Me and My Boat: My New Rush

The following weekend I towed the boat up to Big Bay and Lake Independence for my first run on the boat.  However, prior, I painted the word “Beast” on the back of the boat.  This was to be her name until she was refurbished and renamed.   It got a few laughs.  However, Marcia was not happy; I had told her she could name the boat, which still holds true, but she was not happy when I went ahead and temporarily did so anyway.  Sometime you can’t do anything right.  All you married guy out there know exactly what I mean.

The Beast

That Friday evening the Beast was launched; very likely the first time the boat had been in the water in ten years.  She floated, and soon was making her way around the calm waters of Lake Independence.  It quickly became evident that the water tight integrity was not 100 percent.  There were a few leaks, at least where we could see.  Who knows what was under the wood work.  The apparent leaks were in the keel bolt housing and the cockpit drain.  Once Tim arrived we did some jury rigging to abate the flow of water from the lake into the boat.  It slowed the flow, but for the duration of the 2009 sailing season, which was the month of September, bailing was required.

That weekend I received more instruction in the fine art of sailing and more verbal abuse.  The good thing was that the conditions were perfect for the beginner, clam water and light winds.  I was often asked, “What the hell are you doing?” To which I replied, “I have no clue”.  Thus, I earned my title, “Captain Clueless”.  Tim was quick to point out that when sailing in a fleet he was still in command, due to his vast experience on the water.  He would be known as “Admiral Fuck Head”.  Men, as a rule tend towards juvenile behavior, and we were no exception.

Beast on the water

The next few weeks found me on the water whenever possible, both on Lake Superior and back on Lake Independence.  The weather was perfect and I logged (not really, but it sounds good) as many hours as possible.  I may keep a log in the future, and this dialog is meant to document the events leading up to where I currently am in the project.

All being said, I managed to get the Beast out on the water nine times since I bought her, which is pretty extraordinary considering.  And as I have stated would not have happened without Tim’s help.  It also very likely secured my interest in sailing, for without that experience my boat may very well still be sitting in my back yard instead of being refurbished in my garage.  The potential of her future voyages being painstakingly worked on with every available moment.

I am not at this point in my tale going to bore you with the details of each of my sailing forays; rather I will just leave you with the knowledge that I had fun.  Sailing had become my new passion.  My old ones left far away in lonely places where I don’t get to visit all that often.  I needed something to make me feel alive, something dangerous, and something to give me a good adrenalin rush on a regular basis.  And since I don’t climb mountains or ski down them any more, sailing seemed to be exactly what I needed.  My new rush.

Me and My Boat: Trial by Fire

The previous weekend, while we discussed the upcoming revitalization of my boat, Tim had invited me on a cruise during a race, a yacht race.  That was an eye opening experience.

Tim called me up a day or two after he initially looked at my boat and asked if I wanted to go sailing in a yacht race.  What the hell, I’m game.  I met Tim at the yacht club on the scheduled day and was prepared to go.  It was funny because, while the Guy in charge of the race was explaining the rules and circumstances Tim had left to dink around with his boat.  The guy was speaking Greek to me, but I figured Tim would be able to figure it out.  Fortunately, Tim asked some questions upon his return to clarify what he had missed, and then we were off.  The next thing I know we were on his boat, a 23 foot sailboat and heading out into the harbor.  Oh, one thing I forgot to mention, the weather was a bit off and the lake was really rough, with eight to ten foot swells.  This was to be trial by fire type of situation.

My sailing education thus began.  I admit that I have learned virtually everything I know about sailing from Tim and he is fond of pointing that out.  He also includes, that I still don’t know everything he knows about sailing, which is true enough.  I have come to think of Tim as a friend, and more then that, a mentor.  I have even refer to him as such. 

That day on Lake Superior would be my first true sailing experience.  Fortunately for me, Tim was well versed and an “old salt” when it came to the art.  I gather from talking to him, that he has been sailing since he was a lad.  Oh, I should mention, he’s a repatriated Brit, and I’m unsure how long he’s been in the states.  He’s also, and I’ve told him this, “one of the most obnoxious mother fuckers I’ve ever met”.  To which he grinned and said he’d take that as a complement.

So, envision being out on rough seas on a relatively small sailboat, the wind pretty strong.  Here’s this guy in a t-shirt with a scruffy beard, the master of the vessel.  He hands you a beer and tells you to grab the tiller.  He then gets up moves forward and adjust something.  “Keep it straight”, he yells from the bow follow shortly there after by, “what the fuck are you doing!?”  Soon, I find myself in the midst of massive waves being thrown back and forth around the cockpit of the boat, with a slew of foul language being hurtled in my general direction.  I could do nothing right and was being incessantly verbally abused.  A school girl would have broken down in tears, but I was actually having a good time. 

I inquired if it might be prudent to put on life preservers due to the high seas?  To which Tim admonished me, telling me that he would tell me when we needed life preservers.  Shortly there after, his boat healed so far over that the water almost spilled into the cockpit and both Tim and I were literally standing on the opposite bulkhead.  I looked at Tim and told him I thought he was nuts.  I then grabbed another beer and braced myself for the long haul. 

