientate the tent

Cons

  • Vestibule door can easily get caught on the rain flap
  • Water can collect on the pitched roof of the tent
  • Little heavier compared to other ultra-light options

Stormbreak 2 Review Comments

For the Stormbreak 2 Review, this is a good valued tent. I would put this tent on the heavier side of tents for being a 2 person tent. Comparatively, my 3 person light-weight tent, is much bigger and just slightly lighter.

Wait a minute, I heard a 3 person tent is best for 2 people, dog and gear. Why have a 2 person tent for 2 people? There are several kinds of tents out there with “built in cargo space”, allowing for extra gear sometimes. My 3 person tent is definitely a 3 person tent with cargo space, in that I could squeeze 4 people in a pinch, with gear in the vestibule to keep things dry.

So why a 2 person tent if my existing one works well? The square footage and area of the tent is too big and so sometimes I’m finding it hard to place the tent in backcountry places. These spots can sometimes barely fit a 2 person tent. Furthermore, the weight of the tent is a mild consideration, but I’m not gunning for any ultra-light options here.

A quick coffee in the vestibule of the North Face Stormbreak 2

Best Uses

I found this tent to have its home in backpacking with two people. If you have a furry friend that you don’t allow in the tent, this might be an option, depending how big your furry friend is. I say this mainly because the vestibules really can’t store that much gear. Again, I’m not concerned about weight with it being at 5lb 5 oz (2.41kg).

Generally, when you’re backpacking, you’re self sustained with two packs and the vestibule can store just that, with most your gear still packed in the pack. I took this tent out paddling and had found having life jackets, paddles, fishing rods, other packs, we fast ran out of storage space in the vestibule.

Car camping would work with this as well as most of the gear and food would be kept in the car over night.

Not paddling as I mentioned, you run out of vestibule space quick. However, if you’re one that usually sets up a tarp anyways for storage, then go nuts on this.

I may consider taking this into the low alpine, but would be wary, as it is rated for 3 seasons and I don’t believe the pole structure would be able to withstand the weight of snow and high winds. I may also consider winter camping in this tent, so long as I know I’ll be covered from winds in an appropriate camping spot.

Highlight Features

The vestibule and tent doors struck me the most. There are so many ways to configure it and even use it as an awning on days where you want to hang in your tent but still get some shade from the sun.

On the tent doors, they are some of the biggest and most accessible doors. With my 3 season tent, I constantly kneel on them when I open them, and they’re kind of in the way a lot.

Deep tent pockets right next to the door is amazing. And they store a lot. I mean, a lot. This will help keep your tent organized as much as possible.

I was pleasantly surprised (confused at first) with a glaringly single red tag on the footprint and the tent. This helps orientate the tent quickly, on set up, in case of a scramble to set up in foul weather.

That’s it for the Stormbreak 2 Review, but still check out the video below for all the details!

Stormbreak 2 Review Video

If you liked this article you’re looking for more gear talk, check out:

Paddling Gear Run Down

Paddling Gear Run Down

Rock Climbing Shoes

https://explorationsevo.com/2022/01/rock-climbing-shoes

Introduction to Overlanding: Amateur Hour Episode 4

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Our fourth episode of Amateur Hour, where we’re not experts, but we have a little more experience than the lay person on various topics. This episode, we’re giving an introduction to overlanding! Check out our first episode here where we introduced ourselves and various topics on back country camping.

In this video, we explore topics such as:

  • What is overlanding: And differences than just 4×4
    • One involves camping and one doesn’t! But which one?
  • Upgrades: What are you first upgrades you should make?
    • Probably not what you’re thinking and can be less expensive than you think!
  • What kind of vehicle?
    • Spoiler alert, don’t take a Jetta (sorry Volkswagen). But you still could!
  • Other additional equipment that should be included as part of your first purchases – winches, recovery gear, lights?
    • What should I prioritize?! I need it all!
  • Making friends and finding groups. Because I’m lonely…
    • How to find trails and which apps to use to highlight information for you. This will answer the key thing to know: is my vehicle enough for the trail?
    • Have a mentor, connect with people you know, or try reaching out (I know, can be pretty nerve wracking and vulnerable to ask for help).
  • Mechanic skillsets:
    • Don’t go to places where you’ll screw up your Jetta, I mean, car; I mean, truck…
      • (We rag on Jetta because Damian took it out overlanding. BUT it held up great!)
    • You’re more of a mechanic than you think!
  • Watch the video, below, for more information!

