tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30248241495885276322024-02-20T17:44:21.460-08:00Yukons QuestAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03775309762410293042noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024824149588527632.post-90979253305109867192014-05-23T17:06:00.000-07:002014-05-27T19:02:26.200-07:00Insight Of A Sober Mind... (My Year With NO Beer)<i><br /></i>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">September 18, 2013:</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>*Affirmation & Intentions-</u></b> Today is my 29th birthday.. I Ryan Holt (Yukon) will not consume or alter my conscious state by the use of alcohol or substance for one year. For the challenge, for clarity, for focus, for the will of my own mind, why not & because I said I would. I will not fail myself. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Nearing the end of what I consider to be the most enlightening two years of this 29 year journey, my entire being has rediscovered its purpose and place. Over the course of this transformation I have </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">reached levels of peace and happiness which I never fathomed to be obtainable. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So why was I still numbing periods of my existence? Why was I robbing myself of my highest potential? Why was I continuing to dull my experience with foggy memories, hangovers and pulling myself together? Not to mention the toll it takes on ones physical being..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">My choice to become sober for a year had nothing to do with a drinking "problem" per say. My consumption as of late is far </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">more under control than it was when I returned from war but I still consume my</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> fair share on weekends. Recently I found myself asking why? Why do we begin drinking from a fairly young age until the day we die without ever stopping long enough to experience who we truly are? I honestly couldn't come up with an answer.. Just because? It's my routine on many occasions and a weekly/daily routine for most. The only "problem" now, was there seemed to be something yet which I had not learned, even at these levels I discovered. Something was holding me back from a greater understanding, I could just feel it. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I wanted to experience this existence, this newly ascertained peace and happiness, free from anything that would bring me down even the slightest. life in it's purest form. So, I made a vow to myself giving up all substances for one year until my 30th birthday. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Today is May 23, 2014 - I am currently 9 months into this year of sobriety and I wanted to share some of the valuable wisdom I have attained thus far. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Clarity</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Only a month or so into my cleanse and the very first notable change happened from within. The overcast which I felt before had been lifted. There was a sense of brightness and certainty in everything I was seeing and feeling. Not only did the world around me have a crisp likeness, my thoughts were sharp and true. My mind was clear and free to fully embrace living in each moment. I could articulate and visualize the exactness of my life's purpose with zero doubt as to how it will all come together. This is also the time when I began writing, when I felt ready to share my journey with the online world.. I bet I was 8 years old the last time I experienced this level of clarity. It was so refreshing as a light shed itself on everything and I mean EVERYTHING.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> <u style="font-weight: bold;">5 Senses</u></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> My senses seemed to have enhanced 10 fold! There was a heightened awareness in all areas but most noticeably my sense of sight, taste and smell. My vision has always been 20/15, I've never worn glasses or contacts but here I'm speaking of a different kind of "seeing." My observed surroundings became exceptionally vivid. There was a flawless, unaltered beauty in all things, all the time. The flavors in foods; saltiness, bitterness, sweets, spices, each so very distinguished. I especially enjoyed succulent fruits, the texture, smell, juiciness and a deep appreciation of where it came from. I became much more cautious and aware of what I was putting into my body from the outside world, where it came from and what it contained. How was it going to benefit my body or if it would harm me in any way. I noticed I began lifting my nose up in the air, sniffing a few times as I picked up on the tiniest hints of unquestionable odors; pungent, fragrant, chemical, earthy, sweet and alluring aromas. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My body followed my mind into a permanent state of happiness. I stopped becoming bloated and puffy as my body no longer retained water from dehydration and too much sodium after indulging in "the munchies." I started maintaining a steady weight with little effort, I felt strong and rejuvenated all the time! W</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">ithout me willfully poisoning it, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">my body was functioning properly, how the human body was perfectly designed to operate. If you drink (any amount of alcohol) say, twice a week, you are spending 1/3 of your life intoxicated at some level, under an altered state of being. You are also spending another 1/3 of your life feeling its effects and recovering from the days you drank "working off those pounds." The other 1/3 of your life is spent planning, preparing and looking forward to beginning</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> this cycle all over again. After we make the choice to consume alcohol as part of our weekly routine, we cheat ourselves out of our ultimate potential. The sad truth is most will never experience what their pure state of being feels like, what it can offer and bring to light. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Financial</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This was undoubtedly a wonderful positive to cutting alcohol out of my routine. Going out to dinner, a $15 meal used to cost me $30 - $40 with drinks and the tip (adds up quick). I instantly had more money to save. The money I have spent over the last nine months has been on priceless experiences, quality gear or tools and on things that will only benefit myself and others for the greater good. My wallet had become as happy as my body and mind haha. All too often we pay for this meaningless experience of drinking in many forms; with our money, our relationships, our families, our dignity, our self-worth and even with our lives. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Why can't I & Why not?</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Before I made the choice to fully embrace this challenge, I was often asking myself "Why can't I have self-courage without liquid courage?" "Why can't I sing karaoke sober?" "Why can't I go out for a night on the town sober?" "Why can't I celebrate birthdays and holidays sober?" Why can't I go to concerts and music festivals sober and dance my heart out sober?" "Why can't I just be me in all the things I do and see?" So, in the last nine months I have done ALL these things completely sober! And I've had so much fun being me, experiencing these joys in life without altering anything for what it is. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The average life span is somewhere between the ages of 70 & 80 years old. Relatively, looking at the BIG picture we are here for such an incredibly short amount of time. We are nothing more than a blink of an eye as this universe goes round. Why not give up poisoning yourself for a small portion of your existence</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> and just see what happens. Try it for a year or six months or 100 days. Just say, "Why can't I?" "Why not?" See what it feels like, find out if there is more to you than you ever knew. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>I</b> cannot express to you enough these truths, this insight I have attained by making the choice to find deeper meaning within myself and within the world around me at its purest level. This is absolutely something you must experience for yourself to truly understand what I have shared. I'm not sharing this for people with a "drinking problem", this is for everyone who consumes alcohol, substances or anyone who has anything negative which takes up too much space in their lives. Only you can make the decision to break your routine, give it a chance. I guarantee 100% that only good can come from exploring this choice. If anyone should choose to test the will of their own minds and take on a similar challenge, my advice is this. Don't say you're going to "try" to give it up. The moment you use the word "try" you are setting yourself up for failure. "Try", puts doubt into what you are ultimately wanting to achieve. Set your goal, set your intentions and do it because you said you would, d</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">o it for yourself so you may do more for others.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> This is one challenge that has zero negative effects and can only make you stronger. How wicked awesome it that!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here are a few experiences from others who have shared their story and the enlightenment which followed. Notice the common insights and messages received in each persons process :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: large;">~</span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><a href="http://www.sunnysanguinity.com/2013/07/30-things-i-learned-in-100-days-without-drinking/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">100 days. No Alcohol. 30 Lessons</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">By: Rebecca Watson</span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: large;">~</span><a href="http://www.thoughtpursuits.com/year-without-alcohol-7-things-learned/#" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">A year without alcohol. 7 things I learned</a><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">By: Kelly Fitzgerald</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I hope this message find you well and if anyone should have any questions about what I have shared please do not hesitate to message me. I would happily expand more on my experience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Much Love, Yukon :) </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03775309762410293042noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024824149588527632.post-89648188308518704442014-04-23T15:56:00.000-07:002014-04-24T04:38:20.772-07:00-Boundary Water Expedition Day #9<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">February 26, 2014:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To put it nicely, lets just say today was a personal challenge at its best...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> For the first time since my Marine Corps. years of experience, I was tested physically and mentally throughout today's events which certainly pushed my limits. Far beyond the capabilities of my inadequate snowshoes I trudged through the deepest snow yet, easily expending 3x the amount of energy as the rest of the group. For the better part of today I struggled through more than a foot and a half of overflow along multiple stretches across Lake Annie, Lake Eddy and Lake Jenny making for one frustrating, cursing day. My feet would punch right through the top layer of snow and I found myself stuck up to my knees again and again in this soupy mess. Every step forward was dreadful and discouraging so I had to dig deep in order to lift each foot out of these slush pits. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Air temperatures were well below -25 degrees causing</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> more than twenty pounds of this mess to nearly freeze to my legs and snowshoes instantly. I'd have to wait a few moments for it to become completely frozen so I could break it off as solid ice. My toboggan would then sink into the path I had just created, stopping me dead in my tracks. The icy slop would immediately freeze to the bottom, making it impossible for one person to budge. Three of us had to harness ourselves to my sled and give it everything we had to pull it from the swampy terrain. The one hundred twenty pound sled would then have to be turned over on its side each time, allowing the slush to freeze completely so I could chip it all off and it could once again glide freely on top of the snow. I was in shambles and may have let it be known once or twice through my actions however I did not let it get the best of me. At times I wanted so badly to just say, "Screw it I'm done!" but that thought was clearly not an option out here in the middle of sub-zero nowhere.. Every so often I would just sit down and stop what I was doing. I would breath deep and exhale slowly, remembering my place and purpose out here among this vast wilderness. I'd begin to admire the wind whipping up whirls of fine snow and the sound it made across the landscape. I'd notice the contours of evergreens climbing the rocky slopes that surrounded me, getting lost in the connection to it all and surrendering myself to the silence. I would then close my eyes, take another deep breath, smile and give thanks for everything this experience is teaching me before pushing forward another 50ft. This is exactly the challenge I was looking for, with a reward greater than any material offering. I honestly believe the foundation and wisdom attained in all previous years of my life directly reflected on accomplishing the inward struggle of today's obstacles. I live in each moment, for it's the only thing we can truly be sure of and I'm forever grateful for this opportunity we call living. