When planning a trip into the wilderness

 When planning a trip into the wilderness have a plan even if you are planning to go for a few hours.

It is important to pack more water than you think you will use, nuts and dried fruit, layer your clothing for unexpected changes in weather conditions. You will want to bring a compass because cell phones are unreliable. Pack a blanket, extra socks, flashlight, matches, and flint; pack anything to help you survive a night in the wild.

Plan your route and dress according to the type of terrain you will encounter while walking. Check to see if there are any alerts about bears, fires, flooding or trail closures before setting out. It is important to tell a friend, relative, parents your destination and path, time of departure and arrival back to camp.  If going by a vehicle to your destination verbalize the type, color, and plate number. Hiking alone is dangerous, so please call a friend to go along with you.

If you do become lost STOP

Stop: Start by taking off your pack and sit some place comfortable.

Start by slowing your breaths down. Close your eyes, and as you inhale through your nose with a controlled breath, feel that breath start to fill your stomach and then your chest area. When you reach the point where you cannot inhale another breath you will hold for 3 seconds and then slowly and with control, exhale through your pursed lips. Relax your shoulders and make your mind listen to the sounds and repeat.

Think: The reason for the above exercise is to help you think clearly about how to overcome the situation positively. You will be able to prioritize better if you have a clear mind and are not panicked.

Observe: Assess what you have in your pack, is there anything that will make a shelter, are there plants or animals for a food supply and is there water nearby? Do not move at all until you have a particular reason to take a step. As a very last resort, follow a stream downhill.

Plan: After completing the above task, plan your next step. How can you best adjust to your situation? You have a better chance of survival if you are thinking in a positive frame of mind. Put your plan into action by building a fire, getting water, and building/seeking shelter. Do not sit on the ground hoping to be found in an hour or you will DIE!

Cattails

There are many species of cattails, but there are two species most commonly found in the US: broad-leaved cattail and narrow leaf cattail. Cattails have a broad or narrow leaf, which resembles a long stiff blade of grass. The plant leaves can grow as tall as 10 feet. The facility consists of a flower structure without petals made up of a brown, fuzzy, hot dog shape on the bottom, which is the female portion, and a long slender type yellow spike on top of the brown structure, which is the male part.

Cattails have two ways of reproducing; In the fall, the plump brown heads will release their seeds with the help of a breeze. Cattails also have thick, white roots, called rhizomes. These rhizomes take in the nutrients from the water, and with the aid of the sun, the plants will grow fast and thick. The root system protects against erosion from heavy rains or mild flooding.

This plant provides food and cover for our wildlife. Some species of birds will use the brown fluff to line the houses they build on the tall weeds. Bigger birds, such as ducks and geese will hide their nest directly in the shoots to protect their eggs from predators. Frogs lay their eggs around and in-between them. Fish will hide from Blue Herons that fly in or land predators wanting a tasty dinner. Animals, such as deer, raccoons, and turkeys use the cattails as cover. The leaves provide food for insects; thus, the bugs provide food for the birds. Humans have been using cattails for centuries. The American Indians used the leaves in the making of mats to sleep on, baskets to hold food and water. They used the fluffy part of the plant to provide protection from the outside elements. They stitched it into clothing and bedding, because of its natural ability to insulate. Pioneers used the fluff to stuff dolls and used the brown heads to light a fire.

Cattail Wigwam

 The root contains a sticky glue-like substance that applied has an adhesive for the paper. The pollen from the brown part of the plant to be added to food because it has an endless amount of nutrients. The root of the plant and the pollen are used as flour when cooking bread or thickening stews. However, this will take many plants and much patience, but the reward is worth the effort.

Some people consider this type a plant problematic, and it grows so fast and thick; it has the potential to choke out the beneficial plants needed to maintain the ecosystem of that water source. The movement of water decreases and then the water becomes stagnant, which becomes the perfect conditions for mosquitoes to breed in and spreads diseases to domestic animals, livestock, and humans.

Linda Tanner

If you are trying to keep pesky animals like raccoons or muskrats out and keep mosquitoes at bay, cut your cattails back using a weed cutter and then a rake to rid the tails that fell into the water. There is another product called MuckAway™ this product helps to break down the decomposing material and muck. If you want cattails, but want them contained in an area, you will have to make a point of regularly cleaning up what grows outside your designated area.

