Monday, April 23, 2007

Monday April 16 - Bass Pro in Oklahoma City

Good News is that Bass Pro gave me no trouble to exchange Tent Cots. While there I picked up a daypack with a hydration bladder.

After getting the new cot this couple with two children were driving by my truck and the kids were smiling as they looked at my dogs. Since their windows were open I called out that it was okay to pet the dogs if they wanted to. They pulled away and I went on to tie down my new cot. As I was getting ready to drive away, the couple with kids parked and started making their way over. So I jumped out so I could introduce the dogs to the kids.

Sandy and Poochka loves people and especailly kids. And kids have always loved seeing the dogs. I opened my tailgate so the kids could jump up and pet the dogs. I let Poochka out of her cage so the kids could love on her. The kids really enjoyed their time with the dogs. The parents had fun too.

That makes today a very good day too !!

Afterwards, I plotted a course for Denton, Texas to visit an ood friend, Diane. She own's a home in Denton. I still have a drive ahead of me.

Sunday April 15, 2007 - To Oklahoma City

Ginny went to church while I was packing and taking advantage of the sunny day. I laid out the dog blankets to let them dry and re-did quite a bit of packing. As I learned later, I re-did something rather poorly leading to the potential loss of a box or two but really only losing a lid to a box.

Ginny packed me some wonderful home-made lemon pie. But I knew it wouldn't keep so i left it
behind.

I'm taking a path to Harrison, Arkansas first to make sure I take the best roads out of the area, according to Ginny. Then I laid in a course for Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where yet another Bass Pro store was located. If you recall, I purchased a Tent Cot in Clarksville, Indiana. The Tent Cot I purchased there had a large rip occur in the carrying bag.

I drove towards Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It was an annoying drive since I had some issues with a couple of my boxes nearly coming out of my truck. I had to make a couple stops to fix the problem. I finally did get things secured but I wasn't able to get to Bass Pro by Sunday night closing.

But it gave me a chance to stay at a really neat campground on a lake just south of Oklahoma City, OK called Lake Thunderbird.

The camp was nice and the views of the lake were great.
Its been sometime since I wrote into my blog. I'm going to write a series of postings for each I skipped.

I stayed with Ginny for several days enjoying the great company and cooking. It was raining after the trip to Bass Pro in Missouri up to the day before leaving. During that time we played a lot of dominoes with her son and son's wife. I suppose we played some 20 rounds of “Mexican Train” dominoes. Everywhere I looked there were dots! lol

Ginny took the dogs and me for a walk to another part of the lake front. At this part there was a road leading to the edges where cliffs and a fire pit were located. There were a couple of disappointing things I saw ... couldn't help but seeing.

Trash. People who had a fire, or camped, or fished ... they all left trash. There were 1-gallon bottles of water, candy wrappers, cups, napkins. On the edge near the water were old lures, fish line, sinkers and wrappers for bait. Glass bottles – why deliberately break glass?

Graffiti. I got to see who loves whom. I suppose its nice to see people enjoying another's company but not on rocks with spray paint or etching into the stone.

What has happened to promoting taking care of things that we may not even own like the beach, the woods, whatever? I hate it when a napkin comes out of my truck while getting in or out. I've gone to great lengths just to catch that napkin moving along in the wind. It annoys me seeing people throw trash in the bed of their pickup knowing the trash will eventually blow out. Well, that's my soapbox!

My dogs really enjoyed the walk as they got to check out the shoreline and a person's room addition that was under construction. Sandy (white dog) was really wanting to get to know the cat there but the cat had not agreed to any such interactions.

Friday, April 13, 2007

Visiting Bass Pro in Springfield, MO





Let's see. Its been a fun couple of days here at Ginny's along with Cindy. Yesterday, they took me to Springfield, MO so we could see the Bass Pro there. Let me tell you, that is a very large Bass Pro. It was an event just to walk through the store. I was trying to return the cot tent I just bought two days earlier because the carrier bag ripped in two places. But that Bass Pro was sold out. Now, why sell something that you can 't get the supplier to keep up with? The salesman was helpful and thorough by finding what stores had them in stock and seeing if they could ship one to the store I was at. But in the end, it was going to be 10 days before I would get it so I decided I would get it later.

Since I was getting hungry, we left Bass Pro while the salesman was working to find a replacement tent cot to eat. We tried out this nearby rib place called “Rib Crib”. I'd say not to bother eating there. You can do better at other rib places. Cindy and I each got the combination platter that includes a ½ slab of babyback ribs. The were overcooked and barely any meat on them. Like I said, don't bother eating there.