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> For dinner I made a garlic & butter and a pesto & butter bannock which melted in our mouths. After all, a hot, savory meal will lift anyone spirits following such a challenging day. Then put them immediately to sleep.. Zzzzzzz.... </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03775309762410293042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024824149588527632.post-63685435650957936382014-04-14T15:09:00.000-07:002014-04-14T15:09:22.170-07:00-Boundary Waters Expedition Day #8<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">February 25, 2014:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> With a full week of this journey behind us, our rhythm and routine has definitely become well established. Like clockwork each of us knows exactly what must get done in the mornings and in the evenings to keep things flowing smooth and efficient. My body is really beginning to feel the effects of this strenuous expedition. With zero days of rest up to this point, aches and pains are shooting through my back, thighs, knees, all over actually. Although tolerable, it's a challenge to block it out of my mind.. A day of rest soon is much needed, I think we all could benefit mentally and physically from some down time to relax and sleep a day away. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Today was our coldest day to date with wind chill temperatures nearing -35 degrees.The head wind </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">was fierce as we hiked the length of Ogishkemuncie Lake and strolled over our shortest portage through the woods to Lake Annie.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3S8zuBXFERijC7sPdMWknpHUnwhecB1ffRXmyRBei6GdiQc1U10d6d99vvsDrMdd_RnImWGV_-iiDGhxjMjaKqXNBNw88TLSLMXaFcqRKMY6OYDGSX4GcsUgFUcmWmS0es0UFdR7K0g/s1600/IMG_6734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3S8zuBXFERijC7sPdMWknpHUnwhecB1ffRXmyRBei6GdiQc1U10d6d99vvsDrMdd_RnImWGV_-iiDGhxjMjaKqXNBNw88TLSLMXaFcqRKMY6OYDGSX4GcsUgFUcmWmS0es0UFdR7K0g/s1600/IMG_6734.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Icicle Beard</td></tr>
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A series of smaller lakes lay ahead, meaning deeper snow and possible overflow but less wind. The size of each lake definitely has it's pros and cons. Overflow: Is when there is so much snow on a lake that the weight of it all is pushing the ice down, forcing the water below the ice to flood on top (usually near the shoreline). This makes for a foot or more of icy cold, wet slush that settles between the ice and the multiple feet of snow above it. The snow above it acts as an insulator so this "overflow" does not freeze even in the sub-zero temps. Today seemed to go by quickly and we made our home on the ice close to the shores of Lake Annie (most often we live on the ice as it's too difficult to find space in the woods each night to camp on land). The ice hole we chiseled was gushing like an open fire hydrant all night (too much pressure from the tons of snow). This was causing the snow to settle again and again as the overflow made its way from the ice hole to our camp, whuump... whump.. each time we would drop down a few inches with the snow pack and look at one another wide eyed, I did my best to ignore it. For dinner I made bannock pizzas! One was made with tomato paste, Wisconsin cheese and crumbled bacon; Second one was made with, melted butter, garlic paste, cheese and bacon. All it took was a little creativity and it truly was perfection when we all indulged. In these moments, this pizza outdoes any other I have ever had. Seriously, what more do we need...? I "need" nothing more out here for this experience of ultimate freedom, peace and happiness.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooking with Yukon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYQIqxdv0Rg0ej_MjMjDs3akV8t-aNegJmjEf7tBzpuLBd6O1yGDKyDa4maImNpC4QZ-AtpOj_yO0K4RBfUmKm5vxB4L9mD5K7nZyymQdkT5rOfUU4YnWy_ryXN16n_4138s5rfumuVg/s1600/IMG_6772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYQIqxdv0Rg0ej_MjMjDs3akV8t-aNegJmjEf7tBzpuLBd6O1yGDKyDa4maImNpC4QZ-AtpOj_yO0K4RBfUmKm5vxB4L9mD5K7nZyymQdkT5rOfUU4YnWy_ryXN16n_4138s5rfumuVg/s1600/IMG_6772.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheese & Bacon Pizza!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NomNomNom</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03775309762410293042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024824149588527632.post-38100035072677586452014-04-10T08:50:00.001-07:002014-04-10T08:50:08.385-07:00YU-KON QUOTE ME #6<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">"If I could ask you to remember one thing about me when I come to die... It's, that I lived."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> <b>-Yukon</b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03775309762410293042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024824149588527632.post-78448836188770934412014-04-07T06:40:00.000-07:002014-04-07T06:40:03.271-07:00-Boundary Water Expedition Day #7<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">February 24, 2014:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tucked away along the shores of Lake Jasper we continued our trek West into the cold and blistery winds of another day with temperatures around -20. It wasn't long before we came to yet another portage connecting us to the smallest body of frozen water we have encountered, Kingfisher Lake. Thankfully this one would not take our entire day to navigate. The Boundary Waters consists of more than 1,000 lakes and another 1,500 lakes to our North as the wilderness flows into Canada. Tens of thousands of islands, big and small accompany these lakes spread over three thousand square miles. Kingfisher Lake had only one island and it was tiny, fitting for a lake of its size. The inlet of this lake was fed by a fairly large river and poured into the most serene pool of open waters before greeting the rest of Kingfisher. We kind of stumbled upon this hidden cove, completely secluded with zero wind due to greater elevation on all sides and the suns beaming rays settled over everything it touched. Almost like a Winter mirage, a paradise that seemed to have magic in its presence <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilu9s3ezSjs8-O2qY_9M0zi6MGKTRVhpidQmwlpTVsb086aJl9Hv9gJLjrsbbZb_Mzc1pTEoFUuJXL8DLmeT66g_NlxlF_O1OP2D3V32abIMyHryhLNT1_KQT-QUZfgNsKXk_COOOUkQc/s1600/IMGP3951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilu9s3ezSjs8-O2qY_9M0zi6MGKTRVhpidQmwlpTVsb086aJl9Hv9gJLjrsbbZb_Mzc1pTEoFUuJXL8DLmeT66g_NlxlF_O1OP2D3V32abIMyHryhLNT1_KQT-QUZfgNsKXk_COOOUkQc/s1600/IMGP3951.JPG" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chickadee-dee-dee-dee</td></tr>
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and had been waiting for us to surrender in its warm stillness. It's been days since I have felt the suns warmth on my face like I did in those few moments. To add to the beauty of this space, a family of chickadees were dancing about above us, perched on the ice in front of us at the open waters edge and clearly soaking up the suns glimmer just as we were. Nothing like a bird song to break some of this silence out here and they surly weren't holding back. "It's the little things in life, there's nothing bigger." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> We packed a quarter mile trail over the next portage and hauled our gear through the woods to Ogishkemuncie Lake. It's was a pleasant stroll compared to our five hour bushwhack yesterday and enjoyed one of the most gorgeous lunch spots yet. We sat high up on the banking of the connecting river and nibbled on some fruit cake, peanuts and cheese getting lost once again in the sights that surrounded us. Our 7th camp site "home" was established about one mile down Ogishkemuncie on the North shore. For dinner one of the guys made rice and lentils with re-hydrated veggies and venison. I shoveled it down and am anxious to close up this sleeping bag... </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"If you wish to know the divine, feel the wind on your face and the warm sun on your hand."</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03775309762410293042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024824149588527632.post-66393184517461938662014-03-29T11:23:00.002-07:002014-03-29T15:19:25.750-07:00-Boundary Waters Expedition Day #6<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><u>*The One Mile Day*</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">February 23, 2014:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My biological clock has now taken effect after almost a week out here. 0600 give or take a minute or two and I'm wide awake. For at least another 15 minutes or so I lay there preparing myself for the sound my sleeping bags zipper makes, exposing my warm body to the bite of -20 degrees.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbt3i7iO3EjNnyG8eCstzhhO1DXXKLhnmrHupjuEebiUQoe0MR4l9McwJSHxTuj1Po6JxyGHQ5JhOUjC6EGnLLJCbPY_gmr54xCRDQBFbopM_NF_-EAPMFGZgFINRPSUHZu_Gf689MPNo/s1600/IMG_6690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbt3i7iO3EjNnyG8eCstzhhO1DXXKLhnmrHupjuEebiUQoe0MR4l9McwJSHxTuj1Po6JxyGHQ5JhOUjC6EGnLLJCbPY_gmr54xCRDQBFbopM_NF_-EAPMFGZgFINRPSUHZu_Gf689MPNo/s1600/IMG_6690.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My bed & Fire food</td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It doesn't take</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">long to come to full consciousness.. Quickly I begin snapping sticks for a decent bundle to place in the stove and with a small piece of birch bark I've got instant flames. Within minutes as the tent warms I can no longer see my breath and it's a comfortable 70+ degrees. It's great not having to "pick out what your going to wear ." Every morning, in order: top base layer, wool socks, wool pants, wool long sleeve shirt, suspenders, wind break parka, mukluks, gators, wool gloves and rabbit fur hat. Before packing, my frosty mummy bag must be dried out beside the molten hot steel box stove, personal gear is then ready and staged beside my toboggan. Following a bowl of hot oats and the disassembling of group gear, I pack both tents, a box of food and personal gear onto my sled. Everything is double checked, nothings left behind, give the fastening straps one last hard pull and off we go to experience yet another beautiful day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> We bushwhacked and traversed 1 mile through the forest, breaking our own trail up steep elevation, fighting 4+ feet of snow and clearing debris to make way for our toboggans. As we skirted the banks of this beautiful river connecting the two lakes, I would sit on my gear from time to time for a moments rest. The sound of a free stone flowing river and it's constant babble is like getting lost in the flames of a flickering fire or consumed in the view from high peaks. It's always changing, never losing its magic, no one moment is the same as the next and you're completely in it. Natures television at its finest.. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZy1GQhlAeVQrBct-Xw3MY5RhC1NI2MJxjZqlkFSJ_JoaOaeLIWUF8HaxXQHRUdu0q1sFYUJieDaEwVhpdzys50O0XSA2POhz7A5v_ZvTGxFRyEZRV-Zq84kmnSBf6VF3Biix_rchYbE/s1600/IMGP3952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZy1GQhlAeVQrBct-Xw3MY5RhC1NI2MJxjZqlkFSJ_JoaOaeLIWUF8HaxXQHRUdu0q1sFYUJieDaEwVhpdzys50O0XSA2POhz7A5v_ZvTGxFRyEZRV-Zq84kmnSBf6VF3Biix_rchYbE/s1600/IMGP3952.JPG" height="176" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it."</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We had thought we were free and clear of open waters and made our way back onto the ice to get around the last point of the inlet. Paul took lead with the ice chisel in hand, poking his way forward to make sure the ice was safe. No more than 100 yards along the narrow and just as Paul was rounding the point, he speared the ice to his left and the chisel broke through on impact. "Well, it's pretty thin here guys" he said. "No more than two inches." The shoreline was about six feet to his right so he turned and poked at the ice, once again busting right through. Shattering a good portion</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">this time,</span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very close call..