SURVIVING WOODS SHOCK

If you find yourself lost and alone ,stay where you are until help arrives only move if you are facing extreme danger. You need to remember the word STOP. It stands for Stop, Think, Observe, and Plan.

Stop: Start by taking off your pack and set some place comfortable. Start by slowing your breaths down. Close your eyes, and as you inhale through your nose with a controlled breath, feel that breath start to fill your stomach and then your chest area. When you reach the point where you can't inhale another breath hold for 3 seconds and slowly and with control, exhale through your pursed lips. Relax your shoulders and clear your mind, listen to the sounds and repeat.

Think: The reason for the above exercise is to help you think rationally. You will be able to evaluate how best to survive, evaluate which priority comes first, and how best to use your problem solving abilities when the situation calls for action.

Observe: Who is with you, are there any injuries, assess what you have in your pack 1st. is there shelter, food, or water nearby? What type of terrain are you in?

Plan: After completing the above task, plan your next step. How can you best adjust to your situation? You have a better chance of survival if you are thinking in a positive frame of mind. Put your plan in to action by building a fire, getting water, and building/seeking shelter. Do not sit on the ground thinking that you will be found in an hour or you will DIE!

Don't Pull The Wool Over My Eyes

Did you know wool can be obtained from many types of animals?

• Angora wool- Rabbit

• Cashmere wool- Cashmere Goat

• Chiengora wool-Dog

• Llama wool-Llama

• Lopi- Icelandic Sheep

• Mohair- Angora Goat

• Pashmina-A distinct type of goat

• Shahtoosh- Tibetan antelope

• Tibetan fur- Tibetan Lamb

• Alpaca wool- Alpaca

Angora Rabbit

Icelandic Sheep

Tibetan Lamb

Wool is a textile?

This means the fur (wool) will be mixed with another natural or artificial fiber (yarn or thread). When the yarn or thread mixes with wool, flax, cotton, or hemp it will then provide the needed length to produce a product that can be woven, knitted, crochet, knotted or felted. There are many products made from wool such as; baskets, towels, backpacks, and many other useful articles we depend on every day.

Why is wool used?

• It has a lower rate of heat release compared to other materials

• It can absorb up to 35% of its own weight in liquid and has the ability to dry quickly 

• No microbial attraction because it carries no charge 

• Eco friendly

• Durable

• Merino wool is itch-free

Why Should I use Wool For Camping?

If you are a 3 season camper you know nights can get pretty cold. I use a wool blanket inside as another barrier to keep me warm, but you can use it under or on top of your sleeping bag too, it's all about making you comfortable, right?

I always wear some sort of merino wool base layer when I am out exploring the wilderness. I feel it is the best, it may cost more than cotton, but worth every cent. I have had my Merino gear for years; hats, scarves,and mittens. All of my gear still looks great and holding up so well, I might have to purchase more just for a change of color. I believe if you are going to enjoy the outdoors for years to come then you should invest in the best gear and give your body what it deserves; Merino wool.

Merino Sheep

Graham State Park, MO

When we arrived at our campsite, our thought was "rustic", but nice. We were greeted by two park staff members that were cleaning up downed trees. At first, we were not sure if this spot was going to fit our truck and trailer, but in the end with a little assistance from the staff, my husband backed the trailer in perfectly.

When my husband leveled out the trailer there was about a 2-foot difference from the ground to the 1st step of our camper and as I am only 5'2" and we were located on a down slope We needed to make a trip to Walmart for a step stool. This solved the problem and I felt more comfortable getting in and out of our camper.

The highlight of this park is the “Cave “, however you can only walk in a little way before you are greeted by a fence that will only allow you a minimal view of what the archeologists excavated years back. There are four informational boards stating how the cave came to be and what it was used for through the ages.

Inside of the fenced in area

Outside the "Cave"

After seeing the Cave, we took a trail that led us past a small waterfall and up around paths covered in sandstone. There are many other great walking trails at this park, and they are color-coded for beginner, moderate and advanced hikers. My husband and I did not walk the advanced route. The beginner and moderate trails were nicely maintained even though there were some remaining downed trees from the previous month's storm. There were a couple of watering holes for our pups, Molly and Ben.

This was a very easy trail to walk right after viewing the "Cave"

There is a playground for children and picnic tables nearby. This campground is great for a stopover or for a day trip with the family. As far as other activities go, I do not think there is much to offer to last more than a couple of days.

