Our Journey Living In Nature – continues

Part Two

The Journey Begins at Del Valle Campground

After I got Takota and Nanook as young pups, it took four years before we began our adventure. During that time, I was working, getting prepared to leave (whenever that would be), getting equipment and clothing I thought I would need for all types of weather, and continuing to fill my mind with bush craft skills.

The original plan was to head to Alaska and I try to gauge our travels accordingly with the weather, and the seasons. We would begin in Northern California, then north into Oregon, Washington, then through Canada to Alaska. It would be roughly 954 miles from Livermore (our starting point) to Vancouver, Canada, and from Vancouver to the Alaskan border, 1,800 miles. I was thinking, what an adventure just getting up there. Although, I had no clue of what we were getting ourselves into. I don’t think the boys cared, they were ready for anything. The only condition they had was, I get them there safely, I do all the work setting up camp, and I provide them tasty meals twice a day.

I wanted to start our journey at Del Valle campground where we originally left off on April 14, 2016. I thought it would be a great place to start our journey from the stand point that, I liked the campground, and for all the beautiful surroundings it provided to us, with the oak covered foothills, the narrow valley, the abundance of wildlife, and the sounds of nature that were all around that it offered. And with the memories of Shiloh, Takota, and Nanook it left with me on our times camping here that opened up a new world for me, and being awakened to the wonders, and endless beauty in nature.

Our plan was for us to stay a month here. Then from here, I had no idea where we would go next after Del Valle, except that we would be heading north. I planned for where we would camp next from the campground we were departing from, or at least an idea where we would camp. It didn’t always work out, and at times it was helpful to have options. I did not do any long term planning, or where we would camp, or for how long. I played it by ear, and by the distance, and weather, and if we liked the area we were camping. Another words, the only planning was going north with no clue of what I was doing or going on this long term journey living in nature. But I would see what was available to us for camping on the route we were taking – but that could always change. This obviously was all new to me, and the boys trusted me. Well, I knew they were enjoying the adventure. The only thing I knew was that we were planning on camping at State Parks in California, Oregon, and Washington. I did pick up an America The Beautiful Senior Pass from the US Forest Service for 50% discounts, but was not sure what campgrounds would take the discount card, or if they would be open, or easily accessible in the winter. I felt the State Parks were a safe bet, and most of them would have showers, water, and toilets. I should have checked into the USFS campgrounds more, because I could have saved a lot of money. State Parks are expensive, but they are also usually very nice, and I had a pretty good choice to choose from giving me options if I needed them. Typically the amount of time allowed at each campground was no more than two weeks, and a few for a month.

As for not knowing what I was doing, I was not sure what to expect with this long term camping in Nature. What the challenges would be in weather, campgrounds, and just the basics in living this life style. The camping itself, I felt pretty confident, and was well equipped.

Even in the winter months, I knew it could be difficult finding a good campsite that would work for us. We didn’t have to worry about reservations in the off season, but it could be crowded on the weekends, especially. Also most of the campgrounds in the off season usually have half the campground closed which reduces our choices of campsite. And because there are more RV’s out there, more of them will camp in the winter months. At first I thought it wouldn’t be an issue finding campgrounds, and campsite in the winter, but it was a challenge at times. So my plan was to always (when we can in good travel weather, as with taking down and setting up new camps), we would leave on a Sunday, or Monday for a new camp. The reason is, most campers will leave on those days giving us better choices for a hopefully good campsite. I relied on this for our whole journey, and it worked well, even in the summer months when many more people are camping, and reservation are required. I never reserved a site and only went to “First come, first serve,” campgrounds, or with allotted sites for both. This would mean we would have to always stay a full week or stay for two weeks. It was a delicate balance with weather dictating everything. If our plans were to stay only for a week, but got delayed in leaving due to weather to far into the week, we would stay another week. I also preferred staying a full two weeks at a campsite to reduce the hassle of moving all the time, and we got to appreciate the area we were in much more. That was a nice benefit of staying in one place. I never got bored, because Nature always provided our interest in all she provided to us.

I believe most people couldn’t do this, because they would get bored. People have to keep busy, even when they go camping to relax. Nature provides us with so much to see, hear, and observe – I never get bored. But I was not always like this. My focus was having a deeper connection with Nature, and I did not need busy stuff to occupy my time. Also the boys gave me good company.

October 29, 2017 – Sunday

It was me and the boys, my truck, and a 7’x14’ storage trailer, with all our stuff packed into it. Oh, and yes, a 16 ft. Old Town, red canoe on top of the truck. It would become our Trade Mark for our whole trip.

