Off Grid Living

I did this sketch back in 2007 for the art gallery in Tallulah Falls, Georgia. That neck of the woods used to be my stomping grounds. Yesterday I met a hiker from that corner of the world and he took me to dinner at the White Wolf Restaurant. Many thanks to Ray from Cleveland, a very interesting guy and great outdoor enthusiast. We both got the Beast Burger, and a beast it was. Huge and delicious, with all the fixings with a monstrous pile of sweet potato fries on the side..

Some of our conversation centered around the changing ethics of hiking and the disappointing comportment of some of our peers. It boils down to the fact that its very important to remember the things we do leave an impact long after we've left. Perhaps that impact is not visible such as footprints or graffiti, but it can be devastating or satisfying in a cultural sense. Hikers passing through small trail towns leave an imprint on that town. Every eatery and hotel, hostel and post office can suffer or benefit. Its our choice. Hikers coming by later in the season feel the impact. We are ambassadors for our passions.

I'll be off the grid while I live and work on the Appalachian Trail, striving to be a good ambassador for hikers, making friends with those also enjoying the trails. With pen and paper events will be recorded and later transferred to my hard drive. On my days off, I recharge my camera and type, call friends and family.

Hope to see you out there, enjoying our natural treasures, taking a little time off the grid.

Rain In Maine is Insane

They're having a wet spring, I'm told and you won't find me arguing the point. The second day here in Maine, one of the Conservation Officers took us on a tour of the Bigelow Mountains. We headed down the road that would end at the Lodge, slowly but surely, admiring the torrential waters cresting as never before.

Locals tell me the water has not been this high, nor this ferocious.
Gradually we came to a complete stop and pondered the road ahead. I waited, wondering what was the problem, but when he got out to take a look, I knew it was serious. A few moments passed and I got out too, then retrieved my camera. I shielded it from the constant drizzle and took these photos. Both sides of the road were washed out, undercut along a culvert apparently too small for such flow. Steve told me the thaw allowed the water to force a passage beside the culvert. 

He then stretched caution tape across the road, and posted a stick and flag. The stick was nearly 6 feet tall. By the next day, early Sunday morning, road crews already fixed it along with several other areas.

Above, my coworker discovered a message in a jar, in another jar, inside a plastic container, buried under a previous caretaker's impromptu Patio. We worked all four days in the rain, rebuilding scree walls, opening drainages, transferring compost and picking up litter. He used a poncho. I lived in my silnylon gram weenie rain suit.

My boot blew out the side seam on the first bush whack up the mountain. I used electrical tape, then duct tape, then tied it with cord. As you can see, the tread is good. The leather just gave way under the soak and pressure. New boots are in order.I learned that most bindings will eventually wear away, or pull off in the rain and constant hiking of mountain work. The elastic band I used from day one, which you can see at the farthest right toe edge, lastest all 4 days.

Update on River Survival Series

"Battles are raging throughout the territory. Boston even has a surprise attack which wipes out a most wanted General. And, it happened on the 4th of July!

Carla and Apache are involved in a couple of confrontations in their camps to "weed" out undesirables. Bretch and Apache go at it and the outcome will make you gasp. Finally, the small group is able to approach Fort Reserve. Are there any survivors left from their beloved Rivertown? And, just perhaps, Carla and Apache may have filled their thirst for the kill...

Highly recommended."



This is the first review I've received for book Five of the River Survival Series. 
Check out the links at the side bar,All About the River Survival Series under the Pages associated with this blog to see more about the entire series.

-The-River-Survival-Series is a post grid series that I am very passionate about. Its taken me several years to write it. 

Currently there are five volumes and bring you more than 1,200 pages of treachery, sex and violence. Not recommended for weak stomachs or children.

Fatal Loves Just Released!

Fatal Loves  is available at both Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com for e-readers (Kindle or Nook). Its the long awaited Sequel to Primal Cut, the horror story inspired by a winter at Lake Yellowstone.

This cover incorporates the form of our Poltergeist, John Deerfield as he tracks down Madison Shelby, a murderous conniving female, our "heroine."

In this second installment of the Seasonal Killer Series, we find out what is driving John and if he will ever rest. Our detectives, Jack Avery and Al Jenison nearly meet their fugitive, and take to the road on a wild goose chase across the country.

Please comment if you have read either book. I'm always interested in what my readers have to say.

Thanks!

Forty-Five Day Candle

A friend sent this picture to me....and I wondered if its true. Now, if a person didn't want to waste a whole can of Crisco, or shortening testing it, how about lard, or animal fat?

Its pretty easy to skim off fat from cold beef or chicken stock. Plus, a person could use bacon grease, I imagine, though it would sure draw in bears. But, in a survival situation, that could be a plus, if you were ready to take that bear down.

Any comments?