tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50780540436186397732024-03-15T20:09:38.580-05:00Log of IbiCanoe Travels: Planning, Executing, EnjoyingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.comBlogger1102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078054043618639773.post-39087285772756564032018-05-17T11:20:00.001-05:002018-05-17T11:20:54.806-05:00The Delight of Range Marks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DNnHBKpyWzE/Wv2qIeCKlxI/AAAAAAAAG7A/3V1-XWkwhMUPj1s44to82uhED-D3Zk4ZACLcBGAs/s1600/range2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DNnHBKpyWzE/Wv2qIeCKlxI/AAAAAAAAG7A/3V1-XWkwhMUPj1s44to82uhED-D3Zk4ZACLcBGAs/s400/range2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A pair of range lights with white and red screens.</div>
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Credit: Google images</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">You are going to start out thinking this doesn’t apply
to you, because I’ll begin talking about ships and tugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is just the easiest way to explain the
concept, so stick with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is for
you also.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I was watching a video done by a friend about his trip
in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was paddling across a rough bay to get in the lee of the land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He held the wind on his starboard bow, and
guessed that even as he paddled into the wind, having it on the side of the bow
would push him into the bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of that
was true, of course, but he appeared to be working intuitively, and couldn’t
tell for sure what was happening or how fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That brings us delightfully to the wonderful world of range marks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using them takes a little thought at first,
but they eventually become as second-natured as walking, and add a whole new
dimension to getting your boat to do what you want and take you where you want
to go.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The two operative words here are set and drift, and we’ll
add a few other terms in the narrative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Any time you are on the water, unless aground or made fast to the shore,
your boat is being pushed about by wind, waves, and current.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Set is the direction you are being pushed,
and drift is the speed at which you are moving off course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Set and drift take on great importance in any
navigational solution, but the beauty of range marks is they enable you to
solve for set and drift by eye, and continuously, without throwing the
protector on the chart and drawing and measuring vectors and triangles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are one of the greatest gifts and
blessings a boater has at his disposal regardless whether skippering a 15-ft.
pack canoe or a 1000-ft. ore carrier.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">To begin with, range marks are any two objects viewed
in line, one behind the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will
change relative position to each other based on how we are set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Range marks are used extensively by the Coast
Guard and Corps of Engineers to help ship captains remain in a river
channel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then when the skipper reaches a
port, they enable him to get through the inlet and into the port without
running aground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At night they are
called RANGE LIGHTS, because lights will be set on two poles or towers so they
can be seen in the darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The front
range light will be shorter than the rear one so both can always be seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their color and flashing sequence varies to
help distinguish one from the other, or one pair of ranges from another pair, but
also to make them stand out from any other background lights in the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The poles or towers also have large placards
and screens attached to their faces to make them stand out from the background
and visible from a distance of a couple miles during the day, and the screens
create RANGE MARKS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each mark sends a
message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The front mark is the reference
mark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The relative movement of the rear
mark behind the front mark tells us how nature is working on our vessel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So here’s how they work.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">As long as the two marks remain in line, one behind
the other, your boat is tracking dead down the middle of the channel, and all
of the surrounding scenery (buildings, trees, points of land, etc.) will remain
stationary relative to the front mark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
will move relative to the front mark too, if we really get off course, but we
use the range marks for immediate feedback and instant correction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want to correct set right away before
things get out of hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we see the
rear mark pop out of line and start to drift to the left of the front mark, our
boat is also being set to the left, and we are moving out of the channel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A new helmsman will always be told to steer
the rear mark to keep it in line, as if it were a video game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the rear mark needs to go right to get
back in line with the reference mark, he steers right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it needs to go left, he steers left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he nears alignment, he begins to center
the helm so he doesn’t overshoot the channel centerline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something that is hard for people to accept
initially is that this is all without regard for where the bow is
pointing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The natural tendency is
wanting to point the bow right at the marks, but keeping the marks aligned is
done by steering the rear mark regardless of whether the bow is any angle to
the right or left of the apparent line down the center of the channel.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Explaining how they work for tugs and ships seems to
be the easiest way to explain the basic idea, but all kinds of vessels use
range marks for any number of situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sailors couldn’t live without them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Racing sailors using them win races.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Those that don’t, lose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sailors
live with the constant reality of leeway, and its resulting set and drift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The direction the wind pushes a sailboat
sideways, producing leeway, is the set, and how much and how fast the boat is
set off course is the drift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This all
tells the skipper how much ground he is gaining or losing to the wind and/or
current.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants the solution to this
question resolved in seconds, and range marks will tell him that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The longer it takes to really understand what
is happening on the water, the more out of control he is, and the harder he has
to work to get back on track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
we can see the same problem arising whether sailboat, canoe, or kayak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the Coast Guard doesn’t create range
marks for every immediate situation, we create our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can pick any two objects, some distance
apart, with one behind the other, to create our range marks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4P-i1sYS6cE/Wv2qPH33BeI/AAAAAAAAG7E/Rf6MlH5oyccxly8-BgN-rZl-uYpzKVUkQCLcBGAs/s1600/snip%2Brange%2Bmarks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="1117" height="232" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4P-i1sYS6cE/Wv2qPH33BeI/AAAAAAAAG7E/Rf6MlH5oyccxly8-BgN-rZl-uYpzKVUkQCLcBGAs/s400/snip%2Brange%2Bmarks.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Wanting to reach the end of an island with the wind</div>
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pushing us off course, we line up the flag in the foreground</div>
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with the house in the background. As long as they remain</div>
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in line, we will reach our destination even though the canoe</div>
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is pointed way off course.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Let’s say you are headed toward the tip of an
island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind is from port (or the
left) and will try to blow us away from the island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You want to arrive right at the tip so you
don’t get set way downwind and have to fight back against the wind and waves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You find something on the point of the
island, like an isolated tree, boulder, house --- anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the background you look for another mark
on the mainland in the background that is close to being in line with your
front or reference mark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it is some
greater distance off, we may not see individual objects, but you can still see
dips in the tree line, major construction, smokestacks, grain elevators, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the sun is starting to approach the
horizon, you might use a light or a star as a second mark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We line the two marks up, hold our heading,
and watch the rear mark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the rear
mark drifts off to the right, or downwind, we are losing ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You begin to come closer to the wind until
the two marks line up and stay stationary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Paddling at that angle to the wind will take you right to the tip of the
island without the loss of any ground you would have to make up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the waves are big enough, you may be
wanting to hold the bow at a safe angle into the waves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The range marks will tell how high you can
point into the waves, or allow yourself to fall off the wind, without losing
ground to leeway.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Range marks can also be used for safety purposes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are being met by a powerboat heading
toward you at a converging angle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will
he pass you at a safe distance, or is there a risk of collision?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Line the boat up with a mark behind him, and
see how the background moves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the
background move to the left of the boat, we will be to his left when he
passes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The opposite will be true if the
background progresses to the right of the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If the background does not move, you are on a collision course and at
risk of being run down even though he may be some distance away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have created three points on a line: you,
the boat, and a mark in the background.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unless someone alters course, the boat will travel that line right to
you.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">By the same token, let’s say you see a canoe you know,
and you’d like to join up with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Regardless of which direction he is going, if you are on a converging
course, line him up with an object behind him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Alter your course so the background remains stationary, and you will
meet him unerringly without regard for normal set and drift.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">If the surroundings don’t offer the best marks you
would like, then create your own marks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A fish trap or a buoy can be used for one point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even a cloud can be used, and the further
away the better, but clouds move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
will give you immediate feedback on your current situation and enable you to
set an appropriate heading that corrects for set and drift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minutes later, you will have to find another
cloud to confirm that conditions haven’t changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even with a compass heading, the heading can
remain fixed as you slide off a considerable distance off the desired track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a compass capable of offering bearings,
range marks will enable you to paddle on in greater comfort by watching distant
marks rather than little lines on a dancing card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you start with a compass heading from your
map, as soon as you get underway, pick a set of range marks for that
heading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Following the range will not
only be easier on the eyes and nerves than trying to watch the compass card,
but they will also factor in any leeway you may be experiencing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you haven’t been accustomed to using range
marks, start practicing with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
will acquire a skill that will serve you well for the rest of your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078054043618639773.post-66497087946101446202018-05-11T10:38:00.001-05:002018-05-11T10:38:31.797-05:00The Lost Grizzlies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aBTacwEBJY0/WvW4ieELhnI/AAAAAAAAG6w/mBtUvRcMCSYaPI95xmAd4z8yJjWAPHfmgCLcBGAs/s1600/grizzly-Robin%2BSilver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="720" height="265" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aBTacwEBJY0/WvW4ieELhnI/AAAAAAAAG6w/mBtUvRcMCSYaPI95xmAd4z8yJjWAPHfmgCLcBGAs/s400/grizzly-Robin%2BSilver.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Leaving the bears in peace.</div>
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Credit: Robin Silver</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The Lost Grizzlies:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A Search for Survivors in the Wilderness of Colorado, by Rick Bass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Pub. by Houghton Mifflin Co., New
York/Boston, 1995, one of nine books by the author, 239pp.)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">My favorite quote in the book is credited by the
author to Catherine the Great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That
which is not growing begins to rot.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A-
It’s true, and B- There’s just a message there that touches me from so many
different directions and from almost every facet of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book is well written, and the author
carries you through several experiences at once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s the adventure of just taking off
across country on a summer-long camping trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The reader follows the author high into the mountains’ wilderness to
experience all of nature’s animal life, birds, streams and rivers, bold
mountain features from avalanche chutes, ravines, cliffs, scree fields and
trees that are found in every aspect of life and death, growth and rot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You continue to climb well above the tree
line as you look for any hint of wildlife, especially bears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many black bears, but you are
looking for the secretive grizzly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone says they are now extinct in Southern Colorado.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last accounts of their sightings date
back decades ago when this or that hunter claims to have killed the last
