VIVIE'S DAY-THOUGHTS ABOUT DOGS-AND MORE

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I guess the little movie below would be the "and more" part about this entry.  It is the Ocoee River Weir dam.  The water is roaring.  I took a bike ride this evening up the river gorge and stopped for a look see.  Whew!  Thrilling to be so close to such natural energy.

Here are a couple stills of the falls.  This river brings white water rafters and kayaker's from all over.

And she's running fine!

It's been awhile since I've mentioned dogs much;  well, OK.  A hem;  I'd like to make a little mention about dogs.  Vivie, the newest addition to the rescue list, has been locked in the yard now for weeks and I thought it would be great to take her with Douglas, Shade and Happy to the old abandoned state park I call the ruins.  She's a little darling and well mannered too.  She loved the outing.  I wanted to tire all of them out and I did.  Dogs need that.  They need to be totally de-energized from time to time.  I have to be careful I don't get attached to Vivie because she will be adopted some day and parting is indeed such sweet sorrow.  But, Vivie had a blast today.

Some thoughts about dogs.  He walked across the room and picked up the seven foot long by two inch diameter pole off the floor that had been leaning against the wall by the door.  It had slid off the wall to the floor during the night.  He picked the pole up at near the center and moved to the 24" by 30" dog door.  The stick obviously would not pass through the opening.  He immediately dropped the pole with out hesitation and exited the room through the dog door.  In the blink of an eye his head, neck and front legs came through the door.  Picking the pole up, dropping it and moving it around;  he finally picked it up at the pole's end and backed himself out the door taking the pole lengthwise with him through the dog door.  I'm talking about Douglas, my boy the Golden Retriever.  He's a sharp cookie when he wants to be.

The point is;  did he use instinct or did he figure out that the pole needed to go through the door end for end with thought process?   I have read and heard so much about how dogs must be trained to be achievers.  Repetitive routines reinforced with treats is the accepted methodology to achieve dog obedience.  But does that make them smarter?  I doubt it.  Dogs indeed need to be trained to make them grand achievers.  Maybe I don't particularly want my dogs to be "grand achievers";  to display actions that delight other humans.  My guys need to come when I call and stay when I say stay.  The rest is up to them.  Oh;  they must be polite. That's a trick for them.

I have never had a dog in my care that acted exactly like any other dog.  Each has been unique.  Do dogs show emotion?  I've been told no.  I know what I know and no fancy study can change what  I know.  Of course they have emotions.  The structure of their faces will not allow the caricature of emotions to show.  In short;  they're muzzles can't be contorted to demonstrate the emotions they experience.

I don't understand why all the questions about dogs feeling emotions.  If one scratches Douglas just right under his chin;  his lips turn up into a smile and his eyes close and soft, indistinct guttural sounds are emitted form his mouth.  Guess thats just a quirk.  I lay on the stream bank half asleep on my back, my head laying in my hands, fingers clasped together and Happy lies down and rests her head on top my elbow.;  her eyes shut as she breaths a deep sigh.  Is that not an indication of trust and affection?  She has the entire world to lay down in and she comes to me and selects my arm.  Is that just instinct or is it trust and affection toward me?

Humans call it bonding.  We are so afraid to admit that dogs feel anything emotional for some reason.  Do you know why?  Because humans kill thousands of beautiful, intelligent dogs every week.  It would be a crime to end the life of a dog that can feel emotion and reflect love back to a human, so we tend to doubt the possibility.  It's easier to segregate ourselves from an animal that is considered no more than a toy; a unique diversion.  Many dogs are cast aside when the novelty wears off.  They are considered simple possessions by many people.  But, they have a heart and a mind and they do know when they are loved and cherished and they do their best to reflect it back.  No;  not a thought process but, a natural act of energy reflection back to the human.  It takes many forms.  A tail wag for instance at the moment of the kind deed or eyes that go soft as he looks you directly in your face.  A lick to the back of your hand or maybe a simple turn of his head in recognition of the deed you just did out of kindness for him.

