Re: [Paddlewise] Samll tent

Sisler, Clyde wrote:
> 
>         The greatest moneysaver was when they opened I-287.  Then I didn't
> go by CampMor on the way North and I didn't sign my life away so often.
> JP
> 
> -------
> 
> What part of the state is Saddle River in?  I go to New Jersey once or twice
> a year but have never been to see them.  No, never mind, I spend enough with
> them as it is.  I think I've already subsidized at least one of their entire
> departments.

A couple of points:

1) Campmor is well worth a visit as it is quite huge and almost always
has little special sales on items.  I have picked up some wonderful
things there such as one of those silk sleeping bag liners that I would
never would look at at their full $55 price but looked awfully inviting
at $15!!!.  Or some polartec 100 tops that had been going for around $50
but were at $18.  Every tent is on display; you could spend a whole day
crawling in and out of the 50 or so that seem to be there (one two
tiers; you pull the top ones down to the floor to try out).  The boating
department is so-so, I hate to say that as I do know the boating buyer. 
Just not up to date.  Few or none of the better PFDs, sprayskirts,
non-neoprene cold water fleece, etc.

It is about 15 miles from the Upper Westside, where I live, i.e. less
than a half hour drive even with traffic.  You could catch a commuter
bus there if visiting New York on business.  It is on Highway 17 North.

2)  Anyone on Paddlewise coming to New York City should check into
paddling possibilities here.  With a folding kayak it is relatively easy
to access all sorts of places using public transportation.  But if you
call with enough advance notice, I could probably cook up some
hardshells or folding kayaks to use for the classic trip around the
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.  I would be even happy to accomodate
those Paddlewisers who make wisecracks about folding kayaks...if they
don't mind a old leaky plastic boat. :-)

(As a side note, when I was out paddling yesterday up closer to my home,
my marine radio kept talking about a security zone around Liberty and
Ellis Islands that even was diverting the Staten Island ferry around the
back of Governor's Island--something that has very rarely happened. 
Seems Gore was in town at Ellis making the speech about bringing Kosovo
refugees into the US.  I supposed there was fear that some ferry
passenger might shoot at him.)

3.  Back to the tent choice.  For a one-person tent, you can't go wrong
with the Eureka Zephyr, the original one not the suped-up Zephyr XT or
whatever it is called.  The Zephyr packs down small, weighs an honest 3
and half pounds or so, has head room to sit up, is free standing and
with terrific ventilation system.  To me, the only flaw is that it does
have purple around the floor which could show a bit in commando camping
but the fly is a dullish gray, so okay for such type camping.  BTW, the
current issue of Backpacker reviews a number of one-person tents.

ralph diaz
-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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