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If any grizzlies remain, their
lives and habits have been so altered, and their culture so changed by human
contact that they have withdrawn into small, inaccessible spots where they
strive to remain hidden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much of what
you’ve read about them, about their diet, or their living and hunting habits,
is now obsolete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bears have changed
their most basic instincts to survive.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">You will be shown how both man and nature have altered
the mountains and forests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nature can’t
be helped, but the sins perpetrated by man are hard to understand, and harder
to accept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides the clearcutting and
raping of natural resources, large areas are staked out with camps a year at a
time to lay claim to the area’s hunting possibilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anything no longer needed, or which they
don’t care to carry back out, litter the forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone entering such regions are met with
aggression and potential armed confrontation for ‘trespassing’ on their claim
to public lands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if the grizzly is
still there, it is man that must be feared most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The names of all the roads, mountains,
streams and other identifiable features have been changed, and that’s your
first hint that the searchers indeed did find grizzly, but don’t wish to give
shooters any clue on where they are hiding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The author doesn’t want you to know where they are, just that a few
still cling to life, and that your best contribution to preserving them is to
be sensitive to your impact on their habitat, and if you do find them, to just
leave them in peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This book is a nice
departure from your usual reading diet, no matter how enjoyable it may be, and
will open you to new insights. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078054043618639773.post-6907980476866451742018-03-26T13:50:00.000-05:002018-03-26T13:50:05.787-05:00The Nighttime Head Call<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mrCEdeNuvVE/WrlARpdjGkI/AAAAAAAAG6g/qBPDIvc2OoEqOAVbOB4A8sAlvqZLnq_-ACLcBGAs/s1600/head%2Bcall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="566" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mrCEdeNuvVE/WrlARpdjGkI/AAAAAAAAG6g/qBPDIvc2OoEqOAVbOB4A8sAlvqZLnq_-ACLcBGAs/s400/head%2Bcall.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Here’s a post on truth and reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s maybe more truth and reality than you
want, but there ya’ go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a delicate
subject I wouldn’t bring up in most camping posts, but it’s a real-life
necessity---the middle of the night head call, pee, leak, seeing a man about a
horse, or whatever you nickname your pressing relief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those that are younger, taking a pee
bottle along is considered a convenience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As age takes over, a sufficiently larger bottle is a priority on the
pack list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first consideration is
that your middle-of-the-night call to nature will not only interrupt your deep
sleep, but also that of anyone around you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That is one good reason for even couples to use separate tents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Weight is not really as great an issue as it
used to be, making a two-man tent advisable even for solitary campers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is not only room to move around, to
change clothes, to have a dry place for gear, but also to get in and out of the
tent or relieve yourself without destroying the sleep of others and otherwise
being a nuisance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Proper clothing and
food, and some other items, are strongly recommended for any trip, but sleep is
essential for performance, mood, and enjoying the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The call of nature is also one of the issues
that will make a tent preferable to a hammock for older folks.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">And there’s the ugly subject of age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember, barely, being young enough to
sleep through the entire night without having to get up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The greater the number of birthdays, the
greater the number of nighttime head calls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>More birthdays also mean you don’t sleep as well, your body doesn’t
regulate temperature as well, and with poorer circulation, legs and especially
feet, tend to get bitterly cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once
you become a senior citizen, are having prostate problems, or have already had
prostate cancer, the number of head calls can easily be four or five times a
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is why some older folks head
off to bed before the campfire burns down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you are likely to lose at least a half-hour of sleep as often as five
times a night, it is going to take some time to get enough sleep to rise rested
and cheerful in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add to this
the other aspects of old age, like snoring and flatulence, and you can quickly
see how you may want to give some thought not only to your rest, but to those
close enough to be disturbed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t
want others to start fantasizing about how greatly their lives might improve if
you were mysteriously to drown in the river.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">There are a few suggestions that may or may not appear
obvious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I’m not even going to
attempt the subject of hygiene and comfort for women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s totally beyond my experience except for
having seen the plastic devices that enable them to pee standing like a man, or
without having to remove all their clothing to get the job done (the Female
Urination Device), and for being able to pee in a bottle at night rather than
traipsing through the woods in the middle of the night and rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s a review of a number of these devices
by Backpacker Magazine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(</span><a href="https://www.backpacker.com/gear/the-complete-guide-to-female-urination-devices"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.backpacker.com/gear/the-complete-guide-to-female-urination-devices</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the added warning at the end---“Do not
pee into the wind.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a lesson the
boys learn at a very tender age.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">First of all, carry a container that enables you to
relieve yourself without having to get out of the tent every time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a real asset especially if it is
freezing cold, pouring rain, or you don’t want to carry mosquitoes back into
the tent on your return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is best if
you carry a couple or it has enough capacity that you don’t have to leave the
tent all night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A cheap disposable
container, like an empty wide-mouthed energy drink bottle, is fine if large
enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There should also be a bottle of
water in the tent, so the obvious initial requirement for a pee container is
having one with a unique shape, or that tape, a bunch of rubber bands or
something has been added to the outside surface, to make it impossible to
confuse it and the water bottle in the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>An error won’t be fatal, but it will certainly be disgusting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bottle should hold enough to be used at
least two or three times without having to get out to empty it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A pack of disposable wipes, like baby wipes
or towlettes, are also nice for cleanliness and freshness.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Now we get into the ‘fun facts’ part of the post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many campers and gardeners alike have learned
to keep small critters away by collecting urine and then pouring it around the
tent or veggies in the garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
proves that there is indeed money available to do research on anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, studies indeed prove that this truly
works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, there’s a caveat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Animals apparently know as much as humans
about the food chain, and where they and you are on the list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If animals that invade the camp are smaller
than humans, they recognize the mammal that left the scent, and are inclined to
stay away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means that tents and
packs may be protected from rodents and similar small animals by this
practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For years I thought this
practice applied universally, however, more recent studies have shown that
animals higher on the food chain, like bears and mountain lions, are actually
drawn by the scent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this case,
advertising who you are may have a harmful side-effect, like getting you
invited for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078054043618639773.post-39846548038581376702018-03-15T11:47:00.001-05:002018-03-15T11:47:28.106-05:00Down the River<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ETNTJGCVfeU/WqqjS7vQTKI/AAAAAAAAG6Q/MHJd_scoHOoYLZR6hXVUwcPifKtB5gNBwCLcBGAs/s1600/downtheriver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="312" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ETNTJGCVfeU/WqqjS7vQTKI/AAAAAAAAG6Q/MHJd_scoHOoYLZR6hXVUwcPifKtB5gNBwCLcBGAs/s320/downtheriver.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Down the River, by Edward Abbey, pub. by E.P. Dutton,
New York, 1982, pb, 242 pp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first
word is that this is not a paddling or camping book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abbey is a good author, and the book is well
written, but the title does give the impression that there is something here
that isn’t; that is unless you are looking for some whitewater rafting or
Sportyaking, and even that is just mentioned in passing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book is a series of short stories or
essays on a variety of topics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
message here is the same as in “Freedom and Wilderness,” which is a call
against the stripping and development of the American West.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In spite of service in the military and employment as
a park ranger, Abbey was so outspoken against the government and its policies
of managing public lands that the FBI kept a running file on him for most of
his adult life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he learned that the
FBI was watching him, he said he’d be disappointed if they weren’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a blessing that he passed away in 1989
and isn’t here now to see what is going on with Trump, Ryan Zinke, and Scott
Pruitt and their open destruction of all things related to nature and the
environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abbey devoted his life to
preserving the nation’s natural beauty.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Abbey wrote 23 books, both fiction and non-fiction,
and three anthologies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several were made
into movies and documentaries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two
listed as his best and most influential were “The Monkey Wrench Gang” and “Desert
Solitaire.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Abbey is capable of producing some memorable
smiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, he complains about
the conspicuous and attention-zeroing sound produced by the opening of a can of
beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He supposes it “would be helpful
if some clever lad invented a more discreet, a more genteel mode of opening
beer cans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A soft, susurrate, suspiring
sort of …s i g h… might serve nicely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
sound that could pass, let us say, for the relaxed, simple, artless fart of a
duchess.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now there’s an image to
conjure every time you open a beer!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another
memorable quote of his, which he in turn attributes to Louisa May Alcott, is “Man
will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the
last priest.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Some of the topics covered in “Down the River” are the
court proceedings for trespassers and protestors at an atomic weapons
manufacturing plant, the beauty and simplicity of the family farm, Thoreau,
bears, glaciers, river rafting, fire tower employment, and Sonora, Mexico.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My favorite was the story on the mining ghost
town of Bodie, CA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, if paddling
is what you are after, you may wish to draw a line through this title.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s good reading for any lover of nature and
the environment, but off target for those wanting the pages to conjure up the
sound of the paddle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078054043618639773.post-6459930962620937162018-02-02T13:28:00.000-06:002018-02-02T13:28:02.330-06:00Camp 1 of 12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dNDYcQXu84c/WnS7Qp33AiI/AAAAAAAAG5k/mcN89HGrxwc_e71t4tU-648FjRQeUHyPACLcBGAs/s1600/P1280003-canton%2Bcmpgrnd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dNDYcQXu84c/WnS7Qp33AiI/AAAAAAAAG5k/mcN89HGrxwc_e71t4tU-648FjRQeUHyPACLcBGAs/s400/P1280003-canton%2Bcmpgrnd.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I hate to say it out loud in case someone is actually
paying attention, but I made a resolution to get out paddle/camping at least
once a month through the coming year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yeah, I know this is no big deal for those living in places that have
real paddling water, but here on the edge of the ‘Great American Desert,’
getting out on the water has proven to be a bit of a challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly I was faced with the 30<sup>th</sup>
of January.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What to do?<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">One of my other on-going challenges has been showing
up in paddling country with enough clothing to meet any weather adversity
without looking like I’m hauling a load from a Goodwill truck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve too often ended up leaning toward the
latter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I needed was an outing to
try out some combinations that could fit in a 20-litre drybag, and yet provide
just not survival, but comfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
to be 22 degrees, so I just went out locally so I could run for home if I
screwed up too badly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along with a 15-degree
mummy bag, I carried a second pair of wool socks, one pair of Cabela’s Polar
Fleece bottoms, a long-sleeved tee and sweat shirt, pull-over hoodie, knit
watch cap, and rabbit fur-lined gloves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In actual practice, I’d replace the sweat shirt with a fleece top or
wool sweater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides the warmth, they’d
also pack smaller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I slept very comfortably.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Night #2 was more of a challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I turned in with the same outfit, but the
temperature had made a sudden 34-degree upswing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t in too long before I started
shedding clothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got rid of the
gloves, watch cap, wool socks, and fleece bottoms and left the bag completely
unzipped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The warmer temperature was a
