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BIOLITE’S NEW FIREPIT+ PORTABLE GRILL AND FIRE PIT
BioLite is becoming a go-to company for outfitting backyard bonfires. The company’s newest product, the FirePit+, is a great option as a centerpiece for cooler nights spent outdoors. These firepits have a lot going for them. For starters, they’re lightweight, coming in at just under 20 pounds. That means you can move them easily, whether you’re planning to keep the firepit at home or take it on the road. It’s easy to hoist into the trunk of your car and take on your next camping trip or to the beach. The pit’s legs also fold, so the device compacts and becomes even more portable.
These pits are designed to be almost entirely smokeless, so you won’t be stuck doing the smoke-avoidance dance at your next bonfire. Even without the smoke, the pits still help keep mosquitoes and other insects away from your gathering.
The FirePit+ comes with a grill grate attachment for the top of the pit, so it doubles as a portable hibachi grill. Toss some skewers or hot dogs on top for an easy outdoor cooktop. The pit burns both firewood and charcoal, so you can pick your fuel based on the activity. The device’s mesh surround is also unique—it lets in plenty of air to keep the fire going, and creates a captivating visual of the fire inside the pit. In addition, the FirePit+ is built with 51
By: Megan Hill
airjets, designed to add oxygen to the fire and help it build and maintain.
One of the coolest features of the FirePit+ is the ability to control the size of the flame via the device’s free app, which connects your phone to the firepit through Bluetooth. Using this is optional—users always have the ability to control the flames manually—but once set up, it allows you to make adjustments without leaving the comfort of your camp chair.
With this newest release, BioLite has made a slew of upgrades, including adjusting the design to better distribute and radiate heat outward. This new product also has a high-temperature enamel coating that’s designed to last longer than past versions, and an upgraded battery for longer burn times. Overall, this is an exciting addition to BioLite’s impressive product lineup, and one that will surely be at the center of many a backyard memory.
Travel Gear: Daybreaker Pack from Able Carry
There are certainly a ton of backpacks on the market, but one newer option— and a standout—is the Daybreaker pack from Able Carry.
By: meGan Hill
This sleek, modern pack has a surprising number of features for its streamlined design. The pack has 25 liters of capacity, the perfect size for day-long wanderings through both urban and wilderness settings. That’s plenty of space for a couple of layers of clothing, lunch and snacks, laptop or tablet, your guidebook, phone, and more.
The Daybreaker has a few handy pockets to help keep things organized, but doesn’t overreach when it comes to compartments. There’s the larger, main compartment, plus a smaller pocket inside the top opening that’s perfect for your keys, wallet, and phone. On the outside, the pack comes with an adjustable sleeve for a water bottle or coffee mug, and a smaller, zippered side pocket with a clip for hanging personal items like keys. Even with all of these features, the pack maintains a slim, stylish look that helps it fit in in an urban environment.
The pack’s light weight helps keep overall pack weight down. But Able Carry didn’t skimp on durability: the Daybreaker is made with rugged materials, like tear- and scuff-resistant Cordura fabric. It’s also made with water resistant materials, so while it may not stay dry if you dunk the entire thing in a river, it’ll keep the rain off your gear.
And if for some reason the pack doesn’t live up to expectations, Able Carry has you covered. The company offers a 14-day trial period for its products, saying they’ll take them back if they’re not a good fit for the customer. And all bags carry a lifetime guarantee against workmanship defects; if the customer has product issues, the company will help sort them out.
A TASTE OF RIDgELAND Mississippi
Nestled in the Deep South is the vibrant boutique destination of Ridgeland, Mississippi.
Located on the historic Natchez Trace Parkway and just north of the state capitol of Jackson in central Mississippi, Ridgeland is for the active traveler who desires outdoor recreational opportunities mixed with flavorful dining experiences. With over 140 restaurants, this charming city is bursting with flavor and ambiance. Together, great food and unrivaled hospitality are the ingredients that make Ridgeland a traveler’s oasis, a foodie’s dream, and a magnet for some of the South’s finest chefs who have set up shop in this delightful town.
Chef Derek Emerson, a James Beard Award semi-finalist for Best Chef in the South, serves his take on fresh local and regional ingredients at Local 463 Urban Kitchen and CAET, both of which are located in the Renaissance at Colony Park outdoor shopping plaza. CAET is Emerson’s newest offering featuring a menu ideal for an upscale yet casual seafood and oyster bar dining experience.
