Sleep Setup Review: Big Agnes Big Creek 30 and Thermarest NeoAir Trekker

Since the recent fire, we have had the opportunity to re-purchase all of our gear. Having been forced to rethink everything on our gear list, it seems a good time for a few reviews. I'll start with sleeping bags and air mattresses, as we are so delighted with our setup.

We reordered the same Big Agnes bag, the Big Creek 30. We have what is probably a classic outdoors couple's problem. I (Aggie) can barely stay warm with all my clothes on in a 4-season down bag, and Cougina likes to keep even a cheap synthetic unzipped to prevent overheating. However, we wanted to sleep together, not separated by walls of insulation and ripstop (i.e., separate bags)! Last summer, when Cougina insisted that my pristine Western Mountaineering down bags must go, and wanted to get a $59.95 special suitable for children's sleepovers, this is what I came up with.

Big Agnes: Great Idea, Good Execution

https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Bag/bigcreek

I haven't found a couple's bag that approaches the concept of the Big Agnes. It's a doublewide, modified mummy. That is, the footbox is somewhat narrower than the top, but not a lot. So, it is a compromise between minimal weight (my ideal) and freedom of movement (for C). There are full-length zippers on each side, so that I can keep my side closed, and Cougina can let cool air in on his side. There is an adjustable elastic cord that can draw the head covering over my head, while he leaves his open.

The Big Creek utilizes the same design concept of all Big Agnes bags, in that there is no insulation on the bottom. BA's contention is that one crushes the fill that he lies on, rendering it useless for insulating, and therefore, useless weight. Instead, there is a slot on the bottom to slide in your pad or air mattress. Having tried it, we both like it. When I feel too cool, the sensation comes from above and around, rather than below me. Also, staying put in the bag, rather than sliding around on a mat, adds more comfort than I expected.

It specs out at 4 lb 7 oz, a weight that I can live with. Still more than my two down bags, but I won't feel so badly when C spills or walks on it.

Does the bag really work down to 30 degrees? We were looking for a 3 season bag, because we spend a lot of time in the desert summer where it is quite warm at night. However, we knew some cold nights were coming. Lately, we have been throwing the bag out under the stars. No tent. No clothes. A set of old sheets as bag liners, for comfort next to our skin, and to keep our grime off the bag. (When touring, we cut the sheets to fit the bag and sew them together at the feet with a shaped footbox.) The bag kept us warm enough with temps in the 40s and 50s. Although I got a little too cool toward morning, C still had his side unzipped. For the last few days, temps have been in the mid 30s. C zipped up his side of the bag, and we have both used the head covering part of the time. It has taken both a heavy wool blanket and a lightweight synthetic patchwork quilt (thrift shop purchases) on my side only, to keep me toasty warm. Obviously, we wouldn't carry all that extra weight when touring. Then, I will probably wear underwear on cold nights and perhaps look into a down blanket.

The less-than-perfect aspect of the bag is that the zippers, as you can find other reviewers saying, really take special attention to get tracking and not catching fabric, which is not a fun thing in the middle of the night. Also, the head covering is nothing like the glove fit I had in my single mummy bag.

However, frequently, one of the first remarks in the morning is about how much we enjoy this bag. Most often from Cougina, who really wanted to prefer the $59 bag, but must admit that he is not cramped in the bag, and yet has the feeling that we are "two bugs in a rug."

What completes the setup and makes it so very sweet are the NeoAir Trekker sleeping pads. I will review those next.

THINK GREEN
BLESSED BE
AGGIE and COUGINA

Phoenix Rising

As expected, we are recovering nicely from our fire losses, thanks to the support of wonderful friends. We have posted recovery status at CovinCovina Hermiticia...

Phoenix Rising

Thank you for your support in prayers, words, and donations.

BLESSED BE
COUGINA and AGGIE

Ashes to Ashes

Yesterday, we lost everything that we own, except our bicycles, trailers, phones, and the clothes we were wearing, in a fire. We want everyone to know that Kayla will be posting the Daily OOMPH! for us until we can replace our equipment. We will not have the Tarot class on Monday, October 22, but will plan to resume class next week, on October 29.

Our friends in Quartzsite, AZ, Eric and Diane, had invited us to stay in the immaculate fifth wheel trailer behind their house. We had moved everything into the trailer, and were sitting on the front porch visiting. We noticed the neighbors gathering across the street, but couldn't see what the fuss was about. Eventually, one of them came over and said, "Did you know that you have a fire in your back yard?" The trailer was up in flames, which were even more spectacular before this photo was taken.

