Saddle Up

After Tuesday's post, it got me thinking that when I was looking for a pair of saddle shoes a few years ago the pickings were slim.

With partnerships between Duckie Brown and Florsheim, Billy Reid's worn version, Mark McNairy's new interpretation, hell, even Urban Outfitters are now in the game. GQ has written about them and even the blogs are a buzz with north/south opinions on how to wear a pair.

Being a Southern staple and now a getting a nod from North, here's some of the more accessible and probably long last (i.e. classic) pairs on the market:

• G.H. Bass: 'Burlington' for Urban Outfitters in tan and brown leather;
• Johnston & Murphy: 'Brennan' in suede and nubuck;
• Mark McNairy: for 'Epaulet' in navy suede with crepe sole;
• Cole Haan: 'Colton' salt nubuck with coffee leather and British tan details;
  
• Allen Edmond's: 'Shelton' cordovan & black calf (note: used in Michael Bastian's Fall 2007 inaugural collection);
• Orvis: 'Deerskin' with deerskin and calf uppers.

While the selection is much better than ever before, I'm still pretty happy with the pair I own.

Image Credits: clockwise from top left

Saddles & States

J&M Saddle Shoes & Volunteer Traditions Tennessee Belt

Credits: Thanks to Mason over at VT for sending along the VT Koozie, TN belt and NC Cap. The Koozie's been in my back pocket for the last two Saturdays - Cheers to Y'all!

Start Your Engines

I love a cooler. Specifically a blue one with wheels. And while I have seen previous versions/attempts at the riding cooler at trade shows and a few events, they all had weak motors, a short battery life and no actual "cooler" space.

Then I came across Cruzin Cooler. Designed after founder Kevin Beal went to an Indy 500 race where he says "they shut down the parking lot so everyone was carrying their coolers. In the same parking lot I was in they had one of those little pocket bike's with a motors and I thought I can get one of those motors into one of those coolers. And that's how it all started.' Beal came home and started to tinker with the two products with the end goal that it would hold a case of beer and 8lbs of ice.

Seen on the Discovery Channel and having sold over 45,000 around the world, the Cruzin Cooler can hold up to 625 lbs(!) has more products accessories than I could figure out, extra batteries and all the fixin's to keep you movin'.

While the price tag isn't the same as your standard Coleman or Igloo, ranging from $299 for 250 Watts to $799 for 1000 Watts and $150 for each Coolagon, it's not an inexpensive man-toy but one that will surely be pretty a hell of a good time.

Image Credits: Cruzin Coolers

SGGiftGuide: Father's Day 2010

• Southern Proper Golf Visor: Guaranteed to 'sink putt, shoot par' when he keeps the glare out of his eyes.
• Customized Golf Balls: Whether it's his monogram, 'If found return to hole', or 'Great Father, Crappy Golfer' sure to be a hit with 25+ different brands of balls from which to choose.
  
• Lobster & Clambake: Just have to heat and eat.
• Cracker Set: The perfect pewter accompaniment to the feast you'll share.
• Correspondence Cards: Top shelf or bargain basement, refill Dad's stock and pre-stamp the envelopes with USPS 'forever' stamps.
• Season 3: Whether with a scotch neat or martini dry, spend some time together over MadMen.
• Kiwi Kit: Everything he, and you, need to care for those Alden's, Crockett's & Allen Edmond's you hope to one day inherit.
  

Image Credits: Links clockwise from 9:00

Berry Good Beer

I first mentioned an Abita 'Harvest Brew' back in the fall and have been savoring the 12 bottles of Abita Strawberry Lager we bought due to lack of supply in the DC area. If you haven't tried it before and come across it, buy it. It's fresh, light and with the slightest hint of strawberry is to Abita what lemon is Sam Adam's Summer Ale.

I'm now in search of the remaining 'end of the season' stock, so if you know where to find it in/near the District, let me know and I'll share one .

Image Credit: Abita Beer

Jump On The Wagon

At the end of the year, Volvo will cease production of the V70 in US and Canadian markets to be replaced solely by the XC70. Let's take a moment and look back on the iconic car.

Image Credit: HERE Thanks to AEV & SH for passing along.

In Response

This is in response to Friday's post "A Letter From A Reader" in regards to the devastation in the Gulf. There have been conflicting responses to the post, so I hope this brings clarity and closure.

CIL:

You are right.

With the exception of a few tweets, I have not posted on the oil spill. However, I have become so infuriated with the situation that I honestly haven't been able to put into words where I stand and how I feel.

The previous posts you mentioned have all been after a particular event has occurred where I have been able to reflect on the cause, the outcome and ultimately the effect. In hindsight this is how I responded to Katrina and most recently Nashville, maybe it's a bit of denial for the current events around me, but nonetheless how I process major issues.

Listen, think, then speak.

This event, as you pointed out, won't be ending any time soon so it seems that much more important not to wait but to say something now. Posting your letter or my response on this blog won't provide some genius solution and probably won't to tell anyone something they didn't know before, but it does provide a platform to get how we feel off our chests. And if it accomplishes that one thing, then this blog serves it's purpose.

-DAM

A Reader's Letter

I received the following letter from regular reader/commenter 'CIL' and with his permission am posting this for all of you to read. There have been no editorial changes. Pictures are from his letter. My response will come on Monday.

Dear SG-

As a reader of your blog, I take great interest in your posts about clothing, travels, sports, hunting and your take on and awareness of current events. I respect your distinguished opinions and perspectives and find them all quite entertaining and tasteful.

However, I must say that I am disappointed in the fact that you have not posted about the greatest environmental catastrophe in U.S. history.

In the past you have written about hurricanes, floods, and terrorist attacks so I see no reason for you not to bring awareness to the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. In case your readers who live or are from ‘above the line’ haven’t heard…

There is an oil well down yonder that has been spewing thousands of barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico for over 45 days.

There is an oil slick above the water and oil plumes underwater that have the capability of covering every beach in the state of Florida and make landfall as far up as the Carolina’s.

As an outdoorsman it has to break your heart to see wildlife pictures of ducks, pelicans and sea turtles covered in oil.


I know you enjoy a good po-boy, some boiled crawfish, but imagine years without it.

It’s a possibility.


The oil spill could provide a crippling blow to the hometown that you are “proud to call home” and your home state that has always been a ‘Sportsman’s Paradise.’


So as you post on your blog between now and August (the earliest date the oil will stop leaking), think about the times you have spent on the Gulf Coast with family and friends.

Think about the next shrimp po-boy you hope to have…
Think about a cold Abita beer with hot broiled crawfish…
Think about all that you love down in Louisiana and everything that is at risk…


Bring awareness. Bring a SthrnGent voice.
-CIL


Image Credits (top to bottom): www.WWLTV.com, www.SouthernGentBlog.com, David Nicholson, www.saveourlake.org