To get you started, Damian’s 3 main tips to getting an introduction to overlanding

  1. Know your limits, recognize you’re new to something
  2. Bring a friend in a separate vehicle who can call for help
  3. You don’t need thousands of dollars of gear to overland. There are campsites where you don’t need a crazy jeep.

Enjoy the video below!

If you liked this post, you may also enjoy these posts!

Journey to Granite Falls
4×4 and camping in back country Ontario

How to Make Fire when it’s Wet

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Welcome back to another episode of Explorations! How to make fire when it’s wet is the key focus in this video diary. Shoulder season camping in the spring is generally known to be quite a wet time of year and there are a few tips and tricks that will allow you to find dry firewood and get a roaring campfire going in, relatively speaking, a short amount of time.

Even if everything is sopping wet from a few days of rain, it is still possible to get a fire going. It will take some extra bit of time and some helpful tools, it is still possible. The key thing, here, is to practice, practice, practice! Without further adieu, the key tips and tricks!

  • A Leatherman, or equivalent, knife to make wood shavings
  • Axes and saws are good tools too
  • Look for thicker logs. In the middle of the log will be some dry wood
  • Rotten logs may still be OK. You’ll have to saw through the middle to check the integrity of it
  • Shave wood from the (dry) middle of the thicker logs
  • Collect shaves onto a bark of sorts and once lit, shove it under your pre- built camp fire
  • Once the fire is going, dry the logs out by either building a firewall, or if really wet and thick, on top.
  • A “log cabin” is the best balance of oxygen and fuel to keep a fire going

Quite frankly, he just uses fire starters and a Bic lighter. It’s small enough to carry around, doesn’t add weight, and can be shoved in your pockets. However, it is always good to know and practice emergency fire making.

In an emergency situation and you need to make a fire, make sure they tools you bring out to the woods, you have practiced with and are experienced with in using! Ian was practicing making fire with some unfamiliar tools and it took several failed attempts to almost start a fire. Candidly, was an eye-opener that he should also practice a good few more times with the tools he’s using.

Enjoy the video below!

If you enjoyed this video, check out a few more shoulder season camping and paddling!

Best Brands of Powdered Milk for Camping

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A very common question “What are the best brands of powdered milk for camping?” Milk is an ingredient that we have been consuming for eons. When it comes to camping in the modern day, it’s one of those items that you want to bring, but not bring at the same time. So Explorations did the hard work for you again, mainly Rob and Heather, trying out all the types of powdered milk so you know which one is the best powered milk for camping!

In a world where convenience often reigns supreme, powdered milk stands as a versatile and practical option for countless households. As an avid camper, powdered milk offers a solution that’s both cost-effective and convenient. In this guide, we’ll delve into the best brands of powdered milk for camping, exploring its benefits, uses, and some of the top brands available on the market today.

Understanding Powdered Milk: What is it?

It’s pretty obvious why we wouldn’t want to bring cartons, glass or even milk bags (what animal in Canada buys these bags of milk anyways?!) into the back country. It’s mostly a specialized use case, and, unless you’re a regular consumer of milk that would drink a glass at a time, it’s really not all that pragmatic to carry it into the back country. I think this goes without saying, but in this post, we’re not talking about baby formula kind of milk – I know – I had to mention, though. To lighten the load having the best brands of powdered milk for camping will be very key while maintaining the versatility of your back country cooking.

Powdered milk, also known as dry milk or milk powder, is made by evaporating milk to remove moisture, resulting in a powder form that can be easily stored and reconstituted with water when needed. This process not only prolongs the shelf life of milk but also makes it more convenient to transport and use in various applications.

