2020 Fall Gear Review – Thunder Basin National Grasslands
In 2020 travelers seek solitude and distance because of the scourge of COVID-19 pandemic. The summer saw record crowds hiking and camping in National Parks, Monuments, Seashores, Wildlife Refuges, and even state and municipal parks. There has been no escape.
Little know to most outdoors people are th U.S. National Grasslands that are mostly located in the American West. Most have no toilets, running water, lodges oror shelters, but only dedicated primitive camp sites, miles from anywhere or anyone. One of my favorites is Rhunder Basin National Grasslands is remote eastern Wyoming,, at the headwaters of the Powder River, the last undammed major wirver if the U.S. There are no grocery stores in the area, except for two small towns on the north and east edge the rugged terrain. Some roads are for ATVs only, and there are no paved roads with the Grasslands. AI have seen wild mustangs racing the wind, an magnificent throwback to the Old West. How exhilerating!
Thunder Basin is part of the Medicine Bow National Forest and is huge, so you need a map and other info which is obtain ed from the U.S. Forest Service district office in Douglas, Wyoming, which administers the area. Contact the Douglas Ranger District at 2250 East Richards Street, Douglas, WY 82633; Phone: 307-358-4690.
Visit their websit at https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/mbr/about-forest
Everyone wants to go to the beach, even in a pandemic.
But go in style with a pillow made for the beach while practicing safe distancing.
Relax with the one beach pillow that won’t blow away.
Beaches are windy, and pillows are lightweight. That’s a great combo for flying kites, but chasing flying pillows isn’t nearly as fun. Ballast is the only soft, weather resistant pillow that will stay put, allowing you to relax even on the windiest days. Turn the beach into the world’s most comfortable bed. Leave your alarm clock behind.
How It Works
Ballast pillows stay put, so you can stay comfortable and relaxed Fill the pouch with a scoop of sand, or a small weighted object. Fold the top twice to keep anything from spilling out. Attach the loops to clasps on either side. Rest and relax
Comfortable. Compact. Weather Resistant.
Soft breathable fabric wicks away water and sheds sand. Contoured bottom cradles neck and head. Plush padded top provides extra comfort. Custom cooling sleeve helps you stay cool under the hot sun
Choose Your Favorite Design. Ballast pillows come in two fashionable color variations, and a fun pattern featuring the lovable Ballast Beach Sloth. Pick the one that makes you happiest, or buy all three.
Beauty That Is Out of This World
As the days start to shorten and the world continues to slowly reopen, Atomic Beauty Cosmetics is here for your fall season beauty needs.
“It could not be more profound and an assurance that we are here to please even in a
pandemic! In a time where we are all wearing masks because of this global situation, to
have a beauty product as simple as a lipstick that can be worn under your mask without issue
gives us no excuse to add a little more beauty to our “current normal” beauty routines.”
– Michelle Schoser Davis, Owner, Atomic Beauty Cosmetics
Launched in 2018 (with additional shades added in 2019), Atomic Beauty Cosmetics’ Liquid Lip Silk and Liquid Lip Metal formulas are long-wearing and easy to apply. After application, they dry down to their respective silky matte finish or their soft metallic shine, becoming transfer resistant. This is perfect for no fuss and limited if any touchups. It is also refreshing that these lipsticks have shown to not relocate to the inside of your face mask. While many liquid lipsticks have a reputation for being drying on the lips, these are unique in their ability to smoothly sit on top of the lip without being drying. In fact, the formula feels so lightweight
when applied, it is almost as if the wearer does not have anything on. With 12 shades available, the Atomic Beauty Cosmetics’ Liquid Lip Silks and Atomic Beauty Cosmetics’ Liquid Lip Metals retail for $21 USD and can be found on their website,
www.atomicbeautycosmetics.com , or in their approved Stockists/Retailers. Both online and via the Atomic Beauty Cosmetics’ social media channels, there are services available to help guests pick out shades if needed. You might even be lucky enough, to have the Owner who is also a Professional Makeup Artist, Michelle Schoser Davis pick out a color or two for you personally.
Be on the lookout for a new website and e-commerce shop launching this month!
Follow them on:
Instagram
www.instagram.com/atomicbeautycosmetics
Facebook
www.facebook.com/atomicbeautycosmetics
Twitter
www.twitter.com/atomicbeautyco1
Pinterest
www.pinterest.com/atomicbeautycosmetics
To purchase, visit their site at
www.atomicbeautycosmetics.com
Nite Ize is one of my favorite gear companies. They make many small outdoor products that enhance the outdoor experience. I use their rubberized wire twists to attach my fishing pole to my bike, or tie down objects on m backpack.
Here are a few 2020 innovative products from Nite Ize:
Radiant 00 Lantern
This robust 400 lumen lantern is powered by three D-cell batteries and includes a unique light-diffusing bag. It is weather resistant, impact resistant, and features an integrated carabiner handle to clip, carry, and hang this lantern almost anywhere.
The fully featured Radiant 400 Lantern illuminates any outdoor adventure or night spent at home during a power outage. At 400 Lumens, it provides beacon-like brightness when needed, and its durable design showcases. The lantern has three adjustable levels to provide intensely bright, or softer lighting providing the best lighting solution in any situation. It also comes with a protective carrying bag that doubles as a light diffuser. This lantern can run for nearly 800 hours in low mode before needing to swap out for new ones.