I've never understood how a dog owner who states he or she loves their dog, the family member, and then puts him in the shelter because of some difficulty in their personal lives.  It's like get rid of the dog and all my personal problems will be over.  What's the dog have to do with anything?   It's all lip service.  If your dog is your friend then his well being is a responsibility of stewardship.

Work out the problems with your little family member in mind.  Put him in the equation.  We humans are supposed to be the smart ones and the thinkers.  He does feel for you and is "bonded" to you.  Can you imagine the confusion he feels when you take him to the shelter and strangers put a leash on him and drags him away from you to a cage where he will be left alone.  Seventy two hours later he'll be injected with the sedative that will relax him for the final shot of poison that will end his innocent life.  And the crime of it all is that he did nothing wrong.  Nothing.  He trusted his care takers and his trust was betrayed.  It's sickening!
  Well;  that's off my chest.  I guess Vivie caused that little rant.  She has been discarded by someone who at one time cared for her.  They took the time to train her to walk on a leash, roll over,  and to sit.  Then they threw her out to forage for herself.  Amazing.  She's safe now.  It is what it is I guess.  I have pasted a email I received yesterday about a Black Lab named Woody.  This is what I mean.  This is shameful.  That guy should never be allowd to own another dog.  Never.  It follows now.  See if it touches your heart:

 

Meet Woody ……a handsome faithful companion…..wondering what did I do but love you unconditionally ???   Why???

 

Woody was adopted as a puppy by a man soon to be known to Woody as his dad.  They did everything together-a man and his dog…….Woody was very easy to train, playful and just a joy to have. To this day he still loves to sit, shake and fetch.

 

When Woody grew older, his dad got married.  Woody was excited to be a part of a bigger family now.  Sadly, Woody's new "mom" was scared of larger dogs which sealed his fate... Woody was put outside, and given a plastic doghouse to live in.   Woody waited patiently each day for his dad to come outside to care for him.... he danced around excited to see his dad even if just for a few minutes - he felt loved………  His life now reduced to nothing more than a few  minutes of love and pats on the head …….

 

 A few weeks ago, Woody's situation became much more dim.  Woody’s "family" is moving and they do not want to take Woody with them.  They are too busy, they work to much, they won't have a fenced yard, and so forth!!  

 

Woody will be homeless as of the 29th of August and will end up in the already over crowded shelter.  The sign on his cage to read “willing to love unconditionally again”.   Woody is fully vetted, and very sweet.  The perfect dog for any situation.  He has been shaved down for the summer...but usually has a long, wavy coat.  Please crosspost and save this boys life!~  We all know once woody walks through the doors of the shelter, he will never walk out.

 

Woody is in Greensboro, NC.

Thats a great thank you to a dog who has shown dedication to his caretaker.  That's his reward!  It's sickening and those people are repulsive.  This email is designed to make them feel better about it.  They can say we tried to find him a home but no takers.  And Woody is tossed on the land fill............If anyone reads this and would like to have Woody;  email me immediately.  I'll go get him.  loucksgl61@msn.com.

Vivie took to the water instantly.  Douglas and Shade are good teachers.  Well;  pretty good.  Yes;  that's Vivie submerged to the left of shade in the picture.  She is totally under water but having the time of her life.

Vivie is delighted to be out here.  She splashes in and out of the water and makes high squeak sounds of joy.  At times she'll crash into the water and just half run and swim in any direction for the joy of doing it.  What a joyful little dog.

  I could be in the canoe today or on the Gheenoe or even putting miles on the wheeled mosquito I just got.  But, the dogs need to get in the woods and in the water.  I elected to care and provide for them and I shall not shirk from that responsibility.  You see;  it's for the good of their emotional well being.

And so;  here we are back at the abandoned state park I call the ruins.  This is Vivie's first day out with us in the woods and field and she is behaving wonderfully..  She is so inquisitive about everything.  Tall grass is meant to jump in and stumps are meant to sniff around.  Water is for splashing.  She is just like a child.  She followed Douglas, Shade and Happy right into the lake.  No hesitation.  Vivie hangs close to Happy as they are about the same size and they share space when at home in the habitat.

