ROADDUDE

Longtime Off-Grid/Vanlife Adventurer - On the Road In North America

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You are here: Home / Archives for boots

Books, Boots, & Hats

09.18.2018 by Road //

Pretty much in that order; that’s what I most depend on in life.

Books. Far as I’m concerned, one can never have too many books. Books can be powerful, magic, things if you let them.

The titles of these two books are self explanatory and help fulfill my insatiable curiosity about woods and water. Both are considered classics and both are reads I’m eager to absorb.

Look for future reviews on each. You can find out more about these two titles here:

* The Science and Art of Tracking – Nature’s Path To Spiritual Discovery – Tom Brown, Jr., acclaimed outdoorsman, author and tracker extraordinaire.

More about Tom Brown Jr

Other books by Tom Brown Jr

* Finding Your Way Without Map Or Compass – Harold Gatty, legendary Australian navigator and explorer.

More about Harold Gatty

Other books by Harold Gatty.

Boots. Well hell, I’ve been wearing good western boots since I was a young teenager. That’s like seven decades ago now. No, all seriousness aside, I’ve learned that having several pair of good boots, whether western or not, to rotate wearing saves my feet, overall health, and the boots too. Choosing boots wisely pays off in the long run with good footwear that will last you longer and allow you to be on your feet longer to do the work you need to do.

These are my favorite boots, Justin #1122, still made in the USA of what they call Mulehide but is actually a thick steer hide. This is my second pair, my first pair having been bought in the 70’s. Yeah, like last century 70’s. They wear like iron and outlast any other good working boot I’ve ever owned.

Of course, like most well-made things I like, they quit making these a few years ago. If anyone finds a pair of Justin #1122 in 8.5D, new or decently used, I’ll pay a finders fee if I end up getting them. I’m serious. I like these boots that much.

They’re due for a good cleaning and greasing. I like Huberd’s Shoe Grease for that. It’s an old standby going back to before the Great Depression and is made from pine tar and beeswax with no animal fat or tallow. It’s great for softening, waterproofing, and preserving leather without causing deterioration of threads and stitching. It’s one of those touchstone smells, too, that always brings back memories of where and when I used it before.

Hats. I love my hats. This one is a new Akubra from Australia, something I’ve been wanting for a long time. It’s their Snowy River in a Santone Fawn color and is a classic stockman’s hat meant for all weather. I love this color and it fits my gigantic noggin quite well. You can bet I’ll be getting their classic Cattleman hat, too.

Books, Boots, and Hats. That’s what I depend on most in my life, for both traveling and sitting around jawing.

What do you depend on most?

#books #boots #hats #haroldgatty #tombrownjr #knowledge #knowledgeispower #liveauthentic #akubra #myoutdoorlife #geartesting #sustainablelifestyle #optoutside #worktravel #justin #adventurist #realvanlife #bushcraft #getoutandexplore #tracking #orienteering #nomap #nocompass #noproblem #readingsign #spirit

Categories // books, boots, gear, hats Tags // books, boots, compass, Harold Gatty, hats, Justin Boots, map, Tom Brown Jr, tracking, wester boots, western wear

ROADDUDE.COM

ROADDUDE.COM is about one man’s travels on the roads of North America, with stories and images about the people, places, and culture he encounters along the way.

