I used to go to REI to check out gear in person - compare boots, try on climbing shoes, backpacking gear, etc. they never have anything in stock. Last time I wanted to touch a couple backpacking pillows to decide which one was worth the money and they didn’t have any in stock. Literally none.

I have an Eddie Bauer puffy too - they go on sale on their site all the time. I think I got mine for $50 in the Black Friday sales? I’ve had it for a few years and it’s hardly lost any feathers, still looks great. And I wear it almost daily in the winter.

Thanks, I’d appreciate it!

Thanks! It was a problem I didn't anticipate - when I was last out there (car camping) everything was still pretty dead from the summer drought.

Thanks!

It's so hard to find the info online for LBJ that I just called the district office for the rules. Essentially, you can park and camp anywhere outside of the established recreation sites, you just have to be off the road at a pull out of some kind. He told me dispersed camping is allowed everywhere, just follow the burn bans. It's not a popular backpacking locale, but I did find a few trip reports of people using the Multi-use loops. It's mostly used by equestrians, and mostly out of TADRA point.

I've never found any info about water on trail, but there's a lot of water around right now from all the rain - I passed two ponds in two miles, but that may have been a fluke.

For this trip, I parked on FS 908 in a pretty large parking area and walked south along the orange loop for a couple miles, then just hiked out the next day. It's pretty sandy/grassy, but the trail is easy to follow and well-marked.

Trail map: http://lbjtrailmaps.com/

LBJ Forest service map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5274355.pdf

Sand dunes is very dog-friendly for a national park. Dogs (on leash) are allowed on the dunes up to the first ridge, which is a lot of area - the dunes are huge and long. You can hike the a long the creek for a few miles I think. And there’s some dog friendly trails in the park if I remember right. Also, the National forest/BLM land surrounding the park is dog-friendly.

Gunnison is pretty limited if I’m remembering right, but probably has a similar national forest situation - there’s a lot of public land in that part of the country.

Have you tried contact the dog’s breeder? They can often help in situations like this. The dog-owner might have a contract stating they have to let the breeder know if they ever have to rehome the dog.

If getting help from the breeder is out, yeah social media, check your social circle. You could search for a lab rescue in your area too.

I’m gonna hop on the band wagon and recommend a standard pack - a framed 50ish liter pack will carry the weight more comfortably than a 40L UL pack. And if your gear is light, that frame makes it feel very light. Until you have a compact, dialed in kit, it’s not worth using a UL pack. I love my osprey 45L, and a lot of people start out with the REI flash 55.

Put that money into your tent and sleep system - those are the most efficient dollars to weight savings.

Hey, I am also in Texas - we do still walk in the mornings and evenings in shady places and carry water. We also focus more on water activities - places where we can do a short walk to a lake or river, water/swim break, walk back out. I’m working on getting my dog to actually swim and be comfortable in a kayak, so we can be out more too.

I, 30sF, have thought a lot about safety on solo trips and the only thing that really worries me is people. In general I feel safest in the backcountry. I did my first overnight at a hike-in site (1/2 mile from a parking) and was jumpy all night. Being 3 miles down a rocky trail from the nearest road crossing felt safer. I carry pepper spray (for people and wildlife) and only wear one ear bud when I’m listening to something.

Second the advice you’re getting about knowing the hazards of your area - the biggest risks in my area are heat, snakes, and coyotes, so I plan for those and not for bears.

Congrats on getting out there! Solo trips are amazing :)

I also have a shady balcony (morning sun only) and most veggies will not grow for me. I’ve had the best time with plants where the leaves are the point - salad mixes, basil, oregano, mint, thyme. Any flower that’s labeled partial shade should do pretty good - I don’t remember exactly what I had but I asked for shade tolerant and everything I’ve gotten has done fine.

If you’re near a Cabelas or a Bass Pro Shop you can go look at them and stick your dog in the various sizes.

IMO the length/with of the crate is more important than height - my dog is mostly laying down in her crate - try getting a measure on how long/wide she is when laying down.

Second this! I had a Kelty 20 degree bag out recently in 50f night temps and was barely keeping warm. But my pad is the cheapest Kkymit, r value 1-2?

Also for budget - check used gear. I found an rei down bag at a thrift store for $10, which is a crazy find, but I’ve seen ok deals on the Rei used site, rei return sections and on Facebook groups.

lol, I ended up getting a Xmid 2 - I found one used and couldn’t beat the price. But good to know about the lunar solo size wise - the single-wall/one-pole design was making me nervous about touching the walls being an issue. Maybe the next tent :)

Thanks all!

I wish! DCF is out of my budget unfortunately. The xmid 2 is only a couple ounces more than the tarptent I’m considering too and it seems like a big upgrade to have all sil-poly material.

Thanks! I'm looking at the Owyhee now and it looks like a good option too!

I'm trying to figure out the design - is the bug net just a skirt connection the walls to the bathtub? has your dog every stepped on it?

I’d appreciate it! She is a big cuddler (currently sharing my pillow) but she will 100% steal my bag if she doesn’t have enough space for her own space.

Thanks! Xmid 2 was my initial plan but since I’m mostly solo I was trying to see if I could go lighter.

I need to do Dinosaur Valley again - I went in the fall and there was no water in the rivers.

There are some really nice dog friendly overnights near DFW - cross timbers at Lake Texoma, primitive sites at Dinosaur Valley, any stretch of the LBJ multi-use trails (only if your dog is good with horses). If you’re willing to drive a bit, Ouachita National forest is 3-4 hours away, lots of good overnights and 2-nights there.