I happened to take in the surroundings during that voyage.  I had never seen Marquette from the water; it was beautiful.  I felt a feeling of elation being out there in the churning waters of Lake Superior.  More then that I got something I hadn’t had in a long time, an adrenalin rush.  It might have been that cruise that really turned me on to sailing.  Either that or I would have gone back and sold the boat.  Because truthfully, being out in those conditions was insane and dangerous.  Tim even admits that and fortunately came to his senses and sailed us back into the harbor and the safety of the breakwater.  His mast actually was on the verge of snapping, and is still in need of repair from that little adventure.  Tim’s biggest complaint is that he didn’t finish the race, and misjudged which sail he should have started with, otherwise we would have taken best in class.  All I’ll say on the matter is it was a very intense indoctrination to the sport of sailing. 

Me and My Boat: Now What?

Over the next week or two I contemplated the boat’s fate.  I contacted everyone I knew that had any experience with sailboats trying to get some advice or words of encouragement.  I even told all my good friends what I had just bought.  I think that only confirmed in their minds that I’m crazy.  And maybe in a way, I am.  What type of guy buys a junky old sailboat and dreams of fixing it up anyway?  You got to be either crazy or stupid or some of both. 

In general the response I got was one of cautious encouragement, people telling me “Good for you” or “nice”.  The couple of guys I knew who owned boats listened enthusiastically to my tale and then told me “Wow, looks like you got yourself a project”.  They even offered some advice on various aspects of the refurbishment.  I certainly could use all the help I could get.  However, what I really wanted was someone to come look at the boat and give me a direction.  After all, I had absolutely no idea what I had just gotten myself into.  And so she sat.

Marquette being a sea side town and a major port (somewhat exaggerated) must have boating supply stores and it was to these that I went to, looking for information.  One of the stores here caters to motor boats but they pointed me in the right direction.  With that, I ventured over to the Bingham Boat Works.  I had found the right place.  It was a business whose sole purpose was sailboats and their maintenance, building, and general function.  If they didn’t have it, they could get it; for a price.  I talked to the guy there and told him what I had done.  He was very enthused; after all, I was the golden goose.

Our discussion left me in awe of the complexity of my situation.  This boat of mine would be a lot of work.  The guy at the boat works suggested I bring the boat down for an inspection.  He could then tell me what I needed to do to the boat and plan on sending his child to college. 

I could tell that refurbishing the boat would or could end up being an expensive undertaking, especially if I used “boat” equipment to do it.  Like anything else, the specialized equipment for the project is specifically produced for it and thus is expensive.  Damn, isn’t there a cheap hobby out there?

While all this was going on, I kept talking to people.  One of my buddies told me the old cliché boat saying: “A boat is just a hole in the water that you throw your money into”, and “The two best days of your life are the day you buy your boat and the day you sell it”.  My mother also quoted me the first one.  I could see there is some truth in these witticisms.  My friend who told me these had just bought a boat himself.

And then there’s Tim.  Tim is a guy I meet a couple years ago while group camping up at Perkins Park.  He had brought his catamaran up there and graciously let me use it.  I repaid his kindness by promptly flipping (turtling) it over in the lake, and getting myself drenched in the process.  I was no worse for ware, but Tim told me that he kept finding sand stuck in the top of the mast. 

I had left a message for Tim shortly after I had purchased the boat.  To which I received no response.  I didn’t think much about it because we were just acquaintances at the time and if he didn’t call me back it was no big deal.  For all I know, he might not have even remembered who I was.  I had called him because I knew he was into boats and I though he might be able to give me some advice. 

About two weeks after I had left a message for Tim, he called.  He didn’t sound overly enthused on the phone, his attitude being that this was a waste of his time, but he had called back.  As soon as I explained that I had bought a sailboat, his attitude changed abruptly.  I think he said something like, “A sailboat, why didn’t you say so in the first place?  I’ll be right over".  This was more then I had expected, not knowing what to expect, but he was as good as his word and showed up within about half an hour.

When Tim arrived at my house he explained that he had gotten my message and thought I was talking about a power boat.  I guess I just related I had gotten a boat and failed to explain the nature of the vessel.  He said that he had a power boat of his own that needed work and didn’t want to commit time to help someone else with theirs  He also explained that he had considered blowing me off (after all, we weren’t friends at the time) but called anyway.  When I had conveyed that it was a sailboat he became intensely interested.  I told him that, “I guess I called the right guy”.

I explained that I was just looking for some advice and wanted to know what he thought of the boat, since I knew absolutely nothing about them.  He looked at the boat sitting in the back yard and exclaimed, “It’s a piece of shit”.  My thought was, “Great, I just wasted 500 bucks.”

Tim then went over to have a closer look at the boat.  I told him everything I knew about the boat, which wasn’t much, but he took it all in.  He thoroughly inspected it, crawling all over the boat and looking in all the spaces.  He though that it was in pretty good shape all things considered, and the trailer alone was probably worth 500 dollars.  Cool.

Labor Day Weekend 2009

Tim asked me what my plan was?  I told him I would work on it over the winter and hoped to have it out on the water by next summer.  He didn’t like that idea and suggested we get the boat out on the water by the following weekend, Labor Day weekend.  I raised my eyebrows and exclaimed a questioning, “Okaaaaaaay”.  I then pointed out that the boat was missing some key components, namely a rudder and a jib and probably a few other things I wasn’t aware of.  He then outlined his plan for my boat; who was I to argue.

