It is finally spring

 I am so glad that spring is finally here and all the trees are budding and the wild flowers are blooming.

I just love getting outside and taking hikes in the wild woods and see the new life take over the dreary winter scenery. Of course after being lazy all winter and then getting out,I feel so tired but refreshinging like a bear coming out from its winter sleep.

 Yesterday, I took my kids for a little walk on my farm and while the kids played in the creek,I was looking for wild plants to make a salas and or tea. But, I warm sun and reading my plant book,I got sleepy and took a little nap and thus I ran out of time for salad getting stuff. so I had to settle for spice bush tea for a snack.

Spice bush tea is so easy to make and only need very little bark/leaves/branches to make a decent 2-3 cup of tea. Just add about  2-3 cups of water and slowly simmer for about 10-15 mins and either drink it hot or cold and you can add sweetner,but I perfer mine plain.

I always have enjoyed walking in the woods and now even more now since the kids are older and can ask questions and can explain things better to them. Boy, are they like sponges and gather up the info and I can tell that they enjoy it being with Dad in the woods and hopefully they can take their kids in the woods and share the same experiences.

Today, is another beautiful spring day and maybe another walk in the woods after playing homemaker/yard caretaker. maybe some sassafras tea for a after walk drink.

Spice Bush Tea

 One of the best and easiest found bush that can be used in any season.

 I usually get a decent handfull of leaves/bark/stems/branches in break them down to fit my pan and put in about a cup of water and simmer for about 10-15 minutes. You might need a wat to strain the material when you pour your tea in the cup. Drink it hot or cold and sweeten to your liking. I usually perfer mine plain.

I kinda have a hard choice.

 As I already done part of the Quehanna Trail,Pa which I have completed forty miles of the 75 miles and I want to go back as soon as possible to finish up the loop.

 I have another hard choice to make and its hiking the Seneca Creek Backcountry near Spruce Knob Wv and its only about 25 miles and its with a decent size group

 Here I am torn in deciding what I really want to do since I want to do both and with school right around the corner and getting dark sooner. I have the feeling that my hiking season is closing fast and I am running out of time.

 I also hate leaving unfinished business hanging,knowing full well I mean to finish it but don’t and do something else. I am having a hard time finding a hiking partner to finish the Quehanna Trail and I don’t do solo,since I don’t want my family getting too worried and not finding me if needed in an emergency.

 How do I decide in what to do and both Trails are so gorgeous and the scenery is so awesome? Believe it or not they both are about the same distance from my house. What a hard choice to decide which is better? Any hikers have the same problems?

Hiking with Dogs

 First, I don’t have a dog that hikes with me for she is getting up there in age and I know she wouldn’t handle the trails. But, I have walk a trail with another hiker’s dog and he was a boxer and was very friendly and listen pretty well and stayed with us pretty decent. But, I have seen other people ,who have let their dogs run loose and it can be quite frighting to have a strange dog,just come right up to you and jump on you. I wouldn’t mind if the dogs owner was right there and in full control.

 I have seen dogs run wildlife. Its not only makes the wildlife skittish but it can do the animals harm or death,if the animals were force to flee for any distances. I like to be able to see wildlife in their natural habitat and hearing dog barks just dosen’t seem natural in the woods.

 I am not condoning dogs on the trails,but I just wish the owners take a little responsibility in controlling their dogs by leashing them or have the dogs come and sit by the owner,until it is safe to pass by and if the owner don’t mind then you can pet the dog. I have been chased by dogs on the trails and felt a little apprehensive in what to do.lucky for me,I have yelled at the dogs and they either run away or stayed a safe distance until i passed the owners or the dog has lost interests.

 I have seen dogs chased deer on my farm and the deer were so exhausted and paniced so much that they done things like running into barb fences and running into cars just to get away and have been killed or injuried. I really can’t blame the dogs,just the owners in not controlling the dogs and teaching the dogs what is right or wrong.

 So, If I ever walk a trail with any dogs. I hoped that I can enjoy seeing the scenery without hearing and seeing the dogs doing things that would ruin a good day. I hope that the owners would ask first to see if it ok to have a dog with the hike.

What I learned on the Quehanna Trail Trip

 After my trip and finally got to spend time reflecting on what went wrong and the success of the trip.

 First the positive note. The trails were easy to follow,well blazed and plenty of water (usually with 6-9 miles apart). There were a variety of wildlife habitat like the creeks,bogs,swamps,pine forest,hardwoods,and even a tundra type area. The wildlife were plentiful either I saw them or there were plenty of tracks or scats around. There were alot of homemade bridges and alot of well built bridges in the hollows with a few footcrossing of streams.

 The negative part of the trips were when it rain it poured,(You can’t control Mother Nature)but my equipment failure were rain jacket tore(I need a sturdier jacket)(pack cover tie down where in my way of the shoulder straps(Find a better one)Boots,even thou they were goretex,but when it rains it ran from my legs down to the toes(checking out gaitors for this problem) and maybe my fit wasn’t right( blisters on top of toes and on side of toes) looking for a proper fitting outfit and my socks were wet all the time(wring them out every time they squished) and put on moleskins(probally should’ve used duct tape also).

