I’ve been researching and field testing ways to spending more time outdoors in winter, so it was a treat when Jim Muller introduced himself and WinterCampers.com.
I’ve spent the last few days visiting this site, which has excellent information on subjects I have not even tried, like camping with your dog. Even when I had a dog, I hadn’t taken him camping.
This site is both informative and fun. The articles, product reviews, quizzes, and other content add up to an invitation to, in Jim’s words, “celebrate the winter camping experience.”
Whether you’re looking to go high tech, ultralite, or fine-tune your primitive wilderness skills, you’ll find information from someone who enjoys waking up in the woods on a winter morning.
Thanks, Jim for motivating me to spend more quality time in nature by camping in winter.
If you look carefully, you can see the outline of the body of the deer who rested here long enough to melt the snow.
The icy hiking trails are unfit for skis, snowshoes or hiking boots. The only alternative is to hike off-trail, following the lead of the deer and many other animals who live in these woods. Here are some more track photos: (more…)
President Obama’s well-chosen words resonate deeply. Our Commander-in-Chief has a deep appreciation for the power of words.
I feel like I can breathe again. Imagine a poet as part of the inauguration ceremony. I’m convinced everyone I saw yesterday afternoon was smiling.
I make it a point to keep the text of speeches, poems, songs and other examples of excellent writing accessible. Here is the full text of President Obama’s inaugural speech: (more…)
I don’t have a television, but there is such a thing as HBO.com, at least for watching last night’s inagural concert.
The highlight for me was watching Pete Seeger, accompanied by his grandson Tao, Bruce Springsteen and a chorus of young people singing all of the verses of Woody Guthrie’s THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND. My mom used to sing the other verses. If I had my way, this would be our national anthem.
Of course AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL also qualifies as national anthem material. Beyonce sang with passion and sincerity.
As I think about honoring the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it occurs to me that either of these beautiful, celebratory, easy-to-sing-along-with songs beat a war song for a national anthem. I’m sure I’m not the only person who loves to sing out loud who feels this way. (more…)
I love to play with words, which motivates my 20th Century brain to attempt to follow the ever-changing 21st Century rules.
When brain is composting, I often make lists of baffling English words. Years ago I came up with a list of paradoxical words that had opposite meanings. Among my favorites were:
Clip –what you do to a coupon, or what you do with a paper clip
Note –what’s written on paper, or a specific tone a musical instrument makes
Sanction – which can mean either to permit or to penalize
Seed – to plant them for food, or to remove them from food
Seeded – added to the bread’s crust, or removed from fruit or vegetables
Shade – a color’s hue, or refuge from the sun undera tree or large object
Trunk – what grandma packed for a voyage, or a tree’s stem
Context is crucial to the meaning of these words. If you teach English as a second language, you have my deepest respect.
The writer claims to have created the word ANTAGONYMS to describe this group of words. That works for me. The author was also kind enough to create a longer list than my few examples, including slang circa 1999.
Trail conditions on Sunday and Monday were a base layer of ice topped by two inches of powdery snow.
I was smart enough to get out early. It was a sunny both days and the snow conditions were fragile. This was only my second opportunity to cross-country ski this season. The trail followed undulating hills through the woods, not too steep to climb and just enough thrill going downhill to keep control when getting used to skiing again.
In addition to my pocket survival kit, I typically carry my day pack. I miss winter camping and want to find a way to make my life easier in harsh conditions. I’d like to limit the weight and size of what I carry, especially while on skis.
I’ve been searching for a 4-season tarp. If I could set up camp within minutes of stopping for the night, then I’d have the option of mobility.
I’m not good at search engine keywords, but apparently I’m about to enter the addictive “ultralite” outdoors world. Who uses words like “ultralite?” I’ll soon find out.
Mike Lummio of Bushcraft Northwest has created videos and articles with clear illustrations explaining how he travels light without sacrificing comfort.
I love the sustainability of his approach. But I’ve got a few techniques to practice, including knot tying.
It’s bitter cold and icy out as I stare at the dried morels I harvested and preserved last spring. I had been reluctant to lead a mushroom walk until COMA mycologists pointed out that all I needed to know was how to get to the trail head and where to follow the trail. I did not need mushroom identification skills.
The benefit of leading a group of experienced mycologists along one of my favorite trails was that I saw mushrooms I might have otherwise overlooked, including the prized morels.
I happily accepted the assignment of coordinating COMA’s walk schedule for the 2009 season. Mentors and field experience are motivation enough to keep a good thing going. (more…)
I’ve been hiking with my cross-country ski poles, because this trail would not be accessible otherwise.
I’m getting the added benefit of exercising my arms and upper body. And it’s better than not being outdoors at all. I miss the snow, but it’s hard not to see the beauty in this icy wonderland.
And it’s an opportunity to study my tracks on ice.
But take one look at the photo in the top right corner of my home page and you can see what the trails looked like two years ago.
I love the way light and shadow work to make the tracks look like plaster cast relief tracks instead of impressions of tracks when photographed.
