Five Things I'm Diggin' - 3/9/20

Yeah, it's been awhile. Honestly, I've just been living life. Work has been incredibly busy, but I'm still taking pictures and playing music. Just haven't been talking about it online.

For my return post, let's revive an old but beloved series, 5 Things I'm Digging. So, without further ado...

	1. Vacuum Insulation – Vacuum-insulated flasks have been available to consumers for almost 100 years, but the last decade has seen a massive revival with new companies making a fortune on this Roosevelt era (Teddy, not Franklin) technology. Why? Because it works, really freakin' well. I've accumulated insulated cups, tumblers, bottles, and even a coffee press. Most recently I got a Stanley beer growler on sale, and it totally rocks.
	2. One-Bag Travel – I posted before with tips on minimalist travel. I didn't realize at the time that there is an entire movement obsessed with committed to it. My tribe! They take it a lot further than I do and have helped me up my game. They also hipped me to the Tortuga Setout, which works a lot better for this than the duffel bags I'd been using.
	3. Merino Wool – I was familiar with merino wool from backpacking, but one-bag got me over my objection to the expense of it. Merino is lightweight, super-warm, insulates even when wet, and doesn't itch like regular wool. It also has the amazing ability to stay fresh-smelling after being worn multiple times. Seriously, it works. It's a true game changer for traveling light.
	4. Boots – In the year that I was neglecting my blog, I  discovered how terrific boots are. If chosen well, they can go from casual, to stylish, to rugged. And if you get high-quality, full-grain leather boots, they look better as they age. Sadly, they're not very compatible with one-bag travel, but you can't have everything I guess. My boots of choice? Thursday Boots – high-end quality at a mid-level price.
	5. Puppies! – Show me a person who doesn't like puppies and I'll show you a medical marvel – a human being seemingly living without a heart. Meet Inigo, the newest member of my household. He's rambunctious as all hell and not yet potty-trained, but he's filled a void in our lives that has existed for too long.