The Final Frontiersman

Started reading, The Final Frontiersman by James Cambell last night. Had to force myself to put it down as I had to work today and need my beauty sleep.

The book is about Heimo Korth and his family who have lived in the Alaskan wilderness for more than three decades. They live approximately 200 miles from civilization, have mail and some supplies flown in by bush plane and hunt, fish and trap year round. Only a couple of chapters into it but am totally fascinated.

Hope this one doesn't fizzle or turn all "green" on me. Definitely my kinda read and plan on doing a more in depth review when I'm finished.

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Nook/Bow Saw

I'm all over this Barnes & Noble "Nook" e-read/e-book thing! Didn't even know there was such a thing. Apparently you buy the book, it downloads immediately and you read it on this device. I read a lot on my cell(at&t tilt), especially blogs and such but an entire book would be stretching it. Heard people use their iphones for reading e-books also but I guess the e-read thingy is supposed to be better(don't know much details yet) gonna have to get some research in before X-mas.

Very curious how it works, said before I struggle with tech stuff. I'm already confused wether you have to go to the actual store to buy and download a book or if it's all done on the device. Anyway, sounds pretty cool!

On another note, my next few days off I'll be looking for some red oak, ash or hickory to build a bow saw. Had a few spare 30 inch raker-tooth blades for this project but can't find them so I'll be hitting the hardware store also. I own and use a few but this will be my first time building one, pretty simple really but I'm excited nonetheless. Gonna surprise my son with enough wood for him to work on his own, guess I should take him with me to cut it since that's all part of the process. Either way, I know he'll be thrilled.

Really need to spend some time learning how to post pictures and links!
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Ray Mears

I watched some videos on youtube today of Ray Mears building a birchbark canoe with a master canoe builder (can't remember his name) very interesting. I've watched some other Ray Mears stuff and have to say he's a fascinating guy. Never seems to be rushed and appears to always be in the moment when he's doing or talking about something, which is a big thing to me. He obviously has a wealth of knowledge to offer but I'm talking more of his demeanor and passion. I can't say enough about someone that loves what they do and is passionate when talking about it.

Silly but can't help but wonder if when the cameras are off he's running around screaming about the time, cussing the camera dude for filming him on his bad side while carving a spoon. Sometimes the people that seem the most personable and down to earth on camera or say, in a pulpit turn out the most rude unsociable people around when the limelight is turned off.

Fact is I have no reason to believe that he is nothing other than passionate about what he does and seems a pretty likable guy. I've believed for a while that people need to slow down. Quit running around ninety miles per hour and start living in the moment and Ray Mears seems to be doing this, at least while on camera.

Definitely gonna have to order his book and need to see about getting Discovery Channel also cause I'm tired of missing out on all the good stuff.

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Busy

Had a busy few days off. Sold my old camper, put the new tires on the new camper and placed it in storage for the winter. Had to take the old camper to the guy as he has no way of pulling it at this time. Was glad to get it sold so didn't mind taking it to him. Also got my tandem trailer back from a friend and placed it in storage as well.

We have three foster kids staying with us for a brief time. Christian, Nevaeh and Jasmine. Very sweet kids. Don't know if I have mentioned in past posts that we have recently become licensed foster parents. We are doing respit care, which is like substituting or baby sitting for other foster parents because we have not had a child actually placed in our home yet. Anyway, like I said it's been busy the last few days.

Working on getting permission to hunt some land owned by a friend of a friend. Not sure of the layout but it's 180 acres and as far as I know there's only a few people hunting it sporadically. Would like to scout it some but as usual I waited until right before deer season to ask permission and am still waiting for my friend to get back with me. In the meantime I need to get my gear ready and everything lined out in case it's a last minute go. Otherwise I'm gonna hunt the backside of my in-laws former property, that is if it's not orange infested.

I keep a pack in my jeep, aside from my every day pack, that I use for scouting and hunting. It stays there for balloon going up apocalyptic type emergencies as well so I'm usually set for any type of outing... You never know!