Choosing the best brands of powdered milk for camping!

Benefits of Powdered Milk: Why Choose it?

  1. Long Shelf Life: One of the primary benefits of powdered milk is its extended shelf life compared to fresh milk. Properly stored, powdered milk can last for months or even years, making it a pantry staple for emergency preparedness or long-term storage.
  2. Convenience: Powdered milk is incredibly convenient, especially for those who may not have regular access to fresh dairy products. It can be easily reconstituted with water whenever needed, eliminating the need for frequent trips to the grocery store.
  3. Cost-Effective: Powdered milk is often more affordable than fresh milk, making it an economical choice for budget-conscious consumers. Additionally, its long shelf life means less waste, further maximizing its cost-effectiveness.
  4. Versatility: From baking to cooking to simply enjoying a glass of milk, powdered milk is incredibly versatile. It can be used in a wide range of recipes and applications, offering the same nutritional benefits as fresh milk in a convenient powdered form.

Best Brands of Powdered Milk for Camping tested:

We went ahead to try out some of the best brands of powdered milk for camping as listed below. There is a clear winner of this, though! For more details, watch Rob’s review of them all!

  1. Carnation:
    • Carnation is a well-known brand that has been providing quality dairy products for decades. Their powdered milk is made from high-quality milk sourced from trusted dairy farms.
    • Known for its rich and creamy flavor, Carnation powdered milk is a favorite among consumers for its versatility and reliability.
    • Whether you’re using it in baking, cooking, or simply enjoying a glass of milk, Carnation powdered milk delivers consistent quality and taste every time.
  2. Happy Yak:
    • Happy Yak is a brand that specializes in outdoor and adventure foods, including powdered milk designed for camping and hiking trips.
    • Their powdered milk is lightweight, compact, and easy to pack, making it an ideal choice for outdoor enthusiasts who need a convenient source of dairy on the go.
    • Despite its portability, Happy Yak powdered milk doesn’t compromise on taste or nutrition, ensuring that you can enjoy a delicious and satisfying beverage wherever your adventures take you.
  3. Bulk Barn:
    • Bulk Barn is a popular retailer known for its wide selection of bulk foods, including powdered milk.
    • Their powdered milk offering provides customers with an affordable and convenient option for stocking up on this pantry staple.
    • With Bulk Barn powdered milk, you can enjoy the same great taste and nutritional benefits of fresh milk without breaking the bank.
  4. Selection:
    • Selection is a trusted brand that offers a range of dairy products, including powdered milk.
    • Their powdered milk is made from high-quality milk sourced from Canadian dairy farms, ensuring freshness and purity.
    • Whether you’re using it for cooking, baking, or simply enjoying a glass of milk, Selection powdered milk delivers the rich and creamy taste you love with the convenience of a powdered form.
  5. Life Smart:
    • Life Smart is a brand that focuses on providing wholesome and nutritious products for health-conscious consumers.
    • Their powdered milk is made from real milk and contains essential nutrients like calcium and vitamin D to support overall health and wellness.
    • With Life Smart powdered milk, you can enjoy the goodness of fresh milk in a convenient and shelf-stable form.
Adding to mac and cheese in the back country!

Explorations Video on Best Brands of Powdered Milk for Camping

Explorations video review of the best brands of powdered milk for camping

Out of all the products tried, the winner for the best brands of powdered milk for camping is Bulk Barn! Frankly, Bulk Barn is my go to place to get a lot of camping food anyways, and so it only works out well that I can do more one-stop shopping before a trip!