Over the next week, I got the boat registered.  Tim came over with a trailer full of tools (he’s a contractor) and set up shop in my driveway.  We ran to Menards and bought a 6’ x 10” x 2” plank, a 2 x 4, some hardware, and some varnish and two hours later I had a rudder with a tiller.  Tim told me he would lend me an outboard motor and a jib for the boat.  I think we made another run or two to Menards, the first of many, and purchased some pulleys and rope (for the rigging), some cable and assorted other items.  Buy the Friday before Labor Day the sailboat was ready to go.  Total cost, 100 bucks, not counting the registration, and she’d be on the water.  It was actually kind of amazing as I look back on it.  I owe Tim a huge debt of gratitude for all the help he’s given me since I’ve gotten the boat.

Me and My Boat: Bringing it Home

The weekend came and I drove our truck, complete with a new rear end, up to Houghton and out to where the sailboat’s owner lived along Portage Lake.  It was a Sunday and I called ahead to make sure that the owner wouldn’t be out to church or somewhere else, as I was heading up in the morning.  I don’t remember why I didn’t go up on Saturday but I’m sure it had something to do with a family activity or my wife had to work or another such activity.  I’m sure I was chomping at the bit either way.

I meet the owner at his house and was relieved to find him home when I arrived.  He was a pleasant gentleman and recapped what he had told me on the phone regarding the boat.  He also said that he had a book on sailing that he would give me as well, since it hadn’t done him any service; score.  The book was “Sailing for Dummies” and apparently covered all the basics.  I would put it to the test in the very near future. 

We walked over to the sailboat and the owner gave me the fifty cent tour, going over all the ins and outs of the vessel, at least all he was aware of.  He pointed out that he had replaced the tires on the trailer, and they indeed looked virtually new, showing little to no ware; score.  This deal was getting better and better.  His indoctrination gave me a better understanding of what I would receive upon completion of our business deal; a major project, to say the least. I was ready to jump, bring on the bridge, or find a lake.  Oh wait, there’s one right over there.

I asked who to make the check out to and the owner told me his name and spelled it out.  He said he had to go retrieve the boom and main sail and would be right back.  I filled out and then handed him the check, and he walked back towards his house. I then proceeded to maneuver my truck to hook up the trailer. 

Prior to leaving that day I had removed my trailer license plate from my camper and put it in the car.  I had no way to be sure, but I suspected that the boat trailer would be devoid of proper registration.  This suspicion would be confirmed, and I was relatively sure that I didn’t want a traffic citation for lack of a license plate.  However, I spaced it, and would pull over sometime later on the trip home to secure the false plate to my new purchase.  At any rate, I didn’t get pulled over, and made it home with both the sailboat and my wallet in tact.

The owner came back holding a long metal pole with a sheet attached to it, or should I say rolled up around it.  This would turn out to be the boom and main sail; like I knew.  He placed the apparatus in the back of my truck and then helped me put the trailer on my hitch.  The now previous owner then presented me with a receipt for the sale, signed and dated.  He also informed me that he didn’t have the title but didn’t think that it would be a problem as long as I had the receipt.  It would turn out not to be a big problem, but rather a small pain in the ass.  However, the sailboat was now mine or ours being the family boat.  But no, it’s mine, I’ll just let the family use it.  Anyway, it’s registered in my name, so that pretty much seals the deal.

I shook the man’s hand, he wished me happy sailing, and I drove away, my boat in tow.  I would have no other dealing with the seller from that point on, except for one instance.  When I went to register my sailboat sometime later all I had was the receipt from the transaction and that document failed to mention that the trailer was part of the sale.  This is where the pain in the ass comes in; basically the receipt just listed the boat with no mention of the trailer.  The powers that be require that the trailer be listed as well or it can’t be registered.  Plus the fact that there was no title didn’t help the situation. 

After much deliberation with the good folks at the Secretary of State office, I managed to convince them to register my boat, but have yet to register my trailer.  I had to write a letter to the seller and request that he sent me a new receipt indicating that the trailer was part of the transaction.  He did so, and that was the end of our dealings.  I will have to deal with my trailer later. 

I drove back the way I had come, sailboat in tow, with a feeling of happiness, and perhaps even a stupid grin on my face.  I was now the proud owner of an obnoxious green colored sailboat that was missing some key parts and might sink.  I was overjoyed.

I remember looking in the rearview mirror at the boat as it followed close behind me, a myriad of thoughts going through my head.  As I looked at the boat, it stuck me that it looked like a duck, at least from the angle presented to me.  With the windows wrapping around the side, the curving width of the hull, the high fore deck, and the sudden relief of the bow; it not only looked like a duck in my rearview mirror, it looked like a big green pregnant duck.  A big green pregnant duck chasing me down the road at fifty five miles an hour.  I must have smoked something prior to leaving.

I still think of the sailboat in those terms on occasion especially when I tow it to wherever.  I’m sure I always will.  I even thought about naming it “The Pregnant Duck” but have not made that leap just yet.