</td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">his right foot slowly began</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">to sink.. "Paul, get out of there, back up towards us" I said. Almost in a whisper as if my voice would cause him to plunge in to the frigid waters. He inched his way backwards as the ice gave way. It was a tense moment for sure and an enormous sigh of relief when he was clear of the paper thin ice. "Better find another way" Paul said. We were all in agreement. Another hour went by as we packed yet another trail over land and onto the open terrain of Lake Jasper. We've only traveled one mile today and it's taken us a little over five hours (that's not a typo). Five hours to move A mile and we are too exhausted for this 20mph head wind, so the very first cove sheltered from the North would be our home for the night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> To accompany our dinner, I made another cinnamon raisin bannock for the guys but this time it was topped with a heavy, melted chocolate drizzle. The drizz was created with hot water, whole powdered milk, chocolate bar chunks, cocoa mix and butter liquefied to perfection over the fire. Again, a complete experiment that turned out to be unbelievably tasty. What a delicious treat, we might as well be kings out here! The richest men in all the land... Goodnight. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03775309762410293042noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024824149588527632.post-33979920481143232592014-03-20T14:22:00.002-07:002014-03-21T08:25:06.380-07:00-Boundary Waters Expedition Day #5<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-large;"><u>*Point Man*</u></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">February 22, 2014:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMRUR6gSu4GdQ9LNP931WIyfT1ZThgqW4ofUkuxxoSlZs41oCWfxaW84tUSDpQDbAnsFeESyqJd3s5wDkhLvq8vmoQ68zD4cQnlkUJPH0szYKNFn1woKpwWro1LHl2xfDIrx2u0WqBLE/s1600/DSCF8158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMRUR6gSu4GdQ9LNP931WIyfT1ZThgqW4ofUkuxxoSlZs41oCWfxaW84tUSDpQDbAnsFeESyqJd3s5wDkhLvq8vmoQ68zD4cQnlkUJPH0szYKNFn1woKpwWro1LHl2xfDIrx2u0WqBLE/s1600/DSCF8158.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Temperatures had fallen into the negatives over night as a cold front moved in from the Northwest. My -20 degree mummy bag had a ring of frost around the opening where my face peaks out, created from the moisture in my breath while I slept. Setting out to cross Alpine Lake it was -5 degrees with a wind chill of -20 or more. The winds were a steady 30mph, never had I endured such conditions. This is the kind of stuff I've only read about or watched in documentaries as explorers venture to barren landscapes of the Arctic or Antarctic. Somehow I couldn't help but smile knowing I'm actually living it. On days like this I often question how I got here.. My thoughts drifted to my tours overseas, the challenges, the close calls, my brothers who paid the ultimate sacrifice so I could live in this very moment. I felt so fortunate having been given this opportunity and to become part of such a wicked experience not many others will ever witness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> For a good portion of the day I took lead, packing the trail for those behind me. There was a decent snow pack in the center of Alpine so it was "easier" for my snowshoes to float closer to the surface. Being up front is the most wild place to be, just the landscape for your eyes to consume while pulling a hundred pound sled and navigating using only map & compass. At the age of 19, I was the point man through much of my tour in Afghanistan, traversing the mountains along the Pakistan border and paving the way for 100+ Marines behind me. A lot of confidence went into a kid choosing the best possible route for such a large group </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">(either that or they just didn't like me very much)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> I suppose I would have been the first one to encounter numerous bad scenarios but I loved being point</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">man. Looking back, it was an enormous amount of responsibility and I felt it to be an honor having been placed in such a position... But here I don't have to look over my shoulder where the lake only resembles a wide spread of sand dunes, wind gusts piling up snow into large mounds and carving </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">out sculptures in the hard packed formations.</span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The snow so dry, it even sounded like sand being carried and blown across a desert floor. Surely it was a tough day but my adrenaline was pumping, keeping one foot in front of the other for a</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">nice rhythmic pace. Our day of fighting heavy winds and dodging crazy snow drifts came to an end at the mouth of a river connecting Alpine with Jasper Lake. This is where we must portage a half mile through the forest and looking like some steep elevation to navigate too, as we are losing daylight this obstacle will have to wait until morning. We've got our routine of setting up tents, stoves, chipping the ice hole, cutting and splitting wood down to just under 2 hours. Then of course we must boil water and cook dinner, so I'm exhausted at this point. With got a full belly I'm encapsulated in a thick layer of down feathers, my eyes are drifting and it's time for this guy to get some rest...</span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03775309762410293042noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024824149588527632.post-75158370567182030222014-03-20T10:22:00.001-07:002014-03-20T10:22:40.156-07:003 Year Beard<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nearing the end of my "Return of Saturn" I have come full circle. The transformation over these last few years has been enlightening to say the least...I'm feeling complete and whole, with a fresh sense of motivation and excitement for the beginning of my next decade in this life. Check out "The Human-Nature Hostel" tab to see where I'm going with all of this :)</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03775309762410293042noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024824149588527632.post-28656808278462762842014-03-19T13:11:00.001-07:002014-03-21T08:24:49.717-07:00-Boundary Waters Expedition Day #4<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">February 21, 2014:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOpgteavpNaqfaFdb7MMOT01YVAoPzP3e9CDB7bU89bnRzKcXItGX1JidcjT55O9dPwgP8sN_BEAf28hLeYdf39eOX40PNtP-gMlrKdvq3IwgpXO6FPOFrDJUizNMG6fnnlaDBiEML3U/s1600/IMG_6630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOpgteavpNaqfaFdb7MMOT01YVAoPzP3e9CDB7bU89bnRzKcXItGX1JidcjT55O9dPwgP8sN_BEAf28hLeYdf39eOX40PNtP-gMlrKdvq3IwgpXO6FPOFrDJUizNMG6fnnlaDBiEML3U/s1600/IMG_6630.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">More than 10 inches of snow covered the ground as we continued our morning routine, firing up the wood stoves for a hot breakfast prior to packing and disassembling camp. The snow would continue to fall for the better part of our days hike in nearly whiteout conditions. The shorelines barely visible, a feeling of absolute wild came over me. In all the months prior to this expedition it never even occurred to me the magnitude of what we were actually setting out to do. I guess it's conditions dependent that really sets the level of difficulty and the conditions we're being tested with are easily the toughest out of all possibilities. I mean, we are out here! </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is by far the deepest, most remote location I have ever been in the wilderness. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">More than 50 miles from any person, road or hint of civilization and unplugged from all material connections. This new feeling really sunk in throughout the day, paving our own path in deep, powdery snow. I trudged along, battling heavy, steady winds from the North making the snow fly almost directly horizontal. Where am I? The Arctic? Perhaps another Planet? I was letting myself get lost in these wild moments, how awesome! This experience brings "epic" to a whole other level in my life and the further we hike, the more connected and aware I become. Don't be mistaken. I am not out here "surviving", this is not reality television, there is no cash prize or reward, these are not "skills" I'm acquiring. It's a way of life and I'm out here living...</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">remembering a forgotten way, the basics of a living man and the relationship to his home. Once you remember, there is no forgetting and no going back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> We made it to the end of Red Rock Lake where we had a quarter mile portage through the woods to the shores of Alpine Lake. The snow was at its deepest yet as we packed a trail prior to lugging our toboggans. Untouched by heavy winds the forest floor is drastically more challenging compared to lake crossings. Once on Alpine we ate lunch under a few grandfather pines, sheltered from the early afternoon winds and snowfall. Our energy level was collectively low after this mornings pull so an early day it is and our new home location was decided. It's pretty amazing how quickly each camp feels like home. Although it may take a few hours each day following a strenuous hike, once settled between the canvas walls with a stack of fire wood cut and split, there is no greater feeling of accomplishment and comfort. This evening I made dessert for the group, a cinnamon raisin bannock. Bannock is a quick bread with just a few simple ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt, water and of course, your creative mind. I added LOTS of cinnamon and raisins, the tent smelled of a local bakery in the morning after dozens of fresh pastries have been displayed behind glass. To top it off, I melted down a quarter pound of butter and slowly added brown sugar forming the perfect drizzle topping consistency. Every bite summoned a smile with closed eyes and sounds of deliciousness filled our 9x11ft humble abode. Mmmm....mmm.. the universe is so good to us :) </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03775309762410293042noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024824149588527632.post-42479868714385812792014-03-16T16:09:00.001-07:002014-03-16T19:51:06.515-07:00Transcending The Beard...<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(EXCLAIMER: I do not watch "Duck Dynasty", I do not follow the Red Sox, I would never wait til November each year if I didn't want to shave for a month, I love the people I meet at beard competitions but I'm not there to win and I am not "cool" or "the man" because I made the choice not to shave) </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> few years back when I was discharged from the Marines my intentions were not to grow a beard.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> I had shaved every single day, sometimes forced to shave twice a day for the previous 8 years. Simply put, I just didn't want to pick up or purchase another razor ever again and the beard began to leap from my face...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> Y</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">ou could say it was a rebellious act. I wanted to walk a path completely opposite from the unfathomable reality I had just endured for so long. I had an idea and pursued it with a sense of grandeur. No</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">t once did I looked back and as my beard grew, so did I. Never having been off the East coast I traveled 12k miles around country with no plan but to witness these lands I had been "protecting." Then came the Appalachian trail, hiking 2,184 miles over mountains from Georgia to Maine. My journey spiraled from there, volunteering at a tree house hostel in GA, making 64k pounds of honey in the orange groves of Florida, spending a summer in my tipi on 40 acres of land I just purchased deep in the Southwestern Maine mountains, living a wilderness education in Northern Maine and undertaking a truly wild snowshoe expedition on the border of Canada and Minnesota. These recent few years feel as if decades have passed...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">U</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">pon my discharge I had no idea where I was going in life. Rather lost in this existence but I had a positive attitude, keeping my heart open and always smiling. Never did I say No to a new opportunity and I met thousands of wonderful, beautiful, inspiring beings along the way. Connecting with the natural world and all the people my path had crossed was astronomical to my physical, mental and spiritual growth in ways I never knew possible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">SO...</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">T</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">his is what my beard became a reminder of. A symbol of all the places, people, freedom, happiness, peace and enlightenment I had been awoken to. A new direction in truth and love discovered, budding from a time when I gave up the razor. I almost can't even comprehend my life before the beard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>BUT... </b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> am not my beard. The beard does not define who I am. I know who I am, I am ME, I am aware and live by the natural order I know to be true. I no longer need this symbol on my face as a reminder, all I have discovered is within me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have transcended the beard... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Well, this beard anyhow)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXWTut28nJbT-ChFpzUmKGOGVWe9Dz5iO3iEzHPolxBet2aPbCr8WH3e-iWV4fC0dTJErZqNjtIRl1TkOAxojfQcYeMpUyQII2Wc_0FsZ0s93XSrraB_96-5EFY1kyhENU7Yja0_UChw/s1600/IMG_0990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXWTut28nJbT-ChFpzUmKGOGVWe9Dz5iO3iEzHPolxBet2aPbCr8WH3e-iWV4fC0dTJErZqNjtIRl1TkOAxojfQcYeMpUyQII2Wc_0FsZ0s93XSrraB_96-5EFY1kyhENU7Yja0_UChw/s1600/IMG_0990.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Woods</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3qVl4b7q8wHkvk3CUFHGEMeLXMlPz2ytwblqQIp8c_dnXtBru9D8hpXOHdPe6Rh3jJ_o5lTqsREUmUMYXEmueT_P54sombVaRRmUR3xJRBmP5ya7QPilxKvijChUdVJlf4kxmJUZLRQ/s1600/IMG_4415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3qVl4b7q8wHkvk3CUFHGEMeLXMlPz2ytwblqQIp8c_dnXtBru9D8hpXOHdPe6Rh3jJ_o5lTqsREUmUMYXEmueT_P54sombVaRRmUR3xJRBmP5ya7QPilxKvijChUdVJlf4kxmJUZLRQ/s1600/IMG_4415.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just Bee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRCD2_q8xfq8g6Nto5hCLE9nnfLThPCjIe77OR1uBIuhrAIdD95jw4ta-GPJR3AHrO2ioweUAhv0wrX6WsQrvjUnY4qCpQ9tZm0nVZcRCGTLcH24GOapm3tBpm9LSaj-vUzq5u7UejBU/s1600/IMG_3606.JPG" height="150" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AT 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRCD2_q8xfq8g6Nto5hCLE9nnfLThPCjIe77OR1uBIuhrAIdD95jw4ta-GPJR3AHrO2ioweUAhv0wrX6WsQrvjUnY4qCpQ9tZm0nVZcRCGTLcH24GOapm3tBpm9LSaj-vUzq5u7UejBU/s1600/IMG_3606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Fk1xR9ZhUg_zj0-KDYTg_RiQJnTPfsOkqEn4dBRBhCdQ-Na3b_p_RJ1hX5Ah-f3pG6zANSnaTSm7e2G9UMVtj9v0bONGvcmAYUUCPNd3L4SfYUXMIuwGcvcX9U9okhbZMidMJqoQklY/s1600/IMG_1616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Fk1xR9ZhUg_zj0-KDYTg_RiQJnTPfsOkqEn4dBRBhCdQ-Na3b_p_RJ1hX5Ah-f3pG6zANSnaTSm7e2G9UMVtj9v0bONGvcmAYUUCPNd3L4SfYUXMIuwGcvcX9U9okhbZMidMJqoQklY/s1600/IMG_1616.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petrified Natl' Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1aZ8fpXcGTFvlwtXUWH6GDEJ2xeCkW_4aZJFPiIiUuorgBm_6LRvSwpmwCLp0BqdI-lfOVRNK6Rxs061nyBBvw_gZKi1jY4ndYRmFO4IigmDU19EIky12hBpKL4AOkE9aRL4-_bZo7GA/s1600/IMG_1637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1aZ8fpXcGTFvlwtXUWH6GDEJ2xeCkW_4aZJFPiIiUuorgBm_6LRvSwpmwCLp0BqdI-lfOVRNK6Rxs061nyBBvw_gZKi1jY4ndYRmFO4IigmDU19EIky12hBpKL4AOkE9aRL4-_bZo7GA/s1600/IMG_1637.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Desert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5IFdHvmP6ZY6tbMCU9Kz7B_h7Fg4myNkXRbHcpmvk7amy3dFZmzIuiwDKYu6nhqViQnuS3Es9bxkEbf9GpMgM_1GoyB2boXMi9b9Y1DmYf5IMgpA_C9sqLyB8ThmzzP3wZIwSCRQCOs/s1600/JM-289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5IFdHvmP6ZY6tbMCU9Kz7B_h7Fg4myNkXRbHcpmvk7amy3dFZmzIuiwDKYu6nhqViQnuS3Es9bxkEbf9GpMgM_1GoyB2boXMi9b9Y1DmYf5IMgpA_C9sqLyB8ThmzzP3wZIwSCRQCOs/s1600/JM-289.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A living Education</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKx4xMRJ-OdfFwjbobpOiPBAM8LmJ3mlfDG4_Dir-Gwzom6X9_YARlpk5O3n4boYgtPmmeE2lSYG64mbW0vv0lnGgZthiCRbN_dHWklycTR8r7zvH51p0YWQvwzAa9_9H-Cv_Jq38QAVs/s1600/tipi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKx4xMRJ-OdfFwjbobpOiPBAM8LmJ3mlfDG4_Dir-Gwzom6X9_YARlpk5O3n4boYgtPmmeE2lSYG64mbW0vv0lnGgZthiCRbN_dHWklycTR8r7zvH51p0YWQvwzAa9_9H-Cv_Jq38QAVs/s1600/tipi.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tipi Life</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wCPy5hztEcohZk3eTc75WG-3qBpNurkXvL2HKGP9eGXrrsBXk-UaunoTW34mOaP1h8IxYlpdgUGSOdjRQGF3nVFOdDfy1MjpBayQ-9PvzQQL5beJMI_4Pa2IF_urs77VukMDl9jTU4I/s1600/IMG_6718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wCPy5hztEcohZk3eTc75WG-3qBpNurkXvL2HKGP9eGXrrsBXk-UaunoTW34mOaP1h8IxYlpdgUGSOdjRQGF3nVFOdDfy1MjpBayQ-9PvzQQL5beJMI_4Pa2IF_urs77VukMDl9jTU4I/s1600/IMG_6718.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter Expedition</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtuj81uV8jjlFAGWM9aWy_1dHL5RENHkdhfT-rCv4qUstiUchkqIecaXKzxIl2tYQ0tIwq46x9EnqdoTsXLM2JrFTxcEzUokQqCfIPyD1CeQkVkNJP0Bs-PnDLGKxC84oaq8SY2JMiUE/s1600/IMG_1678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtuj81uV8jjlFAGWM9aWy_1dHL5RENHkdhfT-rCv4qUstiUchkqIecaXKzxIl2tYQ0tIwq46x9EnqdoTsXLM2JrFTxcEzUokQqCfIPyD1CeQkVkNJP0Bs-PnDLGKxC84oaq8SY2JMiUE/s1600/IMG_1678.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock Climbing Garden of the Gods</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcRNXxiWdRNnn6GPV5eBVkXL7HWtYdcU5Mfy6BJpf32wf4qRj9L4qcEXKVXjJ0yOjZxzKUyixQlw-KWwPJp736Tt1vboIczK5jkQoOjNHIAeXsGksipSrDC0IL8TZgJCRg83VizGLpLM/s1600/IMG_1303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcRNXxiWdRNnn6GPV5eBVkXL7HWtYdcU5Mfy6BJpf32wf4qRj9L4qcEXKVXjJ0yOjZxzKUyixQlw-KWwPJp736Tt1vboIczK5jkQoOjNHIAeXsGksipSrDC0IL8TZgJCRg83VizGLpLM/s1600/IMG_1303.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yosemite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3dF_xW8XFoKssZTtg4fv4zeuw-Xrg6aJ5CeGUS_J4HTl9-_LXDl0vEtKsKiifcjstgHcizO04DIglZrIl5MJD3I5UP3kdpqvYm90E9mb5EXwWyTmEr2t5G3FBFs4IDoo0Z-CPx5SJxI/s1600/IMG_1330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3dF_xW8XFoKssZTtg4fv4zeuw-Xrg6aJ5CeGUS_J4HTl9-_LXDl0vEtKsKiifcjstgHcizO04DIglZrIl5MJD3I5UP3kdpqvYm90E9mb5EXwWyTmEr2t5G3FBFs4IDoo0Z-CPx5SJxI/s1600/IMG_1330.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sequoia Natl' Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_3qipo19BUuba72QvUK1Qa8-Ac5IJ05BEhbGGlq65O8i0bKWQmmksq1innvIlxp3Gu0Ald-wz6jv2R9sz_F-85Hmv2O8SyB6jwJWLLD1cNUwtujDbD02vL8yPiuOzELGNgRAw7v1GIY/s1600/IMG_1187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_3qipo19BUuba72QvUK1Qa8-Ac5IJ05BEhbGGlq65O8i0bKWQmmksq1innvIlxp3Gu0Ald-wz6jv2R9sz_F-85Hmv2O8SyB6jwJWLLD1cNUwtujDbD02vL8yPiuOzELGNgRAw7v1GIY/s1600/IMG_1187.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alcatraz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDZpy8hg1XEnIw6Y0pAckX2JxpkXZaQeO4ZgUvhYD13tw97_rqj2hVvKi6xVm8ERfODKwMYt7_NjXUsqHOtrqVs2aQuywW3RvqwGwouDf8LJB4eCZdVk5nYMdIH-PJSPDtOyvu-UeG7E/s1600/IMG_1579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDZpy8hg1XEnIw6Y0pAckX2JxpkXZaQeO4ZgUvhYD13tw97_rqj2hVvKi6xVm8ERfODKwMYt7_NjXUsqHOtrqVs2aQuywW3RvqwGwouDf8LJB4eCZdVk5nYMdIH-PJSPDtOyvu-UeG7E/s1600/IMG_1579.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand canyon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddRnyXCgCmtu8nzSol3wEq3lQHwCjG1_-AjR8y2bQ29dd-TvCP8LLyK2-TzFzAvhUycfmaT9x_jB5o96fp3GmvTULOb4Xhyphenhyphenmoqjso-lK2zCD_-6_DZ_SYsjW2oXZxU8KXqehmTAWquow/s1600/IMG_1141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddRnyXCgCmtu8nzSol3wEq3lQHwCjG1_-AjR8y2bQ29dd-TvCP8LLyK2-TzFzAvhUycfmaT9x_jB5o96fp3GmvTULOb4Xhyphenhyphenmoqjso-lK2zCD_-6_DZ_SYsjW2oXZxU8KXqehmTAWquow/s1600/IMG_1141.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Allen?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjInXa8sx8X3o-XkYWZ2CwNqAkAybwzCOqZy0LZZBStc50Ybck0XAFLxlWxI5p073IOO17G85OZftNTBnFEbJHgfCI161M7wsKWfJYM4CewCsaq8diFY3izNqjhyphenhyphen_kfb6iAE8_MEZomus/s1600/IMG_0890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjInXa8sx8X3o-XkYWZ2CwNqAkAybwzCOqZy0LZZBStc50Ybck0XAFLxlWxI5p073IOO17G85OZftNTBnFEbJHgfCI161M7wsKWfJYM4CewCsaq8diFY3izNqjhyphenhyphen_kfb6iAE8_MEZomus/s1600/IMG_0890.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First look at Pacific ocean</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTjanvA3m2ZNFuD8WO8AgtRmCELHJSksAiGyxDhX2Tdf5CXfhdWnz1NeiVTozCSuQPPlRllA_ZMkjX7NL-skHl9vjea3XcJ1SZuJKZ_MzvfDbHJfMtgZcNLb_PyzBuo7ylXMybWGq154/s1600/Road+Trip+456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTjanvA3m2ZNFuD8WO8AgtRmCELHJSksAiGyxDhX2Tdf5CXfhdWnz1NeiVTozCSuQPPlRllA_ZMkjX7NL-skHl9vjea3XcJ1SZuJKZ_MzvfDbHJfMtgZcNLb_PyzBuo7ylXMybWGq154/s1600/Road+Trip+456.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rushmore</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMiET11jxVfwT405NDy64YzsF4fexqfepBYzrdMFnmgHYXqHZhmcK6EH75pJiLIb4fqOPFvSdZbultxt1gSeBJP8ZMNjidMznrZNeblcfURLdnbU2Mm4Gm7DQrk_LyNNNgsRk4WdOr9sw/s1600/Road+Trip+251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMiET11jxVfwT405NDy64YzsF4fexqfepBYzrdMFnmgHYXqHZhmcK6EH75pJiLIb4fqOPFvSdZbultxt1gSeBJP8ZMNjidMznrZNeblcfURLdnbU2Mm4Gm7DQrk_LyNNNgsRk4WdOr9sw/s1600/Road+Trip+251.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Niagara Falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebebl_lVCzINGj3BO1BmDf003Bbfr0FNBqWSQBwtoZAt0YRrElXOf_ZJ9yjqQDVoxmrlGRtEgJGhB7IC3UjkpcQlwwdJJuD21KW25rr4E3o4KEBP562CP-0lGb7t0-epUhW0hh2LCcuo/s1600/IMG_1427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebebl_lVCzINGj3BO1BmDf003Bbfr0FNBqWSQBwtoZAt0YRrElXOf_ZJ9yjqQDVoxmrlGRtEgJGhB7IC3UjkpcQlwwdJJuD21KW25rr4E3o4KEBP562CP-0lGb7t0-epUhW0hh2LCcuo/s1600/IMG_1427.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salvation Mountain<br />
RIP: Lenard Knight</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsihyphenhyphendSv_ANEOa6tPWGq2R4tL5N9RTcGPFeisRwpyGasPoUnV06TyEo978kMF6XIfbtnYqGYA-8Qa9Sfc0qk_Jn0dtq5kwjNPG3iqrdlPziio3XOtVUP-YHuf3uJOWjwtGLrHAHaobS8/s1600/IMG_1489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsihyphenhyphendSv_ANEOa6tPWGq2R4tL5N9RTcGPFeisRwpyGasPoUnV06TyEo978kMF6XIfbtnYqGYA-8Qa9Sfc0qk_Jn0dtq5kwjNPG3iqrdlPziio3XOtVUP-YHuf3uJOWjwtGLrHAHaobS8/s1600/IMG_1489.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegas! Eeek!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDj0uYxCyZjwMK4eZGndBIb5EIT4dOmgSDeBrnkJ_Km0jSErgJwjDXt_H2Up07mBI2u5fANZ36rAL8yV2rycaVzl5LbAaYsRos-KA5mSgtyb7v0o33qB9HynBlgodtFXHlvGOwqmDDekA/s1600/Road+Trip+466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDj0uYxCyZjwMK4eZGndBIb5EIT4dOmgSDeBrnkJ_Km0jSErgJwjDXt_H2Up07mBI2u5fANZ36rAL8yV2rycaVzl5LbAaYsRos-KA5mSgtyb7v0o33qB9HynBlgodtFXHlvGOwqmDDekA/s1600/Road+Trip+466.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy Horse</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVS9QGfDcG3PjSeb9lI-w2KeKbywyo8ufNb2cUXLxP6RY88M9Si6SWna9NSsx7Jf2qzTK-eYnQn74cjnnxn1jyBa6p-tBWu5WmSFJjguXNKRypCj6OlFqR0-9OcuAtBDKYvFgIWDLk0Y/s1600/Road+Trip+396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVS9QGfDcG3PjSeb9lI-w2KeKbywyo8ufNb2cUXLxP6RY88M9Si6SWna9NSsx7Jf2qzTK-eYnQn74cjnnxn1jyBa6p-tBWu5WmSFJjguXNKRypCj6OlFqR0-9OcuAtBDKYvFgIWDLk0Y/s1600/Road+Trip+396.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Guy?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4ZIlAhv5ee0eOyHxD4bvMexrBzqXduX6NI8xqkhKkypq6T9drkTQpWJK86wdazrnI4xAxhyphenhyphenbiqILdQ1pG3YbYWtNiRbw4eyn-wmvRGe20f_iSThGB1dFmJ2ZTjJ6XjB1qIh2uCyge3E/s1600/IMG_0719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4ZIlAhv5ee0eOyHxD4bvMexrBzqXduX6NI8xqkhKkypq6T9drkTQpWJK86wdazrnI4xAxhyphenhyphenbiqILdQ1pG3YbYWtNiRbw4eyn-wmvRGe20f_iSThGB1dFmJ2ZTjJ6XjB1qIh2uCyge3E/s1600/IMG_0719.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Tetons</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLu-u8s6xcGH_-3iGLGwj0khbksDzO6szwbqAVHNaLTemrqTFjg6Dvrc7xbzDZYsE-SZ33eHndAj-AqH8eImCUcEaN7hAIyvstE5UwURV8aBGmxhUwap446-RIEZPyFqBroeXFONU_nOA/s1600/Road+Trip+325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLu-u8s6xcGH_-3iGLGwj0khbksDzO6szwbqAVHNaLTemrqTFjg6Dvrc7xbzDZYsE-SZ33eHndAj-AqH8eImCUcEaN7hAIyvstE5UwURV8aBGmxhUwap446-RIEZPyFqBroeXFONU_nOA/s1600/Road+Trip+325.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Badlands</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wCPy5hztEcohZk3eTc75WG-3qBpNurkXvL2HKGP9eGXrrsBXk-UaunoTW34mOaP1h8IxYlpdgUGSOdjRQGF3nVFOdDfy1MjpBayQ-9PvzQQL5beJMI_4Pa2IF_urs77VukMDl9jTU4I/s1600/IMG_6718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03775309762410293042noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024824149588527632.post-17199531320979547702014-03-16T08:27:00.002-07:002014-03-21T08:24:35.529-07:00-Boundary Waters Expedition Day #3<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><u>*It Otter-Be*</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">February 20, 2014:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Xx3ZfGin63nuYCU8cM-I47zDvOnPQoKXii_Ylvyh1vv3VliFRQkjXbRK6-hsLYHGD0X_Zw62a_UZj02CuUAQr6QbnvlVTr6LvIHAOZg57VBC_nJufTo7yVEWCaPF7Hovu1lvdhgDQrM/s1600/IMG_6664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Xx3ZfGin63nuYCU8cM-I47zDvOnPQoKXii_Ylvyh1vv3VliFRQkjXbRK6-hsLYHGD0X_Zw62a_UZj02CuUAQr6QbnvlVTr6LvIHAOZg57VBC_nJufTo7yVEWCaPF7Hovu1lvdhgDQrM/s1600/IMG_6664.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wool, wool & more wool</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> We set out from camp this morning with a heavy tail wind. One of the more challenging daily battles we face out here is regulating our body temperature in such conditions. For 5 - 6 hours each day we pull more than a hundred pounds through deep snow fall and sweating can be very bad on the good/bad scale. You'll never be as cozy & warm as if you were laying upon pillows & quilts by the crackling fire in a log cabin sipping on something hot while reading an adventure memoir or cuddled with the soft company of a woman (even though my mind may often wander there), so the idea is to be "comfortably cold." E</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ven when the temps are far below zero, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm usually wearing only a pair of wool pants and a long </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxRdX9GIUkpdGJYImt461gXTFmXNqwJJUcmkrwR92bA4YMKVP72imptm7Wk7Sgy8z6w4ax6CaqLSeRbWofC3PU-uw4uwLxBOWzL7bGLeBoIzaRl-gWV4uKI7s_NmlMA6lP-KVFIgj7T4/s1600/IMG_6782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxRdX9GIUkpdGJYImt461gXTFmXNqwJJUcmkrwR92bA4YMKVP72imptm7Wk7Sgy8z6w4ax6CaqLSeRbWofC3PU-uw4uwLxBOWzL7bGLeBoIzaRl-gWV4uKI7s_NmlMA6lP-KVFIgj7T4/s1600/IMG_6782.