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...
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Calm after the storm
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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"
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Cameron found a very tiny colorful mushroom
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Hiking to the falls
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Kenna, of course, checking out the BEAUTIFUL flowers!!
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McKenna getting in on the water fun...as long as Daddy is close by!
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A beautiful day...
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Atlas? No, it's just Cam-man!!
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Cam and Calvin enjoying the water
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Family trip to Little Wilson Falls in Monson, ME
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That kid won't leave me alone.
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Calvin tracking a double breasted comorant around and around the cove.
Muddah

There are other pics from Chip but believe it or not they are less flattering than this one. So, I wont post them. Chip will have to himself if he wants to embarrass me.
Muddah

Chip took this of me and a friend.
Muddah

Warning !!!! Political Propaganda

Just a side thought and I certainly don’t want to get political but….. We need to get out of this war with terrorist. They just aren’t profitable or healthy for our economy. Especially here in Maine, we are at war but “they” are closing bases left and right. Other than a few Daisy Cutter T-Shirts our economy hasn’t really had much of a boost. Hell the “Kill a Comi for Mommy” slogan fed our children for decades. We built an entire nation on that idea. With terrorist we can’t rebuild a decent skyscraper for Christ sakes. Even the discrete South American war on drugs had its benefits; this terrorist thing is crap I tell ya. I say Nuke North Korea and let’s get this old workhorse of a nation moving again. Like I said, just a thought.

Rift Pond

I would like to thank Chip for a great idea and day. We combined a biking, hiking and fishing into the same trip. I met Chip at his house at 5:30 am and loaded our gear into Chips new F150 4X4. We picked Jack up in Eddington and continued onto Rift Pond in Great Pond Township. Once there the rest of the trip would be made on our mountain bikes as the road is gated off to prevent motorized vehicles. I opted for the trailer method while Jack and Chip used backpacks to ferry the gear. While I was able to carry more gear and supplies like the beer and food I did find it difficult on the loose gravel and flipped my cart completely over once. Ok the fishing sucked if you where only interested in results. Luckily I have never been one for results so it’s all about how we got there and the fun we had trying. The day was absolutely beautiful and the scenery was wonderful. Chip spent some time scouting for the perfect spot for a tree stand for this falls deer hunt- never to early to begin planning. Jack and I took a walk down the outflow towards Kings Pond, fishing some of the deeper pools along the way. All in all a trip I would do again.

Jack- only the 3 of us on the pond all morning.
Muddah

Chip on the hunt
Muddah

Think you're having a bad day? Pic from fishing trip to Rift Pond with Jack and the Mighty Chip.
Muddah

Since I've been gone

Holy Crap I think I’ve been hit by a flying six-pound ball of shit. We have been very busy since school let out in June. I’m not even going to try and catch the blog up on the entire goings on. Basically we have done everything but work on the house, camping, biking, Frisbees, hiking, fishing, canoeing, and playing with matches.

Cameron taking a swing
Muddah

Trek Update

This past weekend was the annual Trek Across Maine bike ride. The ride begins at Sunday River Ski Resort in Bethel and winds it's way thru the State to Rockland. 3 days, 180 miles, 2 sore knees and many smiles later we made it to the sea. This will be brief because the boys are planning on going fishing tonight: Day 1: Rain- in less than 20 miles Cameron and I broke a spoke causing my rear tire to warp and begin cuffing my brake and frame. 20-mile pit stop we where able to fix the spoke but not the rim it's self so we cuffed the brake and frame another 20 miles until the next rest stop. Once there we fixed the rim but the tire was spent and had a bubble on the side...we rode on anyways. Another 10 miles and my good buddy Jack stopped and asked if we wanted a ride. I may have surprised him by jumping at the offer and called it a day at about mile marker 50. Still not to bad for a 6 year old and an old man on a cold rainy morning. Day 2: Solo from Farmington to Waterville- a slight story here, which I'll come back to some day. Day 3: Cameron ops for x-box and Calvin steps up to finish the final leg of the Trek and likely the most exhausting section. 60 miles from Colby College to Rockland- Calvin rode like a champ and we made it in record time.

