Bushcraft Lunch

Set out for a short walk today, just looking to get the boys out to run around and have a picnic with my wife.  We found a nice spot that had water, ample fire material, and even a log for a bench.

On the way in, spotted berry bushes finally abundant in bright red fruit.  This is the first time we have seen fully developed berries this year.  Just had to sample a few, but left plenty for the bears.

Started the fire with a bow drill, and cooked a steak and piece of chicken right on the coals.  Of course we brought in a “box bottle” of wine, and the container comes in handy as a plate as well.

This is just our version of a picnic that we like to take from time to time.

Man's Best Friend, or Dog's Best Friend?

This is what happens when your dog cannot finish the 13 mile hike.  I had to carry my 90+ pound German Shepherd, and my wife had to wear both backpacks. Still, it was a good day.  We started at 7:00 a.m., the first mile of the hike was a closed road like you see in the pictures.  Maybe 1/2 mile in, we nearly collided with a doe and her two fawns.  They finally took off down the hillside away from us.  Got to a wooded trail, and hiked to a backcountry lake, had a quick snack. We were hiking a loop, so came out a different way.  Found a black bear foraging for food at the base of a tree on the trail about 50 yards in front of us.  Thought he was just going to stand his ground, but he finally took off.  Ended the hike with about 3 miles on a closed road and pretty exposed to the sun.  One of my GSD's is losing strength in his back left leg, and it was just too much form him.  I only carried him about 1/2 a mile, but it was a tough load. I would do it again though.  These are great dogs, and the one I carried alerted me to a grizzly in camp just a couple weeks ago.  They truly are my best friends.