They are having a great time.  We have been out for three hours and they are beat.  It's just what I wanted to achieve.  There will be no hesitation when I walk back to the truck.   They are ready  to get home to food and sleep when they become exhausted.  That little Gheenoe would look funny with four dogs heading to the camp site on Calderwood Lake.  It would be like them taking me in the boat.  Funny thought!

You know Shade is tired when she sits down.    It was a great early afternoon and we have to be off.  I guess there's time for a bike ride before dark.  I think I'll ride down to the Ocoee River Gorge later.  I need to complete the engine break-in on the mosquito before the ride up to Pennsylvania via the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The above shot is of Parksvale Lake.  Below is the weir dam on the Ocoee River.

That would be a bad piece of water to come upon in the dark of night in a canoe.  Whew!  That's it for this episode of adventures.  Next entry should be another canoe camp out and then the ride up the Blue Ridge Parkway through West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.  I plan to stop at the tail race of the Savage River Dam for an overnight camp and one day of fly fishing on the Savage River.  Should be an interesting trip.  Later................................

ALONG THE CHEROHALA SKY WAY

click on photos to enlarge.

Take a ride with me on the sky way.  see below

The Cherohala Skyway, one of the most beautiful roads in America, runs across the mountains from Tellico Planes, Tennessee to Robinsville, North Carolina.  The entire distance end to end spans 46 miles of gentle curving road.  It climbs into the clouds at 5600 feet.

I had a busy day today.  The morning was spent getting an oil change for the truck and building a small door to separate the bathroom/wash room  from the main space in the habitat area.  I've got to keep the dogs out of that space.  My original intentions for the day were to travel, by Gheenoe, down the Tennessee River looking for photo opportunities.  Dark sky's, the threat of storms and an increasing wind made me think better of going on the river.  Instead I opted to drive my new 45 horsepower wheeled magic carpet over the Cheohala Sky way.  I needed to put break in miles on it in preparation for the trip up the Blue Ridge Parkway to Pennsylvania next month.  That's not a tiny ride.
I picked up the Cherohala Sky way (CS) at Tellico Planes just South of where I live.  The lower stretch  of road follows a wide stream up the mountain.  A right hand turn off the CS leads to Bald River Falls.  I haven't been to the falls in two years.

It is a tourist hang out and you all know how much I love to spend time near hoards of people on my days off.  I was in luck today.  No one was at the falls.  I lingered there for not more than twenty minutes before moving on.  The CS bends left and right always on the incline, snaking through the tree covered mountain sides.

A familiar sign appeared on my right.  Indian Boundary Lake.  I definitely needed to pull in there.  Amazing!  Not one tourist was in sight.  Even the camp ground was empty.

I looked across the lake and had an instant longing for my canoe.  The wind created a wash board surface and a canoe float in that more than gentle breeze would require some energetic action with the paddle.

No matter though;  any time in a canoe is time well spent.  The sky is both bright and dark depending on which side of the mountain the road takes me.

The weather is fickle up here.  It doesn't follow any forecast.  Forecasts are a human thing used to prove that homo sapience have total control over nature.  Of course they do!
I stopped at a few of my favorite overlooks for pictures.  On a clear day one can see forever it seems.  Even on an unclear day, for that matter.  Below is Indian Boundary Lake from far above.

See forever?  Yep.  Here's proof.

How bout this one

The wind has picked up strength and the temperature is dropping.  something is coming to the mountain.  I'll be on my way.  I want to get on the Route 129 side of this mountain.  The sky is blue in that direction.

As I drive along, my thoughts go back to an earlier time when this expansive piece of real estate was truly wilderness.  It's hard to conceive that families actually eked out livings up here.  Many had farms and planted crops, corn, under the forest canopy in acrid, ascetic soil.  There wasn't much of a corn crop with limited sun light, steep hill sides and bad soil.  But, they carried on.  Small wooden shacks, many not even constructed of logs but of a combination of mud brick and sticks.  A lean too of limbs provided shelter for the cow or goat.

I can envision the man of the family returning from the new plowed field on the mountain side just above his shack, his hands filthy with the soil he had just tilled, dirt encrusted under his finger nails and sweat soaking his clothing from his laborious task;  returning home in time to coax his new son from his wife's womb.  A brief interlude and rest would follow before she rises from the tick bed to prepare supper of ramps, wild beats, nuts and pork for him.
It's all just a moment in time that they lived through.