blessing, but the sudden temperature swing to 56-degrees set up a terrible wind
event with sudden hammering gusts to 40 and 50mph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was being shaken and buffeted, and the
noise was so clamorous that sleep was impossible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078054043618639773.post-78545140580242800102018-01-23T14:10:00.001-06:002018-01-23T14:18:43.448-06:00The Honey-Do List<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cBnCkDvUL8k/WmeSA4wr2PI/AAAAAAAAG5A/Tu-BW7nlBmIT4aCDSjT69pi4tHz-I1Z_wCLcBGAs/s1600/hall%2Bpicture%2Bshelf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1500" height="285" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cBnCkDvUL8k/WmeSA4wr2PI/AAAAAAAAG5A/Tu-BW7nlBmIT4aCDSjT69pi4tHz-I1Z_wCLcBGAs/s400/hall%2Bpicture%2Bshelf.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A shelf of pictures on an otherwise empty hallway wall.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Having just (a decade ago) finished building a new
house, I wasn’t in a rush to start driving holes in the walls to hang
pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe the elapsing of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a bit of time would help us prioritize
pictures, decide where to hang them to best advantage, or do anything to avoid
plastering old holes just to drive more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At any rate, Jean had framed pictures sitting in closets, under the bed,
and behind doors that she wanted hung rather than hidden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally it was decided that our picture
hanging efforts would begin with a review of gallery hanging systems, or what
they call “the art of hanging art.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
not one with any real need for hanging art, but the idea of being able to move,
change, or rearrange pictures without having to spackle and repaint the walls
had real appeal for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tR3MjcjzUuU/WmeSGtX8Q2I/AAAAAAAAG5E/OFPgTEmeziIKlVB9WbaSoF41mFRnqgozQCLcBGAs/s1600/wall%2Bpicture%2Bbrackets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1500" height="285" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tR3MjcjzUuU/WmeSGtX8Q2I/AAAAAAAAG5E/OFPgTEmeziIKlVB9WbaSoF41mFRnqgozQCLcBGAs/s400/wall%2Bpicture%2Bbrackets.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The five shelf brackets hold the shelf securely to the wall.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Our first solution was found at the House of Antique
Hardware (</span><a href="https://www.houseofantiquehardware.com/picture-hanging-hardware"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.houseofantiquehardware.com/picture-hanging-hardware</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">),
which offers a system that I had seen in a library a long time ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A specialized molding, shown in the link, is
added to the walls of the room to create a wall picture hanging rail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, there is a wide selection of ‘S’ shaped
hangers that hook over the rail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using a
65-pound-test clear, braided fishing line that is all but invisible allows you
to hang almost any size picture from the railing anywhere and at any
height.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rail becomes a permanent
highlight of the room’s appearance, while pictures can be moved, rearranged, or
removed for painting, without having to touch the walls or molding ever again.<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The second solution was for smaller pictures and those
in the 8X10 to 11X14 size.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a
hall that runs half the length of the house leading to a guest bath and
bedrooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was clear except for a
thermostat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided a shelf would
display them nicely, and a railing on the edge of the shelf would keep them
from falling off in any one of Oklahoma’s up to 600-or-so fracking earthquakes
we get a year, or being knocked off while someone is carrying something down the hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, they could be changed or rearranged
without having to punch holes in the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The railing, what is called a fiddle rail, has a maritime historical
background.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It puts a railing on the
front of a shelf or counter top that is high enough to prevent contents from
falling except in the worst of sea conditions, while at the same time not
limiting continual access to the books or implements normally stored there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fiddle rail is set on top of a series of
turned wood spindles, which represents the hardest part of the assembly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The antique Victorian wall brackets are no
problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They just represent drawing a
design pattern and then some time sitting in front of a jig saw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting all 66 (in our case) spindles in
place between the shelf and the rail before the glue starts to set, however, is
the tricky organizational feat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kCNmXCkcJRA/WmeViLGNiPI/AAAAAAAAG5U/Jge2l1MOU3EADELHBKBsOzhYYRtoaF9kACLcBGAs/s1600/chime%2Btower%2BLongwoods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kCNmXCkcJRA/WmeViLGNiPI/AAAAAAAAG5U/Jge2l1MOU3EADELHBKBsOzhYYRtoaF9kACLcBGAs/s400/chime%2Btower%2BLongwoods.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Between the pictures of kids and grandkids on the shelf is a picture of </div>
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the chime tower at Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA. It was</div>
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on a bench between the tower and waterfalls that my wife and I became</div>
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engaged 55 years ago.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">There are several ways to attach the wall brackets
that the shelf sits on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The method I
used has several advantages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A keyhole
bracket fitting is easy to find at almost any hardware or home improvement
center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the wall bracket is
wide-enough, say an inch thick or more, an inset can be routed into the side
going against the wall that will make the metal fitting invisible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With lumber of ¾-inch, an inset is cut in the
edge of the wall bracket that will just barely be detectable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are hung on screws in the wall that can
be adjusted in and out to the correct length to make the shelf secure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With this method, not only is it convenient
to just lift the shelf off the screws to repaint the wall, but it is also great
for renters who would want to remove the shelf and take it with them when they
move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now my wife can display pictures
anywhere and everywhere, and I never have to touch the walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only does this shop job check another
item off the honey-do list, but it helps keep tools and skills sharper for the
next canoe project.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078054043618639773.post-49849115694664620492018-01-20T12:03:00.000-06:002018-01-20T12:03:25.473-06:00Paddle Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9rQ8mMemh4Q/WmODi5OtI6I/AAAAAAAAG4o/HFiiP8Uc13Ug0pz-rhLtSevBv5EvP3nJACLcBGAs/s1600/artisan%2Bpaddle-NW%2BIndian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1071" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9rQ8mMemh4Q/WmODi5OtI6I/AAAAAAAAG4o/HFiiP8Uc13Ug0pz-rhLtSevBv5EvP3nJACLcBGAs/s400/artisan%2Bpaddle-NW%2BIndian.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This is a paddle that was used by both of our Oklahoma
granddaughters when they were much smaller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When they out grew the paddle, it collected dust in the shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was inspired by the paddle art done by
Sanborn Canoe Co. of Winona, MN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
fact, you will see this design comes from the one titled ‘Scout.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using the paddle the girls had started
canoeing with just made it all that much more special for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I personalized its design a bit more by doing
two things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On one side I wanted to add
a Native American design, and this one of the grizzly bear claw comes from the
Pacific Northwest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also wanted to
preserve the paddle maker’s logo on the flip side, and the beavertail
designation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The logo had been used and
abused to become worn and scratched, so I looked up the original design on
Google, and did my best to repaint it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you want to get an artisan paddle, check out Sanborn’s paddle site
at: </span><a href="https://sanborncanoe.com/collections/artisan-painted-paddles"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: blue;">https://sanborncanoe.com/collections/artisan-painted-paddles</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really was drawn to this design for some
reason, but was told that the colors clashed with our décor, so I guess it will
go in the office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess that shows how
silly I am, because I didn’t even know we had décor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what happens when you don’t live in a
log cabin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Se9HAJlcxRk/WmODqtAaoBI/AAAAAAAAG4s/HZLYLkpmlMktUqHdVDDQUf0ls3vUH-4cQCLcBGAs/s1600/artisan%2Bpaddle-caviness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1071" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Se9HAJlcxRk/WmODqtAaoBI/AAAAAAAAG4s/HZLYLkpmlMktUqHdVDDQUf0ls3vUH-4cQCLcBGAs/s400/artisan%2Bpaddle-caviness.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I had a time finding the logo on line, because it
doesn’t appear under Beaver Paddles or beavertail, but Caviness
Woodworking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The company does oars and
paddles that ship all over the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They became the largest paddle and oar manufacturer in the business, and
have put paddles in almost any boating or paddling store from Walmart on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caviness was started in the 1940’s in Calhoun
City, MS, by Jimmy Caviness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
started making brooms and furniture, but with the large number of lakes around
Calhoun, gravitated into paddles and oars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They have been so successful that they are now being run by the 5<sup>th</sup>
generation of Caviness’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078054043618639773.post-58524724470537200712018-01-17T20:35:00.000-06:002018-01-17T20:38:48.610-06:00A Gift of Beauty and Memories<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kVntkwvcilM/WmAFWAakHiI/AAAAAAAAG4A/yl-HfGzwwr0S4Au_IAAXCFSaV3ICs8QJACLcBGAs/s1600/chincoteague%2Bmarsh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="792" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kVntkwvcilM/WmAFWAakHiI/AAAAAAAAG4A/yl-HfGzwwr0S4Au_IAAXCFSaV3ICs8QJACLcBGAs/s400/chincoteague%2Bmarsh.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Credit: Arni Photography</div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We’ve enjoyed Kenneth Arni’s wonderful photography for
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He travels a good bit, but his day-to-day
operations are from his home at Fenwick Island, Delaware.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of his work runs from Bombay Hook, DE,
south to Chincoteague, VA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My wife and I
follow him on Facebook, and the first thing you will see here in the blog’s
right column is Arni Photography, where you can view his work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His greatest treasures include wildlife,
avian, and landscape photography.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
are so many of his pictures that we’d love to have to enjoy, but we’d have to
live in a gallery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, we
encountered this shot above from a Chincoteague marsh, with frost on the grass
and glaze ice on the still water, and a beautiful sunrise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas was rapidly approaching at the
time, so I decided this picture on our own living room wall was to be our gift
to ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Rmcn1RjRtY/WmAGN9re5gI/AAAAAAAAG4I/jDQqNsrpX00a2IvoPLenmuCoVR6qa5--gCLcBGAs/s1600/painting%2Bon%2Bwall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1500" height="285" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Rmcn1RjRtY/WmAGN9re5gI/AAAAAAAAG4I/jDQqNsrpX00a2IvoPLenmuCoVR6qa5--gCLcBGAs/s400/painting%2Bon%2Bwall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Chincoteague Marsh matted and framed on our wall.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Chincoteague strikes a chord with me for two reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One, if you enjoy oysters, Chincoteague is
the gateway to heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My parents were friends
with a couple in Chincoteague.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man
was an oysterman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple times a year
we would head down there to visit, and one of those trips would always be in
late fall or winter so Dad could get a several gallons of oysters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two gallons were always for us, and the
balance would be for whoever wanted to chip in for fresh bivalves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a young kid, the ride from Delaware to
Chincoteague, on the Virginia Eastern Shore, was a road trip that never seemed
to end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were two compensations,
however.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The oysterman’s wife always had
the table straining under a load of food that made the dining room look like
Thanksgiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second was that my brother
and I always got turned loose for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How much trouble could two young boys get into in a marsh?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T6f7Z12P_RQ/WmAGaqJ0PiI/AAAAAAAAG4M/1QyvhZ3x0r0grNeA3BLtFIonXdMXZ4qTwCLcBGAs/s1600/chincoteague%2Bpony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="1600" height="293" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T6f7Z12P_RQ/WmAGaqJ0PiI/AAAAAAAAG4M/1QyvhZ3x0r0grNeA3BLtFIonXdMXZ4qTwCLcBGAs/s400/chincoteague%2Bpony.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Chincoteague Pony, also called the Assateague Pony.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The second reason was to see the Chincoteague ponies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A small channel separates Chincoteague and
Assateague Island National Seashore Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The feral herd of ponies, which are actually horses, but called ponies
because of their small size, live on Assateague.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since food is in such short supply on this
spit of sand, there is a round-up each year so some ponies are culled from the
herd to prevent starvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The source
of the ponies is a topic of historic disagreement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some say the ponies swam ashore from a
Spanish galleon that foundered offshore in a storm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others believe that the first colonists kept
them on the island to avoid the livestock tax they would have to pay if they
were on the mainland, but that leaves the question of how the colonists got
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe both stories are true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-crWWnJTZLv8/WmAGf_SubNI/AAAAAAAAG4Q/zA3o7pH-GNYccZpjH6jEk7QazU4tpG1FQCLcBGAs/s1600/tonging%2Boystermen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="746" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-crWWnJTZLv8/WmAGf_SubNI/AAAAAAAAG4Q/zA3o7pH-GNYccZpjH6jEk7QazU4tpG1FQCLcBGAs/s400/tonging%2Boystermen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Oyster tongers at work in the shallows.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Our favorite story comes from the oysterman’s false
teeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps unlike the pony stories,
which can’t be proven, this story is true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oystermen, especially tongers, live a very close hand-to-mouth
existence, so when he got a new set of ‘store bought’ false teeth, it was such
an investment that it was a huge deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His wife had urged (ordered) that he not wear the false teeth on the
boat to avoid the risk of losing them overboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t know why he was defying orders,
maybe he just forgot to take them out, but he was standing on the side deck of
the boat working his tongs over the side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The teeth still didn’t fit exactly right, and he was coming down with a
cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One sudden sneeze was all it took
to send his upper plate overboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
spent most of the afternoon tonging more for teeth than oysters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They not only represented a big financial loss,
but he would catch holy hell from his wife every day from now ‘til death do us
part.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of the story was picked
up on the opening day of oyster season the following year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went out to his favorite spot to start
tonging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He dropped the tongs over the side,
worked them, and pulled them up into the boat to dump the oysters on the
sorting board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There, in the first tong
of the year, was the upper plate of his false teeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Domestic peace at last.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078054043618639773.post-52650742742449970182018-01-11T12:38:00.000-06:002018-01-11T12:38:25.794-06:00Osprey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U_hwhXu1YzA/WleppXqWtpI/AAAAAAAAG3w/neOKnmNWLWAzUO9XsHR1HwRuTW_XIcmYwCLcBGAs/s1600/osprey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="938" height="285" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U_hwhXu1YzA/WleppXqWtpI/AAAAAAAAG3w/neOKnmNWLWAzUO9XsHR1HwRuTW_XIcmYwCLcBGAs/s400/osprey.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Osprey are lighter in color than most raptors. They are brown over most of their slender body with a white head and breast, a brown band that extends from their back, through their yellow eye, to the prominent black beak. They are commonly found where their perch gives them a good view of their hunting waters, such as the top of a post, tree, or navigational marker where they love building huge stick nests so they can hunt from their 'living room.' They have rebounded well since the end of DDT pesticide use that had killed their populations off to endangered levels. </div>
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During their 15-20 year lifespan, they can fly 160,000 miles during migrations. The oldest recorded osprey lived to be 25 years, 2 months. In 2008, one 2-3 year old bird was observed to fly 2,700 miles from Martha's Vineyard, MA, to French Guiana, South America. They are excellent fishermen. Their success rate is 1 successful catch out of every four dives, and often as high a catch rate as 70%. Their hunting time between catches averages 12 minutes.</div>
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All their eggs do not hatch at once, but are spread over about 5 days. Seniority ranks their place in the nest, meaning the first born get fed first. In good hunting waters, all the chicks survive, but when food supply is more scarce, the younger chicks may starve to death. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078054043618639773.post-18453335837954371032018-01-09T14:13:00.002-06:002018-01-09T14:13:42.324-06:00Fort Cobb State Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aWjdQ7I291s/WlUf55_NMmI/AAAAAAAAG3E/MTWk2N07pAI0WNyCJQAXEdK-QVoo2bDNwCEwYBhgL/s1600/ft_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1500" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aWjdQ7I291s/WlUf55_NMmI/AAAAAAAAG3E/MTWk2N07pAI0WNyCJQAXEdK-QVoo2bDNwCEwYBhgL/s400/ft_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Just off one of the coves in the southeast part of the lake is an island</div>
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that is just covered with birds---seagulls, cormorants, pelicans, Canada</div>
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geese and more.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">The weather last night had huffed and puffed, but this
morning wasn’t bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The temperature had
only dropped to 48, and while the wet pavement belied an earlier shower, what
we had now was a fog ceiling that had dropped almost to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sky and water were colored lead grey, and
there was every hint of more rain to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The wind was at least calm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While
I waited to see which way the weather was going to go, we took time for eggs,
bacon, and toast for breakfast. If we couldn’t do anything else, we could eat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gETIFWaTxFw/WlUgNmfQOkI/AAAAAAAAG3M/OhOn-ByS9o0xUPsP_VLDepYt5wlSrXMVgCEwYBhgL/s1600/canada%2Bgeese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1500" height="285" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gETIFWaTxFw/WlUgNmfQOkI/AAAAAAAAG3M/OhOn-ByS9o0xUPsP_VLDepYt5wlSrXMVgCEwYBhgL/s400/canada%2Bgeese.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Wave on wave of geese filled the sky.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">I was re-reading a sailing classic called “Princess”
by Joe Richards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Princess was a
traditional full-keel, gaff-rigged Friendship sloop designed by Wilbur A. Morse
of Friendship, Maine, in 1880.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Morse
built them until 1910, but they have a cult following that has continued their
construction to this day in both wood and glass, and an active Friendship Sloop
Society keeps them alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Richards had
found a neglected 25-foot “Princess,” and after a significant refit on her, he
decided to put his career in New York as a commercial artist on hold, liquidate
his worldly possessions, and head off on a quest to find a patch of ground on
some Caribbean island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was 31 years
old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The year was 1940.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he headed south, he was to discover only a
few days into his trip that the world had decided to go to war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time he reached Florida, Joe and
Princess would both be swallowed by World War II. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V35NwOTxQ9Q/WlUgCVUg6CI/AAAAAAAAG3I/XP9mbyni1MEXnDor5Ttyo7GpXSVWxpoigCEwYBhgL/s1600/friendship-sloop-days-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="680" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V35NwOTxQ9Q/WlUgCVUg6CI/AAAAAAAAG3I/XP9mbyni1MEXnDor5Ttyo7GpXSVWxpoigCEwYBhgL/s400/friendship-sloop-days-05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The beautiful and historic Friendship Sloop during their annual</div>
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gathering at Friendship, Maine.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">I met Joe quite by accident many years later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was driving east from Leipsic, Delaware,
toward the coast when I saw this boat sitting in someone’s front yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew instantly that it was a Friendship
Sloop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did a U-turn, went back, and
pulled into the drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I walked
around its stern on the way to the front door of the house, the transom
declared her to be Princess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked up
and knocked at the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the
elderly man answered, I asked, almost unable to believe my own words, “Are you
Joe Richards?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said he was, and
invited me in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What an unbelievable
thrill to meet a stranger who I already felt like I knew and had a bond with
through his book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He made tea, set out
some cake, and we sat and talked boats and adventures for four hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I said my goodbye and thanked him for his
hospitality, he told me to bring my book by so he could autograph it for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Go figure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now Joe and
Princess are both long gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think of
him every once in a while, and it was during one of these times that I went
back to my office and pulled “Princess” down off the shelf again to relive the
experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">After reading a bit further, we had an early
lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jean heated clam chowder while I
got Ibi off the truck, onto its dolly, and loaded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sky refused to allow the sun to even
lighten the sky, so I threw my foulweather gear in the stern just in case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was underway by noon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The air was still light, and I paddled south
toward the dam and Sunset Cove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t
making miles, but spent a lot of time trying to get a few photographs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After I turned back north, the sky finally
cleared to reveal the sun and a beautiful, blue fall day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With ‘V’ after ‘V’ of Canada geese flying
overhead and the fall colors, I could easily have been mistaken in thinking I
was back on the Chesapeake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If only that
was true.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">This is a very special state park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fort Cobb State Park is open all year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even during the winter, RV sites have running
water and electricity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike most parks
that seem more and more intent on eliminating primitive camping, Cove Drive goes
out of the north end of the park and follows the shoreline for two miles from
Caddo Hill to a dead-end at a locked service gate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every hundred yards or so is a nicely
isolated campground right on the shore of the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each has room for parking, a concrete picnic
table, a pole for hanging a lantern or tarp, and there are three enclosed pit
toilets within easy walking distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are trash dumpsters every few sites, but there are always some
people that seem to have trouble finding them even though they sit right on the
edge of the drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the sites are
single camp locations, but there are also a few with room and provisions for
two or even three sites provided for in a group camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Camping is $14 per nite, winter or
summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Best of all, the shoreline undulates
continuously like teeth of a very large saw blade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unless the wind is out of the southwest,
there are sites to provide for smooth water and easy shore launching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the wind is southwest, Eagle’s Nest
campground on the west shore of the lake, also open all year, is a good option
from its protected cove in Farmer’s Slough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Please protect your right to camp by being a clean camper that carries
out all that is carried in, and properly disposing of trash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078054043618639773.post-41187540609399056512018-01-05T12:12:00.003-06:002018-01-05T12:15:18.033-06:00Fort Cobb Images<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cG9uVBC_s-Y/Wk-8KNkNXHI/AAAAAAAAG2k/MJb4QqvNbBkMM8MW3eGS1qFO14wupPkHACEwYBhgL/s1600/Canada%2Bgeese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cG9uVBC_s-Y/Wk-8KNkNXHI/AAAAAAAAG2k/MJb4QqvNbBkMM8MW3eGS1qFO14wupPkHACEwYBhgL/s400/Canada%2Bgeese.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Canada Geese</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cq2nJ3vomiY/Wk-9IXjhFoI/AAAAAAAAG2w/O89jx7nUYeUTDPlreTo6rYSTZjDvfODtQCEwYBhgL/s1600/killdeer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cq2nJ3vomiY/Wk-9IXjhFoI/AAAAAAAAG2w/O89jx7nUYeUTDPlreTo6rYSTZjDvfODtQCEwYBhgL/s400/killdeer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Killdeer on the shore.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-suKSRQVmfGQ/Wk-8jvP-9GI/AAAAAAAAG2k/4lDRnpm1rXwatN_w8aLSmvoHjDqxUUbxgCEwYBhgL/s1600/juvenile%2Bheron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1072" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-suKSRQVmfGQ/Wk-8jvP-9GI/AAAAAAAAG2k/4lDRnpm1rXwatN_w8aLSmvoHjDqxUUbxgCEwYBhgL/s400/juvenile%2Bheron.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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Juvenile heron taking great advantage of his natural</div>
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camouflage in this dead wood. From a greater distance,</div>
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he was nearly invisible.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XJAOeGv-RwU/Wk-837TXlFI/AAAAAAAAG2w/EW3s2jiex74mqEvrVUkmFllHtLWIep1ywCEwYBhgL/s1600/juvenile%2Bheron%2Btake-off.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1500" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XJAOeGv-RwU/Wk-837TXlFI/AAAAAAAAG2w/EW3s2jiex74mqEvrVUkmFllHtLWIep1ywCEwYBhgL/s400/juvenile%2Bheron%2Btake-off.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Juvenile heron about to take flight.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KCaIqOJQyZA/Wk-8Z8B8F4I/AAAAAAAAG2k/Jnff9EINfkI8pX-gQjCKEIr89hezhXCwQCEwYBhgL/s1600/cormorants%2Bhung%2Bto%2Bdry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1500" height="285" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KCaIqOJQyZA/Wk-8Z8B8F4I/AAAAAAAAG2k/Jnff9EINfkI8pX-gQjCKEIr89hezhXCwQCEwYBhgL/s400/cormorants%2Bhung%2Bto%2Bdry.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Cormorants hung out to dry.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j2LwJOpJA9k/Wk-9YjFgtiI/AAAAAAAAG24/YemNvyfH5lYHofN8q-3ACiZO0OMrroSxwCEwYBhgL/s1600/osprey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1071" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j2LwJOpJA9k/Wk-9YjFgtiI/AAAAAAAAG24/YemNvyfH5lYHofN8q-3ACiZO0OMrroSxwCEwYBhgL/s400/osprey.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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This is an unfortunate combination of dense fog</div>
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and a bit of backlighting, but he looked good </div>
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with his right foot on a fish having breakfast.</div>
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An osprey.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078054043618639773.post-6457888228432941182017-12-29T17:04:00.002-06:002017-12-29T17:04:36.021-06:00Chrysanthemums Before the Big Chill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JzoZLvniU7U/WkbJfHAh-fI/AAAAAAAAG2A/SHVwMOKM6Xwow82AU3XoVj3yYDgn4hNRwCLcBGAs/s1600/001-Chrysanthemums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JzoZLvniU7U/WkbJfHAh-fI/AAAAAAAAG2A/SHVwMOKM6Xwow82AU3XoVj3yYDgn4hNRwCLcBGAs/s400/001-Chrysanthemums.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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They are all gone now, but we had a good year for chrysanthemums.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bfmgp_MZobQ/WkbJpey9aII/AAAAAAAAG2E/t7pAFgNQEZwi9mdPNmaAi7LkuhDe6OwKACLcBGAs/s1600/002-Chrysanthemums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bfmgp_MZobQ/WkbJpey9aII/AAAAAAAAG2E/t7pAFgNQEZwi9mdPNmaAi7LkuhDe6OwKACLcBGAs/s400/002-Chrysanthemums.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pabDJ-1X0uM/WkbJv7aeA8I/AAAAAAAAG2I/yGqFUbQRPzs2Kp82vJ_1trC1URD21Wj6gCLcBGAs/s1600/003-Chrysanthemums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pabDJ-1X0uM/WkbJv7aeA8I/AAAAAAAAG2I/yGqFUbQRPzs2Kp82vJ_1trC1URD21Wj6gCLcBGAs/s400/003-Chrysanthemums.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078054043618639773.post-70519791687421561972017-12-28T07:17:00.002-06:002017-12-28T07:17:34.989-06:00Day 2 on Fort Cobb Lake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nNRLsiKBqsE/WkTsIs5-09I/AAAAAAAAG1g/c3Iw2tEzdN8eIyhPVJpEyhbXKihBv5aSACLcBGAs/s1600/007-Ft_Cobb-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nNRLsiKBqsE/WkTsIs5-09I/AAAAAAAAG1g/c3Iw2tEzdN8eIyhPVJpEyhbXKihBv5aSACLcBGAs/s400/007-Ft_Cobb-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The end of the road. The green to the right behind the sign is where</div>