How to Use Powdered Milk: Tips and Tricks

  • Reconstituting: To reconstitute powdered milk, simply mix it with water according to the package instructions. Use cold water for a refreshing glass of milk or warm water for cooking and baking applications. But wait for the time as directed on the packaging for the reconstitution to fully take hold! Otherwise you may come out with a clunky mess.
  • Cooking: Powdered milk is a versatile ingredient that can enhance or substitute recipes in the back country. Creating a bannock recipe, for example, which would require some milk could be substituted with powdered milk.
  • Baking: Powdered milk can be used as a substitute for fresh milk in baking recipes. Simply reconstitute it with water and use it in place of fresh milk in your favorite recipes for cakes, cookies, bread, and more.
  • Beverages: Enjoy powdered milk as a standalone beverage or add it to smoothies, shakes, and hot drinks like coffee and cocoa for added creaminess and flavor.

Conclusion: Embracing the Versatility of Powdered Milk

To summarize, out of all the products tried, the winner for the best brands of powdered milk for camping is Bulk Barn! Powdered milk is a convenient and cost-effective option the back country. With its long shelf life, versatility, and wide range of uses, powdered milk has earned its place as a pantry staple for camping. Whether you’re baking, cooking, or simply enjoying a glass of milk, powdered milk offers a convenient and delicious solution that’s sure to satisfy.

Powered milk for camping is a little under represented. From coffees, tea, hot cereal, to other recipes, including some bannock recipe, it’s great to know which brands actually resemble milk in what context. It may come to some as a surprise, but the brand of powdered milk will work better with what you’re using it for. Want to know which is good for what? check out the video below!

If you enjoyed this review, you, you may also like our other Explorations Eats! Check out:

Red Boxed Wine Tasting

Red Boxed Wine Tasting

White Boxed Wine Tasting

White Box Wine Tasting

How to dewinterize a motorcycle

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With riding season upon us, it’s only fitting to know how to prepare you motorcycle for it. A large part of that is how to dewinterize a motorcycle. This is a quick rundown of some basic care for your beautiful motorcycle. This is no way replacing any motorcycle maintenance you will have to do on your bike.

If you’re also in an environment where you can only ride for certain months of the year, you’ll probably have to know how to store it. So, before dewinterizing the bike, I will share here, what I do to prepare to put the bike away for the season. It’s it’s really really straight forward. There are many ways of doing it, but this one is a quick, easy and sure-fire way to get your bike up and running after a couples of months sitting in the garage. Do note, that some would choose to start their bikes once a month over winter to keep it going. Which is still totally fine. I’m too lazy for that, though. I prefer to spend a touch more time after and before the season to make sure the bike is stored and started properly.

Winterize Your Bike

Winterizing your bike properly will be key to getting it up and running well in the next season. These are the steps I take before storage and I haven’t had a problem starting my bikes up in spring.

  • Fuel stabilizer – pour it in your tank and let it run for 5 to 10 minutes to ensure that it is actually in your engine block. Gas can go stale and lose octane, or not burn at all if left for a while. To make sure it’s OK, having fuel stabilizer in the tank will help. You can find fuel stabilizer at any auto shop or gas station. You’ll know the stabilizer made it into the engine as the exhaust fumes will smell different… (for better or for worse).
  • Resting your tires off the ground – I do this with my bike’s center stand and then a block of wood for the front tire. If you don’t have a center stand, a block of wood on the rear tire will help too. This will help create a barrier so that your tires are not contacting freezing temperatures. It may help with tire rot, but only a little bit.
  • Taking your battery out of the bike – AND put it on a trickle charge. This is done with a car battery charger. You should be able to find this at an auto shop or even a home improvement store. The feature you want to ensure it has is the “winter” mode, where it will trickle charge the battery and keep it from over charging or depleting completely. This will keep the battery in tip top shape.

Dewinterize a Motorcycle

Now that you have it winterized and you braved the season, time to get’er undone! Watch the video, below, but a few things to mention in hindsight:

  • Prime the fuel tank – one thing I keep forgetting to do and may be helpful to starting the bike, is to prime the fuel tank. After the fuel evaporates from the fuel lines, it requires some suction, especially as a carburated engine, to get it going again.
  • Seafoam – A general cleaning agent for your engine components and keep fouling at bay is to run Seafom through the engine. I do do this, but totally forget to mention it in the video.
  • Considerations – warming up before exercise is necessary, much like my old muscles, give the bike time to warm up before rip roaring a few minutes later.

