Winter Camping Brown County Indiana (We made it)

[raprap]

A rule of thumb for firewood in winter camping with groups (larned from being a scoutmaster)---Cut as much wood as you can imagine using and triple it.

And the real secret for starting a fire with wet wood isn't boy scout water (gasoline), it's a railroad flare (larned from canoe touring)

Rap

[bobhenry]

Better living thru chemistry ..... What if you don't have a flare. I think the most empowered I ever felt was using a bow and starting a fire by friction. Finely crushed leaves and pine needles a few tiny sticks and watching it grow into a living breathing thing. O.k. I graduated to matches but it might be a hell of a contest. At least good for laughs and maybe someone would learn a survival skill that the may never need but what if they did ?

I don't want to give up my way of life but if I had to , I feel I am much better prepared than most.....

[Jst83]

We used old copier dispersement fluid once. Man that goes up quick you can start a fire in the rain and scorch the trees above.

I now use the trusty Duraflame log

[raprap]

I'll agree with the satisfaction in starting a fire with flint and steel or bow and spindle --but a roasflare has personally proven to be a godsend several times on the side of a creek on a cold rainey day when everything is wet including the matches and tinder. I guess thats one of the reasond why I consider a roadflare or two an intregral part of my camping and canoeing gear. Moreover; I also consider a roadflare an important pert of my vehicle emergency kit along with a blanket, jumper cables, a quart of oil, starting fluid, radio, gloves, small first aid kit and a deck of cards.

Rap

[prohandyman]

Listen - its going to be very cold. We're all adults - no scouts present (I think) we will do whatever it takes to get a fire going and keep it going.
Ummm - but the WOOD strip tear drop is off limits!

[Mark72]

http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/allergies/wxdetail/USIN0457?dayNum=6



Sorry I couldn't resist

[prohandyman]

Cut as much wood as you can imagine using and triple it.

I think I will go cut some more wood ,14 deg high, -2 deg low Sunday am forecasted!

[Jst83]

Well I called for reservations They said you can book in advance or pay when you get there that a man would come around and collect it's $11 cause the water Is turned off I think I'll wait and pay there maybe the man will be to cold to come around That was wrong wasn't it

We're looking at High 16 low 9 as of today highs lower 30's Fri and Sunday (wouldn't it figure)

I'm thinking sites along the wood line 88-93 because it's near the PT
with water off I don't figure the main shower house will be open.

All in favor say Ice cube

[prohandyman]

IIIIIIIICE CCCCCCUBE

[bobhenry]

My darling wife has issued the ultimatum if it that damn cold the girls and I are getting a motel room and you crazy men are paying. I reluctantly agreed fully knowing she'll buck up and hang around and if not it's guys night out and the girls are having a pajama party with hot showers.

Can anybody say panty raid !!!!

Stayed after work tonight and cut the parts for the "tip out " for the wood stove, fitted my exhaust pipe chimney to the wood stove, reinstalled the pantry door / counter top and cut it's lexan top, temporaryly patched the crack in the lexan top. Got a bunch to do but the a/c works (DC Don't)
Oh well. Got 3 more nights at least I'm in the shop at work not in my drive way cause it's snowing and blowing like crazy here. Are we nuts?? I'm lovin it !!!


P.S. ICE CUBE

[prohandyman]

My darling wife has issued the ultimatum if it that damn cold the girls and I are getting a motel room and you crazy men are paying

Heck my wife isn't even going, and Yes, she thinks we are crazy. She even said "shouldn't we plan for a warmer weekend"?
Double checked the heater today, have a backup, checked the battery charge, located coveralls, other cold weather gear, will pick up extra firewood tommorrow. If you bring water, plan to leave it in vehicle - might freeze otherwise at near zero temps.

[Jst83]

Heck my wife isn't even going, and Yes, she thinks we are crazy. She even said "shouldn't we plan for a warmer weekend"?

My wife said "no way you'll go" I have to now

[prohandyman]

What head count are we at?

[Jst83]

4 You, me Bob Henry and and Rap.
Can't wait I've never seen any of the other 3 tears that will be there.
Bobs got a clear roof, I'm thinking of putting in a 4'x6' skylight right over the bed so I can look at the stars. Wifes all for it, That's always good

[mrchuc]

Hi Everybody,

I have been really looking forward to this adventure. It may still happen for me, but some unexpected events have conspired against me.

My wife had to make an unexpected trip to Texas a few days ago. Her mother was visiting in Dallas and became ill. She was treated at a Dallas hospital and improved quite a bit, but needs some tests. She decided she wanted those done here in St. Louis where she would be with doctors she knows and near her daughter (my wife.)

So, my wife will not be coming. What I have to decide is (1) if I can afford that trip and (2) if my mother-in-law's situation is okay enough for me to be gone.

I am still hoping I can make it, especially since it promises to be so cold. I really want to test out the Little Guy under those conditions.

I am working on the checkbook now. Here's hoping I will have a positive balance!

Hope I get to meet some of you folks.