Sleeping Bags...

HOT OR COLD SLEEPER

First off, not every one has the same body temperature. Metabolism varies from person to person, ensuring that body temperature does so as well. Add in the fact that women, as a general rule, tend to sleep colder than men do. Why you ask? Because, believe it or not, we are designed more efficiently. We have an extra layer of fat that men don’t, and to keep our core warm, we pull heat from the extremities. Yes, those icy toes and fingers that can set your partner shrieking in the middle of the night!

This is why you see most women bundled up for bed in the colder months (and sometimes the warmer ones), while their other half is sporting a pair of boxers and nothing more. Women need more warmth.

Sadly, I know this one from experience. I tend to sleep really cold, except in the summer. Even then some nights are questionable. I need to make sure I’ve got a few extras to stay warm, including a liner for my sleeping bag, and a top cover. As well as a really good sleeping mat. I’ve encountered snow and freezing temperatures in the Spring months, so… I learned my lesson! I like my sleep and I don’t like getting sick.

When a bag has a temperature rating of say +35º(F), that means it is a summer sleeping bag, and the user will remain comfortable IF the temperature outside goes no lower than 35º(F). A 3-season bag will normally have a rating of +10º(F) to +35º(F). Your winter sleeping bags are +10º(F) or lower. These guides will be assuming that you are sporting long underwear as well as using a sleeping pad to keep the ground chill from affecting you. A lot of the manufacturers these days are also adding in a temperature rating for women, as well.

If you plan on being a summer camper only, then you ought to be okay with the summer bag, although I would think about a 3 season bag for some areas. However, if you are planning on hitting the wilds during the other seasons, look into a bag that will handle temperatures a little lower than the worst you expect to be experiencing.

If you find you get too hot, you can always open the zipper. However, if you find you are freezing, then it can be difficult - if not impossible -  to get warm again.

Your sleeping bag works with you to keep you warm. When zipped up properly, it traps a layer of  ‘dead air space’ around you. This non-circulating air is warmed up by your body heat and the bag traps it in with you.

CAMPING OR BACKPACKING

You also need to match the sleeping bag with the activity. Camping bags tend to have more room and be more comfortable. However, they weigh more and have more ‘dead air space’ which needs to be warmed up. So, they are technically less efficient than backpacking bags are.  They are also difficult to take backpacking if you are going any distance as they take up far too much room.

SHAPE

There’s a whole variety of shapes out there these days. The most common of which and used prevalently for camping is the rectangular bag. As long as the zippers match up you can join them to make one large bag for two to share. This is great, but not so efficient in the colder months. So keep that in mind.

The barrel shaped bags are still basically a rectangular shape, but they’ve been tapered for comfort and room. These are fantastic for the restless or claustrophobic sleepers who cannot abide the mummy bag, and who want something easier to heat than the standard bag.

The mummy bag is fantastic for staying warmer, although far more restrictive. It is also lighter and less of a burden on the trail.

It all depends on what you are going to be doing, what you are personally comfortable with. Some people love the mummy bag, while others couldn’t sleep in it if their life depended on it. Take the time before you go out to find what is comfortable for you, because once you are out there, it’s too late to discover you aren’t comfortable.

FILLING

Once upon a time it was simple, all that was available was down. Then came the synthetics. Offering a heavier bag, but far more element friendly.

Synthetic fill has a lot of things going for it. It has a much friendlier price tag, not too mention it is quick drying should the worst happen. It can stand up to the kids and pets far better than a down filled bag would. The one thing that the synthetic bag really has against it, it just doesn’t pack down as small as the down, so it’s not quite as versatile if you are going to be backpacking.

These days weight and heat holding ability are about matched up between synthetic and down. Compression factors are getting closer and closer all the time, as well. However, the down bags still beat out the synthetics.

Down is wonderful for warmth and a down bag tends to last longer than a synthetic, which is why the higher cost. The Down bag has a weakness - moisture. When wet, it loses its insulating ability and won’t do squat to keep you warm. So that is a huge risk if you are heading out backpacking. Although, now there are water resistant down bags; they’ve been chemically treated to repel the water. This helps to a certain extent. If you want to go beyond the standard down bag, you can also step up to the even more durable goose down.


WOMEN’S BAGS

These are simply wonderful! Specifically designed, and engineered to match the contours of a woman - wider at the hips and narrower at the shoulders, and the bags are shorter! They also thought of the added kindness of extra insulation in the upper body and the foot area. Ensuring a far more comfortable sleep.

The best way to purchase is to decide what you want the bag for, your preferred materials, and what you can afford. Once you have those options covered, it narrows the field allowing you to find a bag that will fit your body comfortably. Not too big so you freeze your hinny off, and not too small so you are uncomfortable and too warm. Do your research and you’ll have a comfortable sleep.