I turn left onto the road to Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest.

I've written about the forest in another entry so I won't delve into it very deep here.

Needless to say the forest is a fascinating refuge for four hundred year old trees.  Some are older.  My God!, imagine what we have done to our old growth forests.

I am amazed that this resource is located so close to the tourist routes yet receives so little visitation.  I guess a visit would require getting out of the car and walking a bit.  I understand......But, this precious forest is magic.

By the way;  that would be Alfred Joyce Kilmer.  Seems people in the South use their middle names as first names.  I don't get it but, that's just the way it is down here.

The little bike is humming along just fine.  Very pleasant.  I think it and I will have a great relationship.

We find Route 129 North and follow it to Cheoah Dam.

  Cheoah is the oldest dam in Tennessee and it is an earthen dam.  Remember the movie "Fugitive?"   Scenes were filmed at Cheoah Dam.  Neat huh?  Cheoah empties its waters into Calderwood Lake.

 You know how I feel about that lake.  Calderwood has fog covering it shore to shore.

Oh;  for my canoe!   I want out there.  I need to be out there.

From here it's deal with the Dragon's Tail, that twisty part of Route 129 known as the Dragon.  A short pause in the ride is taken at the scenic overlook at the North end of the Dragon.  Yep;  its an aerial view of Calderwood Lake and Dam.

The rest of the ride was uneventful but wonderful.  Tennessee is truly blessed with many natural resources.  I hope government leaders wisely protect this rich heritage.  See you next time.  Hope you enjoyed the ride.
 Gotta put a critter of some sort up here:

SLICK ROCK CREEK----AN ALMOST CAMP OUT

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Route 129, better known world wide as the Dragon Tail, has 318 curves in eleven miles of road.  It's a lot of work in a truck pulling a boat.  I have to travel over this road to get to Calderwood Lake.  The Dragon is also a race track for crotch rockets and sports cars.  In reality,  it is is a curvy road that someone decided to capitalize upon.   As I lumbered along in the truck with the boat, two Sheriff cars with sirens blasting went past me.  I heard them coming and pulled over to the side.  I knew what was up.  Ten minutes later I came upon a very bad motorcycle accident.  A Harley Davidson Ultra Classic (largest bike they make,) was upside down resting on the handlebars and rear seat in a ditch on the left side of the road..  Wheels straight up in the air   When it went off the road into the ditch,  the bike tried to roll up the vertical cliff beside the ditch;  it fell and tumbled landing  perfectly upside down.  The rider was still sitting on the seat under the mess.  I didn't think it apropos to take a picture.

The weather was calling for rain today so I figured we could get to Slick Rock Creek and get a camp going before it hit.  No such luck.  The sky opened up and drenched us.  I waited on shore at Slick Rock Creek for it to stop raining before putting up the tent but, it just wouldn't stop.

I tried out the new off shore anchoring system I recently got.  It consists of attaching the end of a bungee cord to the boat and the other end to an anchor.  At about twenty five to thirty feet off shore;  I toss out the anchor with the bungee attached.  Then I drive slowly to the shore and jump out of the boat holding the bow line which I am supposed to attach to a tree or boulder.  Of course, I had three dogs who just had to be on the nose of the boat at the same time ready to disembark.  No room for me to jump off with the bow line.   On the first attempt;  I got up and moved quickly to the bow ready to jump to shore.  Dogs in the way.  The bungee pulled the boat and us back to the anchor.  Ok;  one more try and I got to the bow alright but, dogs in the way again and the bungee pulled us back to the anchor again.

 The below video shows approach to Slick Rock Cove and creek

 

 

Gotta get smart here.  I pulled to the shore once more and coaxed the dogs to get off the boat.  The bungee pulled me back out.  The next time, with no dogs, I was on the bow and jumped off holding the bow line.  The boat was only a foot off the rocks that lined the shore.  I offloaded the boat and loosened the bow line from a tree and let the bungee anchor system  pull the boat back to the anchor.  You can see the blue bungee floating behind the boat.  This system worked great and has opened up many possibilities to explore  shorelines I previously could not anchor or beach on.  I have to admit that it's going to take getting used to seeing the boat out in the middle of the channel without me on it.  I really miss the canoe on this lake.   Can't take all the dogs in a canoe though.

