FLEXTAIL Tiny Pump x 2024

FLEXTAIL Tiny Pump x 2024

Andy bought one of these little pumps for his Thermarest pad a while ago. I laughed at him for buying another unnecessary gadget. Until I got a huge self-inflating sleep pad from Sportsman's Guide. It is supposed to be self-inflating and it kinda is, but deflating it...

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A Morning Walk

A Morning Walk

6/8/25 9:00 75f (28.8c) Walter and I  took a short walk up Swyers Drive this morning,  while it was still cool enough to enjoy it.                                      ...

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Camp Chef Compact Fire Ring

Camp Chef Compact Fire Ring

          I have had this Camp Chef propane fire pit for several years now. I use it when fire season bans prohibit traditional wood campfires.       When I  hooked it up last week the regulator was leaking gas, so I  ordered a...

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Good Afternoon

Good Afternoon

6/4/25 2:30 Clear sky, breezy 70f (21c). Some photos from this afternoon.                                                      ...

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Making a Camp Bed Big Enough for Two

Making a Camp Bed Big Enough for Two

Planning for an upcoming camping trip Amy and I decided to purchase a sleeping bag and pad wide enough for both of us. We ended up with a Guide Gear self inflating pad and a King Camp Snowflake  300D                  ...

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Good Morning

Good Morning

      6/26/25 6:00 56f (13.3c) Gray and overcast with a few patches of blue. No wind. A subdued muttering hidden in the leaves betrays the presence of birds. A dove is cooing across the street somewhere. This morning lacks enthusiasm.    ...

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Good Morning

6/26/25 6:00 56f (13.3c) Gray and overcast with a few patches of blue. No wind. Subdued muttering hidden in the leaves betrays the presence of birds. A dove is cooing across the street somewhere. This morning lacks enthusiasm.

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Good Morning

Good Morning

      6/25/25 7:30 66f (18.8c) Sunny with the occasional puff of breeze .  The sky is blue behind a fabric of torn, white tufts. A raucous gang of Jay's swoop and dive, shouting obscenities. In the background the pervasive whine of industrial ...

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Good Morning

Good Morning

      6/24/25 6:30 54f (12.2c) A windless  morning with clear sky. The dog is barking. The tipi is up, drying out after our solstice campout in the Oregon desert.             Looking forward to my darling wife getting home...

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Good Morning

Good Morning

    6/23/25 5:30 51f (10.5c) This morning  is bright and clear, blue sky with just a tickle of breeze. The sun is still behind the east ridge. Birds are happily twittering and flitting about. I am soaking and sipping cardamom tea. The tea is hot and strong...

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Mountain Man Breakfast

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...

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Dutch Oven Rhubarb Cobbler

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....

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Tequila Eggs

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. cook...

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Lemon Chicken Soup

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...

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Optimus Crux Backpacking Stove

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...

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