Happy Trails!

Gypsy Wind Part 8

Day Ten

May 1, 2016

Flathead Lake, Montana

FLATHEAD LAKE

Flathead Lake was stunning! It even reminded me of home from a number of vantage points. However, it was also very disappointing where camping was concerned. The few places available were extremely pricey for your basic no frills camp site and then not the greatest places to pitch a tent. One of the numerous State campgrounds actually had sites that sloped to the lake, I’d not like to try sleeping there, I prefer to lay flat. Another place had the tent sites so far from the parking as to make it completely ludicrous to even think about it unless you were backpacking. Others were across the highway circling the lake and had no views nor amenities. We really ended up having no option but to pay an arm and a leg for a hotel room, spend a very uncomfortable night, or push on to Kalispell.

Crystal was tired and frankly sick of driving, and I couldn’t blame her a bit. We were both sorely disappointed having looked forward to a night or two at the Flathead Lake, but there really was nothing for it. After driving all the way around the lake and stopping at McDonalds in order to make use of their WiFi, we realized without a doubt that our best interests lay in pushing on.

We reached Kalispell close to midnight, and both of us were beat. The Guesthouse Inn and Outlaw Convention Centre was the best place to check in from all we could garner on Trivago and Trip Advisor. The reviews were mixed, but it leaned towards the good just enough to make it worth looking into. We pulled into the parking lot and up to the doors of a huge monstrosity that sat hulking in the night, wondering what would be in store for us.

Turns out that this was an amazing find! Manning the front desk was one incredible young man, Cody. He not only checked us in, but he kept the pool and hot tub open an hour later than usual to allow for some much needed deep heat! We had just done the Lewis and Clark Caverns that morning, after all! The hot tub felt wonderful, and a couple of laps in the pool helped to work out the stiffness beginning to take hold. Our room was massive and spotless, the queen beds comfortable and four pillows each allowed maximum comfort positioning. The bathroom was divine, it too was large and offered all the comforts, from heat light to blow dryer. Originally a huge hotel/casino/convention centre, this hotel still has much to offer. Hugely reduced rates are a definite attraction, although this 

place is worth much more. The WiFi is high speed and no glitches, a welcome addition!

We both went to sleep in short order, and slept the sleep of the dead!

Day Eleven

May 2, 2016

Kalispell, Montana

Sadly, the continental breakfast was a HUGE disappointment. We had been led to believe that there was a full breakfast offered, including eggs, meats, etc. There wasn't. There was the usual fare, plus the addition of a nifty option of regular or blueberry mix which you could make into either pancakes or waffles. We didn't get to check out all of the amenities, there was a fitness room, gift store, etc., but we passed on them.

Packing up in short order, we headed out the door to find real food. We stopped in at Scotty’s Bar for breakfast as the parking lot was packed and Crys was starving - a combination not to be avoided! I was blown away by the 'Cowboy Omelette' that was one of the morning specials. A huge omelette of steak, peppers, mushrooms and cheese. Nothing special, you say? Well, top that off with a rich brown gravy, flooded with grated cheese and you've got something incredible! Served up with an equally huge serving of hash browns, this meal was far more than I could handle at one sitting! I'm glad I nixed the toast, although, I did finish the orange slice! Under ten dollars gets you a huge filling meal, and a bottomless cup of exceptionally decent coffee!

Afterwards we took in the local thrift store, where I found a huge score (4 pairs of jeans and a new suede jacket all for under $25), and Crys got to talking with someone and it ended up we both made a great new friend! We had fun wandering about and searching for items that we needed, wanted or that just plain aroused our curiosity. Sooner than later it was time to hit the open road again with a couple of planned stops this time!

Hwy 2 took us north once again, then east for a time. We had no choice but to end up circling south around the base of Glacier National Park due to more ‘closed for winter’ road issues. Yes, it’s May, it’s gorgeous, but the roads are all closed. We stopped in Columbia Falls proper to attend to my coffee addiction at the outlet for the Montana Coffee Traders. A delightful little coffee shop and store, Crys and I each ordered something to wet the whistle and something to nibble. I also picked up a couple of 12 oz packages of fresh roasted coffee. One artificially flavoured Huckleberry, and is it ever good! I also purchased the ‘Grizzly Blend’ which is dedicated to the preservation of the grizzly habitat, and for every pound sold one dollar goes to Vital Ground to secure the future of the grizzly bear. The coffee is exquisite, and I will need to travel to Montana to get some more, soon.

The next stop intrigued me, but not quite as much as Crys, as I tend not to drink all that much. We travelled a distance and then pulled into Glacier Distilling’s Whiskey Barn, where we were tempted with numerous tantalizing taste delights.