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Instagram post 2195186349932329029_300201163 LOOKING THROUGH SOME PHOTOGRAPHS...
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No, I’m not going to bust out singing Jackson Browne’s Fountain Of Sorrow, but the natural title of today’s post and the title of the song, along with the soundtrack to this morning’s vid (Blue Mountains by Gabriel Witcher), have me realizing all over again the importance of music and memories.
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When you add music TO memories—like this ride across the Mississippi on the Chalmette-Lower Algiers ferry and some #southofI10 grocery shopping—the combination becomes potentially powerful.
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The trick is to make it as powerful and evocative for viewers as it is in one’s own memory. Much more than this vid does.
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As I prep a thousand different things and ideas for the next big adventure, I know I want to be better prepared to include more video and music in my storytelling.
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My mind is awash with potential. .
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#storytellers #jacksonbrowne #fountainsofsorrow #preparation #ferrys #riverboats #ferryride #mississippiriver #louisiana #ontheroad #musicvid #musicislove #memoriesmade #lifeontheroad #bluemountains #gabrielwitcher #gettingready #cantfindmywayhome #gettogettin #chalmette #loweralgiers #donotsit #musicmakeslifebetter #memorymaker #memoriesmadehere #neworleansculture #rouses #adventurerig #explorerpage
Instagram post 2194561191865551995_300201163 MAINE WINTERS - Lord knows I’ve seen a bunch of them...
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though I have to admit I’m kind of enjoying being here for more of winter than I thought I would be this year.
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I didn’t plan it this way. I missed last winter in Maine entirely, having left the Maine coast mid October and not returning til 34 weeks and 17,000 miles later.
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Though born in the American West and raised in Europe, I’ve spent more of my adult life in Maine than anywhere else.
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When not out wandering the continent, that is, which I have done steadily over the last twenty years, from northern Quebec to the California coast and pretty much everywhere in between. Most of it multiple times.
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Maine has a history of strong independence and has retained more of its regional identity, personality, and culture than most other parts of the country.
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It has been a reduce/reuse/recycle state and interested in sustainability far longer than most—no doubt part of why I am such a staunch believer. Maine is also one of the least populated states. At only 43.1 persons/sq mi, equal to less than half of the national average. About 85% live within 15 miles of the coast, a statistic I remember from living here before.
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Having been gone most of the last twenty years and now back on the coast on and off is an odd mix of memory and sense of re-awakened adventure in a place I already know.
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So I’m enjoying being here for winter a bit; spending time with my kid and her kid, making the house smell great with soups and stews I’m whipping up and  shoveling snow and getting ready in my own lingering way for the next long adventure west.
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It’s looking like I may be gone to the borderlands a lot longer this time. It’s been decades, though, since I explored the downeast coast and Maritimes in depth, so may scoot back up here for summer and fall next year.
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Who knows. I sure don’t.
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And that’s alright with me.
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#mainewinter #lifeontheroad #mainecoast #coastallifestyle #atlanticcoast #americanadventure #newenglandlife #newenglandwinter #letsgetlost #wheretonext #shortwinterdays #adventurers #explorersclub #overlandadventure #ontheroads #backroads #urbanexplorers #familytimeisthebesttime #thedesertiscalling #lok
Instagram post 2193028344830918308_300201163 LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME...I was rolling through NOLA.
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I hung out for a few days exploring old haunts and making new ones. I’d just come from the Smokies across Tennessee and down through Alabama and Mississippi, much of it on US 11.
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I was meandering my way west to the borderlands, not in any hurry and thoroughly enjoying my slow travel way of life.
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I didn’t know it, but I was about to embark on what ended up one of the coolest parts of any adventure I’ve ever had; several weeks of exploring the bayous, swamps, and culture of Cajun country.
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Truly one of the last bastions of regional identity in America.
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South of I-10, Another America. Can’t wait to go back.
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#nola #neworleans #southofi10 ##buggyride #cajun #acadien #frenchacadian #nomadlife #nomadiclife #travelphotographer #neworleansculture #bayous #louisiana #igersnola #letsgetlost #wheretonow #southerncharm #adventureawaits #slowtravel #solotravel #balconylife #lookingattheworldthroughawindshield #roadlife #roadtrip #longdistancetravel #adventurers #overlander #expeditionunknown #frenchquarter
Instagram post 2192636540927176316_300201163 HANGRY BIRD: CRANK THE SOUND...
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This is my little Dino-Bird pal from East Tennessee. He was wicked hangry for some sunflower seeds.