That’s it folks! Hope this was helpful for you all. Again, knowing how to dewinterize a motorcycle is super easy and good for general maintenance.

If you enjoyed this post and like to read more about our motorcycling, check these posts out:

https://explorationsevo.com/2020/09/16/bike-touring-packing-setup/
https://explorationsevo.com/2021/11/15/west-hamilton-roads/
https://explorationsevo.com/2022/04/11/motorcycling-duffy-loop/

Best Paddling Guidebooks

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If you watched our Amateur Hour you’ll learn about where our love for nature came from. It’s only natural to share my thoughts on the best paddling guidebooks! Simply, stemming from the connection through camping, portaging and paddling. It is one of the most tranquil, sometimes rough, ways to ground yourself and just busy yourself with your day to day living. No phones (ok, admittedly I do bring the phone and use it for our Explorations photos, video and blog), no wifi, no constant bombardment of social media. It’s a time to disconnected and just… be. Just. Pure. Bliss.

The guides are to the very best canoeing regions for specifically Central and South Eastern Ontario, Canada. Frankly speaking, it’s just really one author I trust the most when it comes to the most detailed hand-drawn map guidebook, with historical explanation to the region. Light is shed to the First Nations in the regions, before the settlers came, punctuated by little pro tips and gems in the area where you’re looking to paddle.

But more importantly, the information details exactly what you need to know, what to expect and straight to the point with no over the top superfluous writing that is irrelevant.

The author is Hap Wilson and his several paddling guide books, with regions including Temagami, Upper Ottawa River, Muskoka and several more regions. He sells it through his website, link below, along with his art and literary books!

The first book I bought from Hap Wilson was over 20 years ago for the Muskoka region in Ontario. It immediately became my best paddling guidebooks that I kept on hand. It included regions like Moon River, where Rob had gone to explore. I discovered some of the best back country camping and paddling decades before the Toronto crowds descended upon my once favourite camping spot. As trails and best-kept secret places become increasingly exposed by newer technology such as Alltrails and the likes, time honoured writing, illustration and the spirit of solace in the woods become loss to quick searches and instant gratification.

However, technology like this has it’s pros and cons. It provides accessibility for many who are otherwise unable to acquire these types of guide books. But with accessibility also brings people who have no respect for the space, portage in outboard engines into non-motorized lakes, and partying all night long. Com’on folks – it’s no wonder spaces are becoming more pressured and less people are even willing to talk about where they go to their secret spot to go camp!

On a 2 week trip through Temagami and down the Ottawa river, dodging in between Ontario and Quebec

During the pandemic, my favourite camping spot just 1.5 hours away from Toronto exploded with Torontonians and the small parking lot became over flowing through onto the cottage country roads. New “No Parking” signs are put up and the police now more frequently patrol. Just the nature of everything happening, the pandemic, lock-down and the need for outdoor spaces; and not blaming anyone. As a consequence, I don’t plan on going back to that spot and on the hunt for new, quieter, less accessible areas, pushing me deeper into the woods, which is not a bad thing, but difficult time-investment wise for a weekend trip.

The hand drawn maps of Hap Wilson’s guide books

But I digress and back to the best paddling guidebooks! In the hunt for more areas, I had previously gone on a 2 week trip, over 10 years ago now, through Temagami and down the Ottawa river, dodging in and out of Quebec province. One of the biggest trips I ever did, and one of the best and most beautiful places too. Remembering this, and also remembering Hap Wilson’s books to the region, I ordered, the guidebook for those regions. Hap Wilson, with his personal and traditional touch, signed the books.

Check out his store, with several more books! https://hapwilson.com/shop/ What’s more, he has a cabin, Cabin Falls Ecolodge in Temagami, in a remote area far from civilization that you may visit! I should mention, I’m not in anyway associated with the lodge or Hap Wilson’s shop, just merely a fan of his and his wife’s work.

If you want to learn more about canoe tripping and canoe camping gear list, check out Explorations the blog post and video here!