Love and kindness are the very basis of society. If we lose these feelings, society will face tremendous difficulties; the survival of humanity will be endangered. - Dalai Lama
I get a kick out of being an outsider constantly. It allows me to be creative. - Bill Hicks
The status quo sucks. - George Carlin
“If the fool would persist in his folly, he would become wise.” – William Blake
I stopped by Yogi Tea Headquarters in Springfield, Oregon today. After buzzing the doorbell I was welcomed inside, out of the rain. They don’t give tours of the building, but offered me a handful of sample tea packets to try. I took my time investigating each type, but ended up taking every kind I think. Pictured are new varieties I’ve never seen on store shelves before. You can find Yogi teas by the box at nearly every health food shop. They are delicious. I’m grateful for the hookup. It paid off to stop, and inquire. These will go into my EDC bag immediately for later consumption. But I got two of their Roasted Dandelion Spice Detox formula, so I will have to drink that tonight.
Update: I went back for this picture of the free sample bowl at headquarters. I scored 11 more packets from Yogi. Visit them in Springfield, OR for a hook up.
Help yourself to unlimited free tea just for stopping by
Survival Bros goes car camping, and cooks food with the new Pinnacle Base Camper Large from GSI Outdoors. The slick gear features their nFORM Destination System, offering a nesting design for compact storage. Watch in HD video as I show you how it works, and clean it with ease.
The camp cookware is top quality. Each item is designed for hard use, and extended durability. The Teflon coating on the two pots, and large skillet is abrasion resistant, so harmful chemicals won’t be scratched off into food. Plus, the metal is proven to distribute heat evenly, for quick cooking. You can see in the vlog how my food is boiling over the entire radius. Also, GSI Outdoors has developed every product they make to be BPA-free. That’s good, because I don’t want my hormones being disrupted. This Washington State based company has the excursion items you need. Carrying around swag from them makes my life much easier, because it does the job, and lasts.
The Base Camper Large is ideal for a group of four, so I intend on using it when I entertain while tenting with friends, or I’m just super hungry. You’ll be glad you got a set like this if you enjoy camping, an preparing meals outdoors. Retail price is $109.95. Visit GSI Outdoors for more info, and check out the Pinnacle Camper set for the ultimate, integrated cooking and eating solution.
I needed to fly away. I packed up my huge 110 Liter Kelty backpack, and boarded a plane for Denver, CO. Listening to Dre, Snoop, Hendrix, and Wiz set the mood on the ride. My brother lives in brick apartment downtown, and was generous enough to let me stay one week there. He showed be around, mentioned cool spots to frequent, but mostly I just got high a mile above the sea level I swam from.
Staying in the historic Capital Hill district, there were Marijuana Dispensaries within walking distance. I anticipated the treats I’d savor, and the bud I’d put in the air. The AMCH hooked me up with all sorts of medicated goodies, as seen in the pictures below. Of course, I didn’t get the best deal as a Oregon resident, compared to people with medical cards. I will say, however, it’s good to know friends in high places for the best stuff. I showed my OR ID, and purchased a bag load of THC infused gummy and taffy candies, cookies, Ear Wax, Pixie Sticks, strains of Indica and Sativa, and a very special Chocolate Rice Crispy Treat. The green, gooey bar was loaded with 500 milligrams of activated THC. The label warned of couch lock, and I found out that’s a real thing. After eating all of it, it took too much energy to move. I watched Judge Judy for 3 days straight. Sure, Denver is a fun city, but I didn’t visit there to act trendy, and fit in. So I smoked every 15 minutes, and got fatter. It sounded better than trying to pick up chicks. I had a hard enough time trying to pick out a can of coffee that wasn’t decaffeinated. And with the thin air up there, picking up anything is difficult, especially females. I’d need an oxygen mask for sex.
I felt free being able to carry a fat bag of smoke, and edibles down the street without worry. Now, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and D.C. have ended marijuana prohibition. Measure 91 in OR has been years in the making. With a tax on it, everyone wins. Except the people that have never tried pot, and refuse to. Ignorance is a dying breed. If you haven’t puffed weed, do all stoners a favor, and don’t comment on something you don’t know anything about. Weed is real medicine. So ditch the pills, and consider Nature’s cure for just about everything – MARIJUANA!
Flying over the Rockies.