Now, when I want to leave or load up the boat,  all I have to do is pull it to shore with the bow line and tie it off.  When I leave, I load the boat,  get on and loosen the bow line and the bungee will pull us back out into the channel.   I'm tickled with this.  I'm amazed at how long the bungee stretches out to.  It's only about four feet long when in slack condition.  But, the thing will stretch out about thirty feet or more.  It's strong too. 

W

As soon as the boat stops forward motion to the shoreline, the bungee instantly starts to draw it back toward the anchor.  It's a slow motion "pull back", but there isn't any hesitation.   The rain is pouring and all the camping stuff will be soaked.  The camp out isn't that important this trip as it was a spontaneous "go do it" kind of thing.  If we stay, I'll be a week drying everything out.  We will leave.  Total shore time is close to two hours.  That's long enough for the dogs to get worn out.  They just keep going and going out here.  I can't even take a camera out of the bag as I am afraid of the water ruining the photographic equipment.  Better safe than sorry.  If I were serious about this trip I would have installed the Manta sun/rain shade on the Gheenoe and brought dry bags.  If I could have raised the tent before all the rain;  we'd still be there.  Love stormy weather.  Below is an addition to the adventure stable.  More to come about it in another blog entry.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LETTER EVER WRITTEN

This, from a true patriot and husband;  a real American.

copy and paste the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSprdaGol34

CALDERWOOD LAKE CAMP AGAIN- 8-7-2010

CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE
Shade, Douglas, Happy and I pulled into Slick Rock Creek only to find a tent on our favorite spot.  Early to mid week are the best times to be on this lake.  there were no motorized boats, canoes or kayaks in the area so I believe they are hikers.

We would mosey on down the lake and try to get the second choice spot as these camp sites go.

We were in luck.  No one was about.  We would camp here for the night.  There are no creeks for the kids to play in at this site.  I am sorry about that.  I'll try to boat them into a creek later.

They absolutely love these boat rides.

I had a new off shore anchor system I wanted to try out this trip but found it unnecessary at this camp site.  However, it is necessary at the Slick Rock site.
The boulders lining the shore would cause tragic damage to the hull on the Gheenoe.  All the system requires, is one end of  a giant bungee cord  tied to an anchor.  The other end tied to the boat on a rope cleat on the stern.  I motor to shore jump off and tie the boat off to a tree.  I unload the boat and untie the bow line from the tree and hold on to it.  The bungee pulls the boat out to the anchor.  When I want to leave I pull the line attached to the bow eye and pull the boat back in to shore and get on.  The bungee pulls me back out to the anchor.  Easy and simple.  I wouldn't trust it in heavy current or stormy weather but, I would back in the cove of Slick Rock.

This little dog, Happy, will not ever leave my side for more than a minute;  even on this boat.  She's the most dedicated little girl imaginable.

And, dear Shade.  Ever loving Shade.  Big goof Shade.  I love her.

And last but not least is the main guy;  Douglas.  Ever on watch for danger;  constantly taking depth readings and relaying the information back to me from the bow.  And;  remaining aloof as usual.

So, those are the players.  The story continues.
I pulled the Gheenoe along shore and sort of wedged it between two trees  and placed rubber bumpers between the trees and the boat.  This is one tuff lake to beach a boat.  But, I got it safely tied off.

There is a different tent on the scene this trip.  It is called a Spring Bar Tent.  It is named such because the top of the tent is shaped by spring rods and the tension is held by the two vertical adjustable poles one on each side of the tent.  It's difficult to explain.   The tent is a slick piece of engineering though.  It has the same dimensions as my OZ Tent but, does not have the bulky internal frame built into the tent as the OZ does.  This tent must be staked down prior erection of the sides.  It took me two minutes to set it up.

