Vacation Day is Here

 I am home getting my gear gather up for my hiking trip and just wanted to let you all know that I will be gone for a week. I hope the weather holds up and not get so hot,but when you are out in nature,you expect things to get dicey at times,so always perpare yourself.

 I will write a trip report when I get back but now i have to finish packing,last then 12 hours to go.

 Take care and have a happy independence day

Bananna Chips

 I usually like my bananna that just got ripe and I peel them down and cut the bananna the thinnest I can cut them.

 I place them on the dehydrator screens and leave a little space between each slice and turn the heat on about 135-140 degrees and them them dry. Just about when they are dry on top,I usually flip them over and continue drying until they are dry.

 I like my bananna chips hard and you will now when they are done is when sliding them in a freezer bag they tinkle like glass. I usually put a handful or two in each bag.

 I put my bananna chips in the freezer,just for extra safety measure. But I never had a problem with them.

 The only problem I ever had with the chips is when there was a small hole in the baggie,but it was from the two legged boogers living in my house and they try to sneak the goodies.

 I have heard of putting honey with the chips and dehydrate them but I am leery of trying that due to the botulism germs found in honey. Of course the are good with almost any dehydrate fruits that you dehydrate and mix in your own trail mix.

 If you got any recipes that is worth trying just send them here . Good luck and enjoy your dehydrating experience.

Long Overdue

 I am leaving saturday the 28 to go on my 75 mile hike and now in the process of getting things gathered up. I been under alot of workrelated stress and now I can’t wait to get 200 miles ,from home, in the middle of nowhere and hopefully be able to unwind.

 It great no have to think about bills,children,wives and just do the hike and being in no hurry.

 All I heard about this trail system is great vista,campsites and fresh air. Now,All I hope that the weather doesn’t get too hot or the rain stays away.The Quehanna Trail has been a personal goal for me in over two years and I just gotta accomplish this goal since I attempted a few other 75 mile trips and had to bailout. I am better prepared now and had learn a few hard lessons along the way.

 I probally won’t be around the computer much all week since I gotta get ready and get things done before the trip. Wish me luck and I will post a trip report when I get back home safetly

Family Reunion

 My wife’s families are in town for the big family reunion and We haven’t seen some of them in years or not at all. Its funny how life keeps us from contacting each other or the promises that were made and not kept.

 My wifes older brother is in the military and stationed in Oklahoma and his wife is a Nurse. The kids we have never seen until this weekend are growing up very nicely.

 The little brother family lives close to us so we see them pretty regularly. The oldest of children has to have surgery in August for his clubbed feet and we all hope this surgery helps solve the problem. The littliest girl is one of my favorite niece,even thou she is one,she is so cute and adorable and always smiling.

 My Wifes cousins are from Virginia, R is a Firefighter/Paramedic for his local dept. The wifes get mad at us when we discuss are calls and training and says No Fire Talk when were together. The wife is a school bus driver in her district and you can tell she loves her job. R lives so close to the A.T. Trailhead,that I might have to sneak a visit done that way.

  H ,the other cousin lives in Virginia and her boys belong to many groups like 4H,shooting clubs, fishing clubs that they are well rounded in the outdoors.

 The Reunion started at meeting at my mother-n-laws for coffee on Thursday night and that lasted until wee hours of the morning. Then Friday morning I had a company picnic and then we left there to visit the grandmother,who is the eldest of the bunch and we all had a nice picnic supper and other cousins and neices and nephews popped in until late in the eve,

 Saturday,we had breakfast and coffee at my wifes Mom house so we all could meet and follow each other to the main Reunion. This is the second family reunion that is set out in the country,with a creek and field to play in. A big pool lots of toys,bikes water slide and of course plenty of food. The auction is so funny that relatives try to out bid each other that you can’t help and laugh.

 After the reunion we all decide to go to the movies but a Thunderstorm rolled through and we had to settle for bowling and guess what? we all stink.

 Then on Sunday morning the families met at eatnpark for a big breakfast before the big trip home for everybody. Even though the weekend was very busy and we couldn’t find the time to really talk . I think we had a blast. I know all our kids enjoyed the visit and hopefully we all could meet again like this real soon.

 I think today,My family and I are just goning to relax and enjoy our memories of the weekend. All I gotta say it was great.

 

GPS use in Backwoods

 I have a Garmin Extrex,which I had for many years. I use it for my Landing Coords for my Vol. Fire Dept,Geocaching and of course plotting waypoints for my Hiikes.

 I do use my gps alot and sometimes relie on it too much. I should know better due to interference of clouds,trees,hills,valleys and such,so I have missed many points of interest or trail junction when I was reading the gps unit.

  I should use my compass and maps more and only use the gps as a reference tool as it is intended to be used for.

 I am not knocking uses of GPS units but You should know how to use the compass and read the maps well. It should help you get where you are going and by the way. You won’t need to replace the batteries.

 

Raccoon Creek State Park Loop Hike

  I went with a group of hikers from an backpacking forum who wanted to hike this park 19 miles. We was going to spend the night at a shelter the night before,but a few of us couldn’t make the schedule time. So we all decided to meet at the Parks Office around 8a.m.

 I think I was the one,who traveled the farthest to get to the meeting place,while another had a little shorter drive. We all finally met up and discussed our hiking plans and route. while the rain just stopped from the night before.