Crys tried four and I tried four, all different, so we swapped a sip here and there and discovered that our tastes were not as dissimilar as first expected. I found a delicious whiskey and purchased a bottle, I should have gotten more but that is just yet another reason to head south of the border! Beargrass, which is a barrel-aged grappa lightly sweetened with honey from Glacier County Honey Company. It carries notes of fresh cut flowers, green grapes and sunshine. I really like it. Crys bought a bottle of the Wheatfish Whisky, as well as a Vodka.

After a wonderful, yet all too brief visit, we returned to our journey. Not too far along we found a great pull off in the Flathead National Forest where we could take a play break and do yoga, play in the water and just ‘be'. It was wonderful!

CRYS IN A YOGA MOMENT

Eventually we had to return to the road, and we did, turning north on Hwy 49 which finally joined up with Hwy 89. The views of the mountains were fantastic and it was rather depressing knowing we couldn’t travel through the Park. We reached the Blackfeet Reservation and were looking for a place to camp for the night, however nothing reached out to us. No signs, no stores, there was literally nothing to tempt a stop at this point.

Oddly, we traveled ourselves right out of the US and into the hands of the dour guards at the Carway Border, and I had thought the initial Guard was grumpy! We’d really stepped into it this time, unfortunately! Since we’d been expecting at least one more night south of the border, we had a bundle of wood left. Not only were we pulled over, but we were actually searched - all due to one simple moment of forgetfulness.

We were told to go sit on this cart, which had some kind of damp covering on it. No thanks, I’ll stand. I requested my coffee cup from the truck, and then had to pop the top off to prove there was nothing illegal in it. I almost asked him if he’d like a sip, but didn’t. I know they were doing their jobs, but to be treated as a criminal before you are proven as one really is a slap in the face.

Finally, we were cleared without any other issues. Both of us were feeling pretty crappy by then, we’d not fulfilled promises to purchase items for friends and loved ones, and we didn’t get our last night beneath the stars in the States. 

FAREWELL USA!

Finding a campground wasn't so simple back in Alberta that night, either. We checked out two and settled on one in Lethbridge, the Country Campground, right across the road from a country club. The proprietor was wonderful and once we had picked out a spot, Crys got some firewood. I had to laugh, we were allowed an armload and Crys can fit a whole heck of a lot into her arm! Enough to last us the night, anyhow.

A subdued supper of smokies and roasted marshmallows and the mood was finally lightened! There was an owl hunting, and we were able to not only identify it, but use a downloadable program to call out to it. We were listening to the hunting cries of a Northern Hawk Owl.

GYPSY WIND TRIP FINAL CAMPFIRE

We prolonged the evening as long as we possibly could, but we were tired and most definitely depressed. Even so, sleep was a long time coming once I’d crawled into my sleeping bag 

Day Twelve

May 3, 2016

Lethbridge, Alberta

Our final breakfast on the road was exquisite! Nothing ever tasted quite so good as that fresh coffee, fried bacon and eggs all enjoyed under the morning sunshine in fresh air. Packing up had a bittersweet tone to it. This was the last night, for this trip. There would be others, we weren’t done, yet.

The road beckoned as it always does, and we loaded up in a somewhat organized manner for dividing belongings easily at our home destinations. Then we meandered along until we came to Vulcan, Alberta. Ok, my curiosity had long been aroused by this place and after living here for 5 years I still hadn’t been able to satisfy it.

 

Hello Vulcan, Alberta!

USS ENTERPRISE

A place of intriguing science fiction memorabilia and some pretty interesting cutout characters to hang out with. Worf’s face was missing from the outside board where you can take a mug shot with the cast and crew from ST:TNG, so I stuck my head through there and Crys snapped a photo. Inside the visitors centre all sorts of interesting items are for sale, and you can actually put on a costume and take a photo with those cool cutout characters I mentioned. I went for a transporter shot and one with Captain Jean Luc Picard, but to be honest, it didn’t really do much for me.

I bought a water bottle that changes colors, which is kinda cool, looked at a few clothing items and Crys poked about a bit and talked to the cashier for a little while. It was cute and cheesy, in my honest opinion, but worth checking out. I’m glad we stopped.

Our next stop was a Tim Horton’s in Calgary - ahhh yes, it is good to be home for that reason! However, the clerk didn’t get it and Crys ended up with a Maple Iced Coffee that had a double or triple shot of maple flavouring in it. It was enough trouble getting it in the first place, much less going back in and straightening things out to get a new one. She suffered with it. 

It was only three hours later I was home.

That was it.

No more.

The trip had ended.

I honestly wanted to leave again, right away. My spirit crying for the open road and the two of us exploring and traveling and just having a grand old time.

Soon, I tell it. Soon. 

Gypsy Wind is an 8 part adventure, please read any you may have missed here:
Part 1
Part 2 
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7 

STAY TUNED FOR OUR NEXT WANDER!