In my journal I wrote about my experiences with bringing the trailer, setting it up, and adjusting to hauling it, but it is not worthy of discussing in this blog.

With the trailer packed and hitched, me and the boys in the truck, we headed south from Concord to Del Valle, Livermore.

We made it safely to Del Valle, and to our campsite without a hitch. The campsite I reserved wasn’t what I really wanted, but it worked. We will be staying there for 7 days, then moving to another site next door. It is a nicer site, and we will be staying there for about 14 days, then playing musical campsites for the rest of the month.

We would be meeting our camping friend Kevin here this week. He said he will be camping for 2 or 3 days. I met Kevin for the first time at Del Valle when Shiloh and I were camping there back in April of 2009. We always enjoyed his company and he enjoyed the boys (Takota and Nanook). He thought I was a bit crazy for taking on such a Journey.

Because we arrived on a Sunday, most of the campers had left. We were camped in the central campground, and there were about 7 camping trailers, and RV’s there. We got to our site around 2:45 PM.

I have observed that most of those staying in comfort in their RV’s and travel trailers, never go out to enjoy Nature much, or at all. They just stay inside. I always thought, “What is the point of being in Nature if one does not experience Nature?”

I was excited to be back at Del Valle with the boys, and the beginning of our journey into Nature. They were excited too. I had been dreaming of this day for a long time, and it is now here.

When I was setting up camp, there were turkey and deer wandering around in the campground. And as a tradition, I would have one or two beers meditating on how I was going to set up the tent. What direction I wanted it to face, the best views form inside the tent, where the rising sun would be, and the best position for some privacy. I had a new Columbia 10’x15’ tent. Nice and cozy. I like big tents so the boys and I have some room, and also if we are stuck in the tent due to rain, or wind, or both, it gives us a place to hunker down with some comfort. Also having a place to lay wet clothing, and enough space for a chair.

The tent was a quick set up tent, and two people were recommended for the set up. I was only one person so that would have to do. It can’t be that hard, can it? The tent had a main center point support, and two end points. So I had the tent spread on the ground, then raised one end at mid height, then to the center point raised mid height, then to the other end and raising it up to the mid height. If it wasn’t perfectly balanced, and can be difficult with a long tent, the end furthest away could easily fall, and it did. After trying it a few times, thinking this could be a problem, I finally got it on the fifth or sixth try. Luckily it wasn’t windy. Then each support is risen to full height. But before raising the tent to full height, it is a good idea to put the rain fly on at the mid height point. I was curious, by using the tent everyday, how long it will last? I am hoping it will last at least 6 months.

I fixed the boys steak and kibble, and I had steak and salad for dinner. It was a beautiful afternoon, and evening. I started a small fire to bring the evening to a close, and reflected a bit on our first day, and to what our future will bring. I thought about my dreams of living in Nature that has come alive on this day, spending it with my faithful companions, Takota, and Nanook, and being in a place I have learned to love. Nature will be our home for as long as we can endure it, and doing it in a tent. Writing about our adventures, watching Nature, smelling Nature, hearing Nature, feeling Nature, and experiencing a deep awareness, and love with Nature. It took a long time to get here, but now we are here at the very beginning of our journey into Nature, a new beginning to a new life.

I opened up a book, one of many I brought with us, and read a bit next to the warmth, and calmness of a small fire, and felt we are Home.

We turned in at 8:00 PM. It was a long day, and me with very tired and sore muscles with all the lifting I had done. But it was a good day.

When it was time for bed I told the boys lets go to bed, and both of them got up from their comfortable places on the grass, and headed for the tent. When Takota found his place on one of the three beds in the tent, he was out like a light the whole night.

I slept at the front portion of the tent next to a large window/ opening that took up that whole end of the tent. It felt like I was sleeping outside, opening up to the beauty of Nature, seeing the lush green grass of the campground, the surrounding trees, and the sky above, only separated by a tent’s thin screen. And that was another reason for sleeping at that end, I didn’t want to take a chance of the boys going through the screen chasing after a critter or having a skunk getting excited strolling by the tent and spraying into the tent at the boys.

I also had one of the boy’s beds next to my bed, if one of them wanted to sleep beside me. The boys both slept in the back room of the tent. Two reasons I selected that particular tent was for the size, but also for the large windows all around the tent.

Although I was physically tired from the long day, I had a difficult time falling asleep.

October 30, 2017 – Monday

It was nice waking up to Nature, though I was feeling some aches and pains.

Today we did some shopping for food, and did some clean up at the storage unit to get it cleaned up for moving out. We also went to the Outfitter’s store to pick up a new stainless steel coffee cup to replace the one I misplaced. We were busy doing stuff all day.

