Ask Bigfoot 12/25/05

ASK BIGFOOTAdvise for the Outdoorsman Dear Bigfoot, I was at a Christmas party the other day, and overheard some guys talking about camping, hiking and whatnot. I'm not exactly sure I heard correctly, but I thought the guy said he used a 'Dingle Stick'. Okay, so you're the expert. What in the great outddors is a Dingle Stick? Sounds dirty to me. Curious in Caratunk Dear Curious, The very same thought occured to me when I read your letter, so I did what any expert would do: I Googled 'Dingle Stick' and Camping. I can first tell you what a Dingle Stick is not: It is not a tool that Santa uses to discipline his Reindeer ( that would be Kringle Stick). It is also not the latest fiber-optic technology being used by Proctologists ( that would be a Tingle Stick). In my search, I was sent by Google to a number of adult web-sites, and I can't even mention in this family oriented Blog some of the things a 'Dingle Stick' isn't. However, after extensive research, where by the way I finally got a chance to see that Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson video everyone's been talking about, I did find out the answer to your question. A 'Dingle Stick' in camping jargon is the long stick extended diagonally over a campfire that holds a pot of coffee, Dutch Oven, etc. It is the support stick you use to hang up the stuff you want to cook. I hope this answers your question and gets your mind out of the gutter. Your pal, Bigfoot Jack@totallyout.com More on http://totallyout.com/blog/

Fly Tying Lessons

I got my first Fly-Tying lesson from my father-in-law, Mark Nichols, the other day, and I tied my first fly!! By the way, this isn't it. I tied a Black Ghost. After I master that, I'm moving on to Joe's Smelt. My goal for this winter is to make me some Muddler's Minnows for the May season. They call me the Trout Whisperer. http://totallyout.com/blog/

Katrina

The following is an excerpt from an email I received from my Dad down in Florida. Makes me glad to know that if something unexpected and terrible happens there are people willing to step out of their comfort zones to help.

Nadia and I spent a week in Bay St. Louis Mississippi in early November. We volunteered to help with the Katrina cleanup. Two months after the hurricane, people were still living in tents. There were some hippies and fundamentalist Xians serving free meals and handing out free groceries in Waveland, MS (just up the road from Bay St.Louis). We spent our time there clearing away debris so FEMA ("Brownie, you're doin' a heck of a job") trailers could be brought in before the weather there turned cold. We mucked out a home flooded over the first floor ceilings. The family was living in a campground. The home hadn't been touched since August. Black mold. Fallen ceilings on top of beds with closets full of soggy clothes, wet cds, dvds.

We have some pix from our digital camera -- I'll send a few. We plan to take another crew back in February. The Mormon church is putting together some dorms for volunteers to bunk in. The 7th Day Adventists are cooking food for everyone. They are taking over a state park and turning it into a volunteer center. When we were there we stayed at a Methodist Church. We had breakfast and dinners there.

Cabin

No it’s not done yet but here are some pics. I swear it will be done soon. Also obviously the porch roof isn't done yet.

Post these then we are heading up to Mimi’s to make the traditional Pizzelles. Also to bang out some Christmas carols with the kids on the guitars with Mean ole Uncle Jack and Cals clarinet. Did I mention drink? Yeah will be doing a wee bit of that as well. Happy Holidays.

Ask Bigfoot

ASK BIGFOOT ADVICE FOR THE OUTDOORSMAN Dear Bigfoot, You're the best. I have a question that has always baffled me. How many MEN can you sleep in a four man Dome Tent? This question has kept me up many a night. Sleepless in Seboomic Dear Sleepless, For one thing, consider picking up an over the counter sleep aid, or something. If you really want to stay awake all night however, ask yourself this: why do they sell Hot Dogs in ONE quantity, like 6, and sell Hot Dog Buns in ANOTHER quantity, like 8 ? You have to buy about 112 of each before you reach the lowest common denominator. But... I digress. To answer your original question, the only camper I share a tent with of any kind has to be wearing a red flannel Teddy, if you know what I'm sayin'. I have always found it to be a slippery slope to put any more than ONE man in any tent. One thing leads to another and pretty soon you wake up spooning with some guy named Bud, whose unimpeahable manliness you could have SWORE you could vouch for. Unless a situation of 'worst-case' arises where you must save a buddy's life, bring a small tent, and suggest you campmates do the same. But just for your calculations, divide by a third the number of men accomodated by a tent. In other words, a 3 man Dome should fit you comfortably; a four man should fit you and a small Pygmy friend, or Christine Aguilara, whomever you can scrounge up... and so on. Thanks for the question and remember to be safe out there. If you have an outddors question for Bigfoot, e-mail jack@totallyout.com. Remember, Bigfoot is neither a licensed therapist or a registered guide (missed it by thiiiiis much).