Tag Archives: Cabin Essentials

For the last few summers I have sat on the dock and admired the talented few who sail by nonchalantly as the conquer the wakeboard. This summer I made it my goal to man up and figure it out. Not to pump my own tires but I’ve made some serious progress. however, I probably couldn’t have done it without this weeks cabin essential: Tiger Balm. My first experience with Tiger Balm came years ago. As a seventh grader I attended a summer camp. It was these knowledgeable counsellors that informed me of the benefits of using this unknown formula to grow thick masculine facial hair. I don’t know why me and the other kids wanted a full beard at the time, but we lathered Tiger Balm on every inch of our face. To keep this short, the results were not what I had anticipated. An hour or so after the burn and tingling sensations finally subsided we were left to admire or cherry red faces in the mirror, rather than the Grizzly Adams beard we were promised. It was then I figured out the true purpose and benefits of using this traditional Chinese medicine. Tiger Balm dates back some 1,500 years. Originally containing tiger bone as a primary ingredient, the now purely herbal formula is one of the most efficient treatments for tense and inflamed muscles. It’s safe to say I have taken a few spills along the way that has resulted in a few sore muscles but this usually does the trick. Thank you Mr. Aw Chu Kin, Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par for your glorious formula and rest in peace to all you Tiger’s that made the initial product possible.

One thing I can assure you of is when I pack for the lake I don’t pack socks. In fact I hate socks all together and during summer the don’t see any light. Each weekend I slip my feet into a pair of Vans which over the course of a summer, as you can imagine, get pretty nasty as they get put through the ringer. Whether it’s arriving at the cabin late on a Friday night and firing up the lawn mower, sitting around a bonfire after a day out on links or bringing my A-game to the bocce ball pitch these shoes get abused. Thus the reason that a pair of lake shoes are essential. Weather at the lake changes just about as quick as the Dallas Mavericks disposed of the LA Lakers. One minute it’s clear sailing with a calm breeze catching all the rays you can imagine and the next it’s a torrential down poor. So in my eyes it’s just easier to have one pair of shoes that get thrashed. My lake shoes have commonly been a pair of Authentic or Eras due to the classic styling and price. These are my current gems. No smell yet, although I did have to run them through the washing machine once. With these guys I won’t feel any guilt when I have to chuck them. I have had these for probably 4 months and they did see some solid winter wear. I would imagine if I was spending my weekends in a pair of Ronnie’s Asics Gel Lyte III Cove’s I would feel a bit of regret and remorse when I had to toss them away after the sweat drenched grass stains got the best of them. For me it’s a pair of Vans. Here are my recommendations … Continue reading →

With summer just around the corner what is more necessary for the drive to the lake and hours on on the water than a solid pair of frames. Just over a year ago, after a season or two of scoping out the sunglass market, I received a pair of Eric Koston Signature Frogskins from a friend over at Oakley. There is a reason that Oakley was acquired by Luxottica Group for $2.1 billion in 2007. Oakley’s innovation has resulted in over 575 patents and 1100 trademarks and to think it all started with a $300 investment by James Jannard and his desire to produce ‘The Oakley Grip’. The Frogskins have seen a resurgence since their initial mid 80′s success securing their spot within pop culture folklore. Initially coming to market in the 1980′s during a period where Ronald Regan occupied the White House, people were standing in line for The Terminator and Run D.M.C. was certified gold the Frogskins were the performance driven sunglasses of their time. The frames would go on hiatus in the mid 90′s and for 15 years the molds sat dormant. However in 2007 Supreme would work alongside Oakley and reintroduced the frame. This reintroduction would set in motion a new wave of interpretation. Since its reincarnation, that has seen slight alterations from the first generation, the sunglasses have been the platform for some of the most talked about limited edition releases. The limited runs have ranged from an all chrome and gold frame courtesy of Supreme to a Purple on Purple combination thanks impart to Paul Rodriguez and his Encino-based retail spot Primitive. Other select retailers that have had a chance to leave their mark on the nostalgic frame include DQM, Colette, Commonwealth, FICE, Gernande along with athletes like Shaun White and Eric Koston. Previous … Continue reading →