In the “Steak Capital of Mississippi,” savor mouth-watering cuts at Tico’s Steakhouse, Doe’s Eat Place, Ely’s, Kathryn’s, MM Shapley’s, and Koestler Prime. Dine on the shores of the Barnett Reservoir at Cock of the Walk (for the best fried catfish) or Pelican Cove Grill, the lively local hangout for live music on the covered deck and views of the boats at Main Harbor Marina. There’s the classic French bistro Anjou Restaurant led by father-daughter duo Chef Christian Amelot and Anne Amelot-Holmes. Ridgeland even boasts a drive-thru tamale restaurant, Tony’s Tamales. Their turkey tamales wrapped in corn husks are so tasty that restaurants throughout Mississippi purchase them wholesale to serve to their own guests.
For the outdoor enthusiasts, Ridgeland is a premier cycling destination for serious athletes and casual peddlers alike. Ridgeland has even been recognized as a Bronze Level Bicycle
Community by the League of American Cyclists - one of only 144 cities in the U.S. to hold this honor. Cycling trails like the Chisha Foka Multi-Use Trail, competitive and leisure special events, extreme BMX cycling, and mountain biking trails attribute to this “bike-friendly” community.
The fun doesn’t end on two wheels: Take the 33,000 acres of nature’s delights of the Barnett Reservoir, offering up to 105 miles of splendid shoreline. Locally known as the Rez, the lake is a great place for sailing, boating, water skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, picnicking and bird watching. The Rez is bordered in Ridgeland by the Natchez Trace Parkway, America’s premier historic and scenic roadway where hikers, explorers, and cyclists wind through wooded trails.
Visit the Bill Waller Craft Center, just off the Natchez Trace Parkway, where the fine arts and crafts of over 400 leading Mississippi and Southeast artisans are showcased. Treat yourself with the finest shopping in Mississippi; there’s plenty to see in the state’s premier retail hub. A wealth of independently owned boutiques, galleries, spas, recreational and antique shops are located from one end of the city to the other. Stroll the streets of the Old World-style Renaissance at Colony Park, the New Urbanist Township at Colony Park, the recently redeveloped Northpark mall and the Railroad District on Jackson Street. Enjoy the Southern sunshine and fresh air while you shop.
In Ridgeland, you’ll find yourself up with the sun, ready to explore the array of outdoor and indoor activities. How you choose to explore - by bike or boat, in shops or on trails, through touch or through taste, inside or out – well, that’s entirely up to you!
A Southern Surprise
For some, the discovery starts with the finest shopping in Mississippi. Boutiques, galleries and antique stores are located along the Ridgeland Retail Trail from one end of the city to the other. Stroll the old-world style streets of Renaissance at Colony Park and the new urbanist Township at Colony Park. A few miles away, the Jackson Street district is bustling with specialty shops, restaurants, spas and bike stores. The renowned Bill Waller Craft Center features treasures from over 400 leading artisans and is located just off the Natchez Trace Parkway.
With the perfect purchase in hand, it’s on to outdoor fun. Ridgeland is well-known as a cyclist’s paradise. Serious cyclers and casual cruisers share the Natchez Trace Parkway and Ridgeland’s Chisha Foka Multi-Use Trail. A slate of biking events, including the Natchez Trace Century Ride, are available throughout the cycling season.
The Barnett Reservoir has over 105 miles of shoreline and 33,000 acres that invite boating, sailing, fishing, swimming and water sports. Boat rentals and tours are available for all to enjoy a day on “the Rez.” The Natchez Trace Parkway is just offshore and open year-round for hikers and explorers to wind through comfortable, wooded trails.
Somehow, all that high-performance fun is even better knowing that fine food and crisp sheets await at the end of the day! With over 140 restaurants, this charming city is bursting with flavor. Together, award-winning restaurants and unrivaled hospitality are the ingredients that make Ridgeland a magnet for some of the South’s finest chefs who have set up shop in this delightful town.
By bike or boat, in shops or on trails, through touch or taste, inside or out – how you choose to explore this boutique town with big-city vibes is up to you. We’re ready to welcome you to Ridgeland.
GET A TASTE OF
RIDGELAND