October 31, 2017 – Tuesday

The past couple of mornings have been a little chilly, but beautiful out.

There is some construction going on at the campground, building new bathrooms with showers, and since our last time here, they built five cabins, and one was built on one of the campsites I enjoyed camping at. So a time I thought we could enjoy some quiet in Nature, we had construction noise going on.

The campground was pretty much clearing out from the weekend campers. Our friend Kevin will be here this Wednesday.

We are getting settled in at our campsite which typical takes two days. The boys have adjusted well to their natural environment and relaxing to the rhythms of Nature. They both are sleeping well in the tent, and for me, I am sleeping better.

I had a gas leak in my old Coleman 3 – burner stove that I discovered had a gas leak at the valve and I got that tightened up and now works much better.

After breakfast the boys just hung out watching their surroundings. What kibble they left in their bowls, the magpies welcomed themselves to it. I got Takota to chase the magpies away from their food. He learned that concept pretty quick, but of course, the magpies always returned for an easy tidbit of kibble. Usually there is a lot of bird activity in the park, but we have not seen or heard much yet, with the exception of the magpie. No acorn woodpeckers yet.

Today we have on the list of things to do is moving more stuff from storage. So much for enjoying Nature.

It is nice waking up to the boys. When it is time to get up, they let me know by both of them showing me in their own unique ways. Takota will nudge me with his noise, Nanook goes for the licking on the face. When Takota is bugging me, I tell him to lie down next to me and he will drop his front end down with his rear sticking up in the air. I will then give him some pats on his rear, and he will plop his rear down.

Our friend the acorn woodpecker dropped by and landed on a pine tree in our camp. What a nice surprise.

This morning I was talking to the Park Ranger that takes care of the landscaping of the park. We talked about trees and he remembered us from our three month stay here.

November 3, 2017 – Friday

Yesterday I closed my business after 35 years in Architecture by giving away my drafting table. My last job completed today. Now there is no turning back, and a new life begins for me and the boys. Tomorrow I load up my canoe from our last place we called home. Next week I will focus on finishing clearing up our storage unit. The storage unit happens to be close to camp, and to the dumps, so that makes it a bit easier, although I would prefer having it done much sooner so we can spend our time enjoying camping.

Today we picked up a quarter cord of good burning oak for our campfires. It should last about three weeks giving us nice morning fires and evening fires. With my campfires, I tend to like keeping them small and manageable. I see most campers feeling they need ranging fires they can’t control or manage. Some think a fire should be a bonfire. I suppose they can be appropriate in the right places and conditions.

One place Shiloh and I were camping in the Sierras in the first part of July, we met a young couple who was talking about how these guys who were camping at a site next to the river, and built a huge bonfire in a narrow valley the campground was in. The valley is heavily wooded. A perfect place for a bad forest fire. The couple was telling me they wanted to do one for 4^th of July. I thought that was a bad idea, but did not say anything. I was watching them build this tall spiral of dead wood that once lit, they could not control. The next day, they were telling me how they were freaking out, because the fire became totally uncontrollable. Fortunately, they did not start a forest fire. They were attempting to put it out as quickly as possible once they realized what they had started.

At that same campground I had a very small morning campfire, it was very calming, and pleasant, while enjoying a cup of coffee, writing in my journal, and enjoying the movements of the small flames. In learning survival and bush craft skills, it has brought me to a deeper relationship, a closer relationship, and respect for the natural world. It has given me a higher degree of respect for the element of fire. With the reality that fire can be very destructive, it allows us to use it in many ways, and always with the knowledge, it must be respected. It is unfortunate very few even think about showing respect for this powerful element of fire. Maybe it can be something you can think of while camping.

From the beginning the boys felt comfortable in the tents. As soon as they got into the tent they would go to their beds in the back of the tent. I would give them some scratches, and rubbing, then they were out like a light. At some point one of them, usually Takata would take the bed next to me. They were quiet during the night, with the exception of being awakened by a sound, or critter near by. In the morning Takota was usually sleeping next to me and at around 6:00 am he would want attention with scratches and rubs from me, gently pawing me if I stopped. He would give a low whine, while I talked to me. Then Nanook would come to me for attention, and of course Takota would have no part of it, and gave Nanook a growl of disapproval. Nanook would just ignore Takota, or giving him some licks on his face. As long as Takota was getting attention. Both their big heads crowding into my face, Takota whining, and Nanook licking me. What a warm greeting I get every morning. If Nanook went back to his bet and we were ready to get up, I would tell Takota to get Nanook up, and Takota would go harass Nanook to get up. All I would have to say is, “Lets go for a walk, or lets get up,” and they would be ready.