At this point I would like to relate that it is now December 24^th of 2009, and I have been in possession of the sailboat for just over four months up to this point.  I only mention this as I want to be clear on what has transpired thus far.

I made it home and parked the boat in my drive way and then started to mess with the boat.  I literally didn’t know where to start.  However on the way home I stopped by Menards and bought a trailer wheel with crank handle to raise and lower it.  I didn’t relish having to lift the trailer on and off the hitch continuously.  Hard on the back, lifting is.  So, I guess that was the best place to start and was the first piece of additional equipment I purchased for my new toy.  It was just the start.

I attached the new swing arm to the trailer and unhooked it from the truck.  After that, it’s unclear as to what transpired in the coming few days.  However, I do know that Marcia came home and was greeted with a boat stuck in her driveway.  I don’t think she was overly impressed.  My children or at least my youngest seemed to be enthused and liked to climb around on it.  My older two boys were indifferent.  My son Zach asked why we didn’t opt for a power boat, to which I really had no good answer other then price.  The boat found its way into our backyard where I’m sure my neighbor was happy to have a big obnoxious green lawn ornament to stare at from his front door.  Glad to help buddy.

Me and My Boat: Buying a Boat

      At this point I am going to start sharing my experiences with my sailboat.  If anyone thinks that sailing is not adventurous they’d be wrong.  Does the name Magellan ring a bell, or how about Shackleton?  Don’t get me wrong, I am not trying to compare myself with those two intrepid adventurers, well maybe in spirit, but certainly not in action.  However, I believe sailing is every bit the challenge as surviving in the wilderness is.  More so even, depending on the circumstances; either way, adventure is where you find it.

August 2009,

Me and My Boat

By

Robert Bruce Taggart

Last summer in late August I was working in Houghton County when I happened to drive by a boat for sale.  This was obvious from the red and white “For Sale” sign taped to the side of the boat, that I saw as a rushed past on my way to where I was going.  I didn’t pay it much attention.  It’s not like I hadn’t seen many others of the same variety.  I think anywhere you live, especially if it’s near water, one is bound to see the occasional boat for sale.  And so it was with this one.

I continued to my destination, did what I had set out to do, and then made my way back.  I was working on a peninsula and so had to come back pretty much the same way I had arrived.  However, I did take the alternate route which would usually save me time, as it was more direct then the road I come on, but both ended in exactly the same place. 

Upon reaching the intersection of both roads I hesitated, and looked back down my original path.  I was thinking about the boat.  “What the hell”, I thought to myself and turn back down the way I had originally come retracing my route.  This is why the alternate route wasn’t the most direct, at least that particular day.

A few miles down the road I came to the object of my curiosity, a sailboat.  It was on a trailer parked on an access road to wooded area opposite of the lake; Portage Lake that is.  Had I been on the other side of the peninsula it would have been Lake Superior.  However, both are connected.

Anyway, the boat such as it was, was a sailboat as I have previously mentioned.  This is probably why it spurred my interest.  My wife and I had been interested in getting a sailboat, ever since we moved to Marquette Michigan, but we were not driven or obsessed with the idea.  Up to that point we had managed to purchase a canoe, which did enhance our water sport prospects from where they had been previously.  However, it is damn hard to water ski behind a canoe, and paddling that fast really wears you out quick.  Not that you can water ski behind a sailboat either, but at least you don’t have to paddle it.

So, here was this sailboat with a “For Sale” sign taped to its side, sitting on a trailer just off the road.  I pulled up next to it got out of my car and went over to check it out.  I don’t remember exactly, but the sign on the boat said something like, “sailboat for sale $500 or best offer”.   “Hummm”, I thought, “that’s pretty cheap, what’s wrong with it?”  This was my sentiment at the time because I had checked out other boats here and there, and they were always significantly more expensive, to the tune of several thousand dollars.  Probably the reason I hadn’t bought one yet.

The boat was a 21 foot sloop manufacture in 1971 by the Clipper Marine Company of southern California.  It was painted an obnoxious green color which was flaking off exposing the yellow paint beneath.  It had a build up of moss and possibly some lichen growing on it.  Not to mention a huge amount of caked on dirt.  The bottom, although hard to see, was neglected by the artists touch and was whitish with semi blue streaks in areas.  The boat was hideous looking!  I fell in love right there on the spot.

But not so fast, I’m not taken with every obnoxious green boat I run across.  I needed to investigate a bit further.  I looked over the side into the cockpit.  It was the same wonderful color as the rest of the vessel.  I also noticed various other endearing aspects such as the wonderfully constructed main hatch cover.  This was a hodge podge of cheap plywood pieced together to cover the hatch and undoubtedly leaked like a sieve.  There were also noticeable defects in the boat, mainly broken hatch covers.  But that stuff didn’t bother me too much.  I needed an answer to the big question…..Would she float?

I looked in the window and could make out some of the interior through the dirty acrylic that served in that function.  It looked to be in about the same shape as the rest of the boat.  Excellent!  I would find many other issues as I got into it, but that can wait for now.

What I wouldn’t find out until I had purchased the boat is that there had been standing water in it for years.  This had completely rotted out all the woodwork inside.  There was foam flotation concealed beneath the wooden decking which was completely saturated, and other then providing ballast, served no purpose; especially flotation.  Had the boat taken on water (large amounts of water) in that condition, it would have surely sunk.

