On Sunday Aug. 22, the beach near Scripps Pier in La Jolla, Calif., will be overflowing with surfers and surf legends – and Walden Surfboards founder and surf icon Steve Walden will be there.

Recently, Walden Surfboards announced it will be donating a one-of-a-kind, custom surfboard to the 17^th annual Luau & Longboard Invitational,a cancer research charity event. The annual Moores UCSD Cancer Center Luau & Longboard Invitational surfs for a cure to raise awareness and funds for cancer research.

My silent reverie was shattered with a thunderous “THUMP” as a heavy dense, spiky green Lodgepole pine cone dropped two feet from where I was working on setting up the coffee pot.  “That would have really hurt if is hit me” I thought as the last shock waves reverberated through the forest loam.  I strolled over to the pine cone,  picked it  up and was admiring it for it’s weapon-like properties when a loud “CLANG” directly behind me made me nearly jump out of my skin.  I spun around, in a heartbeat, to see another freshly dropped pine cone rolling off the steel bear box where it had just landed, inches from the camp stove.

“That is really odd” I thought as I sat down in my camp chair just a few feet where I was standing, shaking with the adrenaline (normally reserved for white knuckle drive home through Los Angeles after a relaxing camping trip in the Sierras) coursing through my body.  I pondered as to why two pine cones dropped in the space of a couple minutes as I brushed off the pine needles that were dropping on my head at an unprecedented rate, disturbing my vision, and further distracting my pre-coffee muddled thinking process.  I looked up to see what kind of stealth wind was blowing pine needles exclusively above my head, and could not get a good view through the deluge,  so I stood up to get a different angle.  Just as my butt left it’s perch, the grandaddiest pine cone of them all made a free fall into the very chair I was just occupying. The elastic nature of the seat rebounded that great big heavy pine cone right to my feet, where it glared at me with malicious intent.

I am fairly freaked out at this point, and I quickly made my way out from under the tree and into one of the small blue patches of sky I was admiring as I woke up,  and marveled at the way karma was trying to work me for tossing those pine logs into the fire with a little too much relish last evening.  I resigned myself to a long desperate trip through the trees, dodging pine cone mortars in a quest for  tree free topography which was nowhere in the vicinity.  In my glum reverie, I began to be aware of the commotion in the branches of the tree that was attacking me.  Everywhere where this commotion went, there was a chatter, and eventually I made out chubby little brown form causing the noise and commotion.  My karmic fear eased to a curiosity as I tracked the little brown form busily making its way through the lower branched of the Lodgepole pine,  inspecting each tip for a pine cone and rapidly chewing off the cones he thought worthy and dropping them to the ground. This squirrel was not part of a plot by mother nature trying to take me out, but a busy little rodent making a living.  I was not part of a cosmic plan to take my life, Mother Nature was just going about it’s business despite my intrusion.  I pulled my chair a safe distance away from the tree, and enjoyed the view while my my coffee began to percolate away.

25% Off All Camelbak Packs, Water Bottles & Accessories!

Jetboil Classic Cooking System $64.99!

Garmin GPS at REI. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee! Plus free Shipping for REI Members.
20% Off All Thule Racks, Car-Top Boxes & Accessories during REI Anniversary Sale!
15% Off All BOB Strollers during REI Anniversary Sale! Ends 5/31.

20% Off All Chariot Bike Trailers & Accessories during REI Anniversary Sale! Ends 5/31.

Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx GPS $199.99 during REI Anniversary Sale! Ends 5/31.

20% Off all Mountain House Freeze-Dried Food!
30% Off all REI-Brand Titanium Cookware!

This perception changed the day that the GoLite Cady jacket arrived on my doorstep.  The GoLite Cady jacket features a recycled polyester shell and 3M’s Thinsulate insulation.  The jacket is manufactured from recycled content.  This jacket is fairly thin, compact, and loaded with features for such a light jacket.  The GoLite Cady Jacket has quickly become my go to piece when the weather gets a little nippy both in town and on the trail.