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Crank the volume to hear.
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#hangry #angrybird #wickedhungry #dinobird #easttennessee #tuftedtitmouse #campvibes #myoutdoorlife #ornithology #imgoodwithanimals #birdbrains #birdlife #birdfeeder #smokymountains #cadescove #lifeontheroad #digitalnomad #wildlifephotographer #meanass #hungrybirds #iwishicouldfly #birdman #flyawaywithme #ilovebirds #offgridliving #goneoutdoors #inthewoods #wildlifeart #wildlifeartist #titmouse
Instagram post 2192339368029574595_300201163 “I HAVE A WAY WITH ANIMALS...”
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That’s what my grandkid told me once, about the affinity animals seem to have for him. A sort of immediate understanding that he understands them, so they come closer, and sooner than they may have otherwise.
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This Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) flew down and perched on my finger as I tried to make a short video about packing arrangements in my trailer.
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A small flock of them had grown used to my camping in the same spot. I’d hand feed them every morning. This one came down all “Hey Road, it is SUNFLOWER seed time!”
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Encourages me to ponder if traits like being calm enough that animals trust you can be passed down genetically through generations or if it is an environmentally learned thing, through sheer exposure to family and similar situations.
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I suspect it’s a bit of both. That Tufted Titmice are quite tame helped, too.
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Random thoughts from a homegrown naturalist.
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I’ve posted this before. Now when I see it, it always stops me for a bit.
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#tuftedtitmouse #ornithology #ornithologyphotography #humantraits #imgoodwithanimals #imgoodwithpeople #smokymountains #smokymountainmemories #birdman #ilovebirds #campvibes #ontheroad #inthewoods #goneoutdoors #lifeontheroad #adventuretime #wishiwasacrow #wishicouldfly #flyawaywithme #offgrid #offgridliving #birdfeeder #hungrybirds #titmouse #myoutdoorlife #outdoorlifestyle #exploretocreate #easttennessee #birdlife #idratherbecamping
Instagram post 2191752525047143750_300201163 COLOR FOR A WINTER DAY
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Stopped snowing late yesterday,  temps climbed back up a bit, and everyone is out and about like nothing ever happened.
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Wasn’t that bad. Not enough to faze Mainers, anyway.
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Though everything is now white, gray, black, and white.
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So here’s a little color. That’s an Ocotillo blossom, April 2nd, in the Chihuahuan Desert with my adventure/camping rig in the background.
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For most of the year Ocotillo stand tall and spindly, looking brittle and dead, like a remnant of lord knows what once alive. .
Come late winter early spring, they summon up reserves, often turn green with short, tight-to-the-cane leaves, and top off with brilliant red-orange blossoms. Can make a sweet tea from them.
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Headed back there soon, if I can get all this crazy stuff done here in Maine 😜
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#ocotillo #chihuahuandesert #bibe #borderlands #adventurerig #terlingua #presidiocounty #bigbendranchstatepark #springcolor #lifeontheroad #wheretonow #igtexas #tmwanders #texas #rooftoptent #rtt #rooftoptentliving #desertbloom #blossoms #lifeontheroad #leavenotrace #offgrid #offroad #goneoutdoors #nomadlifestyle #wheretonow #mainetotexas #roadtripusa #southofi10 #solotravel #desertlife #desertvibes
Instagram post 2190901436089465591_300201163 ENOUGH IS ENOUGH...5 Images
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Seriously, @unitedbyblue, these paper catalogs come too often already, and to get four of these “Or Current Resident” mailings in rapid fire succession in the last couple weeks is enough.
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As someone who does a lot of clean-up around the country of what others leave behind, it is disheartening to see a company boast they remove a pound of trash for every product purchased, then see them send out how many pounds of unsolicited Or Current Resident paper catalogs.
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I did not opt-in to these paper mailings, do not want them, and am discouraged from purchasing anything from you because of them.
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Honestly, they go right into the recycling bin to be hauled off. I bet a lot go straight into trash and dumps. I don’t care if it’s recycled, it’s crazy to get this much crap in the mail.
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I could find how to stop them on only one of the four paper catalogs, and that, tiny, barely noticeable and barely readable on the back cover corner.
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You can bet I’m unsubscribed.
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How about switching to paperless promotion and letting folks opt in or not.
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Enough is enough.
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#nomorepapertrash #enoughisenough #dontfeedthelandfills #imtiredofthis #unsolicited #unitedbyblue #unsubscribe #roamtheworld #takecareoftheearth #adventuretime #responsiblemyass #nomorefromyou #discouraged #toomuch #enoughalready #seriouslytho #makeastand #dotherighthing #toomuchtrash #emptyboast #notsustainable #nomoretrash #thisisnuts #ivehadit #misleading #thisiscrazy #nomoreexcuses #disheartened #usingtheconsumer