You can see in the picture below how the vertical pole grabs the spring rods that go through loops in the roof.  Tension applied by the pushing up of the poles raises the tent.

Both the Spring Bar and the OZ tents are magnificent tents of the highest quality.  The Spring Bar, however, is the tent of choice for canoeing.  I would have used the OZ tent this trip with the Gheenoe accept I wanted to do a camp with the Spring Bar to try it out.

The only problem setting up is the existence of those log site enclosures that dictate the usable space for a tent.  They seem to be made for back packer tents.  I really hate them and prefer to be left alone to my own devices as to site selection and tent space.  But, it is what it is.
The zippers and stitched seams are of the highest quality.

It has a large front opening and a huge window in the rear.  It's a very comfortable, secure habitat.

Below is another picture of the brace across the top of the roof.

Below is a side view.

The above shot shows a wrinkled end due to the fact I needed about six more inches of area on the ground to make the tent really taut.
I brought a tarp along to make a canopy for evening enjoyment.  I love to sit in my chair under the awning and watch what's going on down at the lake and in the woods.  I was able to rig it to the Spring Bar.  I ordered two collapsible tarp poles and they came just in time for this camp out.  The tarp awning worked out pretty good I'd say.

I simply placed guy ropes on each pole and pulled them taut.  I had no rope adjusters so I used an old knot I learned to tie in the boy scouts.  Yes Paul;  that's where I learned how to tie it too.  I'll put several pictures of this knot here for those interested to study.  One can shorten a length of rope instantly with this knot and it will hold forever.  It's a good one to understand and know how to tie.  It's uses are many.  It is called the Sheep Shank knot.

Here is a really clear shot of the Sheep Shank knot.  I darkened the background out to exemplify detail.

And one last shot showing one end of the knot.  It's an easy one to tie.

Not a bad set up if I do say so myself.

I sloped the tarp to shed rain if we got lucky tonight.

 A large power boat just ripped by.  They're here.  Darned.  I have to go down and re-rig the Gheenoe so the wakes don't toss it into the bank.  No muffler on his engine either.  What a dunce.!

These butterflies are all over the place.  Pretty little things.  As usual;  I'll have to look them up.

Silver Spotted Skipper.  Yep;  I knew it all the time

I'm kind of giving up on the Okefenokee Swamp paddle trip.  The swamp is so regulated that I fear I won't be able to lose sight of people.  And, I'd rather sleep in a floating canoe than camp on a platform with tourists.  And furthermore;  I damn well know they would bring their wretched boom boxes with them, and cell phones.  I'm the last person they'd want to share a platform with if they had radios and cell phones.  The gators would eat well.  No;  I think I'll pass on that swamp experience.  A shame. North Georgia has a couple rivers with flood planes that extend miles back into Cyprus swamps.  I could really get into that.  I've got to figure it out soon.  My vacation is in September.

I just looked down the hill to the Gheenoe and noticed Old Glory missing off the back of the Gheenoe.   Flag pole and all is missing off the stern.  I must have caught it while making the approach to shore passing under overhanging tree limbs.  Maybe I can see it on the bottom close to shore in the morning.  I think maybe we all better keep an eye on Old Glory lest she disappears from all of our views.  Just a passing thought.  By the way;  the ant is carrying a decapitated spider's head.

Three boats with about 50 horsepower motors just blasted by.  I have to go back down to the boat and check the rubber bumpers again.  I guess the weekenders are arriving.  No sense worrying about getting shots of eagles, beavers or otters this trip.

They blast up the lake and back down and back up and back down, full throttle.  Hurry sundown.
This lake should have a limited motor size on it.  It isn't a wide lake at all and too narrow for these morons to be running huge engines on.  One of the boats was sporting a 225 horsepower Mercury.  That's nuts.  Wonder why the wildlife people of North Carolina don't apply simple logic and common sense to their laws?   Actually, this should be a no engine lake.

