February Hike With Amy, Dave & Kel
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Throwback Thursday -Tipi Fiji Java
Thad and I decided to roll and smoke one last joint on the library lawn before going in. I don’t know why we thought that was a good idea; probably because we were stoned. We hadn’t quite finished smoking the doobie when we found ourselves surrounded by Hood...
Freight Sleds
Winter camping can mean carrying heavy backpacks in deep, slippery snow. Awkward at best. But if you can slide your loads across the snow what was a hindrance can become a help. Something as simple as a cheap, child's sled can make all the difference in the world....
A January Snowshoe Excursion
Preparing for an upcoming snow camp, Andy and I set out today to see how we'd do on snowshoes and check out potential campsites within our walking distance. Andy borrowed snowshoes from our brother, Dave, I had a new roll-up deer drag I had never used. When we...
Firestarter
I experimented with making firestarter today. First, I filled the cups of a cardboard egg carton with dryer lint, scraps of paper, and wood debris from the bottom of my firewood box. Then I...
A Prevernal Frogument
Two frogs argue in the dark. They intended to sleep until spring but woke before their alarm clock. Eagerly, the first frog croaks: “Get up! Get up! Get up!” “Too soon, Too soon,” grumps the other, through the lightly falling...
Morning Dilemma
Submerged in the darkness I struggle to distinguish the sound of water tumbling down the creek from the rushing tires of an approaching car Timing my naked leap from the hot tub so as not to offend the neighbors.
Coyote Concert
Coyotes howling songs of freedom from the star-lit stage above Willow Flat Agitate farm dogs up and down the road And drive the inmates of the kennel To a frenzy
Sunday Morning In January
Predawn freezing fog blankets the canyon. My rooster is arguing religion with the neighbor's bird. Occasionally some cock down the road will offer his ill considered opinion, only to be sternly rebuffed by an owl who has been struggling to remain aloof from the fray.
Moonlit Snowfield
Receding snow covers the ground like a dirty blanket, crusty and stained, flecked with debris. But the moon bathes it clean, transforming it into a glowing blue sheet stretching across the open fields from treeline to treeline. In the distance a lone coyote's laughter...
Mountain Man Breakfast
Dutch Oven Mountain Man Breakfast The Mountain Man Breakfast is a popular Dutch oven recipe which has been around in one form or another for years. If you need to feed a hearty breakfast to a crowd, this is good one. I used a variation from Gary House I found on...
Dutch Oven Rhubarb Cobbler
Dutch Oven Rhubarb Cobbler Spring hasn’t officially arrived until the rhubarb is up. One morning a few leaves poke through the frost covered mulch; by the end of the week, giant rosettes of primordial leaves on bright red stalks cover that corner of the garden....
Tequila Eggs
Tequila Eggs Like Scotch Eggs but I used chorizo mixed with cilantro, dried tomatoes, diced green chilis, and diced jalapenos for the sausage and crushed tortilla chips and roasted chilis for the crust. 7 eggs (Reserve 1 egg for wash.Hard boil 6 eggs; pat dry...
Lemon Chicken Soup
Lemon Chicken Soup Lemon Chicken Soup This variation of chicken soup relies upon lemon and a stick of cinammon to give Grandma's old standby a Middle Eastern twist. 3 pounds boneless, skinned chicken tits 4 cups chicken broth 1 cup +/- water1 onion - I...
Optimus Crux Backpacking Stove
I have had this little stove for a number of years and it is still my go-to on those rare occasions when I choose to backpack in. The stove itself weighs 3 ounces and folds up to fit in the palm of my hand. It uses isobutane-propane for fuel. The stove stores in a...
