2 July 2025 Morning Ride

Rainy Day Walk

Feb 2025 Maple Season

2025 Maple Season

Owl Pellet Project

For some reason this project struck me as a fun thing to do. The idea of a poo scavenger hunt seems like as good of a reason to get out this late winter/ early spring as any I’m likely to come across.
More Information

Yes, this appears to be a real thing! I’ll post a link for you to follow so you can see the correct way to gather owl pellets and yes there is a correct way.
If you have any budding scientists or outdoor enthusiasts, this may be a perfect project. Perhaps incorporate some additional activities on the off chance you don’t find any owl pellets. I’m sure you will find some sort of pellet while your out- perhaps play an identify the poo game 🙂

Just because I’m curious if you do decide to go and collect pellets send me an RSVP, I guess an email or comment would work as well.

Submit a form.

Enviromental Rant- Stop the Willow Project

I’m gonna Say it

The United States needs to STOP THE WILLOW PROJECT.
I can’t say it any plainer than that. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is the largest area of UNDERSTURBED public lands left in the US. 

01

how much more can we take.

There is literally nowhere for any of these wild animals to go. We are running out of wild places for them and for us. We have all heard of the situation the polar bears are in, but they unfortunately are only a popular face on the ever-growing list of endangered species. We as a culture have continually failed to draw a line and dig our heals in.  

02

When is enough, enough?

So, we get the 180 million barrels of oil a year out of the ground. What then? Did Prudhoe Bay fix our energy problems, or did it just move the timeline while making our planet worse? We need to move away from fossil fuels, and honestly, I don’t really care if that takes a plane or two out of the skies. We have made a pledge on limiting carbon emissions and being net zero by 2050- This isn’t the way to get there.

03

wouldn’t it be nice

Let’s pretend this Willow oil project stopped. Let’s pretend you have kids and lefts say they have children of their own- wouldn’t it be grand if they someday where able to see a real wild space? Or will our children’s children look back in history and see this as another opportunity missed? Another bookmark in the history of the world where things could have been different.

04

Natives

I certainly can’t speak for the natives that have lineage going back a thousand years in that country, but I’d wager the majority of the Alaskan natives will vote no.  That’s a “no” despite the obvious money it would bring, and the 300 jobs ConocoPhillips promised. I’d say a promise by an oil company is no promise at all. While we have in the past paid record amounts at the pumps, the oil industry has posted record profits.

Learn More

AlaskaPublic.Org 

Pictures

Pictures

Patients...

As a hunter, outdoorsman and parent that something I understand all to well. Be patient, be quiet and all good things come to those who wait.

It’s day 4 of open deer season and I have yet to spend any time in the woods. Oh, I’ve made my plans, I’ve found places for the kids to be, I’ve done extra around the house so I could get that all too valuable “kitchen pass” from the wife.

What could possibly be holding me back? That’s it…my back! My back managed to get it’s self misaligned or strained. Perhaps it’s something more insidious; a part of me has joined PETA. I don’t remember doing anything abnormal, at least not for me. I’m always outside and busy- moving this here, carrying that there and so forth. All I know is I can’t crawl under anything and I can’t step over anything which basically means I’m a lame duck.

Let’s hope my “patients” pays off come Saturday.

Calvin's first deer

Here is a picture of Calvin with his first deer. He got him on the right side of the field about 25 yards into the woods. It was a very windy day so we approached the herd( yes a herd) down wind so as not to be noticed. We where actually trying to make it around the field to find a place to sit on the old farm road in the woods. We got to within 20 yards of some of the deer before he shot the buck- (30 yard shot). He was using a lever action 44 mag. With a scope. After tagging and having it weighed (132lbs) we took it to Uncle Brians to butcher it up. We kept the antlers to make a mount.

N 44° 53.181 W 069° 16.455

What is that? That my friends are the coordinates to our first geocache find. If you’re looking for a fun outdoor activity I’d suggest geocaching http://geocaching.com . Basically this is an old-fashioned scavenger hunt using high tech tools. Armed with your GPS and some trinkets for trading you set off to find a cache of goodies.

The Boyz and I also hid our first cache yesterday- Wana know what we hid? Go find it. N 44° 49.763 W 069° 13.661

Click here for more details on our cache http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=56cfec28-4141-4e14-b4c1-e332e607a95e

Awhile

It’s been awhile since I posted anything mostly because I started a new job and it has sucked the life out of me. Let’s hope I get fired soon so I can resume my life..kidding kidding, I’m happy and blessed to be employed, blaa blaa blaa.