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Posers

I have no problem with a guy making money, especially if it's in something he's interested in. No better job or money making venture than one involving something you love. So on one hand I understand some blogs trying to sale you on certain gear that they supposedly use or pointing you to other sites that sale the latest and greatest toys. Seems back scratching goes on everywhere and I have no problem with it because I feel that I am capable of weeding out the posers, which brings me to the second hand.

Ever see a dude on youtube doing a review on a piece of gear that has obviously never been used? That's the other hand! Don't get me wrong, I know a lot of guys make it clear when it's new and they're kinda doing a preliminary, first thoughts kinda thing. That said, many times I've watched a fella standing in the woods(or his living room) going over a pack for example, claiming it's the best around and the only one to suit his needs and the dang thing doesn't have a speck of dirt on it! How does he know? Maybe got a new one for video purposes. Maybe takes really good care of his gear. I do not proclaim to know each man's thoughts or motivation in this area but I will say that the posers are becoming more evident to me the more blogs and youtube videos I visit.

I like outdoor gear. I like talking about it and reading about it and I definitely like watching instructional videos about it and anything outdoors related. If I had any readers I'm sure I would catch some negative feedback on this post. Not claiming be-all outdoorsman title here. I do not get out as often as I would like. I have not found the "one" knife, the perfect pack, tarp or all around kit for all occasions. But I am looking. I'm also looking for a blog and/or a woodsman that is authentic. The real deal, I've had this knife, axe and cook pot for twenty years and they've served me well kinda men. Anybody out there that can say that please contact me. My guess is I won't hear from anyone, those men are all in the woods.

For the record I know this topic could be talked about more in depth. Also, I mostly enjoy the blogs I frequent and to be honest there is a ton of useful as well as entertaining information to be gathered. My blogroll only lists a few of many favorites as I was just learning and have not gotten around to completing the list.

One last thought while it's in my head. How you out doing if your on the computer talking most of the time, myself included? Can't teach my boys anything from a computer... or can I? Leaving that for a later post.

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Curiosity

Son 2.0 was looking at my collection of pocket watches and a few knives I keep in a manly type jewelry box on the bookcase/nightstand by my bed. He mentioned how many there were which was actually a plea for me to give him one. I told him there were more in the gun safe and his reply was, "I would be verwy inorested to see dem." We ended up going through the entire gun case watches, knives, guns and other accumulated stuff. Glad he didn't ask about the large ammo chest. He was fascinated and wanted to hold everything he saw. And yes I gave him a watch to carry, probably find it laying around or chewed on by the dog.
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Bean Boots

Looking at some L.L. Bean, Bean Boots or Duck Boots. I have a pair of La Crosse boots that I use while hunting. Have had these boots for years. They're not for tramping through the woods. More for very cold weather or sitting stand in extremely cold weather. These boots are very heavy, they have large liners and are really warm but I definitly won't be doing any hiking or scouting in them since my feet would sweat with much activity. Looking for an outdoor boot that's water proof that I can get out in nasty weather and not worry about my feet getting wet. Wondering if your feet would sweat in all of the duck style boots due to the rubber type material used. Need to do more in depth research I suppose.

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Micro Computer

Wondering what type cell phone would be ideal for blogging purposes. I've been taking some pictures for use in upcoming posts, some leather projects by a friend and his dad, my first axe sheath and some other gear stuff. I have the at&t tilt. It's not bad for keeping up with blogroll, surfing the net and entering blog posts. Takes decent pictures and video also. Guess thats all a guy needs. You have your desktop, your laptop, mini laptop and finally your teeny tiny laptop which is your cell, or some cells anyway.

Seems I can never find the time to use our computer at home and with a large family somebody's usually on it anyway. Once I became accustomed to the tiny screen on cell I realized I could do most things on it that I needed to. Still, as I've been saying since starting this blog it gives me fits at times. Guess what I'm looking for is a little micro computer that I can make phone calls with. Do I have the closest thing to that and just need to learn how to make better use of it? What about the iphone? Have done no research at this point, just kinda thinking on it. Wanting to get my blog rolling with more interesting content and using cell phone as an excuse instead of simple stupidity.

