I do some trail running/hiking from time to time so finding gear that will help me squeeze out one or two more miles is always helpful. I've used a few different hydration packs from Camelbak, Nathan, and Ultimate Direction and most recently from Risbek.

My first impression of the pack was positive. It's light weight, the material they use looked and felt like it could withstand many miles on the trails. At 2 liters the bladder is of decent size too.

I was somewhat intrigued by the inclusion of a waist pack and was anxious to see what that was all about. Unfortunately, I wasn't impressed. The pack can be removed so that's a plus, but when it's attached it sits at your back and not easily accessible while on trail. It also creates a double waist band too, one band for the larger pack and one for the waist pack.

There are no chest straps like there are on my other running vests so there seems to be a lot of movement when I run. I do tend to have a lot of shoulder movement so that may have exaggerated the slipping feel.

Like I said, the bladder is nice and large but the fill point is rather small. It's large enough to slip in ice cubes but the screw on cap limits the overall size of the hole. I lean more on liking the large open mouth that bladders sealed with slides provide.

I wish the pack additional pouches/pockets in the from off the pack. They're all located in the back so getting to items while on the run just doesn't work. 

I really wouldn't recommend this pack for runners. Hikers and walkers, absolutely. It just falls short when compared to high performance gear from other brands.

Here's a link to the item: 

So, we found a geocache near our cabin in Pine, AZ. The cache box was deteriorating and so were the items inside, including a small notepad with notes from visitors. In the spirit of upgrading the cache we brought up a new waterproof box and brand new notepad. What follows here is our way of preserving the messages left by those who visited (notes have been transcribed as they were originally written - including all grammar errors):

March 28, 1984: Im in the war and it is cold.

March 18, 1389: Future.

October 10, 2010: New container, log book and sharpened pencils. Added a small flashlight

March 3, 2011: Drew Xander

May 29, 2011: Bear Hollow Bunch - Really enjoyed the cluster of oaks. A mini forest in the meadow. Thanks 321 Kaboom. Good cache!

May 30, 2011: Out to one of the coolest place ever! It's nice out and its almost that time. 4:18 

March 10, 2012: Tyler and Chase was here.

June 15, 2011: We are up here for our second time! I am here with my mom lil mo and my pops Charlie! I traded a nice rock for a nice pigtail holder! (it was a hot day) - Sam

June 15, 2011: Lil mo, Charlie and our kids, oh, and our dog Kiwi came to visit this beautiful place. We left a bottle of water and took a smoke bomb hope everyone enjoys our table we brought. Peace!

August 13, 2011: illegible

September 8, 2011: Greasepot

September 24, 2011: Austin Braunberger took change but left Dbacks tickets.

October 9, 2011: Left Smokey the Bear bookmarks, pencils, crayons, took old battery to recycle @ Mesa recycle day Haz waste, 22 Oct - Roctaco

October 22, 2011: Lovely place. Love hearing all the elk - The Girls!

November 12, 2011: Jcanyon.

November 12, 2011: Took metal dolphin will deposit something later cool!

November 24, 2011: Thanksgiving!! Jen (Ohio) - back again!! Took Subway napkin with sista Sara (Ohio) We left 2 Fat Tire bottle caps lids from our beers! Cheers! XOXO Sara B.

November 25, 2011: B2INAZ.

January 4, 2012: Mark, Corrina and Jonathan Chapman.

April 9, 2012: Pine Stroller (illegible) left - Early Cinco de Mayo tumbled rocks. Chris, Linda, Susie, Barbara, Kate, Gayle & Ardith, with canines (illegible), KC and Guinness.

May 28, 2012: Brought my boyfriend up here. I live here and already knew about this. Didn't leave anything! Chelsie Hunter is the best :)

June 6, 2012: Father's Day Hike - VERY PEACEFUL!! Didn't have anything but sunflower seeds, so have fun munching on them if your hungry :) This is where I'll come if the world ever ends! I helped carry the table here with MY DAD Charlie! I'm 12. Put GOD #1 in your life :) Be a GOOD person and do 1 act of random kindness EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!! AMF Anthony Michael Ferra.

June 11, 2012: Gorgeous day nice breeze interesting stuff too bad about the damn cows wonder who thought that was a good idea. Mark.