One of the neighbors worked for the fire department, and came over in street clothes and dismantled and removed the propane tanks. As Cougina says, he is a true hero. The fire truck arrived in 6 minutes, and they had the fire extinguished 6 minutes later. We are in awe of, and indebted to the Quartzsite firemen and firewomen. (When the protective clothing came off, one of the sweaty beings who had walked up to our fire was female.)

We've found a few gemstones in the rubble, but the ones that are still in one piece are cracked. We found some wire, which can hopefully be sold for recycling. Soft packages of tuna, and one titanium cook pot, have survived. We will be replacing everything else: tent, sleeping bag, panniers, laptop, video cameras, etc.

We are so happy that everyone is safe, and the house on the property was spared.

THINK GREEN
BLESSED BE
COUGINA and AGGIE

Spirit Trees

A Spirit Tree

Over a year ago, we posted about the death and rebirth process here at An Old Man's Journey: What Happens When We Die. We have writtten about one rebirth option, for souls who have completed their paths, in the following post on the Covina Hermiticia blog: Spirit Trees

THINK GREEN
BLESSSED BE
COUGINA and AGGIE

Across Houston to Cypress: Riding in the Rain

We finally got some cycling in. Our friend and student, Nancy, had invited us to stay out in the pasture at her place in Cypress. (Of course, the house and conveniences were all available as well.) So we got Sabrina to give us a ride about halfway, and started riding on the White Oak Bayou trail from around the northwest corner of Loop 610.

It was great to be back on the bikes. It was raining lightly when Sabrina dropped us off, and continued to rain off and on all day. However,we thought it beat riding in the Houston hot sun by a long shot. The White Oak Bayou was beautiful, and we wished we could take it all the way to the end. If you have spent any time on the bayous in Houston, you know that the city seems far away, even though you know that it is nearby, and that there is an open view of those beautiful local cloud patterns.

After the Bayou, we got onto some busy streets. The height of excitement was when we missed the turn on the Google bike route and went over the 249 overpass at Beltway 8. Oops! We ended up on a major freeway. It was an adventure crossing the entrance ramps to get to the next exit, but we made it safely.

The next adventure was when the thunderstorm kicked in. We were on a two lane road with no shoulder, and school had just let out. We pulled the bikes off on the driveway of an empty lot, put on our raingear, and waited it out. I actually enjoyed being in the midst of the storm and the thunder.

After that, it was pretty uneventful. At one point, someone made a right turn into Cougina that forced him to stop for the vehicle. Other than that, the drivers were friendly and courteous. If you live in Houston, you know how stressed drivers are on rainy work days.

The sleeping barn.

We rode on into Nancy's pasture and relaxed. That's the old horse barn, and the red arrow points to the open space where we pitched the tent: Open on both ends to catch the breeze, but protected from the rain, so that no rainfly was necessary. The barn even had electric lighting if we wanted it. We have been loving it!

THINK GREEN
BLESSED BE
AGGIE and COUGINA

Across Texas to Deer Park

Illiki

We were both really hoping to ride across Texas. The problem was that the Google map showed 70 mi stretches between water and legal overnights, paid or unpaid. With the trailers, in the heat, this was too far for us. We had a friend interested in following us in her car, which would have allowed us to drop the trailers and ride as far as we could each day, but it didn't work out. Therefore, we rented a cute and peppy little Chrysler 200, bought a bike rack, and drove to Houston overnight.

It didn't help when we were informed on the last morning that the motel room we rented for a week at the Belmont motel in Roswell was really only for 6 nights! Fortunately, Avis was able to give us the car a day early with no problems. The Avis manager is an extremely courteous and helpful young man.

We drove straight to Deer Park to stay with Sabrina and Illiki Machek. That's the beautiful and talented young Illiki in the photo. (Too bad we didn't snap the photo when she was decked out on Saturday evening. We got the tired-after-school-and-athletic-practice look, and we like it just as well.) Unfortunately, we didn't get photos of their beautiful home, which has been completely updated and was such a pleasure to stay in. Sabrina made us completely comfortable, and Illiki is a hug master. Sabrina has known Cougina for decades, so there were great stories being told.

THINK GREEN
BLESSED BE
AGGIE and COUGINA

Covina Hermiticia Blog is Now Public

The time has come to offer Covina Hermiticia to all who are interested. If you are interested in the Hermetic approach to spirituality, check it out here: Covina Hermiticia.

THINK GREEN
BLESSED BE
COUGINA and AGGIE