This jacket has zippered side hand pockets, a couple of interior pockets (one with an iPod port), and pitzips.   The jacket fits loose enough that I can layer underneath,  but is not bulky,  and does not make me look like the Michelin Man.  The collar has a nice soft fleece lined liner, and the elastic cuffs on the sleeves are functional, comfortable and simple.  The front zipper has a double slider that allows one to open up the bottom while the top remains zipped.  Unfortunately, this feature makes it much harder to engage the zipper,  and I often struggle getting it zipped up.  The jacket comes with a small stuff sack that fits the packed jacket nicely.  I would prefer a reversible chest pocket that would double as a stuff sack, as I always carry the included stuff sack, so the extra weight would be negligible.

The GoLite Cady jacket has been everywhere with me the last few months.  From rain to snow to blowing winds, the Cady jacket has kept me warm in an amazingly thin sleek package.  The inclusion of pit zips in an insulated jacket allows for an expanded usage, as I could ventilate the jacket while doing moderate activity (such as hiking and snowshoeing in cold weather) without having to take it off and put it on during breaks.  The jacket would be even more versatile if it had a DWR finish, and would shed precipitation rather than soak it up.   Despite the propensity to wet out easily, it remains warm, even when the outside is wet.  Layered with a waterproof shell, you have a fantastic do it all combo that will serve you well in just about any condition.

GoLite has taken a good synthetic insulation piece, and have made it as functional as possible, while maintaining their core philosophy of using recycled materials whenever possible.  This jacket is well made and well thought out,  demanding consideration for those in the market for an insulated jacket.

Tomorrow (October 24) is 350.org’s International Day of Climate Action.

Founded by author and environmentalist Bill McKibben, 350.org is the first large-scale grassroots global campaign against climate change. Its supporters include leading scientists, the governments of 89 countries, and a huge variety of environmental, health, development and religious NGOs. All agree that current atmospheric levels of co2—390 parts per million—are causing damage to the planet and to its most vulnerable people, and that government action at the Copenhagen climate conference is required to bring the earth’s carbon level swiftly down.

There are several 350.org happening in San Diego.  You can find a list of them here:

350.org events in San Diego

[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

After a few blips in the road,  I will be announcing the winners for the Stanley Water Bottles,  and the contest in conjunction with 4alloutdoors on Monday.  On Tuesday I will be introducing the biggest giveaway in the history Outside San Diego.  If you like to be outside, check back on Tuesday.

As my 40th birthday appraoches in  under a year,  I began planning for my midlife crisis.  I figured I have a choice between buying a Porche,  and giving everyone the immpression that I am trying to compensate for something,  or I could challenge myself in ways I previously thought immposible.  After much consideration, and some not so gentle chiding form my wife, I am beggining traing for my first ever triatholon at some point in the first four months of 2010.   As I slowly began to emerge from the sedintary shell that marked my early 30’s,  new vistas opened up as to my capabilities.  I would have never even considered setting a goal of competing in a triathlon, but I believe that my mind and heart are up to the challenge,  and where there is a will, the body will follow.  The running is a particular challenge as I have never been very capable.  I am now coming to realize that it is as much mental as it is physical,  and by training enough, and wanting enough I will suceed.  Stay tuned for regular updates on my progress.

As always Outside San Diego will bring you quality gear reviews, gear bargains, trip reports, and news fro San Diego, Southern California and beyond.

As many of you Californians and ex-Californians, and some of you folks from civilized States know, our State is attempting some outrageous stunts to try and balance the budget.

There is a proposal to close a large number of State Parks, including  Bodie State Historic Park, the one that I work at as a Maintenance Mechanic. This park is a huge boost to our local economy, and the closure would likely cost the State more than keeping it open. I am one of the 3 permanent employees who would probably be retained to try and keep the artifacts from walking away, but my wife Chris and the other seasonal employees would lose their jobs and the revenue that they generate for the State of California would cease. Please visit the website below to learn more of this ill-advised scheme. There is also some good contact information for those who would like to write or email the officials concerned.

www.calparks.org/stopclosures

So lets stop this nonsense, and let the Powers that be in California that they need to make cuts where they will not be hurting the people, but make cuts to the fat that exists in Sacramento.