June 16, 2012: Hanging with my son Ant and Kim on family day walk.

June 19, 2012: Dale and Sandy and their 2 weenie dogs were here (BeBe and CoCo) enjoyed the shade and nice breeze and listening to birds. Heart Pine.

September 1, 2012: Up here with BFF saw 11 cows left 2 rocks and took 2 gun shells peace.

September 1, 2012: Hi, I am Nina BFF of Serena. I left acorn. Took nothing! Keep peace!

September 30, 2012: Beth and Heidi visited - left a bottle of water! Didn't take anything. Great Day!

October 6, 2012: Joe was here - awesome spot! God's country if there was a God.

October 7, 2012: 4 hot girls and 1 gaurd dog that loves to roll in poop (cow poop).

October 12, 2012: We're back! The Girls (cool date 012).

October 21, 2012: RIP Unlce Seymour under our tree :)

November 10, 2012: Egag Gage

December 12, 2012: Enzo was HERE.

December 23, 2012: Merry Christmas from mother and daughter and a crazy boxer :)

January 23, 2013: Lucy was here.

March 9, 2013: After a journey of poops we made it.

March 21, 2013: Kasy Mitzy Maggie Spring Break! Fun :) Very beautiful out here! we left takis and earing.

March 25, 2013: Sam and Brenda Costa we left two pieces of gum oh and Brewster is with us too.

April 7, 2013: Venturing 513.

April 27, 2013: Julian and Mia.

April 28, 2013: Lost Tribe.

May 18, 2013: Visit with mother in law - she is 93 Agnes Davis walked all the way from Dome Home on Kenny Cr. Just love this spot - so did she. Susie A Change To Life.

June 28, 2013: Geo-Cachers.

July 21, 2013: Chicko, Marv Jim and Susie We forgot to bring our drinks!!! Waiting to see animals beautiful day.

August 4, 2013: 3 hot chicks were here!

August 17, 2013: Damn, missed 3 hot chicks! Gorgeous day after a week of rain. Good 2 be back. - Mark

August 19, 2013: Brady Bunch was here. Lots of fresh cow....

August 23, 2013: DaSheer's were here. Archery opening day.

September 1, 2013: Adventure Crew 513 was here! God bless!

September 20, 2013: Happy Anniversary. Charlie, Kiwi Terro were here again. You just gotta love this spot. Happy to see my table is still here...left a biz card so if you need sum work done call me. Peace!!

September 21, 2013: 4 Hot boys looking for 7 hot chicks. Sat here all day. Bummber. PS- Teddy is dead! We're back and waiting. MW.

September 25, 2013: AJ. JR.

October 13, 2013: 4 hot cowgirls from the Copper State Trail Riders were here. Left whistle.

October 20, 2013: Shit! Nature is beautiful. I love life.

January 19, 2014: Back again after finding original Bradshaw Meadows cache many years ago. TNLN Team Frogg.

March 4, 2014: Love the meadow!! Having fun with family. :)

March 15, 2014: Adam, Moses, Ryan and Ryan were here loving the place. Pure beauty.

April 23, 2014: Sharpened the pencils and left a full water bottle in exchange for the empty one and an awesome rock. Jack, Nikki, Nate, Zac and Elli.

May 4, 2014: The 3 gray haired sisters and Mrs. H were here.

June 1, 2014: Back again. Breezy and sunny = perfect weather. M. Bogart. Pine/Tempe.

June 14, 2014: Joe, tim, dave and Kennedi.

July 6, 2014: Stephen and Billy. We left some seeds and sharpened pencils.
July 6, 2014: Chonnie Mac 727.
July 6, 2014: JRS.

July 19, 2014: Enjoying a nice weekend in the pines with friends and family.

August 16, 2014: We made it back! Love this beautiful place!  Love Ireland, Wendy, Keith, Avaree. Thanks Grandpa, Gramdma.

August 24, 2014: Hunting with my buddy Tanner. Always love to stop by here and enjoy the serenity of Bradshaw Meadow. Saw a couple deer on the Northern end of the meadows today. Seth and Tanner.

August 31, 2014: Much love Mach W. 
August 31, 2014: I love this spot. I come here every time I visit and leave something in here! Shouts to all the boys you missed a beautiful girl from the valley ;).  Much love! Madi L.

