Our mission is simple: we provide outdoor experiences and educational opportunities that inspire respect for self, others and the land.
Muddy Boots Newsletter
April 2021
What will you discover?
In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they’re still beautiful.
~Alice Walker

Time has arrived to discover the awakening of spring. The ground reveals budding colorful flowers. Trees have shed the last of its old leaves and are bursting with a green shoot. More time is being spent outside.

For many, there is a renewal of friendships and shared time with cups of coffee. Outside venues beckon for hikes and quiet moments journaling, drawing or taking photographs.

We like that one of the definitions of discovery is an "aha moment". Unearthing also tantalizes our desire for being outside and shares the visual of excavating and uncovering. These are the things we are going to do this month - seek a new discovery. Learn something we didn't know before. Discovery is what first-time hikers and backpackers experience. They learn more about themselves, the landscape and a skill.

Ready for a long hike or in-person training opportunity? Check out our Featured Offerings. Be in the know with our upcoming Zoom workshops and discussions. This month we share a lemon zucchini bread recipe and remind you about what we carry in our first aid kit.

To assist with your discovery, print the spring BINGO card. It is free. Share your successes on our Facebook page.


We look forward to sharing our next adventure with you. Until then, take care of yourself, grab a map, make a plan, go outside!

Happy Trails!
Step Outdoors, LLC

Proofreading Credit: Meg W
Upcoming Zoom Offerings

A Zoom Workshop
First Five Minutes
Saturday, April 17, 2021
10 am - 11:30 am
Zoom call

Workshop Description:  In the backcountry, what you do in the first five minutes matters. A lot. In fact, it could be the difference between life and death  This workshop will give you an overview of what to do when mishap happens and the Golden Hour of care rests solely on your shoulders.

This workshop is one segment of our longer (in-person) First Aid in the Backcountry Workshop. This segment is a review of wilderness emergencies and what you can do in the first minutes that can actually save a life.
 
Workshop builds a confidence and mindset of reaction, and the self created “What If” statements, so if something bad happens you have an idea of how to react.  

Designed for outdoor enthusiasts who have minimal emergency equipment when recreating, this 90-minutes will guide you to think differently about emergencies in the backcountry. 

You will be asked to complete a 15-minute homework assignment before the workshop.

Cost: $15 per person

RSVP Required: April 15th by 6p (Eastern Time)

A Zoom Workshop
Compasses, Point the Direction

Saturday, May 8, 2021
10 am - 11:30 am

Zoom call

Workshop Description: In the map reading workshop we talked about how this outdoor skill is becoming a lost skill – replaced by phone apps which include a dot to follow. When following well-used trails, misplacing self is not much of a concern (if you are paying attention). But, what if you want to visit a space that is not on the trail? Could you refer to your map and use your compass to get there?  

Designed for those who know little about how to use a compass, this workshop will focus on the following topics:
  • Learning the parts of a compass and what those parts do
  • Understanding degree marks and setting bearings
  • Setting declination and knowing where to find declination

Cost: $15 per person

RSVP Required: May 6th by 6p (Eastern Time)

This Month's Recipe
Lemon Zucchini Bread
Makes 8x4 loaf pan

We still have a few shredded zucchini packages in the freezer and we love lemon. Now that the seasons are changing, this flavor combination is just what we need when headed out for a morning walk. This recipe comes from the website of Gonna Want Seconds but we didn't incorporate the sugar glaze.

Quick Bread Ingredients
 
  • 1 c sugar
  • ½ c vegetable oil
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbs lemon extract
  • 2 tbs fresh lemon zest
  • 1 c shredded zucchini
  • 1 ½ c all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp baking powder

Lemon Syrup Ingredients

  • ¼ c sugar
  • ¼ c lemon juice

How to Prepare
  • In a bowl mix together the wet quick bread ingredients – hand mix, don’t use an electric mixer. In a second bowl mix dry quick bread ingredients.
  • Blend together wet and dry ingredients, mixing just until the flour is moistened.
  • Bake in an 8x4 loaf pan at 325-degrees for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
  • Prepare the lemon syrup while bread is baking. In a small saucepan, cook the sugar and lemon juice over low heat until the sugar dissolves. 
  • When the bread comes out of the oven, generously brush the top with the lemon syrup. Allow the cake to cook for 10 minutes, glaze a few more times before removing from pan. Using remaining glaze to brush the sides of the bread.  

Adapted and photo from Gonna Want Seconds
Backcountry Tip
What Belongs in a
First Aid Kit
Be Prepared
 
Comforts for nights out on the trail surround you on the floor. You are moments away from loading all of the sacks of like items into your properly sized and fitted backpack in Lego stacking fashion. Then it hits you, “What if I get hurt out there?” Accidents happen. Bumps, bruises, stings, scratches, burns … and the list goes on.

What you carry is your personal preference. Our clients know that when backpacking with us we carry an extensive first aid kit. What is packed in the red bag we consider as “comfort” for minor injuries, aches, pains and remedies for problems that can halt a trip if mismanaged or ignored. In the grand scheme, we are concerned about the bigger injuries … the ones that require the items we can’t carry with us. And, truth be told, there are lots of items in your backpack that can be used in times of emergency!

So, instead of telling you what you must pack in your first aid kit, below is a list of items I carry in my personal backpacking first aid kit. Then, you decide for yourself what to package in a ziplock bag.

Stacy’s Personal Backpacking First Aid Kit

  • Small scissors
  • Tweezers
  • Nail clippers
  • Needle
  • Dental floss
  • Safety pin
  • 2 packets of antibiotic ointment
  • 4 standard size band aids
  • 2 2x2 gauze pads
  • ¼ roll of duct/duck tape
  • 2 blister pads
  • 6 Benadryl for emergency allergic reactions
  • 1 roll tums
  • 4 Imodium diarrhea medication
  • 6 vitamin Ibuprofen
  • 2 Claritin allergy medications
  • 1 instant dissolve electrolyte drink packet
  • Bug sting-eeze (depending on the season and location of hike)
Step Outdoors, LLC
3152 Gore Rd.
Derby, VT 05829
970.946.5001