The week after next I can focus on getting thing done in camp that I wanted to get done in organizing.

On Sunday we move to a better campsite next door.

This morning early we were getting light showers coming from the south. Luckily during the day, each time it looked like rain, it turned out to be a beautiful day.

Yesterday I defined myself as a writer, and naturalist. It gives me focus, and purpose, and direction. I see myself, maybe one day, as one of those great nature writers.

This evening I was watching this huge motorhome coming into the campground and attempting to jostle into a campsite. It was such an ordeal putting this mighty beast into a spot it really does not belong. And in the dark yet. Then it has to be leveled, the water, electrical, and sewer hooked up. It would have been far easier to do it in the daylight. This of course applies to these over sized travel trailers that come in. And they call this camping. I am seeing more and more of them coming into the campground of all sizes, taking away from the beauty of Nature. I remember seeing a large travel trailer come in, in the afternoon. The wife got out to direct her husband into the spot. I sat and enjoyed the show. The husbands first attempt was waved off by his wife. He tried to waggle his way in with no luck, so he went around the campground loop for another go at it. Hope! So he went around again, and again, and again. His wife was getting pretty steamed at her husbands bad attempts. And he was blaming his wife for not guiding him in correctly. I was almost ready to offer to do it for them. It took about eight tries before he got it in. I can’t remember, I lost count. He never had to do complete loops. All he had to do was move forward a bit, make slight adjustments then back in. Maybe it was his wife’s directions? Or he didn’t like backing up?

Across from me, there were two older women somewhere around in their seventies, camping, each with their own RV. I heard them laughing, having a great time. Even chopping would they would have a good laugh. Once the fire was lit, they both sat around the fire, telling stories, and enjoying the experience. In talking with them, they said they were too old to camp in tents nowadays.

I remember camping at Del Valle alone and met a group of older campers, again in their seventies. Some came in with campers, some small RV’s, some in tents. They were part of a camping club that met up every year for many years. The couple I was most interested in talking with was the ones camping in a lean-to. They told me that camping with only one side that also acted as a roof for protection, and three sides open made them feel closer to Nature. I liked them immediately.

November 5, 2017 – Sunday

We woke to a chilly morning getting up at 7:30 AM. It is a moving day today to a campsite right next to us. The weather is suitable for a move, with no rain, no wind, and not very cold temperatures. All is good, especially only having to move camp about 30 yards from this one.

A few notes about our camping thus far:

1. Our gas stove is working well since I tightened the valve nut, preventing any gas leaks.
2. Last night I was burning our newly acquired oak firewood and burns very well. I stacked it criss-cross and it seemed to burn longer. I still prefer burning almond best. It burns longer than oak and has a very nice smell to it.
3. As for my coffee, I was using my 7 cup coffee pot, and using 9 heaping teaspoon scoops.

Although the mornings have been chilly, the weather has been nice. Not a cloud in the sky this morning and Del Valle’s micro-system missed most of the rain that the rest of Livermore was getting. We only received a few drops of rain yesterday. For me, I find the fall season a perfect time to camp.

We will be here at our new camp for twelve days, then moving to another site for two days, then back to this one.

A boy scout troop were camping near by and I thought they would be very noisy, but they surprised me. They were actually very quiet.

Once I set up our camp, we will run to the store for a few items.

I have been sleeping better here in Nature, even being awakened by strange, hair raising noises. I also seem to wake up if the boys move around, making sure they are okay. As for having strange dreams, they still seem to follow me where ever I go.

While I was writing this, I saw three red-shouldered hawks flying together near by. We also saw them two afternoons ago.

It was a lazy morning this morning, just enjoying being in Nature with no rush in moving camp. It is the end of Day light savings time, so we had an extra hour.

Takota has learned quickly in chasing the magpies from their food, and now Nanook wanted to start playing this game. Ever since they were young I noticed Nanook would always copy-cat Takota’ s behavior.

Once in a while, while being out here, thoughts of doubt would creep into my consciousness, thinking, “Is this really a smart thing to be doing, and will we be able to do it?” I closed a big part of my past life to do this, and at the age of 65, soon to be 66, to start a new life in a different world living in Nature. But once I move away from these thoughts, and take a deep breath of Nature, seeing Nature with new eyes, listening to the sounds of Nature with new ears, experiencing Nature with a still mind, I know I should be here, and being here with Tokota, and Nanook. As for the boys, the love every moment of it.

When I observe the boys they too enjoy all that Nature provides in the sights, sounds, and smells. They enjoy napping on the soft grass, or watching Nature that is all around them, and experiencing all their senses. And I too savor watching them.

