HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

On Sunday, May the 11^th we will be celebrating “Mother’s Day”. This one day out of 365 days is set aside for us to honor you our mothers and to say “thank you” for being there when we needed you. From the pain we put you through during childbirth to the comfort you provided to us as children to the stress we caused you as teenagers to the advice you offered to us as parents ourselves, we thank you.

 

Through out my life my Mom had been a strong example of what it means to be honest, moral, caring and loving. She taught me to play, to read and to swim (although there was some external pressure applied to this). She taught me to enjoy life, through exposure to music, art and literature and just by sitting and listen to nature. She was never afraid to answer any of my questions, even the unasked ones. Her advise was always sound, although it may not have been what I wanted to hear. She has shown me how to be a fair and compassionate parent.

 

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

And

Thank You for everything.

 

I love you Mom

Pat

 

To my Mom...

You Let Me Know You Love Me

You let me know you love me
In so many different ways.
You make me feel important
With encouragement and praise.

You're always there when I need you
To comfort and to care.
I know I'm in your thoughts;
Your love follows me everywhere.

Thank you for all you've done
And given so generously.
I love you, my wonderful mother;
You're a heaven-sent blessing to me.

By Joanna Fuchs

I love you Mommy

Thomas

Posted by: donkeycat at 05/10/08 08:25 | link | comments (2)

Sit Booboo Sit!

The other week we saw a good thought provoking movie (“Lions for Lambs” directed by Robert Redford) and had several discussions about it. They ranged from just enjoying the verbal fencing that takes place between the characters to “Do we really know what our government is up to?”, to deeper discussions regarding when do you take a stand for something that you believe in (even though it may not be right. Example – interfering with a legal seal hunt by sabotaging the fisherman’s equipment.), to when do you stand up for what you know is right (Basic human rights, the need for shelter, potable water, food and medical attention) and what action do you take.

 

“If you don't STAND for something, you might FALL for anything”

I believe that this holds true in our day to day lives. If you don’t like the way things are being done, don’t just complain about it.  Do something…anything to correct the situation. I was brought up with the phrase “If you don’t vote, you have no right to complain about the way the country is being run”. You might think that “I am only one vote and that cannot make a difference, therefore I will not cast a ballot”. Wrong! There are lots of people with the same idea in their head and if they all voted it would make a difference. We, as a nation, must stand up for what we believe is right and just, and force the people we elect to lead this country in the direction we believe will best benefit us and all of mankind.

 

It is time to make our leaders see that we are not blinded by the petty goings-on of government, the pointing of the finger of blame for trivial matters that only serve to make one party look better for divulging the short comings of the other, all the while wasting valuable time and the taxpayer’s dollars bickering in parliament about who said what and who it offended and whether or not they should resign or be fired. While all this nonsense is taking place the real decisions are being made behind closed doors by lobby groups and big businesses whose only interest is their own financial gain. These groups don’t give a hoot about the people, the country or the environment unless they can turn a buck from it. 

 

If the government can continue to keep us occupied with these trifling matters and the press keeps reporting on them as if they are of the utmost importance to our safety, security and the well being of our society and we, the people, keep squabbling amongst ourselves, I believe that we are doomed to be lead like sheep, to suppress our own knowledge and understanding of integrity, morality and justice and in turn adopt the “virtues” of our handlers.

 

“When I want your opinion, I’ll give it to you”.

 

Something to muse over.

Pat

Posted by: donkeycat at 05/01/08 09:43 | link | comments

Camping Tip # 2

Watkins Glen Wilderness Weekend

(The annual May 24 camping trip)

 

The main purpose of any camping trip is to have fun with family and friends, enjoy the great outdoors, and learn new outdoor skills, practice old skills and shop at Walmart…. LOL (see I’m learning this computer shorthand).

 

Some of the issues to be addressed when camping (or car camping) are:

 

Setting up a camp:    

• Layout:
  • Proper location of tent, cooking and dining area.
• Set up of tent:
  • How to properly set up a tent. The use of groundsheets, flies and tarps.
• Set up of tarps:
  • How to setup a tarp for shelter.
• Dining area:
  • Layout and care of the dining area.
• Cooking area:
  • The use of stoves and fire for the preparation of meals.