September 1, 2014: I was here! Always remember, wherever you go there you are!

October 2, 2014: Organized the Cache :) Schnecken left some of here treats Bull circled us and took his three lady cows with him. MTS and DLS.

October 18, 2014: Back again love to stop in the special place. C. Rotcnk. Sue and Jim.

October 22, 2014: Nutz4Pine where's the KFC?

November 9, 2014: Tinner and (illegible)

January 23, 2015: Our first visit! Our family stayed in the cabin and hiked to this beautfiul meadow. What an awesome find! So fun.

January 24, 2015: I, Melissa, am doing a blood oath to quit smoking Wooohooo! I'm here with Adam, Chad, heather.
January 24, 2015: Scott and Luis. Animal Instinct.

February 14, 2015: Heart AZ. Valentines and AZ birthday.
February 14, 2015: AZ Ranger team thanks for fun.

April 18, 2015: Trails Day Hike.

May 7, 2015: Came here with my friends. We got drunk and smoked some weed. It was a great day.

May 26, 2015: 9 people are here we left a cap with a foot oh it Big Foot was here!

June 6, 2015: Visited again Mark, Corrina and Jonathon Luv it!

June 12, 2015: Chloe Kiana Maggie Norma Barry were here.

July 2, 2015: Thanks for a happy 4th of July weekend. Love my family and friends wishing Gma & Gpa were with us. Ireland Snep, Wendy Snep, Keith Snep. Happy 4th!! LJ and Desiree Walker. Avaree Randall.

July 5, 2015: Palomo/Fleming family. Jeremy, Shannon, Gabriel, Vivien, Isaac, Samuel, Steve, Perla.

July 13, 2015: R.I.P. Bella Girl. Lost our beloved dog this weekend Bella. this was one of her favorite spots. always in our hearts love mom and dad.

July 18, 2015: God is SO good! Racheal Way. We love coming up and enjoy the beautiful scenary. Katherine C. Kolton Reinhold Infiniti Youth Group! Joshua Reinhold Cody H. P.S. we left the first Christian Church pen.

August 21, 2015: Where are the hot guys at? I am always up here and never see any :( Meet me! Madi LW P.S. I'm legal!! lol. You missed US! The girl from the valley is back! Rodeo time.

September 7, 2015: Happy Labor Day enjoying this special place. Cheers! Kelli and Mary.

October 3, 2015: Donnie and Sheryly here still lots of poop to go with the view - great memories have been made here over the years. Miss you all.

November 15, 2015: I ate a burger! Enzo

December 5, 2015: Phoenix HHH - Fresh n Queasy, Dick In A Dirty Box, Purple Penis Protector, Duckie Style, Broke Dick Mounting, Chapter 6 Verse 9. ON-ON

December 19, 2015: Came with my best bud Austin before he leaves for the Marines...asshole. I still love em though. No homo. We left 35 cents, took Sam Adams cap.

March 13, 2016: Daniel Polis was here with broc lane and friends, love this place!

March 22, 2016: Briscoe Boyz Sans Bones and Big Dog.

May 30, 2016: I am he that liveth and was dead, and behold I am alive for ever more, Amen; and have the keys of hell and death. Rev. 1:18.

May 30, 2016: Hope Donald Trump wins! (mexicans you won't go).

July 1, 2016: Cindy, Robyn, John and Theo.

September 5, 2016: #kodackblack, tooks shrooms yesterday. It was beautiful. Take shrooms! - Brandon Avena.



The following entries were not dated:

Leaning branches are dangerous!

Had one of the best days of my life while here, sucks I gotta go back to Chandler and do the daily routine. 

Aidan was here.

Rest in Peace Uncle Seymour 6/26/26 - 10/22/2011.

2 families went on a hike. Brian, Kristen, Lily, Clayton, Paige, Lary, Lorel, Emmet, Everet, Elly + 1/2.

Cleaned jizz off the table with towelette to have our picnic.

Nora was here I think this is awesome. I wish I lived near.

Hi, my name is Leah and this is 2015 and they're no flying cars yet I am 13 and a club swimmer, hopefully I make olympics! Love Leah :)

2 Hot mama's one cant hear the other cant taste Kennedi and Hailee are here too.

2015: The Ault's Lauren Ault Leah Ault.