Enough about cell phones. I have one day off work this week and am thinking about hitting the big Wed. flea market in Litchfield Ky. Looking for an axe head I can carve a handle for and any other sweet deals.

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OBS Badge

Joined the Outdoor Bloggers Summit (obs) or at least I placed the badge on my blog. Tried contacting Kristine S. in order to get my blog on their blogroll. Tried for quite awhile actually and came up with diddly. I tried gunsafetyinnovations.com and outdoorbloggerssummit.com and no go. I looked all over Kristine S.'s tenderfoot something site and found no way of contacting her.

In her defense I will say that it was most likely due to using my cell. Things don't look the same and often times do not have all buttons, tabs, CONTACT info and other pertinent information. Matter of fact, I was not able to place obs badge on my blog using cell. I had no problem using my computer but was in a rush and didn't think to get an email sent off at the time. I'm sure this is probably my own fault, I'm pretty ignorant with these things but it's still irritating, or guess I should say frustrating.

The good news is, I'm excited about possibly getting a little advice about the whole blogger thing. I've dropped a line to a few blogs that I frequent but have had no response, kinda makes a guy wonder. Anyway, beyond some good advice I'm looking to meet and interact with other bloggers. Figure I'll put myself out there and see where it leads. A little readership wouldn't hurt either. Plan is still to take it slow, learn how to manage this blog, post pictures and links and interact with other bloggers. Hard to keep my thoughts together typing on cell so I need to get that straightened out. Aint no hill for a mountain man!

So I'm a member/supporter or whatever you wanna call it of the obs. They mention writing a post on your blog about highlighting what a great thing they're doing and I absolutely plan to give credit where it is due. For now I don't think anybody in the world knows of my blog but my wife and myself and I know she doesn't read it. Have to say it's been awful boring thus far..That's where the obs comes in. Nudge me in the right direction, get me connected. Got along way to go and much to learn and with humility I will accept any help that is offered.

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Should Have Been A Marine

I have regrets about my life like most people, wether they care to admit it or not. Mostly small stuff. Things to do with how I lived my life when younger and some bad choices I've made. I've done a lot of things I'm not proud of. Done some things I'm not proud of since becoming a christian as well. I'm aware of forgiveness, grace and the Cross and live my life daily with the realization of my sin nature and the importance of refraining from it. Jesus paid for my sin, all I have to do is believe on Him. After that my sins are remembered no more. Any new sin is washed away as well when I ask for forgiveness and turn away from that sin. Pretty simple, believe and accept Him, live according to His word and say your sorry when you mess up.

There's an umbrella of protection placed over you and your family when you live by Gods word but that's a discussion for another time. My intention at the start of this post was to talk about a certain regret that has been on my mind lately. That being, I should have been a Marine.

My dad was a Marine and I think a couple of his brother's were also. I believe he had maybe two other brothers that were in the Army but this happens to be a Marine story, no offense to them or the Army.

Growing up I loved the military type stuff. Like most boys I was drawn to it. I watched war movies, read books about the military and spent many a day outside playing army with the neighborhood kids or by myself.

I remember though my dad always saying he didn't want any of us to join the military. His reason was always that he put enough time in to cover his entire family.

Jump ahead to just out of high school. Everything had been about sports up to this point. I was a very gifted athlete and was expected to continue my education into college by way of a scholarship playing ball. Because of this the military had not really been considered though I still read and was fascinated by it not to mention on career days I would bypass all the booths set up and go straight to the Marine Corps table. Still my future was set and all the cool looking military pamphlets in the world couldn't change it.

Stuff happens. It's a life thing I guess. One could even see it as a God thing if your inclined to do so. I'll just say it happened that things didn't turn out as expected with my great college career playing ball. In hindsight I am inclined to believe that it may have been a God thing. I do believe in destiny and all. I was destined to marry my wife and be a father and role model to my kids and all that jazz but again, whole other story.