After my initial inspection of the boat I was enthused by what I had seen, and besides, the price was right.  I went to the address indicated on the sign to go talk to the owner.  The address was basically just across the street.  Obviously this guy owned the property on both sides of the road.  Unfortunately, my quest for information was short lived.  The owner wasn’t home.  I wrote a note and placed it on the main entrance to the house in such a way that whoever lived here couldn’t miss it.  With that, I left and started to contemplate what the possibilities were. 

I could envision sailing the boat but had more immediate needs.  Like, how would I pay for it?  And even more pressing, how would I talk Marcia into it?  Usually, that amount wouldn’t present a problem, but we had just spent a large amount on our truck.  We had to have the rear end replaced due to the bearings going out.  The joke was that my wife got a new rear end for her birthday.  That left us a little short of cash. 

That night I told my wife about the sailboat.  She wasn’t overly impressed and pointed out our financial situation.  I explained that this was a great opportunity, but ensured her that I hadn’t talked to the owner yet and wasn’t going to make any hasty decisions.   She said it was my call, hoping I would make the right choose….her choice.  Big mistake. 

The owner called that evening and we discussed the boat.  He told me that he had owned the boat for ten years but had only had it in the water once.  He had painted it the wonderful green color it now was but had never been gung ho about fixing it up.  I figured he painted it that color to hide it in the woods, it was perfect camouflage.  The owner also told me that before he owned the boat, the previous owner had parked it for many years as well.  He said it had two feet of standing water in it when he got it.  So, all and all, the boat had been parked for as long as 20 years with virtually no use.

The conversation told me what I needed to know.  The sailboat had been badly neglected over the years but was structurally sound.  The owner’s logic being that: if it holds water in, it must keep water out.  It had not been sunk, nor had any major damage to the hull.  It was salvageable. 

The sale would include the trailer, and the owner had the mast and the boom with the main sail as well.  However, it was missing the rudder and tiller, and a jib.  Those mentioned being important components to any sailboat and probably an additional reason why the boat was so cheap.

I told the guy that I was interested, but would have to discuss it with my wife and would get back to him, although I wasn’t sure how I was going to pay for it.  What the hell, my family could survive on ramen noodles for a few days until we got our next pay check. 

On a whim I decided to talk to my parents about it.  I wouldn’t call them major boat enthusiasts but I figured it was worth a shot.  I went to their house and explained my latest nutty idea.  The selling point being that the boat was worth more then the present owner wanted and I could literally turn around and sell it for at least twice as much as the asking price.  Not that I had any intention of doing so.  Also, I had every intention of paying them back for this small loan, and could reimburse them within a few weeks. With both of my parents rolling their eyes, they reluctantly issued me the funds required to make the purchase. 

I called the owner back and set up a time to make the transaction and pick up the sailboat.  It would be the coming weekend.  I asked what size ball would fit on the trailer, just to be sure I would actually be able to haul it back to Marquette.  That being said, it looked like I would soon be the owner of a dilapidated sailboat.  Joy, I was as happy as a kid on Christmas morning.

The Right People

           One thing I am always amazed with is that feeling of elation I get when I first arrive at my current destination.  When you step out the car after long hours of traveling and you look around at the scenery knowing that soon you will be immersed in it; experiencing what it has to offer.  There is really nothing to compare to it.   

Planning can prepare you for almost all the eventualities of a situation but can not substitute for actually being there.  I can envision each days activities, the layout of the camp, and even most of the possible hazards.  Planning accordingly, I bring the necessary equipment to meet the goal of the trip.  I.E. you wouldn’t pan on doing a climb without bringing a rope.  One thing you can never plan for is what I refer to as the ‘People Factor’. 

I have found over the years that, it is the people you are with that make or break the trip.  I have both made friends and lost them on adventure trips.  It comes down to personalities and comfort zones I suppose.  I am an obsessive personality and like to stick to my plan and since I typically coordinate all the trips I go on, I expect to meet my goals for the trip.  Ninety nine percent of the time these goals are shared by everyone involved and everything goes off without a hitch.  Everybody comes home better for the experience and friendship bonds are established or renewed.

There are those few instances that this was not the case and some of the individuals did not fully enjoy themselves.  The negative feelings caused tension among the group and thus; what could have been an outstanding experience for everyone turned out to be not so.  Fortunately, none of these situations were due to injury, thank God.  Rather, personality conflict. 

It is due to these few episodes that I am cautious when inviting people on wilderness adventure trips.  In my experience, small groups are best.  It’s easier to come to consensus on any decision involving the group; from who cooks to who cleans, what trail to explore, where to pitch camp, etc etc.   

I have also found that in large groups not everybody is as gung ho as I am to go, do, and see what is out there.  This is especially true if some of the members are not that experienced with the outdoors.  My wife for example; she doesn’t like to get too far away from the trail head in case of emergencies.  Where as, I like to get as far back in the middle of nowhere as humanly possible.  My wife gave up on wilderness adventure for the most part, unless there is a warm cabin and a comfortable bed involved.