On our second day, we took a drive to the Apple Wagon Antique Mall. They are known as a Fiesta Ware Factory Outlet, but also sell seasonal decor, holiday items, outdoor metal art, and other handmade merchandise. The shop is extremely clean and the staff very friendly.

Overall our time spent at this park was enjoyable.

Why Would I Want To Buy a Snugpak?

  

Snugpak claims to have an experienced workforce trained in the use of both state of the art machinery and traditional sewing techniques, which is one of the reasons this brand stands out. They tailor their sleeping bags to fit your needs and your lifestyle.

Choosing a Sleeping Bag

When choosing a sleeping bag, there are some things to consider: the temperature, destination, and location of your campsite. Snugpak took these elements into consideration and created a product that has multiple layers designed to withstand temperatures from very cold to warm.

Each layer provides a certain level of protection. Snugpak uses a variety of materials in certain sleeping bags. The materials were designed based on client feedback over the last 30 years and are constructed for the "camper to the arctic adventurer" (those materials are not listed here).

•  Paratex Steelplate is a durable, but soft fabric, which is able to wick moisture quickly away        from you. It is windproof, enabling it to keep the warm air in.

•  Paratex light is lightweight, highly windproof, water repellent, breathable and able to wick        moisture away. Most commonly, it is used as a liner in a sleeping bag.

•  Paratex Micro is a durable, but soft fabric, lightweight, highly windproof and water repellent. It is used in the outer lining of the sleeping bag.

•   Paratex Antibacterial is a treatment used on the outer and inner linings.

•   Softie, made up of fine filament fibers, creates extra voids and loft to trap more warm air.

Care of Your Sleeping Bag

All Snugpak sleeping bags are fully washable, however, make sure to check the label for special instructions.

These are some of the reasons why we feel Snugpak is a high-quality product, and so will you.              

It's All Fun and Games Until Someone Gets Poked in the Eye 

There are 5 common injuries that happen to people while they are camping, some of the injuries happen from kids playing around to weather induced injuries. I am going to provide you with this helpful information, so you will be better prepared to help the injured person.


Fractures or Sprains

DO NOT move the person with the injury. Make clear to the person who is hurt not to move, as they could potentially make a bad injury worse. The only time someone should be moved is when:

• There is a more seriously injured person and you need to get to them. 
• The person is in danger of becoming injured by something else. 
• You need to perform CPR and need to place the person on a hard surface

Make sure that the person can breathe and they have a pulse, then wait for help to arrive. This is the one case where you do not treat for shock! 

A sprain/ strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon. You will  apply an ice pack over a barrier such as a towel for 15-20 min to reduce swelling and help ease the pain. Wrap the injured area firmly with an elastic bandage to limit the swelling and to protect the injury. Stay off the injury. It may take up to 3 weeks to heal. 

  Open Wounds and Cuts

Most small wounds, such as cuts and scrapes, can be easily treated when you are camping.

⦁ Apply pressure to the wound to stop any bleeding. 
⦁ Run clean water over the wound to remove any particles or dirt. Wash the skin around the wound with soap and rinse.
⦁ Apply antibiotic ointment and cover with a bandage; change as necessary to keep wound clean as it heals.

If the wound has an object embedded in it, such as a fishing lure, do not remove it. Instead, go to the URGENT CARE,

so that it can be removed safely without causing additional damage.

Bee stings and insect bites

Take an antihistamine as soon as possible or aid the person in retrieving their emergency EPI pen.

Seek emergency care immediately if you notice signs of an allergic reaction: 

⦁ Difficulty breathing
⦁ Swelling of the face, throat or mouth 
⦁ Wheezing or difficulty swallowing

You will be able to remove the stinger by scraping it off. Don't pinch it, this will only release more poison into the affected area. Take Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen for pain relief and a antihistamine to help alleviate itching. After washing the bite with soap and rinsing with water you can apply a paste of baking soda and water or for our holistic persons, they will probably use essential oils (tips will be in a future blog) If you apply an ice pack over a barrier such as a towel for 15-20 min it will help reduce swelling and help ease the pain also.

Skin Irritants (Poison Ivy or Oak)  

Before starting treatment remove your clothes and place the garments in a plastic garbage bag until you are ready to wash them, as a separate load.

 Applying rubbing alcohol will dissolve the oils that have been transferred from the leaf to your skin. Rinse the area with cool water for 10-15 min, as warm or hot water will open the pores and allow the toxin to penetrate deeper. I have used Dawn dish soap to remove the oils from the plant, remember to wash everywhere, including under your nails. After you are finished with the wash cloth (men DO need to use a wash cloth lol) take it and the towel you used and place them into the plastic bag you used for your clothes earlier. 