Any who, I have finally successfully created waypoints on USAPhotoMaps http://jdmcox.com and then transferring those way points via another program called EasyGPS http://www.easygps.com. I also managed to create waypoints on the GPS and transfer to USAPhotoMaps.

Setup is: I have a Lowrance Ifinder Pro, free copy of USAPhotoMap, (JDCox does take donations) and a free copy of EasyGPS.

Lowrance uses a USR file format and USAPhotoMap exports in GPX or XML format. That’s where the EasyGPS comes in. EasyGPS imports the XML or GPX and spits out USR files directly to my memory card in the SD Reader.

Ok, Jack time for a real life test- let’s git hrr done!

Ask Bigfoot 12/31/05

Dear Bigfoot, Long time reader, first time writer- Thanks Bigfoot- Once again I feel enlightened after reading your article. Perhaps you could answer a question I have had since last summers camping trip with some pals. After having the misfortune of being the one responsible for tipping the canoe over on the initial launch, drenching all the gear as well as sending our entire stock of Canadian Whiskey to the murky depths. My long time friend called me a "baculum". Everyone seemed to think it was very funny and the ribbing continued throughout the entire trip, usually accompanied by a smack on the back of my head. I pretended to know what it was and laughed off their jokes but I can't stop wondering what the joke was about. Please help- Wondering in Chester Dear Wondering, Oh, you’re a Baculum alright. A BIG one, I’d say. I mean, losing the gear is bad enough, but it’s hard to put on a brave face when all the trip’s CLC is feeding the fishes. If you were camping with ME, getting a dope-slap up side the head would be the least of your concerns. Anyhow, according to my painstaking research (Google to the rescue again), Baculum comes from the Latin for ’force’ or ’stick’. Argumentum ad baculum means an argument appealing to force, or ‘talk to the stick’ as it were. I didn’t think that was the meaning your campmates’ friendly admonitions referred to when they ’teased’ you about gaffing all their hootch. So, I found a second, more appropos meaning, which is this: a Baculum is a unique, slender bone found in the penis of most mammals. The bone aids in copulation when mates have only a short encounter and need to perform quickly. Most primates, including humans do not have ‘baculi’, but in your case you probably do, Mister. Two Minute Man. The Baculum is sometimes referred to as a ‘Hillbilly’ or ‘Mountain Man’ toothpick, as they are harvested for toothpicks or coffee stirs. Disgusting, I agree, but hey, I don’t make this stuff up, I just report it. The largest baculum in the animal kingdom, by the way, is the Walrus (lucky bastard) at a well-endowed 30 inches. I searched the net and found a web site where you could order different baculi for whatever unsavory reason you might have, and I went ahead and ordered you some ‘Coyote Baculum’. Take them on your next trip and impress your friends by offering them as excellent Whiskey swizzle-sticks. That IS., if’n you don’t spill all the booze overboard, you big dope. Anyhow, thanks for sharing and remember to keep your fly wet. Bigfoot

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).