I've had a passing thought come and go about selling the Gheenoe.  It's a fast way to get places but then;  I'm never in a rush anymore.  I am thoroughly addicted to canoes..I thought it might be a passing fancy but it's gotten into my psyche.  I enjoy paddling a canoe much more than running the lakes in a motor boat (Gheenoe).  The only down side to the canoe is I can only take one dog, well, maybe two if the second one is small.  I don't know what to think.  I paid cash for the Gheenoe, and it is good to explore new areas quickly.   A canoe is so slow it would take weeks to explore a big lake to determine what kind of critters are on it.  For instance now;  I have to protect the hull of the Gheenoe from being bashed against the shoreline by the wakes from the idiots blasting by with no consideration.  A canoe would be right here beside me on dry land.  I'll keep thinking on it.  Two things are in the Gheenoe's favor;  I can take all my dogs on it and the boat is paid for.  That's a plus and a half.  And;  I like the damn thing.

OK;  now for some Dinty Moore Stew.  Can't wait.  What's this.  Oh no!  I left my eating utensils, fork, at home in my old cooking pot.  I got a new cooking pot and forgot to put the fork and spoon inside.

 No problem.  I'll just whittle a spoon from a stick.

Let's see.  Whittle, whittle.  Ah;  perfect.  No sweat!

No can opener either.  No big deal.  I have my trusty pen knife.  It is due for a sharpening anyway so it won't hurt to cut open the can with it.  The dogs have to eat and I brought them some great canned food too.  Those dogs have it made with me.  They really do.
My problem is that I switch my camping gear from the shed where the canoe is to the house when I prepare to take the Gheenoe.  If I had one big cabinet to house all the camping stuff in one place I would have no trouble.  It's all just spread out in too many places.


A tree fell in the forest across the lake.  a loud Crump, Crump and a Kasmash!  In other words - break, crack, and fall down.  I don't see how even trees can stick on these near vertical mountain sides.  The shrieks of a pair of Osprey is loud.  I quick grab the camera and almost miss them.  They are flying down the opposite shore line.  a very difficult shot to get.

The photography is shabby but it's the best I can do.  I simply shot from the hip, so to speak.

So, lets talk about mowing grass.  Bet you can tell I'm sitting under my canopy in my super comfortable camp chair just writing away.  You're right.
The big zero turn mower is still at the shop getting its $1500 parts and labor wheel pump installed.  In the mean time the grass is about ten to twelve feet tall.  the four acres I mow is all hills.  I rent from the people and mowing reduces my rent.  Now;  I have a little self propelled Ninja lawn mower that I took to the lady's property to mow the grass in front, rear and sides of the house.  That part of the lawn is hill side also.  I started last night and wore myself out.  I retried this morning and the grass was still damp with dew.  The cuttings of grass plugged up the mower due to the moisture content.  Then the mower quit.  A quick examination of the mower indicated the air cleaner was dirty and plugged up with debris.  Off to Maryville I went to buy a filter and a spark plug.  Sixteen miles I drove to buy a $2.95 air filter and a $1.98 spark plut.  I installed the filter and plug and mowed on.  I wanted to come to Calderwood at noon.  I mowed three quarter of the front yard when the drive belt started slipping.  I can't blame the mower as this is brush hog country.  I shut it off and let it sit and came up here.  I couldn't take another drive to Maryville for a $6.00 belt.  What is with this grass mowing thing!  What?!  The physical torment and expensive upkeep of equipment is astronomical!  It's nuts!  To do the job right; I'd have to start mowing at 1PM when the dew is off the grass.  That's when the temperature is approaching a hundred degrees.  That means from 7AM till noon is "wait time" for mowing.  From 1PM till 4PM is mow time.  The day is shot.  It's gone.  All over cutting the damn grass.  OK;  I'll let it go..

A pileated woodpecker is hammering on a tree somewhere up the hill behind us.  Small pieces of debris and leaves can be heard landing on the tarp I'm sitting under.  all are comforting sounds;  natural sounds;  soothing sounds.  The dogs are comforting to me.  They are sticking close, laying about.  I've got three of the best companions imaginable.