Money 602 was here.

Want to meet 4 hot cowgirls.

Bubble gum, sour straws, starbucks.

Hope you enjoyed today because its your last day.

Grass relly hurts and is ichy. note by Sierra.

             “I want two of you to watch her, keep her quiet.  We don’t need he squealing like a stuck pig.  Be warned, do not use her for your urges, I think she may be a useful asset to us.  Besides, I may want her as a trophy of my own.”

            Two defiled men grabbed Kea’na and forced her to sit back into the carriage.  Demorus watched the men as they bound her hands and forced her further inside.

            “Suits you well Kea’na.”
            Before she could respond, Demorus shut the door and the men lowered the portiere over the windows.
            It begins.  Demorus thought.  Slightly sooner than I planned, nonetheless it begins.

                                                                                                        *****
​
            “Now where shall we begin?  I suppose the beginning would be best.  I don’t think you’re smart enough to figure the beginning out yourself.”  Myria began.  “Then again, you may not understand that still”.
            “Just get on with it, tell me why you continue to badger me what you know of this damnable coin.”
            “Badger you eh?  I see we will be getting along quite well.  Come closer.”
            Gonath stepped towards the old woman as she stood not far away.
            “Closer yet.”

            Once he was within her reach, Myria grabbed a handful of Gonath’s hair and yanked with strength hidden within her seeming frail hands.  She held a handful of hair and waved them over here head.  Gonath yelped in pain and began rubbing the bruised patch where his hair was torn away.

            “Badger you eh?  Only a small price to pay for saving your life.”

            “My life?” questioned Gonath, “You haven’t saved my life.  I think you would save my life by leaving me to live it.  I can take care of myself, regardless of what “magic” you are using to play with my mind.”

            Myria raised a hand and quickly cutting Gonath off.  She walked to the fireplace and placed two solid logs upon the fire.  “No, Myria will stay.  You must believe that I speak the truth now, no more tricks, only the truth.  Please sit and I will explain.”

            Well she does seem sincere enough, besides I do want to know of this coin and what she knows of my mother and father.  By the light she may seem a lunatic but I feel I must listen.
​
            “I am an old, old woman and I have seen much in my time, not all of what I have seen has been with these eyes.  As of late I have not seen much to my liking.  I can feel that there is change in the air, change that reminds me of a time of much suffering long ago.  As I child I was unfortunate to witness many people struck down by evil doing.  The land was poisoned and things began to wither and die.  Rivers dried and rains refused to fall.  Our King sent the best of his men to seek out answers to explain the decaying world around us.  These men never returned, instead three strangers came.  They made promises to restore the land and return the rain.  In return they wanted our souls.  If we refused their offer they threatened to obliterate everything.  After offering their proposal they left us with these threats and to wonder what was before us and the heads of the men the King sent earlier.  The King was outraged at the insult and the presumed idle threats.  The Army was ordered to hunt down these men and bring them back to face the consequences of what they had done.  No man returned from that hunt.  We were left with no one to defend our homes, the King ordered everyone behind the castle walls for protection from what was unknown.”

Each man drew their blade across the exposed skin of their forearm, slowly separating the once fused flesh.  Kea’na could hear the meat tear apart as the daggers skidded over.  Blood began to pool over each open wound.  As one, each man wiped their arms across their chest, soiling the crests they once defended.

            “As you can see these men are quite loyal to my cause.  You and Mylor should be so wise.”
            Kea’na turned back to the men and then toward Demorus.  His evil smile disgusted her more than the bloody presentation.  She raised her hand and slapped Demorus, successfully removing his grin.

            “It seems you could be taught some instruction of allegiance yourself.  I wonder which of these men, if not all, would be willing to take such a task upon themselves.  I am sure it would be quite time consuming and all the more rewarding.”  Demorus turned to the men outside the coach, “She is yours, I have no need for her.”

            Everyone within earshot formed a smile and dismounted his horse to take part in Demorus’s proposition.  Kea’na could think of no escape, her only defense was the lancet she concealed within her garments.  Demorus opened the door of the carriage and left Kea’na alone to the will of the mob.  A riot broke out among the scullions kindle by the argument of who would be the first to set upon Kea’na.  The largest of the crowd violently made his way through the quarreling and began to enter the coach.  Kea’na saw him approach and drew her dagger.  Just as she was about to pierce her assailant a member of the mob galloped into the clearing shouting.