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we took out across the farmer's field (authorized).</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">We had to greet today with a high degree of both
flexibility and equanimity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided
to make this trip because of the wonderful weather forecast---3 clear days with
winds of 8-13 mph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least for today,
they lied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With strong winds blowing
straight into the cove, there was no reason to rush onto the water. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took the time for a wonderful breakfast of
French toast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within minutes, the wind
had escalated to 25 mph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>White rollers
began marching into White’s Catfish Cove after crossing the expanse of Ft. Cobb
Lake from the southwest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paddling was
definitely off the schedule for today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nlBXSDVy4Tc/WkTsSbd1BEI/AAAAAAAAG1k/miCjxhegxjA2DOVeNRZP6rr77lAN4ikxwCLcBGAs/s1600/008-Caddo%2Bdouble%2Bbarrel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nlBXSDVy4Tc/WkTsSbd1BEI/AAAAAAAAG1k/miCjxhegxjA2DOVeNRZP6rr77lAN4ikxwCLcBGAs/s400/008-Caddo%2Bdouble%2Bbarrel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This 12 or 14-foot double-barrel shotgun illustrates just how serious</div>
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they are about their hunting around here. It looks like it could use a</div>
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new stock though.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">We took a nice long walk and checked out other campsites
and the open lake, which looked like it had been frosted with white icing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day was beautiful, but for the wind, and
that was a deal breaker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the days
really shortening and my poor paddling muscle conditioning, paddling the full
35 mile perimeter of the lake was not even a pipe dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A fall back option was to do one side of the
lake, take out at the furthest north ramp, and then return to do the other side
on the following day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many lakes,
however, will shallow-out and turn to marsh and reeds before reaching the
ultimate headwater, so the last ramp is sometimes impossible to reach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had wondered during the night if Jean could
find it by road as well as whether I could reach it by water, so after lunch we
decided to go exploring and drive north to check it out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4MMynYzhJYE/WkTsnWSJS6I/AAAAAAAAG1o/BChAsVO98JIxSBCr_ChH9iYQdefYwvs7wCLcBGAs/s1600/030-11-17-Caddo%2BHill%252C%2BFt_Cobb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4MMynYzhJYE/WkTsnWSJS6I/AAAAAAAAG1o/BChAsVO98JIxSBCr_ChH9iYQdefYwvs7wCLcBGAs/s400/030-11-17-Caddo%2BHill%252C%2BFt_Cobb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Where White's Catfish Cove meets the lake is the foot of Caddo Hill,</div>
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and the best of the fall colors here. We were starting into another deep</div>
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drought, and that steals most of the colors, but still not bad.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">The road was “interesting.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It finally petered out to a ride across a
farmer’s field, dodging side to side to keep tree limbs from removing the canoe
from the rack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we finally got to
the end of the rutted lane, we found the broken derelict remains of a long-ago
ramp and piles of dumped trash and broken glass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was workable, barely, so I got the GPS
coordinates for a planned future run, whenever that might be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we were out, the wind had lightened and
turned to the north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It filled me with
enthusiasm for an afternoon paddle, but on the way back Jean pointed to the
huge mare’s tails being dragged across the sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K8p0EHmKiWU/WkTs0W_YZgI/AAAAAAAAG1w/7XxmjTKlL9kNGJ7MjV8RWu6sShZNzmH-gCLcBGAs/s1600/006-N_FtCobb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K8p0EHmKiWU/WkTs0W_YZgI/AAAAAAAAG1w/7XxmjTKlL9kNGJ7MjV8RWu6sShZNzmH-gCLcBGAs/s400/006-N_FtCobb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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All that is left of the ramp is a pile of concrete slab rubble to make</div>
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people realize that they've reached the end of land before diving</div>
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into the lake.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">By the time we got back to the campsite, the wind’s
strength had continued to build from the north, and the temperature began to
plummet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I sat down at 8 p.m. to
write my journal, the wind was roaring and whistling around the RV and sounding
like a Nordic winter storm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought
we’d wait to see what the morning brought, but it wasn’t sounding promising.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078054043618639773.post-11287822035086913632017-12-26T05:34:00.000-06:002017-12-26T05:34:29.469-06:00November on Fort Cobb Lake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6vWIXInWlSY/WkIyM5Z4RTI/AAAAAAAAG04/JYQvDXcIYoQxaoWgS6FhzjIEr6ZSyTapgCLcBGAs/s1600/fort%2Bcobb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="572" height="275" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6vWIXInWlSY/WkIyM5Z4RTI/AAAAAAAAG04/JYQvDXcIYoQxaoWgS6FhzjIEr6ZSyTapgCLcBGAs/s400/fort%2Bcobb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Credit: Google Images</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">Fort Cobb is a bit of a misnomer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike some towns, like Fort Sill, that
actually grew out of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘old west’ military
installations, the town of Fort Cobb is three miles NW of the site of the
actual military fort, which was located at the fork of the Washita River and
Pond Creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pond Creek was later renamed
Cobb Creek to fit with the fort’s name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The fort was created in 1859 by the Superintendent of Indian Affairs to
establish the Washita Agency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fort
that would house the Washita Agency was named after the Secretary of the
Treasury, Howell Cobb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Four companies of
cavalry would be assigned there under the command of Maj. William H. Emory to
protect the local Washita Indians from attacks by the Comanche, Kiowa, and
Cheyenne tribes that had in turn also been relocated there from their natural
homes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">With the coming of the Civil War, Emory feared his
command would be cut off if Texas and Arkansas seceded, so he relocated his
forces to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Texas Confederates quickly seized the fort, but they soon left, and Fort
Cobb was left abandoned for most of the war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>U.S. forces returned to Fort Cobb in 1868 to find only the walls of a
stone building remaining, and a few broken pieces of adobe structures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The latter were thatched over for storage
buildings, but most of the soldiers lived in dugouts in the ground covered with
tents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forces under Gen. Philip H.
Sheridan arrived the following winter as part of his campaign to force the
remaining hostile tribes onto reservations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fort Sill was established only 50 miles away early in 1869, so on March
12, 1869, Fort Cobb was abandoned for good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The only thing remaining to mark its existence today are a few trenches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">While the town of Fort Cobb was northwest of the
original fort, Fort Cobb State Park was created in 1959 with the damming of
Cobb Creek 4.6 miles north of the town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(L35.1745N Lo98.4402W, P. 79 of the Oklahoma Water Resource Board book, “Lakes
of Oklahoma.”)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our 110 mile drive down
to Fort Cobb State Park took three hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Part of the extra time was due to missing a turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were going west from Binger when we came
into a long construction zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had
been concentrating on meeting traffic with the RV on the narrow temporary
lanes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finally decided we had gone too
far for our turn onto Rt. 146 South, so we needed to turn around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the most part, shoulders have yet to be
invented in Oklahoma, nor were there any good, safe turnaround locations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to turn onto a dirt side road, but
that left us backing across the main road through a blind intersection to turn
the rig around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked Jean to go back
and signal when it was clear for me to back across the highway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I backed across, she walked across by the
rear of the trailer to come upon a skunk in the tall grass, which left her
trapped between the skunk and the side of the trailer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was about half-grown and just as startled
as Jean was, but as it turned its business end toward her, she ran around the
back toward the other side of the trailer, and yet another catastrophe was
averted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">Trying to figure out where we could have gone wrong,
it made sense that the problem would have occurred in the construction
zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure enough, when I got back to
where I felt the road should be, there was again no sign for the state park,
but the route sign stood nicely hidden behind a large piece of construction
equipment where even a careful observer wouldn’t have seen it coming from the
east.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made the turn and headed south
as we followed the DeLorme Atlas ever more carefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we reached the road that the atlas
indicated should have been the turn for the state park entrance, again there
was no sign for the park, and as I looked to the right I was faced with a huge
hill like I was looking up an Olympic ski jump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Surely they would not be having RV trailers pulled up that hill, but I
noticed traffic approaching from behind us, so I committed and made the
turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That indeed led us into the
entrance and the park ranger station.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">We had never been there before, but found a paved
campsite that was absolutely beautiful…level, smooth concrete, with plenty of
room, and high enough to drain well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
pulled in, not believing our luck, and got set up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was 3:30 p.m.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once I was about done, I got out to walk
around a bit, and there in front of the longer than normal lane to the
campsite, on what would have been the blind side of the truck, was a small brown
sign designating the space as reserved for handicapped usage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My dubious luck was obviously holding, so we
undid our set-up, moved to another space, and repeated the whole process over
again.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlS39G1alkqjyolI9tvEmB19-KqYLAgqRWZnAMX8Nv1gefu0SQ-H3YSBh06x4-21b04tdStF4e5kJR9wtvZTbSIHSqoV5WiUAJ2d_W89idKsyswn-vSqOwinc0B0H-LnFVYGEV536L77P/s1600/11-17+Ft++Cobb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlS39G1alkqjyolI9tvEmB19-KqYLAgqRWZnAMX8Nv1gefu0SQ-H3YSBh06x4-21b04tdStF4e5kJR9wtvZTbSIHSqoV5WiUAJ2d_W89idKsyswn-vSqOwinc0B0H-LnFVYGEV536L77P/s400/11-17+Ft++Cobb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our campsite on White's Catfish Cove</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5iIWYD_Je-o/WkIyiNDaycI/AAAAAAAAG1A/e_62NZsJC2Y5lkgC1xR3f3qg59QRzNK9gCLcBGAs/s1600/11-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5iIWYD_Je-o/WkIyiNDaycI/AAAAAAAAG1A/e_62NZsJC2Y5lkgC1xR3f3qg59QRzNK9gCLcBGAs/s400/11-17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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American Pelicans and Cormorants enjoying the evening.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">A nearly full moon rose to illuminate White’s Catfish
Cove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the fall’s last hurrah,
and all the wildlife were out to enjoy a beautiful evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the short while before darkness fell, we
saw cormorants, Blue Jays, woodpeckers, flock upon flock of Canada geese,
seagulls, a couple hundred or so coots, heron, ducks, an owl, a bull frog, a
few pelicans, and two packs of coyotes calling back and forth between
themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About the only thing we
didn’t see in the cool evening were mosquitoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Finally, a win.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078054043618639773.post-76965177552735101342017-12-19T12:53:00.001-06:002017-12-19T12:53:01.888-06:00Mississippi By CanoeHere's an hour-long video of a canoe trip down the Mississippi. It is exceptionally well done. You will love it. I promise. And, if you are ready to make the trip, let me know. So am I.<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=113s&v=2aoFVA1vmPs&app=desktop">https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=113s&v=2aoFVA1vmPs&app=desktop</a><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078054043618639773.post-886456045243665022017-12-08T13:29:00.000-06:002017-12-08T13:29:08.848-06:00Paddle Camping Chair - Helinox<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-21seVRHEmKg/WirmBElY28I/AAAAAAAAG0g/mMHJaqqLC-8G4GMvVltLspIjmAgh_yrLwCLcBGAs/s1600/Helinox%2Bchair2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-21seVRHEmKg/WirmBElY28I/AAAAAAAAG0g/mMHJaqqLC-8G4GMvVltLspIjmAgh_yrLwCLcBGAs/s400/Helinox%2Bchair2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is the Helinox chair I got. Depending on inventory, </div>
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other colors are available.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">Here’s a story somewhat like my purchase of the Sea-to-Summit
Thinsulite Reactor sleeping bag liner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have ogled the Helinox Camp Chair for years, but could never justify $140 for a
camping chair, but then three things conspired to change my thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Coleman folding chair was years old, had
been repaired multiple times, was heavy but study, and while it is easy to
repair, it continues to shed part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Second, I’ve watched Larry Ricker, nibimocs, sitting comfortably at his
campsite in numerous videos, even holding his dog in his lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think Larry said he had a different model,
but for all intent and purposes, they look and work the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each video made this chair seem all the more
appropriate for paddle/camping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thirdly,
I received an email offering an enticing sale price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even then, I looked at the ad every day of