 

How to make a fire:

• There are three elements require to have a fire (heat, fuel and oxygen):

 

Heat can be made from a number of different ways, here are just a few:

§         Matches - These should be carried at all times when you are traveling in the bush. Make sure they are the "strike anywhere" type and that they are waterproofed.

§         Lighter - An excellent source of spark even when you run out of fuel.

§         Flint and steel - A descendent of the Stone Age. The flint and steel method of fire starting is one of the safest and most reliable. I use a Swiss Steel and the spine of my Spyderco knife.

§         Battery - An electric spark can be produced from your car, snowmobile or boat.

§         Magnifying glass - Focus the sun's rays on a small amount of good tinder. The lens from a camera, binoculars or any convex lens will do.

§         Fire bows, drills and ploughs - If constructed properly, a bow drill, consisting of a fireboard, a drill, a socket and a bow, will create heat that can light tinder. A notch must be cut in the side of a fireboard through which a drill will pass and rest on a flat grooved surface below.  A socket to fit the hand will allow the drill, operated by the string of the bow, to rotate first one way and then another until a fine dust results. The dust will smoke when it becomes heated. Then it should be placed into the tinder and blown into flame.

 

Fuel comes in many forms:

§         Tinder - Maybe in the form of dead dry grasses, cotton, dryer lint, gas-soaked rags, and fine amounts of dry bark such as birch or cedar - the finer the better.  Start with a base of fine tinder and then form a teepee shaped pile with the larger tinder.

§         Fire starting blocks can be purchased at outdoor stores or they can be made at home (consider it part of the camping experience) from an egg carton, dryer lint and paraffin wax. First, take the bottom section of the egg carton and fill the sockets with the dryer lint then pour melted paraffin wax throughout the entire unit making sure the wax soaks through to the outside of the egg carton. To use these to start a fire, just break off one of the egg sockets and place amongst your tinder and light. It should burn for between ten to fifteen minutes.

§         Fuel - In going from the tinder to the fuel stage in fire lighting, remember large fuel materials require greater heat to ignite. Therefore kindling is required. Some forms of kindling are: dry twigs, birch bark, wood shavings and fuzz sticks.

 

Oxygen – the fire will need air to burn.

 

Everybody has their own style of making a fire some prefer tried and true methods while others like to pile wood up. Here are some of the traditional styles:

• Teepee - A basic fire used to start other fires. Lay the A-frame and the tinder. Then set the kindling and fuel on end in the form of a teepee.
• Log Cabin - To get a good bed of coals, build the log cabin fire by forming a basic A-frame and a teepee of tinder, then placing logs in the center as if you were building a miniature log cabin. Gradually lay the logs toward the center as you build the cabin. This is a good fire (in my experience) for cooking as it provides a solid flat surface for placing a frying pan upon.
• Crisscross - For a large, deep bed of coals for Dutch oven cooking or roasting, prepare a crisscross fire. After forming a basic A-frame and a teepee of tinder and kindling, place the logs on the fire in layers, one layer crossing the other. Leave a little space between each log for air to circulate.
• Star - Use the basic A-frame and the teepee of tinder and kindling to begin the fire then feed the long logs into the center as needed. Not a traditional camping fire as in most parks you are required to use the provided fire pit.

 

Other things to consider are what to do! You are camping now and supposed to be enjoying the wilderness and the great outdoors. There should not be a T.V., video games or DVD’s counted amongst your camping equipment. I know what you are thinking, I have camped with kids before and I understand the need to keep them from getting bored, thus causing them to misbehave and us to become irritable and the weekend and the whole camping experience ruined. 

 

Here are some things that can be done for fun and to teach children about the great outdoors.

 

The identification of Wildlife (Have you ever wondered how hunters (or MANTRACKER catches his quarry?  That is for those of you that watch OLN.) can find game even when it seems like there are no animals around? They use clues or "animal signs" to find places to hunt. With some homework, books and DVDs about wildlife, you can start practicing reading animal signs anywhere animals live. This is the kind of skill that will make you an expert tracker!  These are the kinds of signs to look for - 

1.                  Feeding evidence  

2.                  Hair / feathers

3.                  Tracks, trails

4.                  Droppings

5.                  Scrapes, dens, wallows, rubbings, etc.

6.                  Sounds

    

Plant life identification is another skill that can be practiced while hiking the trails. Most provincial parks provide trail maps that include some information on plant life particularly if it is endangered or has special significance to local folklore. Carry a field guide (i.e. Petersons), note pad and a camera to record your findings.  Please do not collect samples of everything. You will only end up throwing them out and leaving nothing but an empty spot for the next hikers to see.

