Gear Review: Balck Diamond Apollo Lantern

Add this to your birthday/Christmas lists, ladies

I know I'm not reviewing the absolute NEWEST gear out there but I'm reviewing what I'm using. Let's face it, we don't all buy new gear every year just because it's new. Those items that are tried and true are what we want to know about. It's like fashion...there are those who want and need to know the latest trend, like banana clips and layered socks and those of that know that a good pair of jeans will never go out of style (okay, unless it's tapered).

So, let me bring you back to a long long time ago, to the year 2002! It was this year that Black Diamond introduced a lantern, called the Apollo...a little larger than a can of green beans and weighing in at only about 10oz (with batteries).

A few weeks ago, I dug this out of my gear closet to take on an impromptu camping excursion. I am realizing that EVERY time I pull this little guy out of the closet, I remember just how much I love it. Here's why:

* it's light.

-not ultralight, just light

* it's bright

-2 settings, bright or dim.

* it's rechargeable

- making my eco-minded self happy rechargeable batteries sold separately

* it's got legs!

-the aluminum legs bring the light to a usable level and it's stable on a table

* it's got a hangy-thingy

-allowing the light to hang in a tent or from a tree branch, perfect for night time card playing

and yes, ladies, that is an official term for gear..."hangy-thingy"

* it's durable

-I never have to worry about it breaking or banging up against other gear in my pack. it'll be fine!

* long lasting

- i don't have to worry about packing extra batteries every time I go out. On the low setting, the life of the batteries can reach 60 hours! that's an EXPEDITION!

Want to know specifics and specs? Well, I have no doubt that you smart people know how to google all of that biz. I just wanted to tell you why I love this item and why I plan to use it at every opportunity.

You owe us your story....

To all of you adventurous chicks...

I KNOW you're out there...

You're traveling, you're hiking, you're adventuring, your using gear and formulating reviews in your head.



I want your story!

Bring it on!



Send it to realchickshike@gmail.com

And then there was Sunday...

The Sunday of Labor Day weekend started off well enough. I woke up in Fort Collins and was treated to an incredible homemade breakfast by my friends Lisa and JV, watched a cheesy chick flick and then scurried to get ready to drive over to Estes Park for a wedding.

The wedding was held outside at the YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park property. The weather was perfect! The reception was a fun time to mix, mingle and bond with some of my coworkers and the dancing....OH, the dancing!

For those of you who don't know...or have yet to see it, I get a little rambunctious on the dance floor. I LOVE to dance and what better venue than the celebration of a wedding? Unlike clubs, wedding often play music that's a little more my speed. A little Sinatra, some Beach Boys, Niel Diamond, B-52s...what's NOT to love? Everyone is in a good, clean fun kind of mood at a wedding and you expect that there will be some festive moves showing up on the dance floor.

At about 10pm, my friend, Joe, and I decided to try our hand at a little swing dancing to Zoot Suit Riot. Not to boast, but we were getting away with some pretty sweet moves. That is until I twisted my foot and decided to sit out for a while. I took that as my que to turn in for the night and by the next morning...I couldn't walk on my left foot. At all. It took me 20 minutes to even get from my hotel room to the car.

Sometimes RCs don't know when to say "uncle." Instead of driving to the doctor in Estes, I first went and picked up my dog at a friends, drove 2 hours back to Granby, dropped the dog off at home, started a load of laundry and theeeeeeen opted to see what a doctor had to say about my swollen, bruised foot.

Well, folks...this may be the end of my wedding dancing days for a few months. Spiral fracture of the 5th metatarsal!! Oops. Interestingly enough, my doctor told me this injury is actually called the "dancer's fracture." HA! I spent 2 days laid up on my back, icing and elevating, then drove to see a specialist in Golden (fretting about the potential for surgery) who got a kick out of my story. No surgery. No cast. Phew!! I am wearing a walking cast for about another 2 weeks, at which point they'll take another x-ray to see how I'm progressing and hopefully be downgraded to a lot less required support.

It's a fun story. Much more interesting than "I fell down the stairs" or "tripped over the dog."

For those of you concerned about the fall trip. I'm still pulling for a full recovery by then so no need to concern yourself. I have a few great Colorado RC co-leaders lined up as well who can help if needed. I won't be able to hike at the Real Chick's Anniversary hike next weekend as I'm saving myself for the Adventure Getaway, but you'd better believe I'll be there for the post-hike celebration!!

Anyway, it's old news by now...over a week ago...but not a lot has happened in the last week. I'm sure you can imagine how difficult it is for someone who doesn't sit still well to be somewhat immobile for this long. It's maddening!! But I'm taking my recovery seriously.