Gone Camping - See ya'll in about a Week!

Be Prepared

It's that time of year again!

The tents have been patched and repaired and set up in the backcountry of our backyard wilderness.The bright orange nylon puptent is one I bought as a kid and spent many a summer's night in, dreaming up all kinds of wilderness adventures. Since it's small and we have the room I'll bring it along as a backup/storage shelter.

The Ozark Country dome tent works perfectly for the two of us and sets up easy. All the fiberglass poles have been replaced with brand new heavier ones, which will stand up to the harsh winds at Lake McConaughy much better.


Junior has been wishing to emulate the Boy Scouts in everything, so we designed our own camp flag with the motto "Nothing Ventured - Nothing Gained." The symbol of the coyote seems very appropriate too. Part of my love for camping in the wilderness is listening to the sounds of all the living creatures in the still of the night and early morning - especially the call of coyotes.

Under Dogs

Here at our blog we love all denizens of the Great American Grasslands, not the least of which are our P.D. neighbors (aka Prairie Dog). Here's an old, but still useful link from National Geographic.

National Geographic: Underdogs/Prairie Dogs at Home

How to Fix a Torn Tent | eHow.com

How to Fix a Torn Tent | eHow.com

Here's a very basic How-To for one of the most basic of camping problems. Back in the day, campers used to be able to do everything theirselves, including designing and making their own gear from simple household items.

Nowadays it seems that many help sites that I've looked through suggest taking such a simple problem as a tear in to a shop to be repaired by them. Is it that the more technical savvy society gets, the less skilled people are to actually fend for themselves?

Seems that's kind of the whole point with camping to begin with ...'Nuff said ;)

Warning Cry - Wind Cave N.P.

Daybreak at Lake McConaughy

Vintage 1960's Hiking Back Pack Canvas Framed Rucksack

Too cool. Vintage 1960's Hiking Back Pack Canvas Framed Rucksack on ebay.

The seller states as follows:

Here is a very cool vintage canvas and aluminum framed hiking backpack. The woman I purchased this from actually used this pack on a trip through Norway and other parts of Europe. There are many cool patches sewn onto the pack from the cities she visited. Her name and info is written on the back and inside of the top flap. The bag has a good sized main compartment along with two side pockets. The shoulder straps and pocket straps are leather. There are a few small stains on the pack but overall the condition is very good.

The pack measures approximately 16" tall and 30" wide.

Focused on a Meal

Aug 7, 2009 -

As the day headed on nearer sunset, we we're heading back to our campsite at Elk Creek when we spotted this fellow in a prairiedog town trying to sneak up on an unsuspecting dinner. Back at camp, we could hear the echoing howls of his brothers and sisters throughout that night.

Shot with my beloved Nikon P80.

Golden Book of Camping & Camp Crafts

*sigh* Just where was this book hiding when I was 10 years old? Perhaps some kid never returned his borrowed copy back to the library before I ever got a hint at it. This book has just about everything of it's day, profusely illustrated in 100% glorious color. There's even several pages of how to make your own canvas tent... hmmmmm....

I guess I'll just have to start catching up on what I missed out ;)

Vintage Preway Campstove

A sweet deal for only $7, she even has her original instructions. Fired her up with a little white gas and she works.