 

“Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.”

 

For the followers of “Survivorman – Les Stroud” who wish to nibble on natures wild buffet, I would caution against this. DO NOT EAT THE WILD PLANTS……The identification of plants for the purpose of eating, requires a variety of skills beyond simple plant recognition.

 

The night, Oh the night! As darkness shrouds the camp and the light from the camp fire causes the shadows to dance upon the trees. This is the time of magic and mystery, the time when the imagination runs wild. This is the time to explore the art of darkness and the science and mythology of the night sky.

 

“faeries, black, grey, green, and white

You moonshine revelers, and shades of night.”

William Shakespeare

 

What do we do after dark? Camp fire stories, songs, star gazing and even night hiking are just some of the ways to pass the time. Try watching the night rise instead of the sunset.

 

The study and identification of the stars and planets requires some training. Try to become familiar with one group of stars at a time. Start with the easy to recognize ones that you have been looking at all your life, and point these out to the younglings. The northern constellations that are very easy to find are: Ursa Major (the “Big Dipper”), Ursa Minor (the “Little Dipper”), Cassiopeia (“Queen of Aethiopia”), Draco (the “Dragon”), Bootes (the “Plowman”), Orion (the “hunter”) and many more.

 

Teaching kids to navigate with a map and compass is another activity that will help keep them occupied and provide them with a useful skill. Start by teaching them the features of a compass. It is best to give them a compass of their own to work with. Silva makes a beginner's compass called the Starter 1-2-3, which is inexpensive and useful for most navigating situations. Point out the different parts of the compass: the direction of travel arrow, the magnetic needle, the graduated rotating dial and explain how the needle always points north, no matter which way you turn while holding the compass. I use a Silva Ranger Model 515.

 

There are usually 3 different types of arrow marked on the compass. The arrow marked on the plastic base plate is your direction of travel arrow. This is the only arrow you ever follow.

 

The arrow (needle) that spins in the middle of the compass (usually coloured red and white) always turns to point north (the red end is the end that points north). NEVER follow this arrow because you will always be walking north then, no matter where you actually wanted to go! When using a compass try not to hold it near any metal or magnetic objects or else this arrow will be attracted to them and you will end up going in the wrong direction.

 

The third arrow (usually a hollow red) is the one that will be marked upon the dial. This is the one that will match up with the north pointing arrow (needle).  When you want to read a number off the dial, look at the point where it touches the line at the top (the one marked by ‘read bearing here’), this is the number you want.

 

NOTE: There are 360 degrees in a circle. Be careful about how many degrees each line on the compass represents. Normally on compasses of this type each line is “worth” 2 degrees. This is important, as a difference of 5 degrees over a walk of 6 miles will mean you will be about half a mile from where you should be!

 

A traditional watch with two hands can be used to find direction, provided it is set to true local time (without variation for summer daylight saving and ignoring conventional time zones which do not match real time). In the northern hemisphere, hold the watch horizontal. Point the hour hand at the sun. Bisect the angle between the hour hand and the 12 mark to give a north- south line.  The half way between the hour hand and 12 o’clock is due south. 

My wife loves the watch method for finding direction.  In her words, “it is quite cool”.

 

The shadow stick (18 to 20” long and stuck in the ground in an open area) uses the sun rising in the east and setting in the west to determine the north south line. In the Northern Hemisphere, when the sun is at its highest point in the sky, it will be due south and in the Southern Hemisphere this noonday point will mark due north. The hemisphere will be indicated by the way that shadows move; clockwise in the north, counterclockwise in the south. Shadows can be a guide to both direction and time of day, though reasonably accurate and time consuming this method uses marking the first shadow tip in the morning with a stone, the shadow tip at midday with a stone and the shadow tip in late afternoon with a stone. By joining the points marked through out the day an east and west line is constructed with west being the morning mark. To find north from this established line, bi-secting the line to the stick will give a north south line with the stick at the south end.

The long stick in the center is the "shadow stick".