My best advice is to choose who you go with carefully.  A person may be enthusiastic about the idea of wilderness adventure while sitting on a couch in a living room, but then completely miserable when they get out there.  I’ve seen it.  I’ve had some of my best adventures while being cold, wet, and eaten alive by mosquitoes.  I can’t say the same for other people.  Let people know what they're in for.  A nice hike out to a sandy beach for a picnic is not the same as a week long hike to climb a mountain in the middle of nowhere.   

I have also gone on trips where some of the people had no experience or equipment and loved every minute of it.  When you look over at a guy who is using a trash bag as a rain poncho and he has a big grin on his face, it makes you feel better knowing he’s having a good time.  It’s all in the attitude.  Be gung ho, but also surround yourself with people who as gong ho as you are.

Trek on!

Freedom

            I’m in my forties at this point and have been into doing outdoor activities for as long as I can remember.  When I was a small child our family would go camping out of a Chevy Blazer.  That truck enabled us to go on the back roads and get into the middle of nowhere.  It was great.

            As I got older my parent gave up on camping, trading the tent for hotels and wilds for the urban jungle.  This was due to their age and the fact that my mother didn’t relish the idea of hanging out in a small tent in the middle of nowhere.  She preferred the amenities that cities offer.  It was also due to the fact that they could afford it.

            I was not and am still not enamored with large population centers.  When I was younger I went trekking because, well, I loved it.  Also, I could afford it.  Heading out into the wilds was a cheep vacation.  Now that I’m older, I still love it.  But instead of planning to explore areas close to where I live, I plan on exploring areas I’ve always wanted to see.  Far away exotic locations like, Auyuittuq National Park in Canada.  At no time do I ever contemplate spending my hard earned vacation time in a city, any city.

            Because I’ve been doing outdoor activities for so long, I have amassed a large amount of gear to enable my endeavors.  It’s inevitable, the more things you do the more things you need.  This was not always the case.  When I started out all I had was a cheep backpack, my dad’s old sleeping back, and a Coleman special tent, and stove.  But that was all I needed; that and my parent’s permission.

            With that paltry amount of gear, some good friends, and an insatiable love of the outdoors I was able explore all over the State of Colorado.  I actually went on my first unsupervised trip when I was fourteen and spent a week up in a wilderness area.  Not that that’s a major accomplishment, but spending a week out from under the yoke of my parent’s influence was a liberating experience.  No one was there to yell at me for doing stupid things; every kids dream.  Outdoor adventure: I guess that’s what it was, and what it still is, complete freedom.

Don't Freeze

           Waking up one morning I saw my breath; it was cold, really cold.  Freeze your balls off cold.  But there was nothing for it, I had to pee.  Nature called.  As I worked my way towards waking up with the realization that my bladder was about to explode, I thought, “What in the hell am I doing here”?

            I was winter camping; the most insane of all outdoor activities.  This fine past time is usually reserved for the most hardy of all individuals; you know, people who like to climb Mt. Everest.  Yep, there is nothing better then being surrounded by ice and snow, and being perpetually cold.  Got to love it.  I mean really, you got to love it, or really really want to be there, if you don’t, then you’re doing the wrong weekend activity.

            I don’t care what equipment you have.  When you camp out in the winter and there is no heat source, you’re fucked.  You will never get warm again until you get back to a place with central heating.  But don’t get me wrong, winter camping can be a blast!

            I should clarify; I have been winter camping many times and always had a good time.  However, I always froze my ass off too.  Was it worth it?  Yes, the experience was worth the effort and in at least one case it turned out to be a real adventure due to the danger involved.  I.E. my friend who I was doing the trip with was in serious danger from exhaustion and exposure.  We survived the night buy staying in a ski lodge at the top of a mountain.  Amazingly enough and to our good fortune, the ski area didn’t lock their lodge at the end of the day.  Not that I’ve tried that more then once.  But hey, any port in a storm.

            In that particular case my friend and I were trying to get to a cabin by skiing into it on a trail.  We had a late start and by the time we were getting up into the high country it was getting dark.  I don’t know if we were ever on the trail or not, but I honestly think we were getting close to the cabin and may have been able to make it.  However, we had set a time limit on making the destination and turned back when we hit it.  Maybe not the best decision of the trip because we were closer to the cabin then the parking lot where we had left the car.  There was no way we would make it back in the remaining light.  Fortunately for us, the ski lodge was relatively close. We eventually arrived after dark with the aid of head lamps.

            This scenario could have ended much worse then it did, but I believe we would have survived the night outside.  We had all the necessary equipment to do so.  Not that it would have been pleasant. 

            I guess my point in this whole thing is: winter camping in the Rockies is not something to be taken lightly.  If you are going to attempt it, be prepared to be cold.  And don’t even try it if you don’t have at least the basics in equipment, and some knowledge of winter hazards.  Many experienced mountaineers have perished tempting the elements of the winter Rockies and elsewhere.  Don’t become a statistic.

Paradise on Earth

One of my favorite places in the world is Utah; to be specific, the area around Moab; more specifically, Canyonlands National Park.  There is no other place that I’ve ever been that I felt so removed from normal everyday life.  Perhaps it’s the landscape; it’s big and very colorful.  Within a very short distance the area transforms from a high alpine ecosystem to a maze of deep arid canyons.  The views are breathtaking.