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">sleeve wool shirt with a base layer. Always prepared for lunch or a moments rest I have extra layers on standby secured under the straps of my toboggan. My jackets, hats and gloves come on and off many times through out the day so I keep them easily accessible to regulate an ideal body temperature. The wind can be unforgiving with improper clothing so I also use a very light weight shell jacket that virtually cuts the wind completely. It's all part of the routine out here, never neglect the smallest detail with gear, body and mind, it can go from good to bad like water goes from a liquid to a solid at -50. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoj7A6fyYwefhJCcj6PSuGtWYI1KBkfupCKPJPF9-VgS15T_FMTqMtsNttnMQ0fZ2CX3hlG_l6Lz9L_g86CuilcFi1dBxoullZ8s3gaPHPCHfARyCvrhbZ6cZlfFOlisHPrOMyjGG7Cc/s1600/IMG_6619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoj7A6fyYwefhJCcj6PSuGtWYI1KBkfupCKPJPF9-VgS15T_FMTqMtsNttnMQ0fZ2CX3hlG_l6Lz9L_g86CuilcFi1dBxoullZ8s3gaPHPCHfARyCvrhbZ6cZlfFOlisHPrOMyjGG7Cc/s1600/IMG_6619.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering Red Rock Lake</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The day moved along briskly as we hiked 4 miles west, maneuvering over our first portage from Lake Saganaga to Red Rock Lake. A "portage" connects one lake to the next, usually by stream, river or simply a path through the woods. Some are 50 yards, others could be a mile or more and there's often the danger of open waters or thin ice in the Winter. These portions of our trek can be time consuming and difficult to navigate. W</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ith the lack of heavy winds in the forest </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">we must break trail through snow twice as deep and traverse slopes of steep elevation. We leave our gear behind so we may navigate our way, pack the snow and clear debris. Having to walk back to retrieve our sleds makes each portage 3x the distance and energy expended, but there's a sense of wonder in the woods, so I find these passages to be visually stimulating and exciting. This particular portage was minor compared to some we will encounter, with open waters flowing into Saganaga we had to bushwhack through only a small stand of trees to get to Red Rock. An Otter hole greeted us just on the other side with tracks and marks of his belly glides coming and going. I was hoping to see Mr. Otter pop out onto the ice while we stood there admiring his path. The first sign of life among us brought a glow and chatter to the group, so simple, so awesome.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpSrmkqjQcb_kDDLSZsFYbG00OoNjipHZ0g8I9Ol0YndyvrjdohVLEPSa_EbDxIQ5JClpW8tw4Xl5GwQyL4vur3rMKs0OAxVoIaZQq1Zi-GguOdX3Q5Ce8POIFO3IE2QK_NYzREpggH0/s1600/IMG_6622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpSrmkqjQcb_kDDLSZsFYbG00OoNjipHZ0g8I9Ol0YndyvrjdohVLEPSa_EbDxIQ5JClpW8tw4Xl5GwQyL4vur3rMKs0OAxVoIaZQq1Zi-GguOdX3Q5Ce8POIFO3IE2QK_NYzREpggH0/s1600/IMG_6622.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Otters Creation</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A few hundred yards down the shores of Red Rock Lake we found a nice nook to construct our home. These tall trees and elevation in terrain should give us more shelter as an expected snow storm and high winds from the North closes in. It's not too late into the night as I lay here writing of today's events and the snow has already begun to flurry...</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03775309762410293042noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024824149588527632.post-50488693229400220492014-03-14T10:27:00.000-07:002014-03-21T08:24:13.349-07:00-Boundary Waters Expedition Day #2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><u>*Little Foot*</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">February 19, 2014:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">February 19th, today is my fathers birthday. Fortunately I was able to give him my best wishes a few days ago while in transit from Maine but it sure would be nice to spend time with him, share some of the day or maybe a few laughs. Many qualities in my father that I try to emulate, he'll always be a hero to me. Lots to celebrate when I return, sending warm thoughts your way. I love you Dad, Happy birthday.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> -------------------------------------</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Started my day off with a hot bowl of oats, dried cranberries, whole powdered milk and butter. One of the best oatmeal breakfasts I've had on trail and I've been on many trails, I think it was the "whole" powdered milk that really tied it together. We've allotted roughly 4,000 calories each day per person, giving ourselves many options and combinations to be creative with.</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A tasty, hot meal can make or break an exhausting day. In these conditions, our furnace is constantly running on high, even while sleeping our bodies will expend energy heating each breath we take in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Dried fruits:</u> Bananas, apples, strawberries, cranberries, raisins, apricots and pineapple.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Dried veggies:</u> Green beans, sweet corn, broccoli, parsnips, carrots, green peppers, peas, onions, potatoes and squash.</span><br />
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<u>Meats:</u> Venison jerky, eye-round jerky, pepperoni links and bacon.<br />
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<u>Other:</u> Pasta, rice, lentils, cheese, nuts, fruit cake, cookie product, oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, spices, powders eggs, powdered milk, 1/2lb butter per day, tea, coffee, coco, brownie mix and 11 pounds of chocolate..<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjwuW3ULaPtN-F16HdctibNHeet_ytH7kco7faQf2NJEzVQJ-ffb2Op7fzsBhr-B_fZpdZ4V8rOo7aB93TWysgSLRnrE2cu5Lm8ffOWmKBtXhkhjcLGz6p3NCRVrn8ttlTlWiDMTuLpM/s1600/IMGP3981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjwuW3ULaPtN-F16HdctibNHeet_ytH7kco7faQf2NJEzVQJ-ffb2Op7fzsBhr-B_fZpdZ4V8rOo7aB93TWysgSLRnrE2cu5Lm8ffOWmKBtXhkhjcLGz6p3NCRVrn8ttlTlWiDMTuLpM/s1600/IMGP3981.JPG" height="112" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Our camp consists of two canvas <a href="http://www.snowtrekkertents.com/" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">"snowtrekker" tents</span></i></a> and two steal box stoves, all weighing roughly </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">20lbs a piece. After breakfast, camp was then disassembled and packed onto our <a href="http://www.blackriversleds.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i>Black River Sleds</i></span></a>. I'm carrying both tents, a 25lb box of food and personal gear (axe, saw, sleeping system, clothes, miscellaneous items.) </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I like my gear to be squared away, organized, a tight sled, cinched down and wrapped up like a burrito. </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Attention to detail and taking pride in the smallest things is an acquired skill drilled into me from my years in the Marine Corp. which has proven to be </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">very beneficial to my later years. Failure to pay attention could come at great cost in a place like this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> It was oddly warm today at 20 degrees as we hiked 5 miles West on Lake Saganaga. Warm weather is unwelcome on an expedition such as this, too warm means snow melt, getting wet, harder pulling, sweating and then freezing as the sun goes down. Right around 5 degrees or less is ideal. Cold, dry air means exactly that, you're cold but dry (that's what layers are for.) I have no doubt the weather is soon to show us some extremes... Over the course of the day I quickly realized my choice of snowshoes was going to be a huge burden on me. The only one among the group with "modern" snowshoes, size 930 and fitting for me on the sizing scale but I do believe that is the recommendation for backyard, look at me, packed trail recreation. We are not out here for recreation, packing our own trail through 3-4 feet of snow and looking to cover some wild terrain over many miles, this is going to be quite the obstacle for me. The other fellas, using a traditional style snowshoe (2x the size of my bear paws) float much higher on the snow pack making the exertion of energy far less than mine. There is not nearly enough float in each of my steps causing me to sink way too deep when breaking trail and even breaking my own trail when walking in their trail.. Ahh, this is frustrating, exhausting and a bit disappointing for day two. I'm a leader by nature but there is no leading this pack when I can't contribute to packing a trail for any measurable distance. No sense in getting too wrapped up on the delema because there is nothing I can do about the situation besides make the best of it. Looks like I'll have to harness my inner Marine and suck it up. I've pushed myself and been pushed through some pretty tough times, definitely not going to let a little extra hard work get me down. It's going to be a physical/mental challenge at its best and I love challenging myself, so this should keep things interesting. Here's a good comparison photo of one of my shoes to Pauls traditional---</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Before nightfall we constructed our home for the second night, this time just off the shore of "Long Island" on Saganaga. I'm really looking forward to some restful sleep upon my snow bed...</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03775309762410293042noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024824149588527632.post-28128224210680591232014-03-13T12:51:00.000-07:002014-03-21T08:23:58.962-07:00-Boundary Waters Expedition, Day #1<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">*Celestial Twilight*</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">February 18, 2014:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> After </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">14 days on snowshoes living in the North Maine woods for the Winter expedition semester as part of the<i><u> <a href="http://www.jackmtn.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Jack Mountain Bushcraft Immersion Program</span></a></u></i> ,Robbie and I a</span><span style="font-size: large;">rrived here last night in Ely, MN. Following a two day 1,500 mile drive along the Trans Canadian Highway we are about to begin an expedition that will prove to push the edge of my limits to much greater heights.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">80+ Miles Across the Boundary Waters</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitB-_L-uTp9h9mUN49yjaU592_DmYAaRtT4MpMXNBz_meHr0J-B_2OKHDxPB45z11smOShhHJKdxpNSy3sWxRW7Mx4dnTs4okqJ9gUd2LMxbb7-NmpJ_cMOgHNZuwNqRzTMFqSZcZPyd4/s1600/Group1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitB-_L-uTp9h9mUN49yjaU592_DmYAaRtT4MpMXNBz_meHr0J-B_2OKHDxPB45z11smOShhHJKdxpNSy3sWxRW7Mx4dnTs4okqJ9gUd2LMxbb7-NmpJ_cMOgHNZuwNqRzTMFqSZcZPyd4/s1600/Group1.png" height="120" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> We began our trek at </span><span style="font-size: large;">the "end of the road" literally. A 60 mile winding road named the Gunflint Trail which comes to an end deep in the heart of the Boundary Waters Wilderness area.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> It was an ideal threshold for the heroes</span><span style="font-size: large;"> journey as t</span><span style="font-size: large;">he 5 of us (Paul, Robbie, Jerell, Kelly and I) stood on the edge of Lake Saganaga watching our shuttle disappear around the bend. Prepared for the next 25 days, each of us had a 9ft toboggan, pulling roughly 125lbs a piece consisting of personal/group gear and food.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-H8JOa7y4GHz6qhNiq0qd0GB2mLm-9a_Knck45FMpsJJapZUzxUMqcouBnwzqjPiF5YVYLyqEgMfIjMBAAb3tfI2nzF1eUAiCfnndGd9Jf42eSHjlEdzE89ek6fyrGHeHiVSREDJpPA/s1600/IMG_6601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-H8JOa7y4GHz6qhNiq0qd0GB2mLm-9a_Knck45FMpsJJapZUzxUMqcouBnwzqjPiF5YVYLyqEgMfIjMBAAb3tfI2nzF1eUAiCfnndGd9Jf42eSHjlEdzE89ek6fyrGHeHiVSREDJpPA/s1600/IMG_6601.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This vast & wild area is one of a kind to the lower 48, with over a million acres it is accompanied by a thousand+</span><span style="font-size: large;"> lakes. Our neighbor to the North is just a few miles away, with a mirror image of wilderness named "Quetico" (twice as big) extending far into Canadian lands. There are no motorized toys allowed (boats/snowmobiles), restricted to airplanes, strict hunting regulations, no mining, no logging...no nonsense. One of the first things I noticed or became aware of was the absolute silence. I tried my hardest to listen, concentrating my ear drums in every direction expecting to pick up something, anything, but there was nothing. It was complete silence, the harder you listened there only seemed to be a slight ringing in your ears. This was a new experience in itself, the sense of how remote we actually were was beginning to sink in..</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The Moon in it's waning phase was not out tonight so there was zero ambient light among the cloudless, </span><span style="font-size: large;">crystalline starry sky. It's a rare occasion to have such a defined view of the endlessness above, every visible star to the naked eye was showing off in all its glory. As I've been learning more about the night time sky I could pick out fourteen constellations, nine magnitude stars and a very prominent view of Jupiter which is currently in Gemini. How I do love Winters constellations and the clarity of each star brought on by the crisp, cold, dry air.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Left Star: Betelgeuse<br />