            “King’s men approach!”
            Demorus’s attention was diverted from the orders he was issuing to his men.
            “How many of them and how soon?”
            “Two my lord, one of them be ___.  They will be upon us shortly, an hour perhaps.”

            “Very well.  You!  Disregard the trollop and take your places as before.  We will wait here for these men, dispose of them and be on our way.”  He looked directly at Kea’na, “There will be women more worthy soon enough.  I hear the tournament has drawn a good number of some of the most agreeing women.  The rest of you prepare yourselves, we may very well bathe ourselves by blood this eve.”

            Kea’na took in what had transpired.  What is happening?  What was Demorus capable of?  Does he actually intend to overcome Mylor?  How could this be happening?  What more....

            “Impressed?  I thought you a woman more keen to an engaging face than to one that holds authority.  I am sure your disgust for me will subside once you realize the far reaches of what I control.”

            “What I hold for you is beyond disgust.  I knew you were vile Demorus, yet I did not imagine to what extent.  Your devious mind lacks a bit of reality.  I doubt anything will come of this venture, except maybe for your head or should I say the loss of it.  Mylor --”

            “Hold your tongue!!”

            Outraged at her remarks, Demorus ordered Kea’na to be bound and placed back inside her carriage.

            “Manure?”  Gonath reached his hands to his face and inhaled deeply.  The rankness cut through his swollen nose and caused him to gag from the reeking smell.  In the dark and with puffed up eyes, Gonath mistook the animal feces for wet earth and then smeared the handfuls over the burning of the Fire Weed.

            “What more must I endure before dawn?”, murmured Gonath to himself.

            “More than you may be prepared to hear.  Clean yourself, Myria has much to tell.”

            Gonath watched Myria step into a dark corner of the room.  The only visible part of the old woman was here silver hair reflecting the light.  With a blink every part of her was absorbed by the shadow.  At first Gonath thought it to be yet another of silly trick and was determined not to be fooled again.  He walked to the corner and reached into the dark to pull Myria out.  Expecting to grab the frail woman’s arms he was shocked to feel something grab him instead.  He quickly yanked his arms back and stepped away from the corner.  At the edge of the darkness he could see the shadows churning upon itself.  Suddenly two hands began to glide across the wooden floor towards Gonath’s feet.  Seeing the fingers again convinced Gonath that he had not imagined them before.  Frozen more from amazement than fear he stood planted to the floor, watching as the hands extended from the blackness in the corner across the floorboards and to the tip of his feet.  The hands stopped instantly, just touching the toes of his boots.  They lingered, not moving further.  Gonath was somewhat puzzled, earlier these hands wanted to drag him into the darkness with their gloom, now they simply waited.  Quickly Gonath shook the astonishment from his mind and began to worry of what was capable of giving life to the shadows.  He took one step back to put distance between himself and the waiting hands.  With no warning the shadows leapt at him knocking him to the floor.  Gonath winced and as he opened his eyes, Myria was standing above him with a wide smile that exposed the decaying stubs that one could only assume were teeth.

            “HA!!  You have seen the Hand“Manure?”  Gonath reached his hands to his face and inhaled deeply.  The rankness cut through his swollen nose and caused him to gag from the reeking smell.  In the dark and with puffed up eyes, Gonath mistook the animal feces for wet earth and then smeared the handfuls over the burning of the Fire Weed.

            “What more must I endure before dawn?”, murmured Gonath to himself.

            “More than you may be prepared to hear.  Clean yourself, Myria has much to tell.”

