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Just got back from a 3-nighter there. This place isn’t a closely guarded secret. Think I counted over 10 other paddlers on the weekend. Thought once the weekday hit it would be lonely…nope. Had to be mindful as I’m freshening up in the lake wearing, at least, my skivies. Those quiet...

I can’t see a legit reason for scattering firewood out in the bushes. Only reason I can see is hoping to deny the next camper the use of your unused firewood you gathered. Kind of a jerk move, like “No freebies, gather up your own dang wood”. I don’t go out of my way to make wood for the...

Then theres the phenomenon of Exploding Head Syndrome. It’s similar to the myoclonic jerk. I’ve experienced this a few times and it taught me to never full trust my brain. If can trick you. It’s essential an imagined noise, like a loud bang, that jolts you awake. Camping with a buddy you...

Thats got to be about a Pucker factor of about 12. At that moment I suppose one is thinking of a way to make a tactical exit from one’s tent/hammock to contront a threat that already had the drop on you.

Snakes are definitely not my thing. Luckily garter snakes are most common here. Non-venomous and easy to identify. Either way I always stay away from all snakes just to be sure.

I always plan meals out as close as possible, my stomach is often a bottom-less pit and I live by the mantra of “theres no leftovers in camping”. But what if there is? Say you made a meal and ended up with a lot of extra mashed potatoes. Everyone’s stuffed, cant eat another bite. How do you...

Well, just did it. Cancelled a trip due to forecast wind conditions. Well not truly cancelled, just bumped it up a few days. Been having some beautiful fall weather thus far and have been itching to get out there before the inevitable rainy/windy fall weather hits.

Yup, start with a list and start staging items in my garage usually the weekend prior to the trip. Food barrel gets packed the night before departure but most food gets staged on the kitchen table. I even lay out the clothes I’m gonna wear the night before so I can be half asleep while I get...

I chuckled at the one about not needing an axe. Figured that one out years ago. Also if using a stick stove I learned I don’t need a saw either.

The falling tree reminds me of another story. Was camping with a buddy, sharing a tent. Horrible storm with unbelievably strong winds. I didn't sleep. All I did was lay there getting sandblasted by tiny grains of sand blowing under the rain fly and through the screen mesh. Prayed the tent...

Guess I should say too this can be real or imagined. Remember my first solo night camping I was a bit on edge. Managed to fall asleep but was jolted awake by the sound of growling outside my tent. I just laid perfectly still, eyes wide, intently listening for any other sound to confirm I...

Normally the most difficult part of mornings is mustering up the resolve to depart the comfortable, warm embrace of my sleeping arrangements. You know you must endure a bit of cold and discomfort as you make that transition. When to do it is based on a simple mathematical formula factoring ...

What are some unpleasant ways you’ve been jolted awake at night? This last weekend I was asleep in my hammock. Calm, quiet night when I was jolted awake by the sound of my tarp violently shaking. As I lay there trying to determine if that really happened or if I dreamt it I hear “Pfffff”…...

I used a little Pelican case for awhile but kind of bulky. I carry phone, walket ,keys, battery pack and a journal in there. I since replaced it with a UGO Wear waterproof case. Can just clip the strap to the thwart and use my phone through the clear plastic (view map/gps). Kind of...

I remember I went to college in a downtown section of a large city. Got used to the constant noise. Traffic, firetrucks/police, and those loud city buses that would set off car alarms. I’d go back home on break and find myself laying in bed in absolutely silence. Feel odd. I’d have to make...

(Shhhhh…we’re not talking about Bittersweet)

The stars are part of why I love camping in fall. It gets dark sooner so I actually got some night awake time. Sometimes answering natures call in the middle of the night you get treated with an experience. Many times I exit the tent at O’dark thirty and enter a mystical dream world of a...

The sound of the night peepers in spring. First trip I did this year in May they were so gloriously loud. I just had to soak it all in.

I’m going to go check this place out for a few days mid/late Sept. Scouting via satellite image looks like a nice big area of deciduous trees on some public land. Hoping to find a spot I can do some squirrel hunting.