Words do this place no justice, you have to see it to appreciate it.  Pictures can only give you a hint of the wonders contained within this high desert canyon environment.  Distances are vast, but in many cases seem to be an optical illusion.  You think to yourself, “This will be a quick hike to get out to that mesa”. Two hours later you are only approaching half way. 

In the middle of it all the magic and majesty of this place hits you.  At least it did to me; instilling in my soul a deep appreciation of this area and a need to see everything (an impossible task).  This area has to be one of the greatest pieces of eye candy in the world!

Andersen Bottom looking towards The White Rim and the Island in the Sky

I have been to the region many times over the years and have spent anywhere from a few days to over two weeks exploring.  Some places I have visited more then once, but somehow they always seem new when I come back to see them again.  For example, The White Rim.  It is a prominent geologic feature in Canyonlands National Park, and has a one hundred mile trail that follows the canyon rim as it winds its way around the Island in the Sky district of the park. 

The Island in the Sky district is so vast that it would literally take years to explore all of the small canyons that emanate from the high central plateau.  Believe me I know, I’ve been down there (Island in the Sky & the White Rim) at least five times and have just begun to scratch the surface.  To date, I have yet to make it all the way around the White Rim, but not for lack of trying.  I guess I’ll have to go back…..bummer.

The other districts in Canyonlands National Park are The Maze, and The Needles, both of which offer vast opportunities for exploration in their own right.  The Maze is the most remote of the three, but perhaps the most interesting due to that fact, and the geography of the area. 

No matter where you go in Canyonlands, you are in for an adventure.  Also, let’s not forget Arches National Park, The Glen Canyon National Recreation Area including Lake Powell, BLM land, and the Manti-La Sal National Forest all neighbor Canyonlands.  All combined, there are thousands of square miles of land in southeastern Utah waiting to be explored. 

For those lucky individuals living close enough to enjoy that area; a trip there need not cost more then a tank of gas and what can be found in the pantry.  All you need is the time and a love of the desert.  From Denver, it is approximately seven hours to get to Moab, from Salt Lake City its four hours, Vegas seven, and from Flagstaff its five and a half.  All very doable, when the need to get away from it all hits you.

You can see a great deal of the park with just a car.  That is, a car will get you to many camp grounds and most of the trail heads.  However, if you are really trying to get down in the thick of things you will need a four wheel drive vehicle or something capable of off road travel.  This is especially true of the Maze district.  It’s entirely possible to hike into the back country of any district, but it is nice to have a support vehicle to resupply from, especially in the maze.   Did I mention that it’s a vast desert landscape? I.E. water is hard to find, not to mention it weighs a lot.

Buttes of the Cross

Unfortunately, due to the popularity of the area as an outdoor adventure Mecca, park fees are ever prevalent.  Also, in the Moab area, the once free campsites along the Colorado River on highways 128 and 279 now have a fee.   But don’t loose hope; I’m sure a budget adventurer can still find a place to camp without having to pay a cent.  You may have to drive a little ways out of town, but they’re there.   

Alright, let me put the money where my mouth is.  If I was going to camp somewhere near Moab and wanted a no hassle no fee spot; here is where I would try.  This is assuming there is plenty of time to drive out to the camp spot.  Number one:  Castle Valley, the ravine near Castleton Tower.  I camped there before when I climbed the tower.  Number two:  keep heading up the same road, there’s bound to be something even if you end up on Castle Mountain; which is getting into the Manti-La Sal National Forest land by the way.  Number three:  Kane Creek road heading southwest out of Moab on the south side of the Colorado River.  This eventually ends up on BLM land and is outside Canyonlands National Park.  Actually, I’ve been wanting to drive that route for some time because it ends up down near the Needles district and must pass though some really neat country.  

The three ideas I’ve just mentioned are my best shot.  Please feel free to enlighten me if you know of other areas.  I’m all ears.  I haven’t been there in almost three years, but I am not done with the Moab area.  Far from it, I am just removed from it due to distance and time constraints.  

To be honest, if you are an outdoor adventure type like me, there is no other place in America that I would recommend more then southeastern Utah, and the Moab area.  There is so much to do there and so much to see, that I would move there if it weren’t 120 degrees in the summer.  That, seriously, is the only reason I don’t.  It’s too damn hot.  That, and if you weren’t able to spend your time out in the canyon country, you’d be stuck in Moab.

What's in Texas?

           One of the first things I’ve done every time I have ever moved to a new area is go exploring.  Exploring is best done with a little research into what is close by and might be worth checking out.  However, that could be argued.  I’ve been lucky, in most cases I’ve lived in areas of the country that had much to offer in the way of outdoor activities.

            Just out of curiosity I got onto Google Maps and focused my attention in and around the Dallas Fort Worth area.  Perhaps I did so out of skepticism, not believing there is much of interest for the outdoor enthusiast in that area.  But, you never know, should I end up residing there at least I’ll have an idea of where I might go to escape.

I plan on doing this exercise all around the country.  If nothing else, I will gain an in-depth knowledge of what the possibilities are regarding outdoor activities in any given area.  This information may even prove useful the next time I play Trivial Pursuits.