The small stick on the right is the morning shadow marker.

The small stick in the center is the afternoon marker.

The small stick on the left is the late afternoon marker.

the white string represents the west-east line

and the stick in the center (flat on the grass) showes the north-south line

with North at the top of the photo.

 

Here is a list of a few (and there are many) of the books that I use:

 

Peterson First Guides – Birds    A simplified guide to the common birds of North America

by Roger Tory Peterson, ISBN 0-395-40684-6

 

Peterson Field Guides – Edible Wild Plants, Eastern/Central North America

by Lee Allen Peterson, ISBN 0-395-92622-X

 

Lone Pine Field Guide – Animal Tracks of Ontario

by Ian Sheldon,  ISBN 1-55105-109-5

 

Pocket Guide to Knots & Splices

by Des Pawson, ISBN 1-55267-218-2

 

Up North – A Guide to Ontario’s Wilderness from Blackflies to the Northern Lights

by Doug Bennett and Tim Tiner, ISBN 0-409-91101-1

 

Acquainted With The Night

by Christopher Dewdney, ISBN-10: 0-00-639164-8, ISBN-13: 978-0-00-639164-7

 

See “Camping Etiquette and Tips” posted 02/15/08 for more information.

 

Cheers, and here’s to enjoying the Great Outdoors.

Pat

Posted by: donkeycat at 04/30/08 14:02 | link | comments (1)

The Twelve Labours of Pat

I started my parental leave at the beginning of April and had planned to spend the time with my family and work on the several projects I had left in the wings.

 

Well here we are the 18^th of April and I have managed to complete (with the help of my redheaded brother-in-law) the three main tasks on my list of twelve.

 At the first of the month my brother-in-law moved in and my family moved to Stayner to stay with his wife. John, who is a master craftsman and a perfectionist, set the schedule for the work at hand, complete with milestones to be completed by certain days. The days were long, averaging 10-12 hours, and the work moved along as planned. I was forced to become an uncompromising worker and adopt the same standards as John. I did learn a lot about framing and electrical and I have a great deal of respect for the skill and knowledge that is necessary to do finishing and millwork.

 

Here are a couple of before and after of the basement.

 

 

John, thanks again for all your help.

 

 

The list stands….toy box – completed, breakfast bar – completed, family room – completed, work outstanding…move the laundry room, build a spare room in basement, kitchen cupboard renovations, painting of two bathrooms, landscaping of the front and back yards, organizing of the garage and put a ceiling light in Thomas’ room.

 

Isn’t owning a house wonderful…..

 

Cheers

Pat

 

Posted by: donkeycat at 04/18/08 11:24 | link | comments (2)

Back from TCI

Well we made it there and back in one piece. It was a wonderful adventure from the get go..the flight down was full of small children and as such Thomas had a great time. The resort was almost too good to be true (accommodations were top notch, the food was world class and the beach was unbelievable).  However, for the adventurous sprit there was world class diving (we did manage to get in two dives and one snorkeling trip), parasailing and wind surfing but nothing to explore on this island.  The weather was unbelievable with every day at +27C and sunny (Too hot for me.  We kept Thomas in the shade as much as possible) and the ocean was as warm as a bath and we all enjoyed swimming in it. The trip home was quiet as all the children slept for the entire flight. However, upon our arrival back in Toronto we were greeted by 2 feet (600mm) of snow that was not here when we had left.

 

 

Our arrival at Beaches Turks and Caicos.

 

 

Dad and Thomas in the ocean.

 

 

Thomas and friends.

Under the Sea.

This was our dive group on the reef at 60 feet deep.

Shelly taking photos.

At 60 feet Shelly ran into some trouble when her mask strap came undone from her mask.

Cruising the reef.

 

 

 Pat at 60 feet below TCI.

 

 

Spotted eagle ray.

 

 

Great Barracda.

 

 

Thomas the adventurer.

 

 

One night I dreamed of walking along the shores of different lands.
I could tell that You were with me by the footprints in the sand.

 

Cheers

Pat

 

 

Posted by: donkeycat at 03/20/08 20:18 | link | comments (1)

A time to unwind

This is the start of my holiday. Two weeks away from work. Two weeks away from cell phones, computers (for work) and TV. I decided to begin my de-stressing by listening to some music (Great Big Sea, Irish Descendents, Shanneyganock and maybe slip in some Johnny Cash) while enjoying a fire in the back yard.