2 boys and a ham.
Muddah

Sure you can climb on the rocks- what could go wrong?
Muddah

I think it's raining...
Muddah

Calm after the storm
Muddah

Kirk roaming lake Umsaskis
Muddah

The Lilly Bay Way

is one way to reach the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. Of course if you where to call and ask an expert, someone from the North Woods Association, someone with more years in the area than I on earth, that person may offer a different route. But this blog isn’t about “the experts” it’s about me, my family and my friends adventures as we make our way across and thru not only the wild places but life. So with that in mind it would seem only fitting and right that I would shun the advice of a wilderness travel agent and make my own trail albeit perhaps in hind sight the wrong decision to many. We didn’t make it much out of Lilly Bay before Jack’s vehicle (Ford Explorer) was afflicted with what will be known as mishap #1- A flat left rear tire, easily fixed using the combined resources of the 2 vehicles, my jack and his tire iron. With the installation of a less than perfect spare we where soon on our way once more. The plan- leave Newport 2:30 –3:00 am with an estimated arrival time at Churchill Dam at approx 9 am, leaving 2 hours to spare before the gate keeper lets the water flow for an exhilarating canoe ride thru Chase Rapids. Spend the first night along the banks of Long Pond and resuming the river in the morning to a final destination at Round Pond. At 1:30pm after traversing what was believed to be a connecting road, a shortcut, to the main logging road that would deliver us to Churchill Dam it became obvious even to the dim that we missed the 11:00 O-Clock dam opening. To make matters worse and somehow poetic at the same time-within sight of the main road our path was blocked by a washout. Our options where few, 1.) some how turn around in the swamp and go back along the cow path we came or 2.) re-build a bridge and risk a crossing. We chose the latter as any man would. Rather to have your vehicle tumble down an 8’ embankment than tuck your tail and turn back defeated. This would be known as mishap #2. I’d like to say that I led the charge on the rebuilding of the bridge but that honor belongs to the one who earned the nicknamed “Magiever”, Kirk Clark. I was torn between Jacks doubts and my own fear of having to be the first to drive across the rotten logs and haphazard planking, so I was a less than an energetic worker. This would also mark the uncapping of the Black Velvet-the top spun to the truck floor as Jack made his way nervously over the stream. After reaching the Churchill Dam a “new” plan had to be established to take into account the lateness of the day and the reality of not being able to make Long Pond by nightfall. This plan would be simple and would in tale just a short jaunt up the Churchill Dam road and putting in at Umsaskis Lake. Unfortunately the Churchill Dam road wasn’t well marked and we some how made a left onto the Poulin road. That little mishap costs us another hour plus- the only side benefits was a chance meeting at a cabin with someone we named “Sally”. She was a wealth of knowledge and became the source of endless sarcastic remarks and would be tales. Finally the trip is set to begin- we arrived at Umsaskis Lake and the guys dropped me along with the gear to ready the canoes for the shorter trip onto Long Pond. While I was doing that, they where to drop off the pickup vehicle at Round Pond. After I had the canoes loaded and ready I made a pot of coffee and spent the remaining time taking a short hike around the area and inspected some campsites there on the lake. Almost an hour past and Jack and Kirk returned with some grave news- Jack had had what will be referred to as mishap #3. He had a second flat; neither of the tires were repairable and would require us to leave in the morning to buy new sneakers for his explorer. One perfect afternoon and evening along the Allagash is certainly worth the hassles of the trip there and perfect it was. Other than the passing showers the weather couldn’t have been better and not a mosquito to be seen. It isn’t the scenery or the wildlife that struck me first it was the absence of something. Something so insidious so craftily built into our everyday lives we seldom take notice of it-white noise! That hum, that persistent hum of civilization that envelops us all in a monotonous droan that plagues our lives was GONE! I was walking barefoot on a carpet of moss thru a pine forest and could hear my feet strike the ground like thunder. No matter how softly I tried to walk, I could actually hear my feet meet the mossy ground. That my friends is why we come, why we travel and go to such extremes to get here, maybe it isn’t paradise but it beats Boston all ta hell. So, to say the following day was spent on gravel roads looking to replace some tires shouldn’t come as a disappointment. Just the opposite not only did I have a brief look into the world as it should be but I spent many hours with my good friends Jack and Kirk. After replacing both rear tires on Jacks exploder we made the collective decision to hit the trail home. This time coming out in Ashland then route 11 to I95- Kirk and I actually headed to Bar Harbor to meet our families roughing it in a camp ground on the island-they have no idea what they're missing.

Spent the night out with “The Boy” last night.

I had the perfect opportunity to get some gear ready for the Allagash trip and try out a new recipe in the dutch oven. Supper was a huge success, the kids and Karin being the litmus paper. All had seconds- I recommend Byron’s One Pot Dinner to everyone. http://papadutch.home.comcast.net/dutch-oven-recipe-onepotdnr.htm Calvin topped off dinner with biscuits he had made in the Coleman folding oven-Nice work Cal!!! Turned out to be a wonderful night with some friends and kids stopping in to play/drink with us. And the kicker; Karin had the night off so we all got some much needed Mom time.

Allagash Trip marks end of summer.

End of summer trip planned and on schedule. A gruesome trio will take on a section of the Allagash Wilderness Waterways Sept 2,3, &4. Putting in at the outflow of lake Heron and spending the first night along the banks of Long Pond, Day 2 will take us to Round Pond; Day 3 will be a slow return through moose country. Anyone else wants in speak up now or go to your grave wishing you did.

Cal & Camden...getting ready for an adventure!
Muddah

Camden & his mom, Monica, came with us..which made the trip much more FUN!
Muddah

The "wild child"
Muddah

Cameron found a very tiny colorful mushroom
Muddah