Bottom Right Star: Rigel</td></tr>
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Orion, always guiding me, the great hunter is never to be missed with his two magnitude stars Betelgeuse and Rigel, surrounded by Canis Minor, Canis Major, Gemini, Auriga, Taurus and Lepus. As we set up our tents, stoves and gathered firewood in the darkness, Kelly yelled "Turn off your headlamps and look North!" When our lights went out my eyes went wide, we all stood motionless, no one said a word and once again in my life time had ceased. Like an Amoeba, a sea of green lights flowed and danced along the Northern horizon. Jetting streaks of color ejecting from the glowing mass as it streamed closer to us, I was in complete aw. An experience that cannot truly be articulated, is there a word that describes an indescribable moment or feeling? Perhaps, Love? I don't know, but it was the most amazing, spectacular display of natures beauty or phenomenon with in our Galaxy I have ever witnessed. Paul had brought along a copy Edward Abbeys benidicto from "Desert Solitaire" and after many moments had passed he shared it with the group aloud, under this mystical sky he read: </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b> "May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous leading to the most amazing view. May your rivers flow without end, meandering through pastoral valleys tinkling with bells, past temples and castles and poets' towers into a dark primeval forest where tigers belch and monkeys howl, through miasmal and mysterious swamps and down into a desert of red rock, and down again into a deep vast ancient unknown chasm, where bars of sunlight blaze on profiled cliffs, where deer walk across white sand beaches, where storms come and go as lightning clangs upon the high crags, where something strange and more beautiful and more full of wonder than your deepest dreams waits for you-"</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Was this real life! How fitting is that! Our first night out here and this is what we are greeted with? I have no more words...Just..Wow! Knowing there's 25 days ahead on this epic journey, I will sleep soundly tonight. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Our cameras could not capture what we saw. This shot I found online is the closest display resembling the open, crystalline sky with the Aurora Borealis on the horizon in front of us)</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03775309762410293042noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024824149588527632.post-8834018628984581802014-03-13T07:33:00.000-07:002014-03-13T07:33:22.660-07:00Snowshoe Expedition Synopsis...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I shot this video on my road trip from Minnesota back to the Adirondacks of upstate New York after being immersed for 36 days in sub zero temperatures. I thought it was pretty neat how Bob Seger's "Turn the page" was playing on the radio. "Here I am, on the road again..... there I go, turn the page" Much more to follow :o)</span></div>
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<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://i1.ytimg.com/vi/HMDik_zkqmg/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/HMDik_zkqmg?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/HMDik_zkqmg?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03775309762410293042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024824149588527632.post-26339862234604479882014-02-18T05:01:00.001-08:002014-02-18T05:01:49.065-08:00Bushcraft Winter Semester<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">It doesn't get much better than this :)</span> </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/hxYosTPyHIA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03775309762410293042noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024824149588527632.post-90790544910455106042014-01-23T06:43:00.002-08:002014-01-23T17:24:16.231-08:00DownEast Magazine <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Shedding light on the path which I have chosen and the wilderness survival & guide school I am fully immersed in this year, the February issue of "DownEast Magazine" will be featuring a 17 page spread. A story following the Veterans in attendance, seeking an alternate means to living a simple life, moving on from questioning their past and to find meaning in all that surrounds them. A path which has led me to ultimate peace, freedom & </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">happiness... </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXtF1yNzU0mJYOCW5H3I4KRMwXaA_6r8kaKHQ142bivfsRRyagJYcyyr8pvA_EhBGiFHX1-NfLw2OTFE3lFEVsP2zAePQfzPFY9_OAsoxc87rJv-Yv5e9UIBh2J1oXAKb2xYrr0EtQGc/s1600/Yukon2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXtF1yNzU0mJYOCW5H3I4KRMwXaA_6r8kaKHQ142bivfsRRyagJYcyyr8pvA_EhBGiFHX1-NfLw2OTFE3lFEVsP2zAePQfzPFY9_OAsoxc87rJv-Yv5e9UIBh2J1oXAKb2xYrr0EtQGc/s1600/Yukon2.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo By: Anderson Bush</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03775309762410293042noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024824149588527632.post-24256776991707633852014-01-14T18:38:00.000-08:002014-01-14T18:38:33.872-08:00A day in the life : )<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><u>A montage of an average day in the life</u></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03775309762410293042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024824149588527632.post-8686027338186452702014-01-13T10:56:00.000-08:002014-01-13T10:56:24.606-08:00YU-KON QUOTE ME #5<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">"If Love were to write Hate a letter, it would simply read: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I Love You.."</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> -Yukon</span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03775309762410293042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024824149588527632.post-10925401527706594942014-01-12T08:46:00.000-08:002014-01-16T08:41:00.605-08:00Awakening atop Mt. Katahdin...<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: left;">*This story takes place at the beginning of my </span><a href="http://theastrologyroom.com/sex-and-relationships/saturn-returns" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: white;">"Return Of Saturn"</span></i></a><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: left;"> <i><span style="color: white;">(<click here)</span></i>symbolizing the next important stage, a turning point in ones life where self growth and awareness take place.</span><br />
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<i style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: left;"><b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">AWAKENING ATOP MT. KATAHDIN</span></u></b></i><br />
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<i style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">~An account of one man's experience as he reaches the summit~</span></b></i></div>
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<u style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">September 18, 2012:</span></b></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Today, is my 28th birthday and </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I have just walked over 2,000 miles. Breathing deeply, heart thumping from my chest as my life seems to be flashing before my eyes. How did I get here? All the events in my 27 years prior has been leading me to this moment atop the greatest mountain in Maine and the summit is only a few hundred feet away. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">First, let me back up a bit...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Maine is where I grew up. In a quaint little town they call "The Friendly Village", where everyone knows your name, locals wave as they pass by and always greeting one another with a smile. Looking back, I see how fortunate I was to have been raised in such a wonderful space. A real sense of community and humanity is one lesson I have carried with me from my childhood and for that I am grateful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">As a boy, I had quite the imagination with an energy that most teachers were challenged with. I guess sharing, laughing, conversing and connecting with others has always moved me. My active little aura kept me outside most days, playing into the late evening until my folks had to yell for me to come inside. Camping, running through the woods, town tag and building forts were a pass time. A sense of adventure intrigued me and around the age of 10 my good friend John and I made a pact, to one day become United States Marines. From that moment on, I never even considered another option. In hindsight, I see the pact was a dream for us to expand our boyhood adventurous minds and continue to explore unknown landscapes as strong, capable, exemplary men. This dream would eventually become our reality and it would all begin to happen so quickly...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">At the speed of life, High School flew by as we surely made the best of those years and before I knew it, a greyhound bus was taking me to Paris Island where "Marines are born." My enlistment wasn't for freedom, it wasn't for god and it wasn't for country. At 18 I was just a kid and all I knew about life at this point is I was about to fulfill my childhood dream</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> and that's all there was to it. The one promise I made to myself before leaving, is that I would never fall into the </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"brainwashed"</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> stereotype. I didn't care if I had lost all my limbs, if I could just come back from this experience with everything from the neck up I would be OK. No one was going to take "ME" from me and in the end, some of me would be left standing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I would be lying if I said I hadn't any inner demons after multiple deployments to the front lines of Iraq & Afghanistan...</span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I soon realized the only thing we were over there fighting for was our brother to the Left & Right, nothing else mattered. After 8 years, I was somehow more lost and had more questions than ever before. A good Marine doesn't ask questions, you just do what you're told. So when all these unanswered questions clouded my mind following the war, I knew it was time for me to move on. I was ashamed for my part in such an unnecessary war, ashamed for the reasons behind the curtain and hidden agendas yet I was proud, for I had served my time honorably. I was a leader who upheld the rules & regulations as well as my oath but more importantly, I never lost sight of my own moral standards of how I conducted myself as a human being or how I treated others along my path, I valued this more than anything. To be proud and ashamed at the same time for a third of my life dedicated to this experience was a hard concept to wrap my head around. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">My eyes had been opened to one way of the world, a destructive way and it left a bitter taste in my mouth. Unaware that I would soon be introduced to another way allowing me to see the world through new eyes, I began planning the next chapter of my life 3 years prior to my discharge. I had my sights set on a 2,184 mile journey that would take me over the Appalachian Mountain range beginning in Georgia and I was going to walk home. I researched it every day, I yearned and longed for the day I would be able to set foot on the trail and experience the raw freedom America "believes" we all had been fighting for. I used to have the most vivid, most realistic dreams I've ever dreamed. Hiking the trail, meeting wonderful people, laughing and smiling up the mountainous coast...Then I would wake up in my barracks room, with over 2 years left on my contract. Those dreams were nightmares, painful, they felt like a cruel joke but patience for this indescribable journey ahead was a great lesson and definitely worth it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><u><b>September 18th 2012:</b></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><u><b><br /></b></u></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">So, where was I...