Although the night was cold (-12C), the falling snow danced in the light of the fire and made a searing sound upon touching the hot metal of the fire pit. The strong south east wind made it tough to get the fire going, however once the fire was underway the wind caused the flames to climb in spiral fashion.

 

This time off of mine will start with a through house cleaning (not my idea of fun, but lets just call it a pre-spring, spring cleaning to get the winter dust out) and then off to Turks and Cacaos for a week in the sun. This is the first time I have been on a holiday with such a young child. The travel alone will be an adventure in itself. We plan to enjoy the sun, surf (Thomas has just completed his starfish level of swimming) and explore the island and possibly get in some diving (mom and dad time). I hope to have a few good stories and a couple of good photos to show for this trip.

 

“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”

Saint Augustine

 

In the meantime, the logistics has been driving me nuts!...what do you take with you for a week away from home, in another country, with a 6 month old? And as we are limited to only two bags I think that most of the space will be taken for his needs.

 

And no I have not finished his toy box! and yes I have started working on finishing the basement (so much for promises). I have this all planed out (if things go my way) construction WILL start in April (I hope).

 

Cheers, Bon Voyage

Pat

Posted by: donkeycat at 03/01/08 07:13 | link | comments (2)

Just thinking out loud?

I was sitting on my remediation site (a beautiful wooded lot north of Toronto) today watching the snowfall and waiting for trucks to show up. The site was a residential lot that had a scrap dealer as a tenant. For years and years he accepted batteries on the property, which he crushed, to reclaim the lead from with-in. In so doing he littered the property with battery casings and contaminated the soil with lead. We have removed most of the contamination (we still have to excavate two areas) and sent it to a controlled landfill and have now started with the backfilling of the remeadeated areas of excavation. This involves the importing of inert, selected backfill material, in other words soil that is free of chemical impacts and any foreign debris (bricks, wire, concrete, etc.). This being said between 0830 and 1200hrs we had eight trucks arrive on site and I rejected six of them because they did not meet the “inert, selected backfill material” criteria as defined in the contract.

 

It must be in our human nature to attempt to deceive one another and ourselves, if not openly than through our inaction (turn a blind eye to what is happening). I know that my actions of refusing the material to my site, will lead to claims of extra time and equipment charges and the statements that I have unfairly delayed the project. Why is it that when we agree to do something, it seems that we do everything to get out of doing what we have agreed to, or at least part of it?

 

When counting trucks, you have a lot of time to think about what is going on in your life. I was thinking about a promise I made to construct a toy box for my son. The promise was made over 6 months ago, before my son was born, with construction starting over a month ago the work is currently only a third of the way done. At this rate he will be able to help me complete it. I have spent a great deal of time thinking about this project but very little time acting on it. My initial delay in getting started on this endeavor was my wife was decorating the room. While this was true she had asked me to build this toy box before she had even started with her work (which I must say she completed long ago). Then it was “I’m waiting for my brother-in-law to help”, well he lives over an hour drive from my place and he is very busy in his own right. Then it was “well it’s too cold outside and I don’t want an open hole to the outside wall in Thomas’ room”, followed by “it’s Christmas”, “it’s the weekend and I’m too tired”, “you wanted to go to your sisters for the weekend” and finally “I need to get some new tools”. Well I did get the saw I needed, I’ve run out of excuses and I was instructed, “his room is like an icebox, open the wall and check the insulation and while you're there build the toy box”. So now I’m 1/3 into this promise and I’ve already promised to finish the basement this summer.

 

I digress.  Back to my original thought, “deception”. In the case of my project site I suspect that there is no cost associated with this sub-standard material, as the originating site wants to get rid of it without having to pay for the disposal. I do know that there is a payment item to bring material onto my site. Ergo the motivator for this deception could be financial.  However, in my own case, there is no financial benefit. There are costs for materials, tools and my time to actually do the work. “Time away from doing the things I WANT TO DO”.  However here's the kicker, I like to build things (just ask my wife how many things I have constructed just because I thought I need it or could save a buck doing it myself) and I like to spend time with my family. So this procrastination must be a subconscious blocking of my time in anticipation that something will come up that I’d rather be doing. I do believe that the power of the spoken or written word (a persons bond) has led me to this epiphany. The simple words “I will” or “I promise to” can bind a moral soul to an action. But moreover I believe that such statements are made for the feeling we get when we see the look of hope or admiration in the eyes of the person receiving the promise.

