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Clockwise from left: shoulder bag, nylon cord, headlamp, work gloves, slingshot and
ammo pouch, pocket knife, compass, SureFire Z2, notepad and pen
There are a lot of great places to check out and explore in urban and suburban environments. Drainage areas, green belts and even dead spaces between neighborhoods and buildings all provide cool places to explore - often giving you a chance to connect with nature, view some wildlife, and enjoy a moment's respite from the shenanigans of modern life. You don't need to live on the edge of a national park to find fun places to explore. They are in your neighboorhood and around the corner from your apartment.
Unfortunately, it is also generally frowned upon to check some of these places out. Please do so with caution and respect for the area you have found. This is also why whatever kit you carry needs to be discreet and also legal in whatever area you happen to be doing your exploring.
Some of the neatest things I have seen "in nature" haven't even really been in nature per se. In Northwest Austin, I found the remnants of an old farmhouse - complete with barn, workshop, horse stalls, and even an underground storage cellar - all about 200 yards from a busy highway and strip mall. I spent the better part of a day exploring the area and was amazed at all of the cool old crap I found just lying around in the woods.
I try to carry my kit in my truck, so that I can have it with me just in case I suddenly get inspired to leave the road and check out a trail or other area that looks interesting.
Here are some details on items in my kit:
- Shoulder bag - This is what carries all of your goods and is better when it is discreet. Camo is probably not the best color, but I do have an image to maintain.
- Nylon cord - A myriad of uses, from helping get you out of a collapsed hole to helping you get up to a higher level. Yeah, cordage!
- Headlamp - A good general purpose item that lets you keep your hands free.
- SureFire Z2 - Used to really light-up dark areas and scare away wildlife.
- Work gloves - Always wear when touching anything that may be sharp, or when climbing.
- Compass - A GPS is great, but a compass almost always works and never, ever runs out of batteries.
- Pocket knife - Make sure your blade length is in the legal specs for your area.
- Notepad and pen - For taking notes on finds, etc
- Slingshot and ammo pouch - Also good for scaring away wildlife and a great long distance way to "test" out certain areas before walking into them.
It is also a good idea to carry a camera and GPS unit. That way you can take a picture of something you saw that looked cool or interesting, and then write down the coordinates so you can find it again.
Or in the case of the abandoned barn - so you can still remember its location when it's razed to make way for another strip mall.
Just think - you can stand in the middle of Yankee Candle and say to your future children, "Hey kids, I made out with your mom in an old abandoned barn that used to be right here."
Orchard Pear . . . yummy!
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