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Oh yeah, I'm almost at the summit and my entire life is catching up to the present moment. It hasn't even been a full year from my discharge date. Since, I've traveled 12,000 miles around the country through more than two dozen states visiting all National Parks & Monuments and hiked for 6 months over 2,000 miles up the East coast through 14 states. My goal to hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail completely exceeded my dreams and expectations. The connections I discovered within other beings and in the natural world was beyond the comprehension of my younger self. This chapter was about to be fulfilled in the next few hundred feet... My heart pounding, breathing deeply, I can only focus on the summit sign. Moving forward, my body feels like it's vibrating immensely. The rest of the world seems to be slowly disappearing, almost like tunnel vision I can't even see my feet. I'm stumbling, kicking rocks and a maverick wave of emotions is building rapidly with every step towards the sign. You know how they say your life flashes in front of your eyes right before you die? Well, I believe the same to be true right before you wake up. It's all happening so fast, I see my family, my childhood, high school years, then all my experiences fighting the war, 8 years in service and all my life's obstacles are flashing towards me like a freight train. The beautiful landscapes and people I met over the last year flowing through me and the 2,000 mile journey I am about to conquer trailing behind. These are the most powerful moments I have ever experienced. The sign is now within arms reach, a combination of every single emotion one can feel is hitting me in the face as I reach out to latch onto the sign with both hands. A breaking point, just in time as I nearly collapse from this profound happening. Time froze as I lay here hanging on, tears of sadness and tears of happiness falling onto the rocks below...and then... I woke up. Silence, a very heavy weight seemed to be lifted from within, I had let it all go. I am awake for the first time in my life, towering</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> atop the greatest Mountain in Maine and reborn 28 years later to the day.</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> With a glorious smile upon my face I tilt my head back laughing boisterously at the sky. P</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">eace, happiness, freedom and the clearest state of consciousness consume my being as I sit here admiring all of creation through new eyes with a Man I finally had the pleasure of meeting. ME. </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03775309762410293042noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024824149588527632.post-61120593335222506982013-12-17T15:02:00.000-08:002013-12-18T05:24:48.936-08:00It's a Sourdough Special<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>August 29 - Day #4</b></u></span></div>
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<b>(Starter, Reflector Oven, Biscuits, Dumplings, Pancakes, Corn Bread)</b></div>
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Today we are learning the basics and many uses of keeping sourdough starter for bush craft cooking that would make anyone a happy camper. This is also thee most traditional and natural way for all your baked goods. Sourdough starter is just a mixture of flour, water and yeast. There is natural bacteria and yeast in the air all around us, so if you only have the flour and water, leaving the container uncovered for a few days will allow the yeast in the air to become part of your mixture and the fermentation process. Whenever the recipe calls for a cup of your starter just replace what you take with more flour and room temperature water ( keeping a pancake batter type consistency, not too thick and not too watery ) this is called "inoculation" or "feeding" your starter. I have had the same container of sourdough starter for 4 months, some have had their starter for years.. If you can get a cup of starter off of a friend it would make it easier to get things going, just feed it to make more. Upon taking the lid off and smelling it you should understand why its called "sour"dough. Lastly if you aren't using it often, keep your starter in the refrigerator. It needs warmer temperatures to ferment and grow, there is a possibility of mold to grow on the top after awhile when not using it. No worries, just skim it off the top and stir before every use. If your sourdough starter freezes, it's ok, this will not harm the starter and is actually a good way to preserve it when taking a break from its use. I do not buy anymore bread products from the store, it's fun, it's easy and everything you make tastes satisfyingly delicious.</div>
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You tend to appreciate your meals more when effort is put into the gathering of fire wood, creating the fire, preparing the meal and paying close attention to cooking the food that is going to give you the energy needed to stay strong and healthy. We do all of our cooking over an open fire and making sourdough bread definitely puts a smile on everyone because it's delicious and in abundance. To make a batch of biscuits for the group we use a<i> <a href="http://poleandpaddle.com/merchandise/reflector_ovens" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">"Reflector Oven"</span></a></i>. Basically it's a metal (aluminum) rectangle with one side left open and a ledge on either side for your baking tray. The open side faces the fire and cooks like any oven but more fun!! May have to turn the tray around once or twice while cooking. There was plenty of <u><i><a href="http://yukonsquest.blogspot.com/p/yukons-gold.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: white;">Yukons Gold</span></a></i></u> all semester to top it off :)</div>
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• 1/3-1/2 cup oil or fat</div>
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• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda</div>
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Mix flour and salt in a large bowl. Dump in starter and oil and mix. Add a 1-2 tablespoons of water to the soda, stir it up, then mix in. Drop biscuit-sized balls of dough onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes, or until they’re just starting to brown. Biscuits are our bread of choice in the bush because they’re so easy. We bake these in the bush all the time because there is no proof time, just mix and bake. They look great when they’re browning in the reflector oven. To make a loaf of biscuits, cut the recipe in half and bake in a 9” pie pan.</div>
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Mix up a batch of sourdough biscuit dough. Scoop spoon- fulls of the dough into the top of a simmering stew, keeping them afloat by not dropping from a height. Cover quickly and don’t peek for 15 minutes.</div>
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• 2 cups sourdough starter</div>
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• 2 tbsp. sugar</div>
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• 3 tbsp. oil or fat</div>
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• ½ tsp. salt</div>
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• 1 ½ tsp. baking soda</div>
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Mix ingredients, leaving baking soda until just before your batter is ready for the pan. Dilute baking soda in 1-2 Tbsp. water and mix into batter. Don’t beat it, just mix it in. Batter will bubble from the soda. Fry on hot pan or griddle.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEcHs2vOztUoa5SBj-MUhaXFnqKdv-VlgvWVM6jxiQZ0SR-zRflUYvvy-_AEnCFBTStSIWZIAsdh3posIebCIKxvIOXtmMp1RWRz7kiEDSsOjYTW177c4PKYuULYQBDrZWJG0b5scl9o/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEcHs2vOztUoa5SBj-MUhaXFnqKdv-VlgvWVM6jxiQZ0SR-zRflUYvvy-_AEnCFBTStSIWZIAsdh3posIebCIKxvIOXtmMp1RWRz7kiEDSsOjYTW177c4PKYuULYQBDrZWJG0b5scl9o/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
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• 3 cups sourdough starter</div>
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• 1 tsp. salt</div>
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• 1 ½ cups cornmeal</div>
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• 1 cup flour</div>
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Use either white or whole wheat flour. Mix dry ingredients first, then add starter and oil. Mix well. Pour dough onto floured surface or leave it in the mixing bowl and knead the dough with your hands. Place loaf in greased bread pan, or break up into smaller loaves and put directly on baking sheet. Set in a warm place for a half hour to four hours; the longer it sits, the lighter the bread. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown. You can also test for doneness by thumping the loaf with your finger. If you hear a hollow sound, the bread is done.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcLveVcQPT1ck4ak9i2ZFufsekH4TLttKN5xk6syeo2mPZmslszZJKyfMTTIu4P4YMXfjddRu_9tKzAvkrIdFjP8RdJOCPBV3adm3dY95lkvDlS4EtaCYTEpboe4WVQB_oqakxjnAzwQ/s1600/April20-cornmeal1small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcLveVcQPT1ck4ak9i2ZFufsekH4TLttKN5xk6syeo2mPZmslszZJKyfMTTIu4P4YMXfjddRu_9tKzAvkrIdFjP8RdJOCPBV3adm3dY95lkvDlS4EtaCYTEpboe4WVQB_oqakxjnAzwQ/s200/April20-cornmeal1small.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03775309762410293042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024824149588527632.post-30577213641720352422013-12-17T05:47:00.000-08:002013-12-17T06:03:37.968-08:00Lifetimes Apart..<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span>Over a decade has now passed since my enlistment... I thought that it all may have been a dream but photos like this make me think again.. </span><span style="line-height: 17.984375px;">Here's</span><span style="line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"> to surrendering the past so I may continue to live in each moment of the present.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicx3uaOFhYxQO8FpIAnylVI8XwiYE-7O14MrKacWpK_71CF07ngmb2-_VvrJ-cTQZxz0gvOSLJCxVNxWNfeywysway-jItFkW63MU7Qo4gNY7TrsEeWXHzrxy3Z1MhdeNQNTuRGJfs5VQ/s1600/295659_541599445902259_1279955146_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicx3uaOFhYxQO8FpIAnylVI8XwiYE-7O14MrKacWpK_71CF07ngmb2-_VvrJ-cTQZxz0gvOSLJCxVNxWNfeywysway-jItFkW63MU7Qo4gNY7TrsEeWXHzrxy3Z1MhdeNQNTuRGJfs5VQ/s400/295659_541599445902259_1279955146_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"> Aticus - 2003 - Private Holt Aticus - 2013 - Yukon</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03775309762410293042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024824149588527632.post-35499096305881640012013-12-13T16:11:00.002-08:002013-12-13T16:16:12.648-08:00Snowshoe Expedition 2014<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="line-height: 18.875px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">My first video (Introduction). Follow my upcoming journey as we venture into a winter wonderland! For this trip (as a group) we have started a separate blog specifically for our February Boundary Waters Expedition 2014 in the Superior National Forest of Northeaster Minnesota. We will be traveling by snowshoe and pulling toboggans through deep snow fall, 40 below temps, cover 100+ miles in 25+ days.. I'm really looking forward to the Aurora Borealis, Crystalline stars and the stillness of this vast and beautiful snow covered wilderness. <a href="http://bwwinter2014.blogspot.com/"><i style="background-color: white;"><b>bwwinter2014.blogspot.com</b></i></a> Check out our blog to read more about this journey, our goals and overall purpose of being in these moments along the way. Smiling always :)</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03775309762410293042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024824149588527632.post-86757454245122284032013-12-05T14:27:00.000-08:002013-12-07T14:22:58.100-08:00YU-KON QUOTE ME #4<div style="text-align: center;">
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-My thought on stepping outside the box, then realizing there never was a box to begin with.</div>
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"I disconnected from it all, upon discovering I am connected to it all..." </div>
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-Yukon<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03775309762410293042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024824149588527632.post-90826487222896353332013-12-04T15:26:00.000-08:002013-12-05T05:39:39.348-08:00Never Nothing Going On...<div style="text-align: center;">
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">August 28th - Day #3</span></b></u><br />
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<b>("Sit spot", Natural Shelter, Fuzz Sticks, Net Bags)</b></div>
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Woke at 0615 for my routine of breakfast and compiling notes of yesterdays events into my log book. After Day 2 if feels it more like day ten with all this information packed into our days. Its a great change of pace and I can really feel it physically, being on my feet and working with my hands from sun up to sun down. It's a productive exhaustion that is truly wonderful and I'm eager for more :)</div>
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<b><u>"Sit Spot"</u></b></div>
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We do this for about 30 minutes before starting the day or seeing anyone else. A "Sit Spot" is exactly as it says. Find a place in the forest, on the edge of a field or by the river where you can just sit. This is a place of solitude, a place to focus and observe away from people. All you have to do is be still, listen, wake up to everything around you and as the sun starts to rise you will begin to notice the forest waking up too with all its inhabitants beginning to move about. As you do this day after day, you will notice the birds and other animals getting used to your presence, they may come closer to you and they may not hesitate to investigate you a bit more. If you have never done this, I recommend counting the things you see, any movement or close your eyes and count all the sounds you can hear (how many bird songs, winds, leaves falling, a stick snapping, red squirrels or a plane in the sky) how many sounds can you keep organized in your head by counting them? You would be very surprised...Try it, its pretty neat. Just be in that moment and become aware that there is never nothing going on :) </div>