So what to do when all your dreams have fallen through? The most looking to the future that I did at that time was for the next party, beer or girl. Then one day while feeling sorry for myself it hit me. The Marine Corps had always floated around in the back of my mind. Even when my future seemed sure in another area the military had always held a fascination for me. That was it, I was in. Only thing was my dads strong, persistent no, no, no to the military kept echoing in my head. The years of him being so persistent in not wanting my brother and I to join had me leary.

I decided to move forward with the plan anyway. Met with a recruiter a few times. He even came to the house to sale me on the corps. I took that watcha call it test and was ready to sign up. Had my mind pretty well made up but when my dad realized I was serious he started in with the ranting. Ended up all but begging me not to join.

Well this recruiter had been on me pretty hard also. Kept telling him I hadn't made up my mind. Finally he called me and got to cussing me on the phone. Then said he was coming over to find out what my problem was. I tried to warn him but he hung up on me. When he arrived the only conversation was my dad telling him to leave or he would bust his head good for him. That was it. The whole thing just kinda blew over after that. Kinda got swept under the rug and I went looking for my next party, beer or girl. My dad didn't like a lot of the things I was doing but he was glad, at the time to have dodged that bullet.

I realize now that in his mind, by dodging that bullet he was pushing me out of the way of one. It was fear on his part that caused him to be so against me going into the military. Fear for a sons safety, I can appreciate that. I have five children, two of them sons. I understand having fear for your childs safety but sometimes that fear can hinder a young person. There comes a time when you need to cut the strings and let a person find their own way.

I do have some hard feelings about this but I also realize that I was old enough to make my own decision. That said, I have to acknowledge the fact that my desire to enter into the military was not strong enough at that time and in writing this post it does sound like kind of a last option, whim type decision. That may be but I still believe I would have made a fine Marine and have regretted my decision ever since.

I'm not a jealous person. I don't much care if you have a nicer car than me. Don't care if your house is bigger or you make more money than I do. My wife will tell you that I'm not a jealous type husband either. Says it's a pride thing. Claims I'm over confident or vain. I think jealousy is about the most unattractive thing there is. I also have never felt the need to join any kinda group. Like a club, fraternity, union or any other organization in order to feel like I belong or fit in to something. Don't need any of that nonsense to define who I am or what I'm about. But lately I've experienced a hint of what jealousy feels like. When I hear someone talk about proudly serving our country, especially in the Marine Corps. I should have noticed more when I was younger the pride that my dad had from serving in the Marines. I talked about destiny and it being a God thing earlier and maybe my military service, or lack there of is part of the grand scheme of things. Hope so, at this point I would hate to have missed my destiny as a Marine
. Gods churh is my group now and I'm a proud member. The only other organization that I regret not having joined and yes I'm a little jealous of is the United States Marine
Corps.
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Nobel Romans Peace-a-Pizza Poison

Wow! I cannot believe it! The Nobel Romans Peace-a-Pizza Prize goes to Big-O. I'm confused and disoriented to put it mildly. They're calling it an endorsement. Guess that means, we're behind you rock star! For all the great things to come lets give him an award.

My understanding is you don't give a kid a trophy till after they play the game. No allowance until after your rooms cleaned. You don't give a guy a gun unless your sure he's on your side. And you never! Never give a person the Nobel Romans Peace-a-Pizza Prize if they've never made a piece of pizza. And especially not if they're putting poison in the pizza!

Living it all anyway -

No Complaints Camping

The camping trip was a success. Beautiful weather, no rain and cool. Cooked over open fire and put the grill to good use also. Used dutch oven on Sat. for wifes special chilly. Kept it on a simmer and everyone seemed to keep returning to it so the wife was pleased.