If you have a young child clip their fingernails immediately to prevent scratching. Take a antihistamine, use a paste that consists of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, apply to the rash and leave on to dry. Apply every few hours. You can also apply buttermilk or yogurt, these methods help draw the fluid from your blisters. After the fluid is drawn out, then you can apply topical creams and lotions to reduce the itching you may feel a few hours later.

Weather Induced Injury

There is no way to explain this without much detail, however I can give you tips that may help you to stay alive:

If you hear thunder, it means you should seek shelter immediately. Do not go into your tent, instead go into your vehicle, which will provide you better protection from the current of a lightening strike. When you are seeking shelter avoid large meadows, crests of a ridge, or lone trees. The best place for cover during this situation is in a dense forest, located in a valley or a depression. Try to pick an area where the trees appear to be the same height. Hiding in a dense forest will reduce the chances of ground currents coming in contact with you.

Why Dogs Wear Boots

Part Two

My dog will never let me put those things on his feet! If your dog isn’t used to having his feet handled you may have to start by touching his feet, then praise him with a treat, and stop. When you can touch all 4 feet without any issues from your pet you are ready to move on to training.

Supplies Needed

Fido
Friend
Leash
Booties
Very small treats

Training

Day 1-4

It is important to keep the bootie attached to your pets’ foot, meaning do not let him walk out or kick off the bootie, you may need your friend to hold your pet in place.

Take the bootie and slip it onto one of his feet, then treat him, remove the bootie and stop. Do a different foot daily until you have completely had a bootie on each foot.

Training

Day 5-6

The idea here is the same as the 1st four days except you will boot up 2 feet at a time until all 4 booties are on your dog successfully. Your dog might have problems walking across a slippery surface, so start your pet walking on carpet or outside on the grass. With your love and plenty of treats your pet will be willing to protect his paws with every step he takes out the door.

Molly Loves her boots! 

DOES YOUR DOG WEAR BOOTS?

What pet owner likes to clean mud and dirt off their dog’s paws?  I remember back in the 70s, in an attempt to weather-proof our dog’s paws, my mom tried to put plastic sandwich bags on "Suds" our young German Short-haired Pointer. I found myself laughing while watching her straddle him, then pick up a paw and slide the bag on before securing it with tape. Unfortunately, his paw poked out of the end of the bag, and she had to start all over. When she finally secured the last foot, it was time to take him out into the soaked yard with umbrella in hand. This breed of dogs is known for its stubbornness, and he didn’t want to move an inch because of this funny-feeling material on his feet.  

Round 2 had my mom going to the refrigerator to get something the dog loved to eat. This didn’t go as planned either because my mother would wiggle it in front of Sud’s nose, and then pull it away to make him move towards the door, but he always seemed to grab the treat from her hand before she could get him to move an inch.  

My mother decided it was time to get out the big guns; not my dad as one would have thought, but a leash and me. She tugged from the front and I pushed from the back. What a sight that would have been if anyone could have seen us. Finally, success! Suds made it to just outside the door, and mom took off his leash to “let him go”. Only he didn't go; he stood there in the rain, all forlorn, with his plastic booties on all wrapped up with tape.  

Mom and I watched him through the open door until finally he moved. Not what you’re thinking I bet…he decided he would rather lift one foot and shake it and repeat. Yes, he was trying hard to get the booties off. When this didn't work, he decided to shake, rattle and roll. Mom and I were laughing so hard because it was funny to watch him try to figure out how to get them off his feet. Eventually he did his duty and came to the door and mom took off what was left of the booties; they didn't hold up as well as one would have expected with dog doing the jitterbug. Mom had thought "how hard can this be?" You put plastic bags on, secure with tape, let dog out and let dog back in. Not so much. And she never attempted this again. 

Seriously, there are products out now that do protect your dogs’ feet from cold, hot pavement or sand, cuts, etc. These products were not available to the consumer “back in the day”. People are becoming aware of the importance of protecting their pets’ paws. Believe it or not, dogs do not have indestructible paw pads. As pet owners, we should provide the same comfort and safety as we do for our children.  

If you think your dog will never let you put booties on his/her feet, please be aware that with minimal training this can be achieved, and isn't your furry friend worth it? 

Come back next week to find out how to successfully put on booties on your pets’ feet.