Join Gabriel and me on our two-day trek across Big Rocky Row, one of the most breathtaking stretches of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia. Starting at the Punchbowl Trailhead off the Blue Ridge Parkway, we summited Punchbowl Mountain (2,841 ft), Bluff Mountain (3,370 ft), and finally Big Rocky Row (3,400 ft) before camping at the top. The weather greeted us with 39° mist and clouds, then opened into sweeping mountain views as the sun set over the ridges. We brewed coffee with the GSI JavaDrip, roasted chestnuts by the fire, and shared trail meals from Peak Refuel and MeatEater under a sky painted orange and violet. The next morning, we rekindled the fire, made breakfast, and watched a sunrise that words can hardly describe. The hike tested endurance, spirit, and gear alike, but it rewarded us with peace, laughter, and a reminder that age doesn’t take strength away; it simply gives it new meaning.

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This past weekend, Gabriel and I set out on one of our favorite stretches of the Appalachian Trail, the Big Rocky Row hike near Snowden, Virginia. The morning greeted us with mist, low clouds, and a brisk 39 degrees as we started at the Punchbowl Trailhead just off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

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A million rounds of ammo. No – a billion rounds of ammo, including cartridges you don’t own firearms for. Stick cases of .30 Thompson Center in your car’s trunk for added traction in snow. Feed .357 SIG to your cat. Inform your wife that you can never retire, because you just rolled over your 401(k) into WWI surplus .303 British. If you can still enter your home, then you don’t have enough AMMO!

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The BougeRV CL04 Telescopic Camping Lantern delivers serious light and serious stamina in a compact, collapsible form. With up to 3000 lumens, a high-capacity 15,600mAh battery, and multiple lighting modes (Warm, White, SOS), it’s built for camp life, roadside emergencies, shop/garage use, and power outages alike.

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Few pieces of U.S. military cold-weather gear are as iconic, or as sought after by collectors, as the original Type I “Mickey Mouse” boots. Their bulbous, all‑black silhouette inspired the nickname, but their reputation was earned in brutal winter conditions during the early Cold War.

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