In looking at the Map I noticed a green patch just to the northwest of the cities.  The green patch, as it turned out, was the Caddo LBJ National Grassland.  Who would of ‘thunk’?  This patch of green (on the map) is comprised of almost 40,000 acres of combined managed property under the jurisdiction of the US Forest Service.  It is located a little over an hour from the Dallas Fort Worth area, depending. 

            According to the Web Page there are many activities to enjoy there including hunting, fishing, camping, and boating.  I’m sure you could hike around there as well as enjoy other activities, like bird watching or in this case, bird shooting.  Whatever suits you.  

            Am I planning on visiting the Caddo-LBJ N G?  No, not any time soon.  Until today, I didn’t even know it existed.  I’m sure it’s very popular with the north Texas Crowd, but unless I’m going to be in Dallas I see no reason to put it on my list. 

                        Another search on Google Maps revealed a small green patch just to the north of the city.  As I zoomed in I discovered that this was the Ray Roberts Lake State Park.  Looks interesting, a quick search showed that this must be a very popular spot in that neck of the woods.  Lots of camp sites and direct access to the lake make it a party spot I’m guessing.  I’m sure the hum of motor boat engines is common during the summer.  The site indicated that there was a use fee of $5.00/person a day, and camping was anywhere from $12 to $25 a night. 

            All things considering, the two areas I just found would be good for weekend trips and look to be economical if you can afford a hundred dollars or so.  That seems to be about the going rate for a weekend at a state park these days; depending on your drive, supplies, and such.  Not bad.

            My question: Is there anywhere around there to do a completely wilderness oriented trip that doesn’t require a fee for this or a fee for that, and isn’t more then a days drive away?  Probably not, but I’m thinking the best bet is the Caddo National Grassland.  If anyone would know, it would be the local outdoor adventure types who take advantage of what the area has to offer.

            One more quick glance at the Map and backing out quite a ways, showed that the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas looked to be within the realm of possibilities.  I’m guessing a three to four hour drive from the Dallas Fort Worth area and you’re there. 

            I’ve always liked National Forests.  In Colorado at least, you could drive down any particular road in a National Forest and find a decent camp site.  It would consist of a two track off the main road and have a fire ring.  No fees, but also no amenities.  Hey, you get what you pay for.  It was these types of camp spots I regularly visited and still do.  Another bonus, there are typically less people in these spots and the ones you do find, if they’re not playing the tune from Deliverance on a banjo, turn out to be good people.

Winter Fun

As I look out my window and see a plethora of snow and ice I am reminded that winter is here.  For us summer lovers this can be the least favorite time of the year.  However, you can still get out, even for a day, if you have the inkling to do so. 

When I was younger and living in Colorado, winter was eagerly anticipated.  This was due to my enthusiasm for skiing.  I’ll be the first to admit that skiing; at least down hill skiing isn’t cheap.  With lift tickets at some premier ski resorts like Vail at $94 for a day; you can imagine how much a day out with the family would be.  And let’s not discuss the additional cost like parking, food, libations, etc.  Can you say second mortgage?

Don’t loose hope, you can still get out there and do it for almost next to nothing.  Try cross country skiing, snowing shoeing, or icing fishing.  If you’ve never done these things before you’re in for a treat.  It’s beautiful out there, just wear warm clothes.

Now, all activities are going to cost something, and I would suggest trying it 1^st before you invest in equipment.  See if any of your friends are into the activity you are trying to experience.  I have been exposed to many outdoor activities through my friends.  In many cases they had spare equipment I could barrow.  Thanks guys.  

If equipment is a must, like cross country skis, because your friends don’t have a spare set; there are other alternatives.  Go to your local thrift store, you might get lucky.  I have seen used skis at our local store for as little as $5.00 for the pair.  As a matter of fact, I bought a really nice pair of skis and boots at a garage sale for $25.00.  It really comes down to looking around and being patient.  You may not get out there the next day, but eventually it will happen.

With all the necessary equipment taken care of, its time to head out and enjoy the outdoors.  We use to head up to one of the passes outside of Denver.  Loveland Pass was a great place to spend a day out in the snow.  Basically, all it cost us was gas.   We could spend an entire day skiing down the pass and then hitch hiking back up again to repeat the process.  It was great.  If I still lived in Colorado I’m sure I would be doing it on a regular basis.  

I have done many winter activities with friends and acquaintances, most of which I enjoyed.  The only one I never got hooked on was Ice fishing (no pun intended).  I had a fun time, but it was cold and the only fish we caught was about 6 inches long.  Not much to show for the time we were sitting out on the lake.  Not to mention, I’m not big on venturing out on frozen lakes.  It creeps me out.

Get out there and enjoy.

Clueless in Marquette

Hi Friends,

This is my first Blog, Oy, so bear with me.  My intent is to grace you all with my vast amount of accumulated knowledge on all subjects near and dear to my heart.  Namely going on weekend adventures or longer and doing it for cheap.  There is absolutely no reason why you can’t go on an adventure without having to save for months to do so.  Most trips can be done for under a thousand dollars, and in most cases less then One hundred.  As they say, where there’s a will there’s a way.

I will be customizing my blog soon.  As soon as I figure out how to work this thing.

Thanks.