Keep Those Birthday Candles

I've always wanted a cabin on an island. You know, boat access only. It's a small dream probably shared by millions others. I'm sure my fellow dreamers have thought about this nightmare. You get to the island and have forgotten ____________ (insert your own fear). Whether it be salt or toilet paper or libation or new paperback, that one thing could drive you nuts.

Perhaps I am prepared for island ownership. Why? I keep stuff, hoard other stuff, and reuse and repurpose with pride. There's a sushi place that we frequent. I keep the takeout containers and use them on hikes to the envy of all those around me (or so I think). Here are some other tricks of the trade to try out when hiking and camping.

Sock Love: clean, dry socks are often a luxury. Keep a pair in your backpack even for a day hike. Staying out in the wild overnight? Shove a pair in your sleeping bag for sleeping purposes only. Thank me later.

Pack a Return Snack: whether it be four hours on a trail or four days in a tent. Give a gift to your future self by having a favourite nibble in your car upon return.

One Benefit: the pandemic has been a royal pain but sanitizer has become incredibly ubiquitous. That's a good thing because it is great fire starter. Hint, hint...so is lint...stuff an empty toilet paper cardboard roll with the lint as extra fuel and smart storage.

Birthday Leftovers: trick birthday candles make great weatherproof matches or fire starters. Let mother nature try to blow them out.

Bread Tags: you know those plastic clippy things? Get more use out of them. They are good for hanging clothes to dry or clipping food pouches up high. Just don't leave them behind.

Egg Water: I have never tried this but love the idea. A disposable water bottle can hold eight eggs. By the time you get the frying pan heated, they will be well scrambled from the hike.

Rave On: keep a few dollar store glow bracelets, necklaces or sticks in your pack. The uses are endless from rescue beacon to camp light to attracting bugs away from you. A glow stick in a translucent water bottle creates an amazing lantern.

Shower Caps: these are also multi-purpose. From separating wet items from dry to protecting food or if you want to wear them as designed when you jump in the lake.

How do these sound to you? Do you have others to share? Let us know.