The camper is a dandy. Everthing worked excellent on it but the fridge which we had already known about. Set up for the wife was not a problem(help was there by a friend) and buttoning things up for the ride home was a breeze as well.
Only glitch was my oldest girl and her friend taking very long showers when we weren't around and filling the holding tank. Forgot to tell them no showers in camper unless absolutely necessary. Not her fault and not a big deal.

The kids and I spent some time working on our fire making skills with a light my fire firesteel. They don't seem to understand that it's all in the preperation. Finding something that will take a spark and nursing it to a flame, then building it up with small kindling. They did well for the most part. The oldest boy really seemed to enjoy it and did a good job tending the fire all weekend.
Had some good wittle time with the kids also. Stakes and fuzz sticks mostly with the boys. Friend and I had a spoon carving contest and I didn't do to bad for my first spoon,
I guess. Got some pictures of the spoon carving as well as the rest of the weekend highlights but still have not gotten around to learning how to post them, one of these days...

Did a lot of work with the Mora knives. Split wood, carving and many camp chores. They all did pretty well, were very sharp and held their edge well. Loaned one to my friends son and it was returned with the tip/point broke off. Didn't notice it at the time as it was dark and he obviously didn't mention anything about it. Oh well, maybe he didn't know it even happened. I can be pretty hard on a knife myself, just not on someone else's knife. Does have me wondering though, maybe the Mora is for the more lite camp chores.

In all it was a good time. Looking to get a hiking trip in with kids before it gets too cold. Whole different ball game, hiking. My kids have never been so it should be interesting.

Handy Wife

So Big-O's rock star status was not enough to bring the 2016 olympic games to the windy city. I'm of the opinion that it would have cost the tax payers greatly and the only profit would have gone to the Chicago mafia/slum lords/special interest groups. I'm gonna say good and leave it at that!

Got the camper ready to go last night after work. At least I got it hooked up and parked where the wife could get everything ready. She doing most of the work as I am working day shift this week and don't have a lot of time after work with 12 hour shifts and all. Really only a matter of swapping our gear to the new camper but there's always odds and ends to take care of.

The wife is getting good at hooking up, pulling and backing our trailors(16 foot tandem and camper). She drove for UPS before we moved here from Blgtn. and says she the woMAN and it ain't no thang. I think it's great for her to learn these type things. Makes her self sufficient, which is always good and is/has become a huge help to me at times. Should mention that this is aside from the busy schedule that she keeps. Managing our household with five children in school, sports and church along with being self employed with three licensed daycares. All that and she loves the outdoors. God has blessed me for sure!

I did have time to check the ti pres. on the camper and suburban tires. Gave the boys a lesson in using a tire gauge and let each one check the pres. and add air as necessary. They always enjoy doing stuff like that with their dad. Kids are like sponges, they will soak up the good and unfortunately the bad as well.
Oops gotta run, lost track of time. More about my handy wife later...
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Amish - Camping

Amish family moved to the area. Not my specific neighborhood obviously but close to the small farm we recently moved from. The Amish are all over Indiana but this is the first in our immediate area that I know of. Have been driving by on occasion being curious and all. I am very fascinated by these people. Kinda wondering why a single family would be living away from an Amish community. Would like to approach them but as I said, we're off the farm now and would not have much in common. Guess that's not really true. Probably be able to bye eggs and produce, talk about gardening and herbs, a wealth of knowledge from the Amish.

Camping in Lincoln State Park this weekend. Should be a good time spent with friends and family. Excited to try out the new camper. Also wanting to find out what's up with these mora knives I've been reading about. Ordered and Received three awhile back and plan on testing them out during the trip. Actually I have used one in the kitchen and another during our last camping trip. Split some wood, feather sticks and basic camp stuff. Not sure which ones I purchased, black handle with carbon blade, orange handle with stainless blade and the wooden handle with carbon blade I think was the original design or something. Seem decent so far but I want to get some more use out of them, see how rugged they are.

I will be bringing along the HH hammock as well. This will be the second time using the hammock since I bought it. Not a bad sleep the first time but hope to do a better job with the setup on this trip, midnight and dog tired doesn't work so well with the first try.
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