 

This year I promise, less promises and more action on outstanding promises.

 

Cheers

Pat

Posted by: donkeycat at 02/19/08 15:56 | link | comments

Rant #2

 

Last night it was -10 deg.C (according to the weather network); I sat in the back yard and had myself a camp fire and enjoyed the cool air, the light from the fire and quietness of the night.  

I would rather do that than watch TV. I find that there is nothing on TV that stimulates the mind! These reality shows that they try to push down our throats are nothing more than some producer’s fantasy of what is real and matters to me.  I personally don’t care about who gets fired, or kicked off some island, or whether or not I’m smarter than a fifth grader.  Has our society slipped so far that we find it entertaining to watch somebody else fail?  Are we so insecure about ourselves that we need to raise ourselves on the back of someone else’s humiliation to make ourselves feel good, or are we letting someone else dictate how we should see and feel about who we are and the lives we lead.  Are we not worth more than the almighty marketing dollar?  Do we not count as individuals?  Is this not one reason that there is such mistrust in the world today?  It seams that at every turn someone or something is pitting us against each other.  I think that it is time to get back to basics. Get to know our neighbors, not just the “Hi” in the driveway, but really get to know who they are, where they come from and what they are about.  Talking to people is far more interesting than watching TV and having someone else tell us what to think and feel about others.

 

Don’t get me wrong, I think that TV and the media have a very important roll to fill in the informing (through responsible journalism) and educating (by use of factual documentation) of society in general and yes in the entertaining of people, but does that entertainment need to be based on the failure of someone else.  I understand the need for winners and losers and for competitive sports to have a definitive outcome but to be voted off of the island or out of boardroom because the marketing people feel that it will sell more TV shows by belittling the individual seams very wrong and is quite possibly one of the reasons that there is such indifference in the world today.

 

Just something to think about.

 

Pat

 

 

 

Posted by: donkeycat at 02/15/08 23:32 | link | comments (2)

Camping Etiquette and Tips.

As promised in the e-mail….Here is the first installment on camping. Please feel free to comment and add any tips you may have.

 

Camping Etiquette Tips

Being a good neighbor is a big part of staying at campgrounds. You need to be considerate of other campers, and you have the right to consideration from others. Many campgrounds have rules posted around camp. Here are some tips on being a good neighbor, even when there are no officially posted rules.

 

• Be respectful of the natural environment.
• If you are going to fly flags at your campsite the proper thing to do is fly the country flag of the county you are camping in, then your country flag.
• If you carry it in, please carry it out-this will eliminate litter in the woods. This also applies to car camping. If you bring it take it hame.
• Protect water sources from contamination.
• Be a good neighbor - control your noise and your pets.
• Always keep your dog on a leash no longer that 6 feet, and away from public swimming areas. Clean up after your pet.
• Avoid borrowing tables from other sites.
• Clean your campsite before leaving, including your fire pit.
• Follow the park rules.

 

Camping with kids

If you teach your children to love and respect the outdoors and you will have camping partners for life. Remember that they (children) will imitate you and your actions.

 

• Teach children to stay within eyesight and earshot.
• Teach children to stay where they are if they feel that they are lost. Provide each child with a whistle around its neck to call for help when lost. (We used to put glow in the dark sticks on the kids at night)
• Children get cold faster than adults. The key to comfortable camping with kids is to dress them in several layers, which can be peeled off, as they get warm or added on as they cool off.
• Provide each child (the definition of “child” in this category is subjective) with their own flashlight. They are lots of fun.
• Bring along games you all like to play at home. Cards for inside the tent in the event of rain and ball and glove or bocce ball for outside.
• Teach your kids to treat the outdoors with respect. (Try not to scare young children with tails of monsters, unless you want to be up all night with them.)
• Camping with children is more fun when you bring a playmate along for them. Two or more children will entertain themselves for longer periods than will a single child. Shelly and I were camping with my daughter several years ago in Algonquin Park on the May 24 weekend. Syd had brought a school friend with her and the two of them had a great time together even though it snowed the entire time we were camping.