 The time we left the skies were cloudy and the air was a little chilly. As we started up the trail from route 18 and pasted the mineral springs house. The sun finally broke through the clouds. The trail was pretty sloppy and the streams were almost overflowing their banks. I finally had to put away my fleece since I was getting hot by then

 We walked until about noonish which put us at 10 miles and we ate lunch at the soiux camping area and refilled our water bottles. About a few more miles we did run into snake,which smiled pretty for us and left as quietly as he came.

 We finally made it to the lake and had another little break and we saw a few hikers coming up the hill and alot of people fishing.

 After we cross the park road and walked a few more miles along the pine forest section we ran into a few more hikers, They were in training for another big trip they had planned.

 This section is my favorite section cause of the pine trees and the large anthills that are everywhere,along the xcountry ski area. some of the anthills were at least 4-5 feet high.

 we finally made back to our cars ,happily tired and the boxer that was with us the whole trip,looked as tired as the rest of us.

 The Park itself is a wonderful park with lots to do and they have a public beach area,picnic tables all over the place and the campsites were generally spread out. I would recommend the BP shelters if you want to do an overnight and they are kinda out of the way of the general public. I highly recommend this park either as a day hike or an overnighter.

 

 

 

 

 

Pretrip Jitters

 I am going to do the Quehanna Trail in two weeks from today and I been having the jitters.

 Have I prepared myself for the trip. Yes,I believe that mentally I am ready and  primed to go. Physically,I should’ve been out training more,but with general life of work and kids,been too busy to do much. I will still be able to do at least 10-15 miles a day,if I just take my time.

  I have gotten my maps and info and read and reread every contour lines and have possible waterholes and camp sites marked. I even found some coords for the ole trusty gps. I have talked to many people about the trail condition and found some secret campsites that they won’t give out.

 I do have most of my gear ready but this is where I am having the problem. I am thinking I won’t need this and then change my mind. The food list changes almost daily and I still don’t know what I want to eat.Yes,I love to eat,but gotta think about the weight I be carrying. The clothing part is easy,wear the same clothes from day 1 to the finish and an extra shirt for a change in a few days. I have at least 6 pairs of socks. I still even bring the fleece jacket for just in case. Yes, I will keep a fresh pair of clothes at the car and find a place to shower for the ride home.

 Here is basically what I be bringing: One Rei 2 man tent, thermal pad, one change of clothes, pocketrocket stove/messkit,My big mug,first aid kit/and meds,1 2 quart hydrating bladder and a 12 oz empty pop bottle for small drinks of water,maps,gps,camera,and a small notebook. Yes, I still working out my meals but hopefully work it out by trip day.

 I have a trip plan laid out for the family with contact numbers and directions and location of about which spot I be in on that day.

 I think it just funny how many times that I keep changing my mind of what I need and getting all nervous,but once I am on the trail and get myself to relax,I just enjoy the trip and admire the views. I guess I am a worry wart and want to have a perfect trip and don’t forget anything,but we all know that we do.

 14 days and counting and getting pumped up and can’t wait to get out in the woods.

 

My Bobcat

No,I don’t have a real Bobcat,but he was rescued many years ago. He was trying to drag a bunny that was hit by a car to a safer place,so he could eat. We have no idea how long he was there. We took him home and took good care of him.

 The Reason why his name is Bob is that when he was a little kitten,he had little tuff of hair growing up from the tips of his ears and he loved to climb up high.

 This little guy has been with our family many years and he is just now starting to come out for the kids. Bob is a loving cat and always want to sit on your lap at the computer or snuggle with with you in bed,or follows you room to room likes its his job to make sure you are all right.

 He is getting older in years now and the playful energy of a kitten has left him,but he still likes the attention of being loved over. I might be a little sensitive but, I enjoy our little moment when we are together and he laying on my lap,just purring and rubbing his face all over me,like he is telling me he loves me.

 

Early Morning

I just love the early mornings on a weekend. The kids are still asleep dreaming of childhood dreams,looking so peaceful like perfect little angles. I love the way the pure innocence shows up in their faces. I enjoy watching the sun rise with a cup of coffee or tea and listening to the birds sing and take care of their young ones.

 I know that in a few hours that life will be in full swing and being busy as a father,cooking meals,washing clothes,taking care of many Boo Boos,fixing bikes,finding lost toys,feeding their pets,being a referee.

Yes,I do enjoy being a Father and hoefully that when my kids grow up that they can carry to their kids the wisdom,caring,wisdom,understanding. I know I am not the perfect Father,nor will I try to be.

The sweetest part of being a Father is when the kids tell you that they Love You and they really do.

Happy Fathers Day to all you fathers out there

Kids Love my Dehydrator

I have to admit,I don’t always use my dehydrator as much as I should. But when I am in the mood.Nothing in my house is safe.

I just love drying apples,peaches,oranges,banana chips,and so forth. But,I finally realized that you have to make extra. It is so funny that when you load up all the trays with good fruits and when you check on it in a while. The fruit slowly disappears and heavens knows where they dried up and gone to.

Finally,when the fruits are done,You might get lucky and get a handful of what you started with. It’s just so funny when you ask the kids,where did all the fruit go and the look on their faces are so priceless and guilty at the same time. What’s the funny part is if you leave the fruits in the fridge,it just sits there. Oh well, at least I get the kids to eat healthy and they don’t know it.

So,if your kids don’t always eat their fruits and veggie,go ahead and dehydrate the fruits cause they will disappear magically. I guess I’ll try and dehydrate brussels sprouts and see if that trick works or then again not.