Trek Across Maine

Calvin and Dad day 3 on the Trek Across Maine. Colby College to Rockland.
Muddah

Looking for second
Muddah

Calvin up at bat.
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Current Treker and a future Treker.
Muddah

"Snakey"
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Almost forgot the snake he found yesterday.
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Nice and close
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Big Boy
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More pets
Muddah

I found more pets today

I went up to the boys room this morning as usual around 6am to get their cloths for the day laid out. Calvin was already up and squirreled away in the corner of the room with one of his sisters toy containers. The container is a clear plastic over sized teapot that is designed to hold her play tea set. I asked Cal what he was doing and immediately started telling me how much better this container was than the last one(s) he had tried because “they” all got right out of the other containers. THEY? I asked. And when you say “got right out” …did you re-capture these things?..never mind I’d rather not know. “They” turned out to be his millipede collection or farm. He has what looks to be a dozen of the little things, how long he has had them is anyone’s guess. Apparently if he keeps them long enough they can actually grow as big around as my pinky. Once that big Cal said I’d actually be able to see they’re little legs. WONDERFUL!!!! I can hardly wait.

Calvin went out in the rain this afternoon and brought home a dinner guest.
Muddah

Earth Day Gang

Trash-Pickers
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Earth Day Girl

Princess/trash picker
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Relax
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Brothers Forever

Cal and Cam
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Spring Time

The boys want the one they call 2-socks.
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Calvin waiting for a bite

Just waiting for a bite.
Muddah

Coincidence?

Once again Calvin has drawn my attention to more fundamental issues. Issues that more than likely were once very important to us all but the years of stress and strain that come with daily life as an adult had squeezed from our daily consciousness. It started last night when I was tucking Cal into his bed. He told me of the nightmare he had had the night before and looked almost as if he was going to begin to cry. The dream- basically was about Nana and Papa cutting down all the trees and ruining nature and he couldn’t stop them. He said he was awoken from the nightmare by a single tear rolling down his cheek. If you believe in metaphors, Nana and Papa could be the generations before him and his frustration understandable, as he feels powerless to control the reckless actions of man. This morning I was sipping my coffee,(perked not auto dripped) frying bacon and watching the news. I watched a segment about Earth Week and what the College of the Atlantic was doing to celebrate the event. The college students spent a good portion of the day picking up trash along the highways. Given last night’s emotional outpouring by Cal that sounded just like the perfect project for the kids and me today. As I’m preparing this blog entry- MSN’s home page I see an article about Congress clearing the way for oil exploration and drilling in the Denali Park in Alaska, one of the Nations premier wildlife refuges- I think I may cry

WHO did ya say?

Interesting thing has happened the last 3 consecutive nights....A group of Barred Owls has taken up residence in our backyard between 4-5am. There are about five that come around each morning and "who" back and forth to one another in a non-stop symphony until the group moves off deeper into the forest to take up their daytime roosts. And they are LOUD! Hopefully they'll keep the Chipmunks in check around the house, the weasel didn't manage to get them all last year.

Barn Jam

4th Annual HUDSON HOMESTEAD Saturday, April 23, 2005 7:00 pm until 7:00 am If you are a musician, or just love live music, you won’t want to miss Tom and Laura’s 4th Annual Barn Jam. Last year, over twenty musicians attended, with live bands, solo acts, excellent jam sessions and lots of fun. We’ll have lots of food, so come hungry! Please invite any adults you want to this event ( mean drunks and pukers excluded). All types of musicians and music lovers welcome. Bring:whatever you want to drink (you might want to bring your own cooler, too!)a lawn chair (unless you plan to dance all night)a designated driver or cab money (just in case you have too much fun)musical instruments (kazoos welcome!)

Same picture with some saturation ontop of a focal black and white look.
Muddah

Another from Evangalista's lawn.
Muddah

Getting ready.........
Muddah