 

Setting up Camp

Tents

Shelly and I have been through snow, rain, tornado warnings, major thunder storms and some brilliant sunsets and in the process have figured out how to set up our camp. So here are some tips to help you get you started:

 

• Plan to arrive at the campsite early in the day. Then you can set up camp, have dinner, clean up and relax before it gets dark.
• Set up a new tent at home before your trip. This lets you check its condition, and learn how to set it up without the pressure of darkness or rain at campsite.
• Avoid setting up camp next to stagnant water, which is home to biting insects.
• Don't set up the tent in a low spot or depression. Rainwater will collect under the tent and can soak through into your sleeping bag.
• Put a plastic tarp on the ground under the tent. It should match the "footprint" of the tent so that it doesn't gather rainwater. This groundsheet protects the floor of your tent from stones, sticks, and general wear and tear.
• Don’t set up the tent to close to the fire.
• Get the sturdiest tent stakes possible. Most campgrounds build sites with gravel, and this hard ground will bend or break most lightweight stakes.
• The rain-fly is a special tarp that is spread over the top of the tent to make it waterproof. Most tents come with a matching rain-fly included. The rain-fly should allow the tent windows to remain open for ventilation while protecting the seams from potential leaks. Get a tent with a full fly, or use tarps to cover the tent.
• Keep a whisk in the tent for sweeping out dirt and leaves.
• Remove your shoes before entering the tent. This helps keep the tent floor and sleeping bags clean. We have found a grass mat works great as a door mat and gives you someplace to take your shoes/boots off before entering the tent.
• Protect your property. Lock your valuables in the car away from prying eyes. Also lock your food in the car, this will keep it away from any animals in the area.
• Pack a book to read in case of bad weather.
• Bring a field guidebook about the animals and plants you may encounter during your visit. Then go on a nature hike and try to identify the wildlife and plants you see.
• Take plenty of bug spray (see Sunday August 19 of this blog for a section on mosquitoes) and sunscreen.
• Bring a pair of flip-flops for the shower.

 

Cooking Area

        

Here are some tips on setting up your camp kitchen and selecting your cooking gear. Shelly and I have gone from a two-burner naphtha stove to a two-burner propane stove and now we are using a single burner propane stove although most of our cooking last year was done over an open fire. We are working at getting our camp down to the barest of necessitates but still being able to enjoying the experience.

 

• Write down the menu for all the meals for your trip. This helps you pack all the ingredients you will need without forgetting a key ingredient.
• Measure and combine dry ingredients in Ziploc bags prior to packing. Make sure you label the bags.
• If possible cut up all vegetables, meats and other ingredients for meals at home and keep in Ziploc bags. This will save time preparing suppers.
• Bring a grate to put over the fire.
• Have a separate set of dishes, silverware, dishpan, washrag, towels, and soap, just for your camping trips. Keep it with your camping equipment.
• Purchase a quality camp stove. Propane stoves are easiest to use, while white gas stoves produce more heat but cooking on a wood fire seams to add something special to the meal.
• Use tarps over the dining area if you don’t have a dining tent.
• Bring small amounts of cooking supplies instead of large quantities. It will save quite a bit of packing space.
• Carry instant or dried soups to serve with meals on cold or rainy days.
• Use block ice in your cooler. It lasts longer than cubes.
• Bring along food that the whole family can participate in cooking like hotdogs (or spider wieners).
• Use Aluminum Foil for making packet meals. Just wrap up some sliced potatoes, onions, carrots, zucchini, salt & pepper, and a little butter, seal the ends well, and lay it on the grill to roast.
• Get a small plastic cutting board, picnic tables are notoriously dirty.
• Make sure the clasp on all coolers is secure, or use a strap to hold it shut and prevent animals from getting inside. Shelly and I watched a rather large raccoon enjoy our final meal of the trip because we did not secure the cooler.
• Meat frozen at home before packing will last longer.
• Place your trash bags in the special bear-proof receptacles at night.

 

 

More tips to come before the May 24…

 

Cheers

Pat

Posted by: donkeycat at 02/15/08 09:09 | link | comments

Look To this Day

 

Look to this day:

For it is life, the very life of life.

In its brief course