Dank nuggets.
Ride a bike for FREE downtown.
SWAT at Denver’s City Hall
Denver Fire Department
Burgers and Fries for me!
AMCH serving the public for recreation and medicinal.
Best food ever.
Intense medicine 500 mg. THC
My marijuana stash for the week.
Cone jays label.
Individual joints.
One love.
Weed cookie munched.
We’re so high…
Check out different pot varieties, and the AMCH shop in Denver, CO
My fellow Oregonians rejoice the news that Measure 91 has passed, and weed in legal in our State!
The colors! Witness two magical rainbows going into the Pacific Ocean water. Filmed in HD video on the Prom near 12th Ave. in Seaside, Oregon. Produced by http://www.cameronmckirdy.com More fun movies, and van dwelling Vlogs coming soon. The Volkswagen Vanagon is still putting around. Thanks for visiting my website. Have you ever seen a double rainbow in person? It was awesom. I love The Universe.
Car camping is one of my favorite blog topics. I hope you find it interesting too. Here’s a checklist of my top foods to store in your vehicle. Many items instantly turn into grub by adding hot water. I got ideas for the perfect van dwelling foods by watching YouTube videos of Thru Hikers packing for their long distance trips. Search for Pacific Crest Trail aka PCT, or Appalachian Trail Backpackers online.
Ziplock bags are a trusted way to keep organized. You can even write on the outside with a permanent pen to label things. Plus, plastic sacks maintain some protection from water, rats, an other elements. Let me know if you have any questions about my setup. Add several gallons of distilled and spring water (not pictured), and I’m ready to go off the grid for weeks. I’m stocked up on:
Honey with ginseng, bee pollen, and royal jelly
Drinks: water, aloe water, coconut beverages, teas, fruit juices
Soups in cans to heat and serve, and powdered packets
Protein Powder, plus various green powders (wheat grass)
Pasta Sides, and Dishes like Top Ramen
Dehydrated Food such as Mountain House Freeze Dried Meals (Apple Crisp is my favorite)
Fruit: Fresh Produce like apples and bananas, also fruit strips, bottles, and cans
Nuts and Seeds like Almond and Hemp
Granola Bars, and Oatmeal
Instant Coffee, instant milk
Condiments: Packets of butter, salsa, pepper, salt, raw sugar, mayonnaise, ketchup, and everything else Free and Holy
Canned meats: Flavored tuna, Spam, Chicken Salad with crackers
Out of nowhere, my VW Bus is struggling to start. Everything electrical flickers. The radio cuts out. The engine sputters. Plus, the battery and OXS (oxygen sensor) light came on. I called Avery’s Air-Cooled in Kelso, WA and they helped me diagnose the problem over the phone. We figured the issue was a faulty voltage regulator. Mechanics Jason and Kelly had a $40 Bosch part, and installed the unit for only $29. But before I got fixed up and back on the road, I was parked on the shoulder of Highway 101, waiting for Classic Towing to get me to another state – Washington. Thank God for AAA. I’m on the Premier towing package. Nothing but the best for my baby. Funny that I broke down on the way to the repair shop.
Avery’s Air-Cooled always hooks me up, and keeps my bill low. And if you have a Volkswagen, chances are they will have the part you need in stock. Call them to order something at (360) 425-1119 Here’s their website too! http://www.averysaircooled.com/ I will have to shoot some HD video there soon. They have tow truck loads of vintage bugs, buses, and beyond. And if you hang out long enough, you’ll get to see a traveling Art Show as the graffiti passes on the nearby train tracks.
I’m all about my freebies. Maybe you remember all of the product samples I’ve scored, and blogged about in the past. You can get free stuff easily by requesting trials online, and they will be delivered to you by mail. When I’m not filling out forms like that, I’m in shops trying to get hook ups. In Starbucks this week they were sampling out pasteries. They weren’t on display yet. The stash was sitting off into the corner on the counter, with a Manager’s note saying “Sample these.” I politely asked an employee if I could have one of the items. There was all sorts of muffins, bars, and scones to pick from. On day one I took the pink cake filled lolly pops with sprinkles. I didn’t eat them in public.
