Bushcrafting, the weed addition: Bugout patch

[too larry]

Also picked half a dozen more oranges. There is a lot more of them orange than just last week.

 

[ttystikk]

Also picked half a dozen more oranges. There is a lot more of them orange than just last week.

I do miss the awesome citrus available in South Florida.

 

[too larry]

I do miss the awesome citrus available in South Florida.

My cousin who lived and worked down at the Cape is pretty good about bringing us fruit every year. He lives up here most of the time now, but his kids and ex still live in his houses down there. He's got a little of everything, citrus wise. Also lots of other tropical fruit.

We can't grow any of that up here, but most people do have a satsuma tree. Also lots of kumquats, both sweet and sour. They do have to be protected. Planting on the south side of the house, and having a frame so you can cover when it gets really cold, or they will get killed back. That is what is so special about the orange I have. The cold doesn't hurt it.

 

[too larry]

I got another tarp put up at the camp last night. Moved a couple more around to give me more elbow room. Two more tarps will finish it. Well, I guess I could replace a few of the rotten ones.

 

[cindysid]

pretty sweet spot!

 

[too larry]

pretty sweet spot!

Thanks. I got out of the big woods because of fear of falling trees. And looking for high ground. This was hay field 20 years ago, so it's still pretty open.

 

[too larry]

Last night I saw fireflies at the camp. {it's November by the way}

 

[too larry]

@cindysid, here is a deer rub 25 yards from the camp. I see now that I put the camp right in the middle of a major deer trail. Might explain all the snorting the first couple of nights I spent out there.

 

[too larry]

The back view.

 

[too larry]

A couple three days ago Sister and BIL saw a yearling panther cross the road at the graveyard {1/4 mile from the house}. It was the prototypical black panther. That is to say it was dark.

25-26 years ago I saw one of the lighter panthers that were brought in from out west in the exact same spot.

We have had 6-8 cats gone in the last month or so. Kittens and lame cats for the most part. You know, the kind a young panther could easily catch.

 

[too larry]

I did a little bush hogging down at the river field this morning. Now I have a pretty good walking path around the longleaf's. The new camp is in the trees in the background.

 

[too larry]

You don't have to shave yo' legs for me.

 

[too larry]

I've worked 8-9 straight nights without even a side trip to the camp. So I'm cutting out of here early. It's already dark, but I will be sleeping in the great outdoors tonight.

Hope everyone has a good holiday.

 

[too larry]

Last night when I got to the camp, there was a fair amount of water on the back side of the tarp. Maybe two or three gallons. It came right off when I stretched the tarp out. But it had sat there long enough that some condensation had dripped down on my gear inside. {I hate to even say this} Two of my three pillows were wet. Also some of my sleep cloths that were on the floor of the tent. Luckily the sleeping bag only had one damp spot. {It was cold. 30F inside the tent this morning} I went ahead and washed all the sheets, pillow cases and such when I got home, and they are back in the truck, so I can't forget them.

I did get back down there to pick oranges and I took a quick swipe at stretching the tarp out. It was better, but still touching the back support pole of the tent. That is where the water pooled up. Will have to do a major overhaul when there is more time.

 

[too larry]

More rain was caught on the tarp when I went to the camp last night. Everything inside was a little wet, but nothing soaked. I guess I will have to raise the whole tarp a few more inches. Will have to wait until I can get down there with some daylight.

 

[ttystikk]

More rain was caught on the tarp when I went to the camp last night. Everything inside was a little wet, but nothing soaked. I guess I will have to raise the whole tarp a few more inches. Will have to wait until I can get down there with some daylight.

Maybe a stronger peak on the tarp? That would help the rain roll off and discourage puddles from forming.

 

[too larry]

Maybe a stronger peak on the tarp? That would help the rain roll off and discourage puddles from forming.

I cut a couple of Sweet Gum saplings for posts and raised the ridgeline 6-8 inches. Also tightened up the end tied to the tree limbs. Was clear of tent poles by 6 inches when I laid down. Later in the night when it rained, the tarp didn't stay clear and I had to push the water over the pole from the inside.

 

[too larry]

After it eased up, I got outside and pulled the center of the tarp tight. It shed water the rest of the night, but had pulled the tent stake out when I went back last night. I may have to put posts at the rear corners too.

 

[too larry]

Sister and BIL saw a yearling panther a couple three weeks ago up by the graveyard. These are not his tracks crossing the road at the gate to the new camp. Maybe a Bobcat. Although he had some weight, as you can see by how deep the tracks are in the mud.

 

[too larry]

And if you guys listen to anything I say, listen to this. Do not used edged tools when you are ripped. I couldn't find my saw, so I broke out the machete. Almost chopped my shinbone when it cut through the sapling. Real, real close to fucking up more than just my buzz.