10/3/25 8:30 Clear sky cool, temperate weather, The moon waxing gibbous and approaching full. Just got home from the deep, dark forest. Mike and I drove north, looking for someplace we hadn’t camped before.

We came to the end of the road.

There was a little spur that ended at the creek about a half mile back from where the fallen tree blocked the road. We decided to unload and set up camp there.

We found a remote stream side campsite. No garbage, an old fire ring and a cleared area right on the bank with almost enough room to set up the tipi. I had brought the 16′ tipi but set it up a little short to fit it in the space.

The creek is right there.

Fitting the lodge in between the trees was a bit of a puzzle.

Mike drove the truck down to where he could catch a cell signal and phoned Jason to let him know how to find us while I stayed in camp to set up the tipi. When he returned, we got a fire going and hung a Dutch oven over the flames to heat up some garlic bread. I brought a thermos of turkey soup.

heating garlic bread in the Dutch oven.

Mike enjoying a cheese puff.

Jason came up after work and arrived as dusk was gathering. We had soup and garlic bread, then Mike and I packed up to go home.

“Wait,” Jason exclaimed. “Your just going to leave me up here with the bears?”

Mike and I have a bet whether he ends up sleeping in his car. I will find out when I go back up tomorrow morning. I have to finish packing; Andy and Robert will be coming up Sunday and we plan to camp most of the week.