the sale before making the plunge only hours before the sale ended. </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xY8Dc-TQreY/WirmO78fWjI/AAAAAAAAG0k/hQGptUDAnt0lRG7-ilaE0QI5VXBOWmcfQCLcBGAs/s1600/Helinox%2Bchair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xY8Dc-TQreY/WirmO78fWjI/AAAAAAAAG0k/hQGptUDAnt0lRG7-ilaE0QI5VXBOWmcfQCLcBGAs/s400/Helinox%2Bchair.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This compares the two chairs in their packs. Also, the Coleman chair came </div>
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with a light, felt-like bag that didn't last any time at all, so Jean made a duplicate</div>
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bag out of upholstery material. The Helinox comes with a bag of sturdy material</div>
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with hand loops at both ends. The zipper also runs the length of the bag, making</div>
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it very easy to put the chair in.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">Here is a comparison between the two chairs, my
current Coleman and the Helinox.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why I
couldn’t stand being tempted any longer becomes apparent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Coleman Max Quad Chair is $40, 10 lbs.,
steel construction, 8 X 38 in. packed size, oversized feet, oversized seating
with drink holder in each arm, 600 pound capacity, with a 24“ seat height.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Helinox Camp Chair is listed at $139.95,
2 lb. 9 oz., sturdy aluminum & polyester seat, 5 X 20 inches packed, 18”
seat height, 320 pound capacity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two
photos here show the best comparison between the two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For packing efficiency, the Helinox is half
the size and a quarter of the weight of the Coleman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Coleman is still serviceable, and serves
well at an RV site or if we travel to an athletic event or something similar,
but it is a load in the canoe, and would be next to impossible on a kayak, and
therefore gets tied on top of everything else making the boat top-heavy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of being tied on top of the canoe
packs, the Helinox slips lightly and comfortably in with my sleeping bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The combination of pack-ability and lightness
finally scored a win.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078054043618639773.post-8498865465156338412017-12-06T09:11:00.001-06:002017-12-06T09:11:35.682-06:00Comanche Powwow - Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-irRGS4heI-8/Widi_2wxSlI/AAAAAAAAGzY/tyAC5uvL48MWPYdSlE7KnARd1aoqbregQCLcBGAs/s1600/Comanche%2Bpowwow027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-irRGS4heI-8/Widi_2wxSlI/AAAAAAAAGzY/tyAC5uvL48MWPYdSlE7KnARd1aoqbregQCLcBGAs/s400/Comanche%2Bpowwow027.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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This beautiful young lady is wearing what is known as a jingle</div>
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dress. It originated from several bands of the Ojibwe, but through</div>
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dance competitions can be found now among most tribes. It is covered</div>
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with row on row of light metal cones that ring when they come together</div>
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in response to the rhythm of the drum and singing.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">One of the things I was most impressed with was that
while many tribes have lost their language to a large extent, the Comanche seem
to have their language intact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several
speeches, prayers, and songs were done totally in their native tongue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFTycnwlNGs"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFTycnwlNGs</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UwM0FOZq4dk/WidjXmphxvI/AAAAAAAAGzc/8GtigqEgje8ubU8_N6Wp_l69z0NNeU-AgCLcBGAs/s1600/Comanche%2Bpowwow%2Bdrum042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UwM0FOZq4dk/WidjXmphxvI/AAAAAAAAGzc/8GtigqEgje8ubU8_N6Wp_l69z0NNeU-AgCLcBGAs/s400/Comanche%2Bpowwow%2Bdrum042.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The music is provided by a ring of about 12 drummers and singers. There </div>
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were 3 groups performing from different areas of the country. These were the</div>
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Sons of the Drum Singers. These are traditional songs that reflect different aspect</div>
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of tribal history and life. Anyone that knows the song can join in, and there will often</div>
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be 2, 3, or 4 concentric rings of singers around the drummers. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r8kcXzPI7oA/WidjsgFCcrI/AAAAAAAAGzg/EDrwCz5OTEsLztudWpN8Z3_4eIjGC4vLwCLcBGAs/s1600/Comanche%2Bpowwow034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r8kcXzPI7oA/WidjsgFCcrI/AAAAAAAAGzg/EDrwCz5OTEsLztudWpN8Z3_4eIjGC4vLwCLcBGAs/s400/Comanche%2Bpowwow034.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">While we felt unwelcome and will probably never return
for another visit, we feel the Comanche still deserve great respect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were always known to be independent and
uncompromising when they felt they were being infringed upon, whether by other
tribes or the Europeans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While they were
known for fierce and violent atrocities in conflicts, it is well to put
ourselves in their place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If our lands,
hunting grounds, culture, lifestyle, freedoms, and lives were at stake, may we
not have reacted likewise?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UbbvPxf9ggY/Widj7T0l7YI/AAAAAAAAGzk/sWzZLnDUAkUGLlUnu60PmpWYgKvcZLL9gCLcBGAs/s1600/Comanche%2Bpowwow036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UbbvPxf9ggY/Widj7T0l7YI/AAAAAAAAGzk/sWzZLnDUAkUGLlUnu60PmpWYgKvcZLL9gCLcBGAs/s400/Comanche%2Bpowwow036.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Many dances are open to various groups and ages, but when you get</div>
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to fancy dress, show in these two photos, you have to be very athletic with</div>
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good stamina.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-opU6khWILbw/WidkGbmEt2I/AAAAAAAAGzo/e3QEC7Ziz7U8tV8RblI3C04ykgNvILahwCLcBGAs/s1600/Comanche%2Bpowwow038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-opU6khWILbw/WidkGbmEt2I/AAAAAAAAGzo/e3QEC7Ziz7U8tV8RblI3C04ykgNvILahwCLcBGAs/s400/Comanche%2Bpowwow038.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078054043618639773.post-23625937894864792212017-12-01T09:31:00.001-06:002017-12-01T09:31:24.311-06:00NFCT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SSUAS6yCWIE/WiF1OP7i4FI/AAAAAAAAGzI/EibDfH3KCtk5zwr1azDAtgmqyZtOVcxtACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2466-old%2Bforge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SSUAS6yCWIE/WiF1OP7i4FI/AAAAAAAAGzI/EibDfH3KCtk5zwr1azDAtgmqyZtOVcxtACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2466-old%2Bforge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Laura and I at the Old Forge, NY, NFCT put-in.</div>
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If you don't know the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (or even if you do), here's a short video you will want to check out. It's only 3 1/2 minutes, but beautiful photography and plenty of wildlife.</div>
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<a href="https://vimeo.com/236008973">https://vimeo.com/236008973</a></div>
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</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078054043618639773.post-56625429384313469052017-11-30T10:35:00.000-06:002017-11-30T10:35:45.464-06:00The Comanche Powwow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DEmezNJQZR4/WiAtLxDQa5I/AAAAAAAAGyY/i8ipSBChYRwzi71yXGu6ogEmzQPm-bKJwCLcBGAs/s1600/Comanche%2Bpowwow030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DEmezNJQZR4/WiAtLxDQa5I/AAAAAAAAGyY/i8ipSBChYRwzi71yXGu6ogEmzQPm-bKJwCLcBGAs/s400/Comanche%2Bpowwow030.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Military veterans march on the colors for the opening ceremonies.</div>
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The red objects at either end are war lances being carried as guideons.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">Jean wanted to visit a Native American Powwow, and had
found two the same weekend: one near Tahlequah, and another at Lawton, OK, near
Fort Sill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She decided to visit the
latter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were going to make an early
morning drive in the darkness, and then spend the night near Fort Sill before
returning on Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was going to
be an unusual trip in many regards, like having a rare bobcat run across the
road in front of us shortly after starting out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ndOtPS9aHtQ/WiAtbJRLPRI/AAAAAAAAGyc/Hvl-KJaI-M4Lxmvzi2kaivv9Lywvr8ZOACLcBGAs/s1600/Comanche%2Bpowwow031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ndOtPS9aHtQ/WiAtbJRLPRI/AAAAAAAAGyc/Hvl-KJaI-M4Lxmvzi2kaivv9Lywvr8ZOACLcBGAs/s400/Comanche%2Bpowwow031.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jii5GjEBxQk/WiAtscmu5JI/AAAAAAAAGyk/iuZ9p7M0GVkjoqtZtLqfoZQPzE0cELsMgCLcBGAs/s1600/Comanche%2Bwarlance025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jii5GjEBxQk/WiAtscmu5JI/AAAAAAAAGyk/iuZ9p7M0GVkjoqtZtLqfoZQPzE0cELsMgCLcBGAs/s400/Comanche%2Bwarlance025.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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The guideons were war lances and used to show the unit</div>
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designation and military branch affiliation. The bead work on </div>
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the shaft represent campaign ribbons.</div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">Living in Indian Territory is unique in many
regards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until this weekend, we have
viewed all those unique differences as positive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are of course surrounded by old tribal
nation reservations belonging to about any tribe you can name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the reservations have been broken up
to the point that one would never guess they were on an ‘indian’ reservation,
and others have tenaciously clung to their reservation identity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In most, the native population think of us as
fellow Oklahomans, but in others, we are still invading white men and are
viewed with a racial bias no different than one would expect in a black
community in some areas of Chicago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
most favorite powwow visit was at the six Kaw nation’s powwow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These include the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kaw or Kanza, Ponca, Osage, Pawnee, Tonkawa,
and Otoe-Missouria tribes, who were originally the Winnebago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The event was held at the tribal grounds
named after Chief Standing Bear, just south of Ponca.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here we seemed to be viewed as any people
with a deep interest in understanding and appreciating their tribal heritage
and culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were extended a friendly
hand, a welcoming hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several families
nearly adopted us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One would invite us
to sit near them so they could explain each facet of the tribal regalia and the
imagery surrounding the various dances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Another would suggest what we might have for dinner, where to find it,
and ask us to join them for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both
officially and personally, it was made clear frequently that we were both
welcome and expected to return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Comanche powwow, unfortunately, took us to the other end of the spectrum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It became clear that this was a closed event,
a family or tribal event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the day
there were no fewer than thirty unfriendly references about whites and another twenty
or so about non-Comanches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few people
were openly hostile and rude, while most were just unfriendly and aloof, unless
I had my wallet in my hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That sounds
negative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s just say we left with a
feeling of being very unwelcome.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8nGNjf0yk8/WiAt-4UhtnI/AAAAAAAAGyo/3BRAijWadIQhOe23DiLeulXVYB_MV6X8wCLcBGAs/s1600/Comanche%2Bpowwow039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8nGNjf0yk8/WiAt-4UhtnI/AAAAAAAAGyo/3BRAijWadIQhOe23DiLeulXVYB_MV6X8wCLcBGAs/s400/Comanche%2Bpowwow039.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The one thing the Comanche, and most other tribes, do a great job of </div>
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is carrying on their Native American cultures and traditions through all</div>
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ages of their community. The babies, also often decked out in their own</div>
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regalia, along with mother and grandmother, will all be seen participating</div>
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in every aspect of the powwow.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-db9ISA0KyWw/WiAuOHSDoTI/AAAAAAAAGyw/fc6c8RMhDH8NOk2R566ZjveM6J8qNMHpwCLcBGAs/s1600/Comanche%2Bpowwow023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-db9ISA0KyWw/WiAuOHSDoTI/AAAAAAAAGyw/fc6c8RMhDH8NOk2R566ZjveM6J8qNMHpwCLcBGAs/s400/Comanche%2Bpowwow023.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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These boys have just completed registering for their</div>
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participation in various aspects of tribal dancing.</div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">For the Comanche tribe, the powwow was a success and a
great draw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were representatives
there from both North and South Dakota, North and South Carolina, Florida,
Minnesota, New York, and others who also traveled great distances to
attend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two extremes were a
representative of the Athabaskans of Alaska, and in a cultural exchange, a
group of six from Siberia that had come just to attend the event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some or all of those from Siberia were
professional singers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One sang a song in
his native tongue, and another that is noted as a ‘throat singer’ showed off
that skill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only way I can describe
the sound of his deep-throat singing is to point to the sound of the Australian
aboriginal didgeridoo, only he did all of this without any instrument.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If even that doesn’t paint a picture, take a
look at this, and you’ll see where I came up with the idea of the didgeridoo: </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaBI1SqIhak"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaBI1SqIhak</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">Now here are a couple examples of the deep-throat
singing that sound very unusual to our Western ears.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rmo3fKeveo"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rmo3fKeveo</span></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx8hrhBZJ98"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx8hrhBZJ98</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7yHDKi8eKXg/WiAuc7zhqzI/AAAAAAAAGy4/GwuhgmhyDAcex4r7Enuhyw4iWuRd2KrsACLcBGAs/s1600/Comanche%2Bpowwow021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7yHDKi8eKXg/WiAuc7zhqzI/AAAAAAAAGy4/GwuhgmhyDAcex4r7Enuhyw4iWuRd2KrsACLcBGAs/s400/Comanche%2Bpowwow021.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Young men also shown after dance registration. One can't help</div>