            Gonath watched Myria step into a dark corner of the room.  The only visible part of the old woman was here silver hair reflecting the light.  With a blink every part of her was absorbed by the shadow.  At first Gonath thought it to be yet another of silly trick and was determined not to be fooled again.  He walked to the corner and reached into the dark to pull Myria out.  Expecting to grab the frail woman’s arms he was shocked to feel something grab him instead.  He quickly yanked his arms back and stepped away from the corner.  At the edge of the darkness he could see the shadows churning upon itself.  Suddenly two hands began to glide across the wooden floor towards Gonath’s feet.  Seeing the fingers again convinced Gonath that he had not imagined them before.  Frozen more from amazement than fear he stood planted to the floor, watching as the hands extended from the blackness in the corner across the floorboards and to the tip of his feet.  The hands stopped instantly, just touching the toes of his boots.  They lingered, not moving further.  Gonath was somewhat puzzled, earlier these hands wanted to drag him into the darkness with their gloom, now they simply waited.  Quickly Gonath shook the astonishment from his mind and began to worry of what was capable of giving life to the shadows.  He took one step back to put distance between himself and the waiting hands.  With no warning the shadows leapt at him knocking him to the floor.  Gonath winced and as he opened his eyes, Myria was standing above him with a wide smile that exposed the decaying stubs that one could only assume were teeth.

Have never encountered the Souls of the Abyss, I see?  We will discuss those too, come off the floor, as I said, Myria has much to tell.”
                                                                                               *****

Gonath could barely see the light coming from the windows of his home.  For a moment he removed the pain from his mind and thought only of who would be in his home.  He thought it best to rush the front door to and surprise whomever would be inside.  He slowly advanced the broad wooden barricade that separated him from the unknown trespasser.  Gonath braced himself and prepared to crash the door.  The door swung open just as he lunged forward to break through the alter.  His momentum carried him through the entrance way, over several chairs, past a dark figure standing to one side and into the back wall of his dwelling.  The impact against the wall knocked the wind from Gonath’s lungs and sent him to the floor with barely enough strength to hear the cackling coming from the part of the room that he blazed by.  He rolled over onto his back and groaned when he saw the source of the wicked laugh.

            “I knew you were a senseless boy when I saw you, this just confirms it.”, snickered the old woman. “You even smell as dim-witted as you are, what foul creatures have you soiled yourself with?”

            “Woman, I have had enough of your games, your riddles and that incessant laugh.  I demand to know why you are in my home, why you torment me so with your hideous sense of humor and why you do not crawl back beneath the dung heap you came.  I am finding no pleasure of becoming the brunt of your jokes.  Leave my home, I have many things needing my attention.  All of which is none of your concern.”

            “I am not Woman, I am Myria and you possess my coin, that is my concern.”, came the old woman’s response.

            “Your coin has brought me nothing but grief this day.  I should have been practicing for the tournament today and instead I end up walking home, setting my skin afire and then destroying what little I have of a home.”  Gonath reached into his pocket and held the gold piece before the wintry person.  “Take this cursed thing and leave!”

            The smile lifted from the woman’s face and serious gaze took it’s place.  “Sit silent Gonath, we have much to discuss, the coin included.  We must first remove the manure and its stench from your face and hands, I can not continue a conversation with you in that way.  It seems I am not the only one that has crawled from beneath a dung heap.”

So, a month and a half later and not much has changed. Stil reading materials that a drier than Melba toast.

I have had the opportunity to attend a couple of disaster exercises. Although they weren't as dramatic as I imagined, they were still a welcomed divergence to the norm.

My boss continues to tell me that "the work is coming" but I've become suspicious of these empty promises. Oh, I'm sure I'll eventually do some real work soon...it just won't be today.

Day 2 - started a new job yesterday. Didn't even think about posting on Weebly about it. Guess I'm a sub-par blogger at this point.

It's better that I didn't, though, wasn't much to put out there. I pretty much got paid to sit at my desk and fumble through personal "things."

It's a little better today, or not. I was given a 250 page document to read through. My first official step in learning the world of public health emergency planning. It's 11:15 now and I'm only on page 25. Oy.

On the technical side, I was given new equipment (laptop and the stuff that goes with it) but I've yet to get a network account so the monitor continues to blankly stare back at me.

It's quiet here. Too quiet. Literally, the only sounds I here are from a woman in the next cube pounding away on her keyboard. I can only imagine what frustrations she's venting while typing with suck ferociousness. I'm going to bet she chews ice too.

The other sound is less fierce but no less distinct. I can hear the guy next to me chomping away on some form of food. Crackers is what I'm guessing but as loud as it is, he may be chewing ice too.

Forty minutes until lunch and halfway through the day. Onward to page 26 and beyond.