I heard a story today from a friend who's brother saw a car dragging a dog behind it.  He got the car pulled over and the driver jumped out and offered an aggressive posture.  When notified he was dragging his dog behind the truck; the driver said, "It's my dog and I'll damn well do what I please with it."  The driver was from Georgia and the dog was gone, it's body half ground away.  Imagine the terror and supreme pain that little dog endured.  It's incomprehensible.  The Sheriff was notified as I understand and legal action levied.  That Georgian driver is a lucky sole.  Had I witnessed that cruel act I would be in jail right now facing attempted murder charges.  I wouldn't have killed him but he would never walk again on his God given legs.  I guarantee it.  I look at my sweet dogs and appreciate their undying dedication to me.  They count on me.  I could never divorce myself from their trust.  Never.

I look at Happy laying by my chair, her little feet, her small body, dedicated to me only----and I think of that inhuman act of dragging a little black and white dog behind a car to it's death, it's feet ground off it's legs and then the legs from the body and finally the body torn to shreds.  I am motivated to do even more for my dogs, my friends.  They will have a swimming pool in the yard before tomorrow night.  I love each of them. 

Crickets and Cicadas are chorusing.  Night has finally arrived and the boats are gone back to the dock side camp ground where they can smell each others smoke and listen to the chatter of all the people until they can't keep their eyes open.  I am wide awake and in tune to the sounds around me.  Finally the wilderness experience occurs.  The fire is bright.

Boom!  There they all three go.   Pitch dark, they, all three, charge silently across the hillside along the lake.  They'll probably lead a bear down to camp.  That's all I need.  
They've all returned.  Not one bark.  Nothing.  Funny thing.


3AM.  something crashed through the camp down by the Gheenoe at the edge of the water.  The crashing of brush and limbs woke me up.  Both Shade and Douglas are gone.  Happy is with me.  I haven't heard a bark or any indication anything was coming through.  Were the dogs frightened?  Dogs will bark at loud cars or strange people but, sometimes they are cautious at strange sightings they don't understand.  One night a herd of Llamas charged Douglas and he did not bark.  He took a stance beside me and stood there with me making low guttural growls.  I think this is the case here.  Shade is a follower.  She will emulate Douglas in such matters.  Likely both dogs were perplexed at the smell and the sound of the intruder.  My first thoughts were that a bear stumbled through the edge of camp while simply walking the shoreline.  Both dogs appear suddenly out of the dark and lie down.  I can't wait to check for tracks to see what that was down there.  If a bear got scent of the dogs he would run for it.  I may never know but, it's sure peaceful at 3:30AM out here.  I'm up now.

An owl is hooting very close to the tent.  He is immediately answered from another located in a tree down by the water.  Two screech owls communicate constantly.  How great!  A bull frog is croaking incessantly on the shoreline across the lake.  His sound carries all that distance perfectly.  The night insects are filling the quiet night with their music.  Wow!  the quiet combined with the night sounds is deafening.  
The sentinel------------

Douglas is growling.  I think we're getting a return visit from the crasher.  All dogs appear on the alert.  Guess I better get out there.  I could hear a grunting sound further out than what the light will reach.  The huffing sound of a bear is not present; not to say it isn't a bear.  I am assuming boar.  I think I'd rather have the bear.  A bear will run from the scent of a dog, most times.  a boar will often face off with a dog.  Multiple boar together could prove interesting and possibly disastrous.  I would protect the dogs with everything I had if need be, and I had it in my hand that moment.  The dogs all stared in the same direction and just sat there.  I'll go back to my chair and not look for trouble.  the excitement added a bit of drama to the evening.  I'm proud of the dogs.  They don't chase large critters.  Probably a natural fear holds them in check.  Whatever the reason, they are all here and safe.  And they are all alert and facing the dark.  It's comforting.  There's really nothing out there that will intentionally do harm.  Key word is intentionally.  It's the accidental blundering into each other;  human and critter, that can cause problems.  The dogs have prevented confrontation.  I love to see the wild stuff in the light but at night;  I'll pass.  The big critters have the edge at night.  I can't believe I'll be walking behind a mower tomorrow.

Morning is upon us and it's time to break camp and load the Gheenoe.  Ha;  the kids are waiting.

I wish we didn't have to leave, and we don't but, I can't deal with the boats on the lake.  Just can't.  So we'll be off.

 Thanks for coming along this trip.  It wasn't a long one but a great time.