I know a FAT TIRE when I see one. Where in Oregon? Hart Mt? Steens? Alvord Desert? Looks like the hot springs near there.
Nailed it. We started in Frenchglen, went over the Steens across Alvord lake bed up into the Trout Creeks, down to Denio, back up and over Hart Mtn. Amazing country.
Not only amazing country, but the American (aka US) Outback. I've walked, camped, backpacked in all US deserts -- Chihuahua, Sonora, Mojave, Great Basin. In terms of sheer death potential, Alvord, in the rainshawdow of Steens Mt, tops all. Burning Man down in E NV on that playa ... it's/they're playing with survival there. I could post music to illustrate it, but it would only cause consternation and gnashing of teeth among some who live in more gentle places with gentle music (rock, CW, classical, jazz).
Here's my Friday afternoon (May 11) submission. It's a teaser for a longer story (thread probably) about my new area over at Twin Pines in Pine Grove, less than 100 yds from my studio/apartment, on a few hundred acres of publicly accessible woodland (some of it heavily cut, other spots quite wild, though no old growth). I've been working on this little park for a couple of weeks -- raking, putting in new trails (it's connected to over 1000 m of trail out back that I've put in during the last 1.5 years; snowshoe in winter, trail in summer). Here's what's different about Twin Pines from my other areas on the trail network (which at most have small benches): 1. my bicycle carport is here; easier than carrying it up the elevator into my 2nd floor apartment (which is where it lives in winter). 2. the large bench (made from half of an old futon frame that someone threw out, nailed to wooden supports (from a standing dead fir I cut with my Corona Sabertooth) driven into the ground about a foot (after sharpening with my Fiskars X7). 3. The table is an old pallet recovered from the dumpster area, set on four large rounds from the same tree, but not in the ground; it's free standing, and can be moved anywhere -- including off the property (fence line is a mere 30' away) if the building management company (dark sucking sound) gets upset about all this. I'm working on a video about the area to share more of the story. In fact, I'm heading out there now for the afternoon, in part to add a section of film that I forgot -- about the bench.
I had to be available for a delivery to so I decided to do something fun outside. I decided to reduce this tree trunk section to starter size pieces for the burn pile, with a machete. Now I know it's not pretty like the try sticks, or particularly useful like the fuzz sticks but it was fun. It took about 4 hours of good steady chopping to get what you see in pic 2. The Condor was pretty dulled by the time it was over, but there was zero edge deformity or gapping of any sort. The edge was brought back to paper slicing sharp by 15 strokes thru a pull thru Lansky pocket hone I've had for years. (10 thru the medium grit and 5 on the fine side.) Now full disclosure, the handle on mine has been "tuned" or customized to my hand by me, mostly with an old wood rasp and a flap wheel on a cordless drill. I reduced the overall dimensions by a few millimeters and flattened the sides somewhat. What this did is pic 3, no blisters, none. No hotspots. Heck no soreness at all, and this entire session was without gloves. Lesson is don't be afraid to tinker with something to make it the best for you. This monthly challenge thing is fun, let's keep it goin. .
Went hiking today with the family and some friends. Took the pooch for her second hike to get some dirt time under her belt We hike to a really nice waterfall and decided to play in the water since it was 90 degrees today Of course I had some toys with me
@mtngoat OHHHH the RUSTTTT!! How will those carbon knives ever survive!... Nah...just playin....Great job on getting the Family out....time well spent right there!!
^^^ Outstanding ^^^ A fine example of what keeps me on this forum year after year. And the newt is so much like ... ... ok, it's nearly midnight on Saturday, and I've been out in the woods all day ........... < pics coming > ........... so, I'll get back to you on that.
