Keggle and Bottle Crate Update

After thinking it over, I decided to go ahead and zip the top off my 7.75 gallon 1/4 barrel keg (as far as I know it's not stolen, at least not by me). I have been reassured by some folks at HomeBrewTalk.com is it easy to plug the bung hole on the side. Just need to do a good cleaning on it and get an immersion chiller. So brew kettle: Check!

I was in the shop this morning when a neighbor stopped by and I mentioned it would be handy to have a bottle opener mounted on the front of the beer crate. Well about five minutes later he showed back up and handed me a wall mounted opener. So I put it to good use. Still need hinges and a latch though.

Wooden Beer Bottle Crate made from Pallet

I was recently looking at some designs, both old and new, of wooden beer bottle crates and decided to make my own. I'm poor so I salvaged the wood from a pallet that was lying around.
I like the idea of the wood crate, because it makes it easier to take some beers camping or to a friends house. You can also use the crate as a seat (so you can guard the beer), or use it as a table and play cards on it.
When I get my beer brewing setup running, I plan on bottling in 22oz bottles and so far have a collection of a little over 100 of them (three 5 gallon batches worth). I happened to come across a large collection of them someone was getting rid of. They had the anchor steam style bottles, guiness bottles and the standard 22oz bomber bottles. So I decided to design the create accordingly.
The crate is designed to hold all three styles. For the standard 22oz bottle there is a set of dividers made from 1/8" wall paneling. For the anchor steam and guiness bottles you simple remove the dividers. The bottles fit nice and snug with just the right amount of room so they don't clang together. The standard 22oz don't even touch with the divider in place. The whole crate got a coating of exterior siding stain/waterproofer to protect it for the long haul. I just need to get a couple hinges or maybe just a set of latches for both sides, so I can remove the lid completely.

You don't have a shaving mug shelf in your Tiny House?

Well if you know me, you know I'm a pretty bearded kind of guy. Some go so far as to call me a mountain man, but I at least trim my beard. Well I just recently decided to go back to using a good old fashioned mug and brush for my shaving needs. I add a few drops of some homemade shave oil to the lather. It makes quite a big difference. So where to keep the mug and brush? Well it is best to have your shave brush hang to dry, and their is no place for it in the shower. So why not build a nice little shelf and make a brush hanger right above the mug? Sounds good to me.

This is a shot of the medicine cabinet I built for our bathroom needs, picture sans the rolls of toilet paper, q-tips and towels that usually adorn it. 

Re-Thinking the Pack

For anyone who's keeping score, I recently drew up some plans to build a utilitarian little pack named the Mother Ship. Well I have been giving it some thought, crunching some numbers, and thinking about it all some more. Concluding, I have made some alterations to what I have in mind.

My intent was to have an adaptable pack I can use for a variety of activities. After thinking about designs, and looking at pictures I have outlined some key bases I am looking for in the pack. Simple, adaptable to load size, and comfortable to carry. So I am now leaning in the direction of a lumbar pack. 

I have looked at many lumbar packs, and unfortunately it it very hard to find a large sized pack. Most are designed for jogging or small day hikes. I was eyeing the Kifaru brand packs, specifically the Scout, but I cannot justify the price tag on their gear. As bomb proof and well designed as it may be, $203? Ouch! Plus you have to buy the waist belt separate. I figured their had to be a less expensive way to meet my demands. So back to the original idea of sewing my own? Well.....

After crunching the numbers I calculated it would run me about $80, plus or minus, to obtain the materials I would need to create whatever design I came up with, plus time to build it. While I would love to make my own pack, especially a custom designed lumbar pack, I wanted to find another option. So what now you ask? Well Mountainsmith...that's what. 

The Mountainsmith Day lumbar pack, I forgot all about Mountainsmith's line of lumbar packs, seems to fit the bill. It has plenty of size for storage, and straps for load compression. It has a suspension system and the ability to add a pair of shoulder straps called Strapettes, and every review of it I have read is good. And the price tag for the Mountainsmith Day? Well with some judicious searching it can be had for around $70 with the Strapettes. 

One of the things I really think will prove useful for me is the rigging for the Strapette addition. The straps seem well designed and functional, and I'm sure they work great, but it allows me to create my own straps in the future, or adapt another strap system.  I was thinking I might want to add a homemade pouch to fit my sleeping gear and shelter in the upper part of my back and could use the Condor H-Harness in which to attach it.

The main question I had for the Mountainsmith Day was, can I fit a military style canteen in the water bottle pouches on the sides? Well after querying a forum where they were being discussed I was reassured that they will fit. I want the option to carry the Nalgene canteen bottle and my canteen cup.  Thus allowing me to always be able to have a small cook kit packed away for outings. I also have plans to create a simple "shower cap" style rain cover to deal with all of the Pacific Northwest rain that is just around the corner. 

Labor Day Paddle

In an attempt to make my presence in the home scarce on Monday, I loaded up the kayak and headed for McNary Lake. It's called a lake, but it's really a series of large ponds and waterways, but none the less a very nice place to paddle, but talk about crowded! I actually had to wait in line to launch my kayak, as people would lumber to shore and then leave there kayaks and canoes in the 10 foot wide launch area while they wander around near their vehicles, but I digress.

Once in the water everything is always better. People tend to paddle away from you. I do however, find it very fun to paddle as silently as possible and sneak up behind people who are meandering though the channel. The Greenland style paddle I use can be quite silent if used correctly. The look on peoples faces as you glide up beside them, say hello, and then accelerate away from them is close to priceless. Especially, with a beer tucked in the front pocket of your PFD.

Upon reaching the end of the channel it widens out and I found a nice little hard-mudded shore area to beach the kayak. I dragged the kayak into the shade, pulled out my camp chair, a little snack and another beer and sat in the shade and relaxed. I believe I was pretty invisible, as some kayakers paddled right past me about 30 yards off shore and didn't even seem to be aware of my presence. (In their defense it was really sunny and I was in the shade.)

Side Note: There is a beaver in this area by the look of the chewed through trees that were sitting in front of me. I however, did not make contact with said beaver.

Hopi Red Dye Amaranth

Earlier this spring we planted a variety of flora in a little area next to our Tiny House. Among the wildflower seeds we put down were some Hopi Red Dye Amaranth. It's getting bigger everyday! Now if only the tomatos would start turning red.

First Meal on the Trangia

A friend of mine recently gave me a Trangia alcohol stove and a Clikstand stove stand. Very solid setup. And seeing as it was quite warm in the Tiny House yesterday we decided, well I decided, to boil up the quinoa on the Trangia stove outside. So I whipped out my Montbell titanium cook set and went about making my first meal on the Trangia. It boiled up and simmered 1 cup of quinoa and 3 cups of water quite well. Using about 1.5 ounces of alcohol by my guesstimation. As soon as the water came to a boil, I lifted off the pot and place the simmer ring on top of the stove with the swing lid all the way open, and it simmered perfectly.  In conclusion I am very pleased with the Trangia stove. It will probably become my new go-to stove for any type of outdoor cooking. I like alcohol stoves, but I really like an alcohol stove that can simmer!