One of the best things about the lake and outdoors is the nostalgia rustled up by a summer bonfire. The ones that you fire up late on a Friday night and the smell of burnt cedar and the outdoors lingers in your hair and on your clothes days later. You can’t roll up your sleeves without catching a scent of that late night fire. Sitting around these fires often are some of the best times spent at the lake. However they aren’t possible without a rugged axe on hand. Over the course of time the axe has served numerous purposes. The obvious to split and cut wood and harvest timber, as a weapon and a ceremonial symbol. I am not sure I have witnessed it as a piece of art though until now. I was on the hunt for a new axe to replace the relic we have at the cottage. The one where you know at any moment the head could go swirling end over end over your head and deep into the woods or settle at the bottom of the lake. I was told to check out the Best Made Company out of New York but when I was cruising the net I came across Canadian brand Base Camp X. Base Camp X is the solo project for Graeme Cameron, the co-founder of the Best Made Company. After having quite a bit of success south of the border Graeme decided to follow his one brand vision. The Base Camp X line-up features 4 key axe styles and the Khukri. You have the Pionner – your standard utility axe pattern with a 3.5 lbs head, the Pathfinder – your more traditional and versatile axe pattern with a 1.75 lbs head and the Cruiser – a double bit felling axe. … Continue reading →

We all know the weather can change in a heartbeat. It always seems that after a few gloriously sunny days mother nature throws a wrench in the plans and hits you with a day of misery. So when this bi-polar weather forces you indoors it’s essential that you have a Monopoly game board on hand. And for the record I’m not talking Junior Monopoly or some spin-off like Star Wars, Disney, Star Trek or some Streetwear Edition (although I could see Rosewood and Lafayette replacing Boardwalk and Park Place). I’m talking the original Park Brothers Edition based on the classic from 1935. Not only is this one of the best way to spend 4 hours indoors, but also a great way to gauge your friends sensibilities. It doesn’t take long to witness the negotiating skills and alliances take shape while your ‘friends’ put their best interests ahead of yours. If I have learned anything – always negotiate the free stay, I assure you it will come in handy. I think the longest game we ran at the cabin stemmed about 5 1/2 hours. By the end Kelso was broke, had lost his shirt (literally) and off over in the living room belting out his lungs leading his loyal Rock Band brigade of AP, Ali, Mox and Chad while Jerrin and I sat under the dim lit kitchen table battling it out to the bitter end. When all was said and done I fell victim to full time bank manager. For the record I am pretty sure Kelso is tone deaf. If a 6 hour game isn’t exciting enough you can always grab a second board and work the figure 8 connecting at Go. And next time you blow the dust of your Monopoly board here are a few tidbits to … Continue reading →

There are two ways people pack for the lake. The first way consists of a running through the house grabbing anything and everything but always forgetting something. This is the way I tend to pack for the lake. I am usually of the mindset of leave for the lake when the clock strikes 5 on Friday. This packing technique involves one white laundry basket in which all clothing, food, pillows, sheets and electronics are packed together like trail mix. Nothing like going to “unpack” only to find your toothbrush and underwear (if you remembered to pack a pair) smell like your hamburger meat. The second approach is the well thought-out strategic method. This involves taking into account weather conditions, likelihood of activities, which can range from wake-boarding to golfing, meals and sleeping arrangements. A checklist packer per-say who gets the packing out of the way midweek. Though I am not one of those, I do admire those of you who arrive at the lake looking like you have it together. This prompted the hunt for the ultimate weekend bag. By the time all was said and done I had found my bag, Herschel Supply Co.’s Novel in Black. Aside from being the perfect weekend size (11″ x 23″ x 10.5″) the bag featured a fully custom lined interior and a separate shoe compartment. I will admit that the shoe compartment was a big selling point for me as I tend to stock pile Vans and wear them throughout the summer…barefoot. I am sure you can understand why it would be a nice feature to keep them separate from all my clothing. The Novel Duffel also sports a removable shoulder strap, waterproof reverse coil zipper and a clean aesthetic making it the ultimate weekend bag. The best part is it won’t … Continue reading →