After lunch we went back to get an update from the Bass Pro salesman (camping department). After buying most of the store, we went to a living museum called “American National Fish and Wildlife museum” ($11 a ticket). It was pretty cool. They had a mock up of the woods, a river, and other wildlife environments. Their website is http://www.wondersofwildlife.org/ . I got many pictures. I'm going to need to get my webserver up and running to put up literally thousands of pictures I take.

Oh, at the end of the day in Bass Pro pictures were taken. Here is a picture of Ginny (left) and Cindy (right). Where did those awesome hats come from? I'll never tell but they so happen to fit my head just fine.

Across from Ginny's house is a 6-acre lot with woods bordering the lake she lives at. What an awesome view. The dogs love to run around and wrestle with each other.

There were some nice wildflowers near the water. I've included a couple of them. I haven't identified them yet.


Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Day 2 along the Western Kentucky Parkway

It rained just as I was getting ready to sleep. The tent cot worked great and the rainfly did its job to keep out the rain.

I stayed in the tent until the rain stopped early this morning. I got out and everything looked fine. My biggest issue was when feeding the dogs, Sandy attacked Poochka. Sandy is very possessive over even just the smell of food. I tried to break it up by pulling them apart but they kept digging into each other. I picked them both up as a unit hoping to pull them apart but they were wet. In the soft grass, we all fell and I had to make sure I didn't crush any of their windpipes as I came down to the ground. So I caught myself on my knees then my forearms all the while they are still fighting.

So they are still fighting and my hands are slipping off their necks. I wrap my each arm around the neck of a dog basically doing a chicken wing thing trying to separate their jaws from the other's. Every time, I got close to separating them, Sandy would wiggle to get back at Poochka.

For what seems like minutes, but was only seconds, I finally get Poochka to pull away so I let her go concentrating my strength on Sandy. Sandy has lost her collar so I don't have much to hold on to. She wanting to get away and chase down Poochka but I was able to pin her to the ground and trying to lock her mouth closed without actually hurting her.

After Sandy calms down and Poochka is staying her distance, I get up on my knees still holding her to the ground and pick her up. I put her into her cage and realized I hurt my lower back and my fingertips in the skirmish. heavy mud is on both my pants legs. No injuries from the dogs directly but falling and digging my fingers into the gravel and mud caused some cuts that are bleeding. But after checking the dogs, no one is really hurt so I count my day as successful so far.

Day 1 along the Western Kentucky Parkway

This evening I'm staying at Rough River Dam State Resort Park although I'm not at the resort!

Of course, I'm roughing it although it can't be very rough if I have something to keep me out of the rain. Ive taken some pictures of my new Cot Tent in action. We're going to test it out – tonight there are storms coming my way. I feel left out of the loop, I have no internet or cell phone connection where I am. Although I do have two nice young people camping together during their Spring Break. They have been here a week so far. Its funny how I'm in a t-shirt and they are in sweat shirts and chilly. Then again, they aren't as insulated as I am :)
The dogs got some exercise and have eaten. I just let them out while I'm out here typing. Just to keep them from chasing every deer around here, they are tethered despite their unhappiness about that.

With all my organization and inventions, I'm seeing things that can be done better. No matter the thought I put into something, field-testing is the only way to improve things. But I really really enjoy being out on the road, seeing new things, talking to people, and seeing what the day (and night) has in store for me.

Its 10:37pm and I'm feeling the breeze before a rain. I'm probably going to rotate my tent cot 180 degrees. I thought I put the door facing the right direction but I was off. Nice thing, pick it up and rotate – unlike moving a standard tent around.



Other tricks for this style of camping especially when you know adverse weather is on the way. Get out clean socks and other clothes and have them in the truck. If its raining then I don't want to retrieve them from my camping boxes from the back of the truck. Also, don't put anything in the driver's seat. There may be the need for a hasty retreat to the shelter of the vehicle. You don't want anything in the way for a rapid dive into the front seat! I put a towel out to get dry just in case. Stow as much gear away as possible – the less to deal with in the rain or snow. If my cell was working, I would call someone to let them know where I was and give them a call tomorrow once I'm back on the road. I have a homemade “READY” kit that I will have to document for my readers later on. But my “READY” kit helps me be ready for some small emergencies or crisis situations.



Always have a pocket knife at hand. I wear a vest quite often. Its not a fishing vest but everyone asks me if I'm going fishing. I suppose the ones asking haven't seen many, if any, fishing vests. But in my vest, I keep a small flashlight, a small pocket knife, and a few other things.