 I also found out that I was hauling too much water over a quart and the pack weight might of been a little heavy with the extra food weight.

 I also learned that I need to work on the uphill walking(do more gluts and thigh exercise).

  If you can think of anything else that I can improve on let me know. I can that any constructive criticism well. This is a beautiful area and you will enjoy it as much as I did,just don’t make the same mistake as I did and I learned from my mistakes and will get better gear.

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

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.

 

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.

 

Why Backpack?

 Ever since I heard about the flooding in the midwest, I got a little concerned because my hiking partner haven’t responded in a couple of days. Luckily he lives a little North of the flooding and got alot of rain but little flooding in his area.

 He was busy getting ready for a canoe trip and haven’t been home much is why he hasn’t wrote.

 Today, He said he was still ready to do the 75 mile Quehanna Trail Loop with me and he plans on waiting for me to show up at the trail head. I still would’ve gone even if he couldn’t since this trail been on my mind for two years and I would give anything to take this personial challange

Most people would say 75 miles with a backpack and why. What about the wild animals? What if you get hurt? How well do you know the person? Where did you meet this person? What if they kill you?

 I will say this in my honest way possible. I really enjoy just being able to get off the most beaten path,where only few people has gone. The tourist traps has gotten so out of hand with junk they are selling and no upkeeping the land around the trap. I am so sick of dealing with rude people ,who don’t care about the property also and litter/destroy the area and desecret the whole area. Don’t get me wrong I have visited many tourist traps myself.

I really like going in the deep woods away from the hustle bustle of everyday living and forget about the everyday stress of life.The sound of the woods like the gentle breezes through the tree leaves is like a calming soothing voice that lets your mind wander to happier thoughts. The smell of mother earth as she is growing and dying at the same time has a energy to itself. Listening to the gentle brooks and streams is totally relaxing. The sounds and sights of the bugs and critters in their domain is so fun to watch as they live their simple life of survivial and playfulness. The sun warming up the day and being able to feel the warming power of the sun is like an energizing force on a cool morning.

I love just watching the views from over a mountain cliff and feeling like the top of the world and then being in a valley feeling like I am the smallest thing on the planet.

When I get done with a trip,I feel like i conquered the world and sp at peace with myself that it takes me a couple of days to get back in the grind of life. Don’t get me wrong but living everyday just working,paying the bills and busy with lifes clutter. I can’t wait to get back into the woods.

The question about wild animals and getting hurt out in the woods is no different then being around your own house. Its just that you have to be more aware of whats happening around you and know how animals are to be able to protect them and you from harm. You just have to remember the animals were in the woods before you and they trust you to let them live their lives.

The one question about the people ,I have hike is by forums and yes,we talk back and forth for a long time getting to know each other before meeting on the trail. We all in the same reason and that is being able to relax and have fun and still acheive our personal goal in life. Most dangerous people are usually not that far in the woods and you are more likely run into them on the roads.

Yes,I really believe that while backpacking. You set your personal goal and are able to sort out the stress of life and arrange them into easier bits. You also got to let your imagination go so you can watch an ant carry that piece of food,the spider spinning its web,The hawks /eagles floating on air thermals,the squrriels playing in the leaves,and so worth.

I really have a hard time able to see the same thing at home and still get the same feeling for it then while out on the trails.

So,If you want inner peace,see the unspoiled sights,nature at work,personal goal achievement and meet alot of people,who enjoys god’s work. Go Backpacking feel your gods power at work.

 

 

Car camping vrs Backpacking

When I was growing up.My family did a lot of campground camping and yea I did enjoy being around people but I always felt surrounded and close in. But, I enjoy just going out Backpacking/Hiking with myself or with a few folks for the simple reason of getting out and enjoying nature.

I am not condemning car camping cause since I have kids,I didn’t want to shove the idea of walking long distances with heavy packs to camp. I figure I can get the kids on a few adventures for the day and still have a place to rest and relax without being in the open country.

I do like to Backpack and hope to walk many many trails every year,but with the responsibilities of the family and work,It is hard to do. So I do try and plan 1 or 2 big trips a year and then settle for small day hikes with the kids,go geocaching with the kids,and yes, I did promise them one weekend of fun in a park in a shelter for Bpers and a small easy walk for them to see,if they would like to progress farther in the woods. I would like for my kids to enjoy the same things that I do but I want them to know its their idea wither they want to or not.

I have bp all over Spruce Knob MT,Wv, Dolly Sods Wilderness Area,Wv,Raccoon Creek S.P. Loop,North Fork Mt Trail, Wv and hopefully in a few days the Quehanna Trail ,Pa. (Trip Report later). I have done 26 miles of the Greenbrier River Trail,Wv.

I have dayhiked in many places but a few are Blackwater Falls S.P. to Cannaan Valley S.P. via the allegheny trail, Parts of Reyerson station S.P.,alot of Wv/Pa gameland either fishing or geocaching.

  The car camping thing is still feel uncomfortable about but I think I could bear that if the campgrounds weren’t crowded. But, as You can tell I love being outdoors and camping in a small group setting.