Multi-mode switch for three LED modes: high, medium, low
Intelligent switch: push to cycle through modes, after 5 seconds, push once to turn off
Optical diffuser for uniform beam pattern
Drop proof to 1 meter
Dimensions: 3.86″ Dia. x 7.92″ | 98mm Dia. x 201mm
Radiant 170 Rechargeable Headlamp
With 170 lumens of flood lighting that’s perfect for tasks, this dual-color headlamp offers four modes, adjustable tilt, and a detachable body that converts to a hand-held light.
Headlamp has a dual-color that offers the ability to switch between white and red illumination to preserve night vision. With integrated chip-on-board (COB) technology, the Radiant 170 Rechargeable Headlamp features even lighting that reduces shadows, making it a perfect companion for projects, workspaces, and tasks. In addition to four modes and easy push-button operation, this versatile hands-free lighting solution is impact and water resistant (IPX4) and features a body that can be tilted 180° for easy beam adjustment. The detachable body can be easily removed and converted into a handheld light. Powered by a rechargeable lithium ion battery that charges using a micro USB cable (not included).
Drop proof up to 1m)
Water resistant (tested to IPX4)
Comfortable, high-quality adjustable strap
Red = needs charging
Green = fully charged
Recharges in approximately 2h 40min
Run time: 2 hours
Dimensions: 2.8″ x 1.1″ x 2.8″ | 72mm x 28mm x 71mm
Weight: 2.1oz | 60g
Weight: 11.6oz | 329g
Inova T8R Powerswitch Rechargeable Dual Color LED Flashlight
This rechargeable, dual-color 762 lumen tactical flashlight offers both a bright white beam and a powerful red beam that preserves night vision. Featuring PowerSwitch technology, five modes, and a durable machined aluminum body, the T8R is rechargeable but can also run on two non-rechargeable CR123 batteries.
Precision engineered to meet the serious technical and functional needs of professionals everywhere, the INOVA T-Series LED Tactical Flashlights offer powerful illumination, handling responsiveness, and tactical grade durability. The INOVA T8R is micro USB rechargeable and offers the ability to switch between a powerful 762 lumen white beam or a red beam for preserving night vision. The patented knurled color-select dial makes it simple to switch between white and red beams. With the ability to project a white beam up to 876 feet and a red beam up to 620 feet, T8R has an end-cap switch that activates High, Low, Momentary High, Strobe, and SOS modes for the ultimate in versatility and performance.
The T8R features a rechargeable/replaceable Lithium Ion battery that can be recharged anytime using the included micro USB cable – simply pull the tailcap to reveal the protected charging port. The unique tailcap design can also be extended and locked to create a built-in flashlight stand. With a precision machined, aluminum body featuring a military-spec Type III hard coat anodized finish, the T8R is engineered to be reliable even in the most extreme conditions.
White: High – 762 | Low – 40
Red: High – 165 | Low – 24
Run time- White: High – 3 hours 50 min | Low – 30 hours
Red: High – 3 hours 20 min | Low – 22 hours 30 min
Recharges in approximately 4 hours with micro USB cable (included)
Patented knurled color-select dial makes it simple to switch between red and white beams
Tactical construction is shockproof, crushproof, and water resistant
End-cap switch activates High, Low, Strobe, SOS, Momentary High, and Momentary Strobe modes
Dual-power source runs on included micro USB rechargeable/replaceable custom INOVA Lithium Ion battery or two non-rechargeable CR123 batteries
Aerospace-grade aluminum body with mil-spec, Type III hard coat anodized finish
Individually laser engraved with a serial number for identification
PVD coated stainless steel clip for secure attachment and convenient access
Impact-resistant head protects optical system
High-powered energy efficient 36,300 hour LED
Electronically controlled for uniform light output
Uniform focused spot with flood beam pattern
Aggressive knurling for positive grip
Durable polycarbonate optical window has a double-sided anti-reflective coating and an O-Ring seal to withstand environmental pressures
Protected charging point in tailcap
Unique tailcap design doubles as a built-in flashlight stand
O-Ring ensures seal integrity and threads are anodized for reliability
Replacement Rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery for T8R available
Dimensions: 6.7″ x 1.5″ | 170mm x 39mm
Weight: 8.5oz | 240g
Buglit Micro Flashlight
Don’t be deceived by its cute appearance, the BugLit is actually a powerful task light equipped with incredibly versatile Gear Tie legs. The bendable legs can be wrapped to hold the light in place anywhere you might need, while the fully featured light has four modes and is bright enough to illuminate up to 50 feet ahead.
The BugLit “body” is actually our powerful INOVA Microlight – a tough micro flashlight encased in a durable polycarbonate plastic housing, with four functions (high power, low power, strobe, and signal). This bright white LED has an effective range of up to 50 feet, and one-mile visibility.
Next, the securely attached “legs” are two flexible, fully moldable 6″ Nite Ize Gear Ties, which can be bent, wrapped, or twisted in many configurations, to sit, stand, store, or shine the flashlight. Wrap the legs around the body for compact storage and transport. And, finally, its lightweight plastic S-Biner clip allows you to attach, hang, or store the BugLit for convenient access on zippers or keys.
Feature by Kriss Hammond, Editor, www.Jetsettersmagazine.com.