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noticing the sense of pride clearly exhibited while in their native regalia.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078054043618639773.post-91234038882702406042017-11-26T10:40:00.000-06:002017-11-26T10:40:04.333-06:00September at Canton Lake, Pt. 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CqT_k9cNW4U/Whrs9DO67jI/AAAAAAAAGyI/ZdxCCu4FxDc8-9jzdaAAvA8Ekgx-STC3wCLcBGAs/s1600/wildlife%2Bheritage%2Bfoundation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CqT_k9cNW4U/Whrs9DO67jI/AAAAAAAAGyI/ZdxCCu4FxDc8-9jzdaAAvA8Ekgx-STC3wCLcBGAs/s400/wildlife%2Bheritage%2Bfoundation.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Credit: Wildlife Heritage Foundation</div>
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I wish I had gotten a photo or two. I was sitting on the settee when I</div>
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detected movement outside. Then I was too enthralled to go after the</div>
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camera.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">As the air began to cool, and the sun settled, we saw
two grown quail come out of the hedge row behind our camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a real rarity here, at least by my
experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was really neat was the
8-10 half-grown young that suddenly began stumbling out of the hedge row to
join them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They reminded me of a bunch
of kindergarteners out on a field trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They ran this way and that, jumped in the air, reversed their track back
and forth like any bunch of youngsters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The parents stood tall, stretched their necks and swiveled their heads
being hyper-vigilant of everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Shortly they were all hustled back into the tall grass and disappeared.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">The sky was just barely getting a hint of light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The windows were again all open, and we were
suddenly fully awakened by a scream immediately outside our bedroom
window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t possible to tell
whether the scream was from a large bird or a squirrel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cry wasn’t distinctive as to the species,
just a scream of sheer terror, the faint hoot of an owl, and then absolute
silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess it was what a hunter
would call a ‘clean’ kill, but there was nothing clean about some poor creature
suddenly becoming breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was
an oak tree right outside the RV’s bedroom window, and a bit later we saw a
squirrel venturing down the tree, so one of its kind was probably what had
become the morning’s victim.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">There was a nice breeze on the lake first thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to have a nice breakfast first
before I launched at the ramp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jean
fried turkey bacon and set a pack of frozen blueberries out to thaw over a low
flame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then made pancakes, and with a
pot of coffee, we sat down to a much nicer breakfast than that poor squirrel had
been having.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">The wind was out of the south-southeast, or the full
length of the lake, so was rolling small waves onto the ramp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I set Ibi parallel to the water’s edge and
used my legs to keep it from pounding on the concrete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a quick, or what translates to a quick
launch for a senior, I got in and shoved off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was immediately obvious that landing would not be as
comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no alternative
landing option there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To either side of
the ramp are piles of concrete just dumped from a truck and allowed to harden
into boulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either side of that is
non-stop riprap that stretches to the next ramp a mile away, or to the base of
several cliffs.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">I pulled the Falcon Sail up as soon as I cleared the
shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sailed as close to the wind as
I could, and with a light occasional paddle, worked to the south and nicely
upwind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind was continuing to build
as I decided to stay upwind, but sailed on and off the shore on a beam reach
using the paddle only for bracing.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">If the wind had just held where it was when I
launched, it would have been an exciting paddle-sail, but it was obviously
intent on strengthening quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
alternative landing ramps were to the northwest as the shore dropped away in a
large crescent called Big Bend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
were two landing options I could escape to as whitecaps started to build.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew landing at the ramp where I had
launched was out of the question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
was a bit of cover from reeds by the next ramp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had the paddle cart with me, and it would only be a one-mile walk back
to the campsite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next ramp was far
enough around the bend that it would definitely be a safe landing, but then
about a three-mile portage with the cart.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">I fell off on a nice broad reach and flew down the
shoreline in two jibes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I passed my
put-in ramp, my suspicion about not being able to safely access it now without
banging up the canoe was confirmed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
second ramp was marginal with some small waves rolling onto it, but it looked
safe and serviceable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I dropped the
sailing rig, raised the rudder, and side slipped alongside the ramp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything worked out fine, and I just had a
nice one-mile stroll back to the camper with Ibi following quietly behind.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">As I walked past one campsite where two men were
talking, one called out, “That water out there is getting a bit lumpy, isn’t
it?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had already decided not to
take their fishing boat out on the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Within an hour, the couple fishing boats I had seen on the lake when I
launched had also disappeared.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">This was probably my second shortest paddle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had only gone two miles, but with the sail
I had likely not paddled more than a dozen strokes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t really pass it off as a paddle, so we
can just call it a drill or an exercise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I got Ibi wet, and it still counts as another outing on the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back in the comfort of the RV, we listened to
the wind and the rattling of cottonwoods.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">The highlight of the afternoon was looking out the
window and seeing a large roadrunner right alongside the trailer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was working his way down the tree
line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would see something in the
grass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never could tell what he was
after, but he would drop his head and rush off 20-30 feet straight at it with
his legs flying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever he was
pursuing, his aim clearly appeared to be <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>dead-on.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">The next day, Friday, would be our departure
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had aspirations of a few quiet
days, and chose mid-week Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We anticipated having the campground almost
to ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add that to our ever-growing list of plans
that didn’t bear fruit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People started
coming in Wednesday evening, and it never stopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By Thursday night it looked like the Fourth
of July weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone else in the
state with a camper had had the same idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I told Jean, “Don’t worry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just
wait until November.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078054043618639773.post-38539310718760694562017-11-22T17:11:00.000-06:002017-11-22T17:11:04.595-06:00September at Canton Lake
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">After backing into our campsite, I was startled by the
abundance of holes in the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
first thought of our experience with the wolf spiders during our last visit,
but then heard all the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>cicadas<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>singing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I looked at the holes again and realized they were larger, and we were
having a cicada breeding cycle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j_zW9ivqyC4/WhYCc58o2JI/AAAAAAAAGxs/McxVb-O4AdYOHZ6hCex-hle6CNGO1u2rgCLcBGAs/s1600/turtle%2Bwas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="280" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j_zW9ivqyC4/WhYCc58o2JI/AAAAAAAAGxs/McxVb-O4AdYOHZ6hCex-hle6CNGO1u2rgCLcBGAs/s1600/turtle%2Bwas.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">We went home last night to take care of Jean’s animal
farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The evening air was alive with
bugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made the comment that the area
really needed more people to build bat houses to draw enough bats to handle the
bug population.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like the sound of
the car being hit by large rain drops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s a good thing I have two bottles of Turtle Wax bug and tar
remover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you haven’t tried it, it
really works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spray it on, give it a
minute or two to penetrate, and wipe the bugs off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It love this stuff.</span></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xr36rA3Jb4E/WhYCshTcWAI/AAAAAAAAGx0/ooi4EUvxeiIROhkXdlqReFDhJsxJ12-_wCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0052-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xr36rA3Jb4E/WhYCshTcWAI/AAAAAAAAGx0/ooi4EUvxeiIROhkXdlqReFDhJsxJ12-_wCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_0052-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">We had all the windows open at night, and it was cold enough
during the night that we had to get up and throw a quilt on the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two cats agreed with us on the
temperature, and were soon under the quilt with us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">It was a beautiful, sunny morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the afternoon was supposed to be about
90, the sun soon had the morning air warming up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jean took off to care for the animal farm,
and I got Ibi ready for a paddle.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XXPoS99_uyA/WhYC73zvptI/AAAAAAAAGx8/eP4i-5RUJmchOePe6Zu-FrV8BdJ8fTJGwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_2639-Tom%2BSteed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1400" height="285" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XXPoS99_uyA/WhYC73zvptI/AAAAAAAAGx8/eP4i-5RUJmchOePe6Zu-FrV8BdJ8fTJGwCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_2639-Tom%2BSteed.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">There was almost no wind at all, which is a freaky
rarity in “Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin’ cross the plain.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pulled the Falcon Sail up and set it close
hauled for the northeast zephyr.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat
there looking at the twist in the sail wondering if it wouldn’t benefit from a
couple light battens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll think on that
some more, and maybe get some input from Patrick Forester, the sail’s
builder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I paddled on in the expectation
of a broad reach coming back once I reached the north end of the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">I saw a lot of birds today from egrets, herons, and a
bunch of osprey whistling from trees along the west shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The breeze really was a zephyr, and barely
strong enough to move smoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I
reached the end of the lake, it was flat dead and giving the indication of
reversing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shortly, it did just
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lowered the sailing rig and
continued paddling east across the end of the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were at least a hundred or so swallows
hard at work harvesting bugs, but they had a long task ahead of them if they
expected to make a dent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
interesting, however, just watching their aerobatics as they swooped and cut,
then made hairpin turns to grab a morsel they had either missed or only spotted
on passing it.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">I was only a couple hundred yards from my take-out
when a breeze filled in from the east.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One of the advantages of this sail rig is how it just pops up when
needed, so I was not about to waste a good breeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hauled the sail back up and got a steady
1.5 mph for the short distance to the ramp.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">After a great dinner of chicken with pepper jack
cheese, I grabbed the Turtle Wax and cleaned off the hardened bug remains from
the front of the car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078054043618639773.post-53999696866241870352017-11-20T19:34:00.002-06:002017-11-20T19:34:40.289-06:00Great Lakes--Broken Lines<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7OVpEFbeE78/WhOCWRtDo0I/AAAAAAAAGxc/9gcXO0gH8msdhP6Dh-H7Af2i9YtZOA4tgCLcBGAs/s1600/lake%2Bsuperior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7OVpEFbeE78/WhOCWRtDo0I/AAAAAAAAGxc/9gcXO0gH8msdhP6Dh-H7Af2i9YtZOA4tgCLcBGAs/s400/lake%2Bsuperior.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Credit: soulcenteredphotography.blogspot.com</div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">If you haven’t seen the roughly 25-minute film called
“Great Lakes—Broken Lines,” you may wish to take a look at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not only a beautiful and enjoyable
film, but it carries a critically important message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the group ‘For The Love of Water’
biked, climbed, paddled, and sailed part of the Great Lakes country by land and
sea, the message was told about how this world’s largest accumulation of clear,
pristine, fresh water could be destroyed for decades, perhaps generations, by
the failure of a sixty-year-old oil pipeline that carries 230-million gallons
of oil a day through this fragile environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The owners of Line 5, Enbridge Energy Partners, built the line with a
life expectancy of 50 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The line
has exceeded its service life by a decade, and still Enbridge makes it plain
they have no intention or plans for replacing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The film hopes to bring attention to the
importance of protecting the area from the risk of an oil line failure, while
also calling for people to force Enbridge and the State of Michigan to adhere
to the safety standards that are in place, but are being ignored and