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Tim began the days instruction with natural shelters, concepts, components and designs. The first shelter I chose to create was the Quad-Pod, beginning the process by selecting a site in the woods that was level and wouldn't be flooded by potential rain fall. By building a box spring out of logs my body is off of the ground and body heat wont be transferring directly into the earth. Then using, ferns, leaves and pine boughs I created my mattress (this can never be too thick). You want the shelter big enough for you to sleep comfortably but you don't want it any bigger, the smaller the space the most heat is retained around your body. Using four poles I harvested with my axe and by placing them at the corners of my box spring/mattress , I now had my shelter frame. To secure the poles at the top I used my rope that we braided together yesterday (<a href="http://yukonsquest.blogspot.com/2013/11/tying-it-all-together.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><i>See Day #2</i></span></a>) also putting a bundle of ferns sticking out of the apex to shed water droplets, the idea worked great! One side of this shelter will be left open for a fire and we will be using our tarps for the roofs (All natural shelter is definitely possible but with 10 students, time is a factor and material gathered would be 10x the amount) Each shelter that we build, we will spend at least 4 nights in. The only way to find out if you built it right or figure out anything you would do differently is to sleep in it. Sleepless night, cold, wet? FAIL..... Slept great, warm, stayed dry? PASS..... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EKFCVt2W9WLcRaJzLvgu2TyL7gFQeCpwAj4e8bzxQHxqFOyhHOVay6hOBBvO9kUO7SoqYkvnTT_LEl2iIj7ZIAasulh8KzexjS_ODIYvhavsADKkfeu5TeiNgNki_OFVh56JoD7oAts/s1600/IMG_9054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EKFCVt2W9WLcRaJzLvgu2TyL7gFQeCpwAj4e8bzxQHxqFOyhHOVay6hOBBvO9kUO7SoqYkvnTT_LEl2iIj7ZIAasulh8KzexjS_ODIYvhavsADKkfeu5TeiNgNki_OFVh56JoD7oAts/s1600/IMG_9054.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANedUOlqje6OSTj5mwNT75eMkGa3pgyGYcviJQjPq6tV6N60pbcSCmYpjrV3UVudUZJk9HFjrCcEgBXoPcuTTYLwLaMUK-ts-hvrTOalvJnuf7T_YrFIQSkqr2JifUKucQaz0X_DTzLg/s1600/89a4e8f999246b752c8fd3bc04a6d0ba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANedUOlqje6OSTj5mwNT75eMkGa3pgyGYcviJQjPq6tV6N60pbcSCmYpjrV3UVudUZJk9HFjrCcEgBXoPcuTTYLwLaMUK-ts-hvrTOalvJnuf7T_YrFIQSkqr2JifUKucQaz0X_DTzLg/s1600/89a4e8f999246b752c8fd3bc04a6d0ba.jpg" height="119" width="200" /></a> How do you get a fire going with one match after multiple days of rain??? Hey, I'm glad you asked :) Know that there is always dry tinder in the forest and this is a skill everyone should be aware of. Using your knife or axe if you have one, go into the forest to locate some dry, dead, standing trees. Not to be mistaken with rotten, dead, standing trees... The trees you are looking for are not big, about 4 inches diameter and have an almost hollow sound when you knock on them and the inside is dry as can be. Because the wood is standing, the rain trickles down the tree, not really absorbing into the wood, such as you would find with a tree laying on the ground (most trees laying on the forest floor will be rotten). Get a few foot long sections of this tree and split it up into sticks not too much bigger then thumb width. Then using your knife (you should always have a knife in the wilderness) hold it up against the wood and carve away from you, trying to create thin layers that peel all the way down the stick. You want to stop at the end before completely shaving off each layer, making a feathering effect. The idea is "one match" will be able to ignite this tree, which you made possible by creating multiple smaller surface areas for the flame to catch. After you have made a bundle of these feather or fuzz sticks, make a tipi out of them where you will light the fire. BEFORE you light it, make sure you have more tinder on standby, twigs that snap or birch bark to maintain and sustain the fire after you get a flame. You do not want to light your Fuzz Sticks after all that hard work and then run off into the woods, scrambling to find more tinder as your flames dwindle and die... </div>
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<b><u>Net Bags</u></b></div>
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A simple way to make a net bag to carry your food, gear or in my case, the essential element of water. Start with an even number of strings, doubling them so they are twice as tall as the container you want to hold.. Ok, tie an overhand knot right in the middle of your lengths of string so they are all secured together. Got it. Ok, now place the overhand knot in the bottom center of your container, pairing up two strings at a time, tie another overhand knot to secure the pairs together. Now begin tying overhand knots matching up one string from one pair with another string beside it from a different pair. Keep doing this until you have a bag.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03775309762410293042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024824149588527632.post-78109737703071215782013-11-26T10:00:00.002-08:002013-12-04T15:29:30.819-08:00Tying It All Together. <div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">August 27th - Day #2</span></u></b></div>
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<b>(Natural Cordage & Rope, Bow Fire Drill Set, Plant Walk, Snack Time)</b></div>
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Woke at 0630 for an Oats, honey & raisins breakfast which is great energy for the morning and seems it will be part of my routine throughout the fall semester. I brought along an entire case of <a href="http://yukonsquest.blogspot.com/p/yukons-gold.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><i>Yukons' Gold</i></span></a>, so the class will have plenty of orange blossom honey for teas, coffee, biscuits, oatmeal etc. I don't believe I've ever been so excited to learn such useful knowledge!</div>
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<b><u>Natural Cordage & Rope</u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYngvpxe4hIREhQFPOJCDQ1P5dHiNPmIeNr446DaAvTnpcVebkA9GToC4adHz5UY7QCSjk1A8uxi92iU8qJPVwxq_Tm959kNw2_If5QgPakckWiY_HBO1Hck6mNeybLJB8YBxM4M77Pdo/s1600/IMG_6014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYngvpxe4hIREhQFPOJCDQ1P5dHiNPmIeNr446DaAvTnpcVebkA9GToC4adHz5UY7QCSjk1A8uxi92iU8qJPVwxq_Tm959kNw2_If5QgPakckWiY_HBO1Hck6mNeybLJB8YBxM4M77Pdo/s1600/IMG_6014.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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If you're in need of securing or fastening something together there are many solutions in the natural world. Creating cordage out of grass, roots, saplings, and even the fibers of plants such as dogbane, nettle and velvet leaf. The plant fibers are much easier to process after the first frost when the plants are dying. We all made 2 ply cordage out of tall grass found on the roadside and when a piece was big enough two students would play tug of war to demonstrate how durable it can be. I harvested about 8 dogbane plants to remove fibers on the inside of the stalk. Very tedious work as the material is much smaller then bundles of grass yet surprisingly one strand of dogbane fiber is nearly impossible for one person to tug on and break. Impressive stuff! I decided to make a bracelet after making a few feet of cord then doubling it over on itself, came out great (since this is back logged) I've never taken it off and the dogbane bracelet thus far has lasted over 3 months on my wrist. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc32F3g3tBgIJWdMnhNxuQFWF7wfNYb5Mw3WUoBNbgESmsy3MrcCSk-gsYGt2ppJNCnvifPLZAsIT7Y_wgLdJArtqQAWl53Tn6H8UPEVRoOezNeZRixj4gkKBiB9RVUPscD5x3DIcwVvQ/s1600/IMG_5057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc32F3g3tBgIJWdMnhNxuQFWF7wfNYb5Mw3WUoBNbgESmsy3MrcCSk-gsYGt2ppJNCnvifPLZAsIT7Y_wgLdJArtqQAWl53Tn6H8UPEVRoOezNeZRixj4gkKBiB9RVUPscD5x3DIcwVvQ/s1600/IMG_5057.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
Following the natural cordage instruction we all made our own 30ft ropes using bale twine and an old fashioned hand cranked rope making machine. Three pieces of twine were doubled over and stretched between two parts of the rope making device. As the crank was spun the three individual pieces of twine tightly spun themselves together then by sliding the rope divider tool it would allow the three peices of twine to wrap around eachother creating the rope. We tied knots on both ends which holds the braiding work from becoming loose. This rope making technique is over 200 years old and first appeared in the American Midwest in the 1800s as farmers needed a more efficient way to make replacement hoist rope for lifting harvested hay into the upper floors of the barn for storage. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgavx7TyNUD47AE6Cd6V0wu5jZBlNjCeHLKjUnpo-JFUUxZXMk189n91hA4BNsux4LCdBB_vQtnKtJ_ZQjU4jgjwpk9uYMukfAc2noTvmF8EgmtEF6FCRI9eYyCzNMZNOgi1a_CTB5sg/s1600/IMG_5065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgavx7TyNUD47AE6Cd6V0wu5jZBlNjCeHLKjUnpo-JFUUxZXMk189n91hA4BNsux4LCdBB_vQtnKtJ_ZQjU4jgjwpk9uYMukfAc2noTvmF8EgmtEF6FCRI9eYyCzNMZNOgi1a_CTB5sg/s1600/IMG_5065.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Fire Bow Drills</u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsiAV9nbuXNmRjftyGEMuxYrpEJZ0N_6oTvfaDufQC8kvt8FLSyiYDP4TTpRjWeq649ily5-_zvyozo9oVK5c1OElvFbPmhbPLmDfG1by_SymFf3v6khTqV5Flhwa3SDTbJNAA9t0gxw/s1600/bow+drill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsiAV9nbuXNmRjftyGEMuxYrpEJZ0N_6oTvfaDufQC8kvt8FLSyiYDP4TTpRjWeq649ily5-_zvyozo9oVK5c1OElvFbPmhbPLmDfG1by_SymFf3v6khTqV5Flhwa3SDTbJNAA9t0gxw/s1600/bow+drill.jpg" height="148" width="200" /></a></div>
We are not creating fire by friction today, just harvesting the material for our Bow Drill sets and getting into the fire making later. We began by learning how to section & limb speckled Alder trees using just our knives and utilizing a "rose cut", you can accomplish A LOT with quality knife. So, there are four parts to your Bow Drill set, the fire board, spindle, hand hold and the bow. The bow should be light, sturdy and the length of your shoulder to fingertip (a natural arc in the bow is also helpful). In theory any string would work but nylon would be best, so tie your string from one end of the bow to the other. For your spindle and fire board you want to use a soft wood such as Alder, Cedar, Poplar, Basswood, Willow etc. Keep in mind, If the wood is green "alive" then you need to wait a few days for it to dry. The spindle should be about 6 inches in length & thumb width as you whittle it into shape and the fire board should be flat on both sides in a rectangular shape and about 1 inch thick. For the hand hold you can use anything such as a hard wood, a rock, or bone (the idea is to use something that will give little to no friction). In a few days after these components have had a chance <br />
to dry in the sun we will come back to them for fire by friction instruction. <br />
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<b><u>Plant Walk</u></b><br />
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On our plant walk this afternoon we talked about, identified and pressed 8 plant species :)<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9aAa7dbyFG2uFJ9izpkNzLEdCcW7MP41qhJeu_lJp0r8sBO2VGODLVIOos_ikcCpfXExKQ8GOwoGHL-QcZRSm7Ni7IO8nVfkeup2e9yPcB_fofisOpawu36UnSTKDgXPmsCHFSYrQ9k/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9aAa7dbyFG2uFJ9izpkNzLEdCcW7MP41qhJeu_lJp0r8sBO2VGODLVIOos_ikcCpfXExKQ8GOwoGHL-QcZRSm7Ni7IO8nVfkeup2e9yPcB_fofisOpawu36UnSTKDgXPmsCHFSYrQ9k/s1600/download.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheep Sorrel:<br />
Lemony, tangy tart flavor.<br />
Delicious in a salad :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxROJbypKV5ylMySt3S6QVSgf_2R5ItchiQCUfCazEUcszCrKikMLI0H_DpInQt8DnsOvxibbHhm1YA4sV-JYX65_D-y9Ob9AP7xSsZGddjTWpoW3XHM6eRu7oz69uQyLFHHQoNEuKgI/s1600/images+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxROJbypKV5ylMySt3S6QVSgf_2R5ItchiQCUfCazEUcszCrKikMLI0H_DpInQt8DnsOvxibbHhm1YA4sV-JYX65_D-y9Ob9AP7xSsZGddjTWpoW3XHM6eRu7oz69uQyLFHHQoNEuKgI/s1600/images+(1).jpg" height="200" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. John's Wort<br />
Known Herbal treatment<br />
for depression.</td></tr>
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- Plantago major (Plantain)<br />
- Rumex Acetosella (Sheep Sorrel)<br />
- Chrysanthemum leucanthemum (Ox-eye Daisy)<br />
- Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion)<br />
- Abies balsamea (Balsam Fir)<br />
- Hypericum perforatum (St. Johns wort)<br />
- Prunus spp. (Pin-Cherrys)<br />
- Usnea cavernosa (Pitted Beard "old mans beard")<br />
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<u><b>!SNACK TIME!</b></u><br />
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Grasshoppers glazed with a honey & brown sugar mix, fried up in a pan for a delightful afternoon snack.<br />
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