Instagram post 2190102848686093801_300201163 I’LL TAKE A DOZEN, PLEASE...
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Maybe another dozen after that.
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It’s gray and snowing here on the coast of Maine today. Not enough to matter really, just a few inches, though enough to put my mind right back on the shore for those last days of warm autumn sun ... and bright color ... and sweet breezes. Long paddles on silent waters.
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You catch my drift, I’m sure. Drift, yeah, and drifting through the shallows...
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I’ll just have to buckle down, get back to work on website stuff—roaddude.com, long overdue for an overhaul, is coming along nicely, thank you— and drag more stuff out of the van when the snow slows so I can mess with the interior, and continue finalizing plans for the next big cross-country adventure to the borderlands!
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Lots of stuff to do!
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Who else is making plans and getting shit done?
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#adventurerig #gettingshitdone #brightsunnyday #daydreams #lakecamping #wishiwasthere #gotshittodo #fallcolors #wheretonow #letitsnow #basecamp #offgrid #offroadtrip #rtt #rooftoptent #rooftoptentliving #letsgetlost #mylifemyrules #mylifeoutdoors #goneoutdoors #lifeontheroad #makingplans #adventuretime #gotworktodo #workfirst #themoneywillcome #offroadtrailer #goxventure #xventurefamily #xventurelife
Instagram post 2189362707390782669_300201163 GOT MY XMAS SHOPPING ALL DONE - Was great to see so many smiling happy faces.
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Ahh, the spirit of Christmas is in the air!
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#blackfriday #xmasshopping #doneshopping #blackfriday2019 #christmasshopping #christmasshoppingdone #theworldsgonemad #bigscreen #widescreen #ilovechristmas  #bellswillberinging #spiritofchristmas #theweatheroutsideisfrightful #prettymessedupinsidetoo #wtfpeople #realitycheck #lifeontheroad #letsgoshopping #gladiwasntthere #forrealtho #yodisstupid #damnpeople #peoplebecrazy #spiritofgiving #seasonoflove #seasonofgiving #gimmegimmegimme #gimmedat #seriously #icantbelieveit
Instagram post 2188688323697054555_300201163 I’M A HARLAN MAN
Went down in the mine when I was barely grown
It was easy then
Cause I didn’t know what I know now
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~ Steve Earle
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Crank the sound and watch it again.
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Made this vid and soundtrack exactly one year ago, running done an old logging road in East Tennessee. It’s one of my favorite parts of the country and from where my dad’s side of the family all hail.
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Coal mining towns, hard scrabble living back in the hollers, and amazing mountain music from amazing mountain people.
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That’s Steve Earle singing Harlan Man with the Del McCoury Band on the great album The Mountain. Link in my bio.
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Go play the beginning strains to the first song, Texas Eagle, and see if your feet don’t start tapping.
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One of many writing projects is to flesh out stories and articles about the people of East Tennessee around the Cumberland Gap, from Jellico and Fonde over to Hazard and Harlan and down to Tazewell and Bean Station.
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As much a mixed bag of success and sorrow as any man might want.
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I posted this a year ago, though in a square format. I like seeing the whole thing so present it that way here.
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#themountain #steveearle #easttennessee #dirtroad #graveltravek #delmccoury #banjo #mandolin #oldroad #mountainfolk #tennessee #adventurist #explorerpage #exploremoreoutdoors #tennesseehills #cumberlandgap #goneoutdoors #exploretocreate #musicvideoshoot #nomadiclife #roadphotography #travelphotography📷 #mountainmen #coalmining #mountainmusic #getoutandexplore #smokymountains #mistymountains #borntoroam #rainyafternoon
Instagram post 2188138136255604331_300201163 INSIDE LOOKING OUT - THATS WHERE I WANT TO BE...
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With my outside world just a step away.
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#myoutdoorlife #basecamp #vanlife #mylifeoutdoors #offgridliving #offgridlife #vandweller #letsgetlost #lifeontheroad #roaddude #nomadartist #nomadphotographer #goneoutdoors #geargeek #lakelifestyle #nomadlifestyle #ontheroad #wheresroadnow #adventurerig #gmcsavana #beherenow #mycamp #onsomeadventure #bealive #makingmemories #beinthemoment #nomadic #adventuretillwedie #adventureon #putdownthephone
Instagram post 2187503488341206268_300201163 FEELING GRATEFUL - Listening to heartfelt songs from singer-songwriters, feeling lucky to have the family I do. I mean my kiddo and her kiddo.
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Made this image over the summer one moon-lit night camping on a New England lake with my favorite adventure pal.
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#grateful #luckyman #family #fandamily #adventurepal #moonlight🌙 #moondance #blackandwhiteart #photoart #artphotos #fatherdaughtertime #dadsanddaughters #threegenerations #mainers #kiddo #positivevibes #nomaddad #allinthefamily #3genfam #lotsalove #thankful #silhouettephotography #moonshadows #moonandclouds #nightskypainting #campingfamily #goneoutdoors #myoutdoorlife #mylifeoutside #thedesertiscalling
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Back Cove, Maine, working on:

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  • – South of I-10, Another America
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