Wow, its quiet. The dogs have settled down. I see Poochka but where is Sandy? I get up to look for her. Did she pull off her collar? Then I see this tether leading into my tent cot. Sandy has decided to take a nap in my tent cot. I've taken a picture for my friends to see. I shouldn't be surprised – she's jumped into people's canvas camping chairs as soon as that person gets up for some reason. And is she ever so quiet – she just slides up there pretty as you please. My dogs are very entertaining indeed.



Well, I'm getting my nightly indigestion. Time to take some calcium antacid tablets. As I was looking for my antacid tablets I remembered I usually need my ibuprofen, benadryl, and antacid tables in the middle of the night. So, I need to make a handy pouch to hold those items in my tend cot. Again, something I didn't think of until I was in the “field”. This includes keeping a bottle of water handy in the tent cot as well.



The stars have been completely covered my clouds now.



I forgot to get any food for dinner so earlier I found a small restaurant. Inside the restaurant was some folk-art: painted handsaws and frying pans. They also had melted bottles where someone painted a design too. I took some pictures of their artwork for you to enjoy. The food was “okay” but hunger always makes food tastes better :)



I just took a quick walk around chasing down this pair of raccoons. It wasn't in their plans to have me photograph them.



Cool! I hear an owl off my the lake. Its call echos off the water and the trees. How does anyone want to listen to their walkman or MP3 player with God's creations already singing to them?

What else do I hear? I don't hear much – no flies or mosquitos – YES ! I did see several lightening bugs though. I don't hear any crickets or other common night insects. I just heard a log crack in the woods.



The benadryl is kicking in – helping me get sleepy. I suppose I should wrap this up. I hope everyone has enjoyed today's entry in my BLOG.



Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Visiting Clarksville, IN's Bass Pro

Today is "back on the road day" but its a slow start. I ate lunch with David in Louisville and then made it to Bass Pro to get a Cot Tent. I have a Cot Tent from Cabela's too but I'm going to return that one.

A Tent Cot allows me to plop this thing and in a couple minutes, have a fully-enclosed and weather-protected area for sleeping ... hmm, its also bug-protected.
I took some pictures while at Bass Pro. One picture shows the tent cot as it is in the store. I took some fish and stuffed animal shots too. I hope you enjoy.

Now I'm on my way to the Bluegrass Parkway to drive westward (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_Layne_Collins_Blue_Grass_Parkway). Its a scenic leisurely drive. I'm planning to take mostly backroads.

Other good news is that Dave Jr. is wanting some camping time together in 10 days or so. So, once I make it to Texas then he and I will meet up somewhere between Georgia and Texas for some camping and hiking. I look forward to us getting to reconnect.

Take Care










Sunday, April 8, 2007

Happy Resurrection Day - Easter

May the Glory of the Lord be upon you on this blessed day. Today is a reminder of how Jesus arose from the dead (just to show Satan who's the boss) and give us hope in life eternal thru Him.

Yesterday, I went to the "H" Farm on my way to Louisville, KY. While there I took some photos of my two dogs. The black dog is Poochka and the white is Sandy.


The weather was warm but then quickly turned cold. The wildflowers have mostly closed. The white flowers are the blooms of a dogwood on the farm.

I hope all of you reading this is especailly blessed on this day.

-- Tim








Thursday, April 5, 2007

Tim's Vehicle

Cabela's



A couple days ago I left Virginia, where I live, to visit Cincinnati then to drive to Texas. My favorite stop along my Virginia-to-Cincinnati drive is Cabela's (www.cabelas.com). Cabela's is an Outfitter store with everything you need for camping, hunting, kayaking, whatever. It's an awesome place. They have a large display of stuffed animals and very large fishtanks showing local species of fish.



I do a lot of traveling and one of these days I need to get a popup camper. But I do a lot of ad-hoc camping. I don't need a tent but I do enjoy an air mattress.



I took a pic of my loaded truck and in the background, you can see the Cabela's store with its gold-colored logo.

My truck is rigged with AC power inside. I have a laptop computer running at all times, a couple different GPS', a CB I enjoy using, and WiFi beng broadcasted by using my Verizon cell modem as the link to the Internet.

-- Tim



The "H" Farm

Hi I got another chance to spend time at a farm owned by the parents of a close friend of mine (Dave jr). Of course, his parents (David and Beth) are great friends too.

The farm is some 300 acres bordering along the Kentucky River. There are Whitetail Deer, wild turkey that are hunted every year.

I shot these wildflowers April 3, 2007.