I went back to the coffee shop for more samples the next day, just in case they were still available. Really, I just needed the WiFi to upload my previous video. I scored the squishy coffee cake that day, but didn’t stop there. I requested 3 honey packets too, since they don’t put those out at all Starbucks locations. I swiped a few raw sugar packets as well. Plus, I saw another sign saying I can request a free sample beverage using their coffee pods if I asked. When I mentioned it, the worker said they haven’t used that set up to brew complimentary cups of fresh java lately, even though the machine, and sample pods where still on the front counter. I didn’t have time for them to pretend to look for an extension cord, so I took samples for later consumption.
I like to visit the health food store weekly, and my last trip was really worth it. They always have free tablets of Vitamin C to help yourself to, but there was more. I found packets of food-grade Diatomaceous Earth, Natural Calm magnesium mixes in three flavors, Barlean’s Greens, one DHA pill, and a bag of tea. These individually wrapped servings are perfect for my backpacking trips, and the small emergency caches I like to build to prepare for tsunamis. If I can swoop up all of these freebies, than so can you. Ask for a nibble when you’re in the food court, or browsing the deli counter at the grocery store. It’s fun to see what you can get for asking. Happy hunting Survival Bros.
These cake pops were amazing!
Free coffee cake went well with peanut butter and strawberry jelly
By Cameron McKirdySilver Salmon Being Processed at The East Mooring Basin in Astoria, Oregon
Sushi grade Coho Fillets
My buddies needed a lift, and Designated Driver for a fishing trip in Astoria, OR. I dropped them off at the East Mooring Basin. You’re suppose to pay to park there. They we’re on the water for around four hours before they limited out. The guys ended up with pounds and pounds of fresh fillets. One man kept the salmon eggs for future fishing bait. All of the fishermen had plans to either freeze, and smoke the meat shortly. It was interesting to see the Captain of the boat cut up Coho so efficiently, and discard the waste down properly down a slide. All he needed was a large fillet, and butcher’s knife made by Victorinox of Switzerland. I made sure to ask. He was sharpening the knifes every few fish. Also pictured is the rowdy sea lions that live there on the docks. I saw one beast puke on another, and he didn’t flinch. More blogs coming! Peace.
Get me the 8″ Victorinox Butcher’s Knife for Christmas
Survival Bros followers know I’ve been on the road all summer in my 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon GL. It’s ran strong for months straight. I will do a big summer review blog soon, but here’s a van update shot recently on my travels around the Pacific Northwest. Scope out the rest area known as Dismal Nitch. This Washington State Park is a historic location, because The Lewis and Clark Expedition ran into trouble here, and were pinned against the rocks for six grueling days. Harsh winds, and brutal rain pounded The Corps. of Discovery along the mighty Columbia River over 200 years ago.
My overnight stay was much more pleasurable. I was sheltered in my VW bus, protected from the elements. I took advantage of the facilities by dumping my trash, washing my hands and teeth, and cooking on a covered picnic table in grass. Dismal Nitch in WA also features a trail, informative maps, plus plaques about Lewis and Clark. As mentioned in my HD video, you can stay parked for up to 8 hours, but overnight camping, and tenting are not allowed. So keep a low profile, and pick up after yourself. This is an excellent destination for car campers, and travelers on a budget, or just wanting to get away from the static of the city.
I’ve spent the night in my vehicle here maybe six times this summer, and each trip has been a positive experience, and memorable. So it’s Survival Bros tested, and approved. Visit, because it’s probably the only rest area you’ll ever want to take a picture at. Snap a selfie, and post it on Facebook, because I also got great cell phone reception out there. The view of Astoria, and the bountiful river is astonishing, and extremely relaxing. The only cons are lots of lighting in the parking lot, possibly affecting sleepers negatively. The road noise is also noticeable, but luckily the highway is not heavily used. Thanks for supporting my blog! Feel free to comment, like, and share on social networks. Peace and love from the road less traveled.
Lewis and Clark Bronze Sculpture at Dismal Nitch Park in Washington State
Cameron McKirdy of Survival Bros gets naked, and films the Terwilliger Hot Springs near Cougar Reservoir in Oregon by Blue River. Check out the four natural pools, and the wooden structures. The top pool is now under construction. The natural cave, which was a sauna, and the source of the hot springs is being remodeled by experts. They want it to remain as natural looking as possible. Word on the street is that the first pool will reopen as soon as it’s safe, and stable.
Survival Bros by Cameron McKirdy 