violated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s the link to Vimeo:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://vimeo.com/180350618"><span style="color: blue;">https://vimeo.com/180350618</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078054043618639773.post-4015066789564385102017-11-17T16:53:00.001-06:002017-11-17T16:53:34.870-06:00My Other Ride<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NfT3nXcMPSc/Wg9kkL_zSfI/AAAAAAAAGw8/qxZMT4qUP9kqKdOm1qKrztcgyHCyL42LQCLcBGAs/s1600/big%2Bbend%252C%2Bcanton%2Blake2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NfT3nXcMPSc/Wg9kkL_zSfI/AAAAAAAAGw8/qxZMT4qUP9kqKdOm1qKrztcgyHCyL42LQCLcBGAs/s400/big%2Bbend%252C%2Bcanton%2Blake2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My favorite three rides are the green Mohawk Odyssey 14 Royalex for </div>
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the occasional bumpy, rough river ride, the yellow Superior Expedition decked </div>
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canoe for long trips,...</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BzJzD9sWfrM/Wg9lZpZe42I/AAAAAAAAGxM/mj3GeCEf_pA-BKXaOTqQZz6YpEUrGtqTACLcBGAs/s1600/Buddy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BzJzD9sWfrM/Wg9lZpZe42I/AAAAAAAAGxM/mj3GeCEf_pA-BKXaOTqQZz6YpEUrGtqTACLcBGAs/s400/Buddy2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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and the 14-ft. Hornbeck Adirondack Kevlar pack canoe. Their</div>
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weights respectively are 57, 78, and 25 pounds.</div>
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</div>
<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Un_cdAbCyjU/Wg9krbvOr3I/AAAAAAAAGxA/P2wVGX2x3XA2mhn5L8vPQIIGVADXJabSwCLcBGAs/s1600/bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="847" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Un_cdAbCyjU/Wg9krbvOr3I/AAAAAAAAGxA/P2wVGX2x3XA2mhn5L8vPQIIGVADXJabSwCLcBGAs/s400/bike.jpg" width="352" /></a></div>
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But, when time and weather don't allow me to get away for</div>
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some paddling, I enjoy my other ride.</div>
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</div>
<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pZ9g3mRsSa0/Wg9kyXAbW7I/AAAAAAAAGxE/8e5NcUI-u04MNlauT0AArZj7PV8VlekcwCLcBGAs/s1600/bike%2Bon%2BRam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pZ9g3mRsSa0/Wg9kyXAbW7I/AAAAAAAAGxE/8e5NcUI-u04MNlauT0AArZj7PV8VlekcwCLcBGAs/s400/bike%2Bon%2BRam.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have the Specialized Expedition, and Jean has an Electra Townie. When </div>
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we got the bike rack, the people we purchased it from wanted to</div>
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send them a picture once we had it installed.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078054043618639773.post-18212015343108871582017-11-09T14:33:00.000-06:002017-11-09T14:35:08.044-06:00Back to School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7SrOEHLZJ4o/WgS3UwghJxI/AAAAAAAAGwQ/dmR8iEvLNqEs2fM2QklM38qp3RO_4IWNwCLcBGAs/s1600/big%2Bbend%252C%2Bcanton%2Blake2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7SrOEHLZJ4o/WgS3UwghJxI/AAAAAAAAGwQ/dmR8iEvLNqEs2fM2QklM38qp3RO_4IWNwCLcBGAs/s400/big%2Bbend%252C%2Bcanton%2Blake2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Buffalo Gal and Ibi on the Canton ramp ready to go.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">We were forecast to have a severe storm hit us at
3a.m., so between that and the temperature rising along with the humidity, I had
given up the tent finally in favor of a night in the air conditioning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the night, we had lightning, moderate
rain, and wind, but much of the storm must have either fizzled out or passed us
by.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5sESpNrOh-8/WgS31jumKAI/AAAAAAAAGwU/I0za6DFF5C0Blx8QIQOBVhuPSYz29AHigCLcBGAs/s1600/maggie%2Bn%2Bjames%2Bin%2Bmicmac%252C%2Bcanton2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5sESpNrOh-8/WgS31jumKAI/AAAAAAAAGwU/I0za6DFF5C0Blx8QIQOBVhuPSYz29AHigCLcBGAs/s400/maggie%2Bn%2Bjames%2Bin%2Bmicmac%252C%2Bcanton2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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James and Maggie in the Micmac. This was the common English</div>
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spelling of the Indigenous tribe from Northeast Maine until the 1980's.</div>
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They have since preferred Mi'kmaq. Anyhow, the canoe is still</div>
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going strong after 39 years.</div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">The morning was beautiful, though the temps were to
rise well into the 90’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(This post
obviously has lingered since mid-August.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The lake was calm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our son was to
come down and join his daughters for our second day of paddling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James was bringing the Micmac stripper canoe
I built back in the summer of 1974.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
and Maggie would tandem the 17-ft. Micmac, Lucie would take her second day in
the 15-ft. Mohawk Odyssey, and I would paddle my 17-ft 9-in Superior Expedition
“Ibi.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a day paddle, but we took
plenty of water and a cooler of sandwiches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The lake remained calm as we paddled to the headwaters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were going to continue around the north
end of Canton Lake, but we rafted in some reeds to have lunch together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we ate, the breeze filled from the
south, so I told James that we may want to be cautious about how far we went,
as all the way back would be against the wind and waves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After we emptied the cooler, James concurred
that maybe we’d better work our way back up wind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OdwGP77Q_Ng/WgS3_sPk30I/AAAAAAAAGwc/JWedU79qEpUOyxdWuZBS26DwDYarRoMwgCLcBGAs/s1600/maggie%2Brafted%2Bfor%2Blunch%252Ccanton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OdwGP77Q_Ng/WgS3_sPk30I/AAAAAAAAGwc/JWedU79qEpUOyxdWuZBS26DwDYarRoMwgCLcBGAs/s400/maggie%2Brafted%2Bfor%2Blunch%252Ccanton.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Maggie enjoys a sandwich after we had run into the reeds to raft for lunch.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">It was only Lucie’s second day in the Mohawk with a
double-blade paddle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since she was
paddling solo, she was the one we were most concerned about, though we needn’t
have bothered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While she complained a
couple times about her arms getting tired, she was resolute and plodded
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I recommended she use more waist
rather than arm muscles, put her paddle behind her neck to stretch the tired
muscles, and to paddle closer to the shore and reeds to escape some of the wind
and waves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was very proud of how she
carried through, and told her so when we got back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once back at the campsite, Jean cooled us
down with iced tea, then iced fruit smoothies, and James and I capped it off
with an ice-cold beer apiece.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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All rafted together in a stand of reeds.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">James shortly had to leave---the never-ending fast-paced
life of a writer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jean went on to do
Thai chicken over charcoal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chicken
was seasoned with peanut butter, soy sauce, and garlic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was fantastic, and was kept company by
beans and rice and a tossed salad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jean
likes to tell the story about a particular tailgate party while James was a
midshipman at the Naval Academy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jean
did this Thai chicken as shish kibobs and we had a never-ending line of
midshipmen scarfing them down as fast as they could be cooked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I jokingly always add that middies will eat
anything that doesn’t outrun them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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James</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">As our last night, it was nice and quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took down the tent and dried it out, and we
listened to the bird serenades: orioles, yellow finches, mockingbirds, herons,
egrets, and several roadrunners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
menagerie was complimented with several large rabbits running around, and raccoons.
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">Day 7:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">We were awakened this morning by the sound of rolling
thunder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least it was cool, a true
blessing of 73-degrees for the middle of August.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was time for us to break camp again, and
time for the girls to head home to get ready for the opening of school
tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Lucie</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5078054043618639773.post-50026197624766824022017-11-07T19:43:00.000-06:002017-11-07T19:43:40.097-06:00Canton Day 5: Pancake Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LMHFjs3NsjU/WgJgOMqjDOI/AAAAAAAAGv4/tceVVWxf_dQ8-3aILRpABumvdHLr8ng7QCLcBGAs/s1600/lucie%2Bn%2Bbuffalo%2Bgal%252Ccanton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LMHFjs3NsjU/WgJgOMqjDOI/AAAAAAAAGv4/tceVVWxf_dQ8-3aILRpABumvdHLr8ng7QCLcBGAs/s400/lucie%2Bn%2Bbuffalo%2Bgal%252Ccanton.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lucie, swinging a double-blade Bending Branches Slice Solo Canoe Paddle</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">There were no storms last night, and I got my first
full night’s sleep in a comfortable 72-degrees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I started the morning slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was awakened first by the sun at 7a.m.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There were then a couple large, loud, raucous, screaming birds directly
over my tent to make sure the day had begun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once they had guaranteed I wasn’t going to roll over and doze off again,
they took off and went about their business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In their place, I could hear a swarm of humming, buzzing insects that
must have numbered ah---well, you know, a swarm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon they also drifted off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was then left with the sweetest chittering
and twittering of small birds in the cedars behind the tent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Opening the tent to identify them would
likely scare them off, so I just laid back and enjoyed the concert.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">With the rear windows of the trailer open, I could
also hear Jean moving about in the galley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was 8a.m. when I rolled out of the tent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With all the commotion coming from the galley,
I had anticipation of at least coffee being ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She saw me walking down the hill and came out
to meet me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ah!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe that means breakfast is ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead she said, “Did you sleep well?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without a pause for a response, she
continued, “The holding tanks are full and need to be emptied.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No coffee, no breakfast, just holding tanks
full of sh--- , and I haven’t even been using the facilities in the RV, and we
haven’t used the on-board shower.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">After breaking everything down and hauling the camper
to the dump station, I found a kindred spirit in a neighbor when I
returned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alvin, our next door camper,
walked out to the driveway with a wry smile on his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stopped to say good morning, but he greeted
me instead with, “Ah, been off to empty the tanks, huh?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To his chuckle he added, “I emptied ours
yesterday, and then the kids came by last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I have to go dump them again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kids have absolutely no concept of water,
what it is, or how to manage it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
were apparently lavishing themselves with long, drawn-out showers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can always be worse, I guess is the
message to myself.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">Once I was done with setting everything back up again,
Jean was back from her two hour trip home to take care of her birds and
cats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, finally, we got to think
about breakfast, or brunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
pancakes, blueberries, bacon, and at long last, coffee, it was a breakfast, or
brunch, worth waiting for.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">Going from parent to grandparent doesn’t change
anything except the stress is greater, the patience is shorter, and the
frustration is that much stronger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
doesn’t have children being born to young parents for any reason other than
they are physically and emotionally more flexible and adaptable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the wisdom that comes with experience was
critical in the equation, we wouldn’t be having kids until we reach age 60, but
obviously the flexibility of youth trumps wisdom hands down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had mixed results with trying to get
the granddaughters interested in paddling---some great times, but also some
catastrophes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the last foray out
with the girls, I threw my hands in the air and swore, “That’s it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m never taking them in the canoes
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just can’t handle the stress,
the yelling, the fights.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally I
cooled enough to reason that I could stick with only taking one out at a time—personal
time, me and her, and thus end the sibling battles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today was Lucie’s day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had the 15-ft. Mohawk Odyssey and
single-blade paddle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a failed
attempt to teach her proper paddle strokes, I traded her single-blade for my
double-blade, and she did much better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If she learned to enjoy paddling, she would then have the motivation to
learn more technical paddle strokes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Until then, she could just have a good time and enjoy herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With no sister along to stir the sibling
rivalry pot, we both just enjoyed ourselves.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;">The lake is surrounded with riprap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So even though the air was calm and the water
flat, I had to keep reminding her that the shore is not her friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would grind both her and the canoe up and
spit them out in pieces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She needed to
paddle well away from the shore in open water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once she could handle the boat comfortably, she could then close with
the shore and enjoy paddling through the reeds and constricted channels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a few pointers, she continued to
improve, and after a couple more hours, was managing tracking and maneuvering
with great confidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the end, she
said she enjoyed the boat and had a great time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Any way you cut it, that’s a win.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Canoeing for a smile.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571954081390809437noreply@blogger.com0