We hope to spend most of our twelve days in camp, and not moving stuff. Just enjoying being in Nature.

The site we are in is much nicer than our last site just next door to us. It has more trees, a bit more privacy, a great view, and a pretty natural setting. I have two trees in camp I set up a high-line for the boys giving them more area to run around, and they are attached to a 30 ft. lead line that is attached to the high-line. I was thinking, ‘‘What a perfect arrangement!” That is, until they get tangled up with each other or tangled around one of the trees. I will soon learn, this will be an ongoing issue I will face with the two boys. Especially with Takota. The boys seem much happier being in a natural environment.

Instead of taking the tent down in moving our camp, I determined where I wanted the tent which was only about 10 feet away, so I tried sliding the 10’x15’ tent to the new site. With a bit of gentle finesse the tent moved with no problem. But when I got the tent situated where I wanted it, but not staked yet, then a gust of wind came through and almost caused it to collapse. Luckily I was able to keep it upright and it was only a short wind gust.

There are just a few campers left in our camping area. I forgot to mention, two of the campgrounds are closed due to the construction of the bathrooms.

The evening is peaceful, and quiet with most of the campers gone. The campfire glowing against the dark night sky.

We as a culture, have become soft when it comes to being in Nature, It seems from what I have seen, few camp in tents nowadays. The so-called campers are now staying in RV’s, and motorhomes. And very few campers camp to fully enjoy what Nature provides. They want all the comforts of home with them that pulls them further from Nature. The adults bring their toys, the children bring their toys, and they bring their games so as not to get bored in Nature. I could not image the thought of them being immersed in the wonders and beauty in the abundant Nature that is all around them, or just experiencing the sounds of Nature, or the silence Nature brings. We have forgotten the very thing that brings us to Nature, and that is our deep connection to the natural world.

You may ask, why would I choose to take on such a journey into Nature?

It began many years ago in my late teens. Two friends and I went on a backpacking trip in southern California for three or four days. One friend had experience in backpacking, my other friend and I had none. We went in the month of July. The whole experience was terrible. My feet hurt from the new hiking boots I bought, my backpack was murderous pain to my shoulders, and the mosquitoes were just plain torture the whole time we were out in the wilderness. Thick clouds of mosquitoes attacked us relentlessly, unforgivably, viciously, and without any mercy, for a little bit of my blood. When the trip was over, I counted over 50 bites on me, and I came to the conclusion, “Maybe there is a better way?”

After that experience, I was at the Library and picked up a book on Survival. It was written for airmen in the military on how to survive in remote areas after a plane crash. The book planted a seed in me on wanting to learn more about those skills. At that time no books, or none that I knew of existed. But this knowledge did exist with what we back then, called primitive indigenous people all around the world. The term Bush craft skills would be more appropriate in their situation. It were skills that these indigenous cultures had perfected in their natural environment for tens of thousands of years. And for the modern day man, had forgotten. But there was much more to these indigenous cultures, they had a special relationship, a deep connection with the natural world. They understood there was a oneness in all life, and an unseen relationship with the spirit world, that I would learn about much later. They understood Nature gave them life, and provided everything they needed to survive. Again, the modern day man had forgotten this.

One thing I did learn from that experience backpacking was, that there was a way to avoid mosquitoes, and that was to camp in the Spring, late Summer or Fall seasons. And of course in the Winter if one was so bold to do so. I would be able to experience this much later with a good friend of mine when we talked about planning a backpacking trip. We ended up doing two backpacking trips in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and both were in the Spring time on different years. On our last packing trip the mosquitoes were coming out in force on our last day returning back into civilization, so we had just a brief encounter with the blood sucking critters.

Back in the mid 90’s I had this great idea on doing a 5 year horse packing trip and slowly began to plan and preparing for it. Part of this preparation was to learn survival and bush craft skills. To make a long story very short, this adventure never happened.

Then in 2009, my dog Shiloh and I found ourselves homeless during the economic collapse of 2008. You can read the adventures about Shiloh and I in the blog, “Our Journey Into The Wilderness.”

I have planned, and dreamed about these experiences I am shearing with you in this blog. I wanted to accomplish many things on this journey, things that would take a lifetime to do. I felt healthy, but really did not look at my age much at age 65 when we begun this journey. My goal was to do this for as long as we could do it, and try to spend this time in the present moment – in Nature.

Below I have listed what I would hope to accomplish on our journey.

Originally I wanted to have this experience with Shiloh, but with his loss, and wanting to continue on with this dream, Takota, and Nanook came into my life, to share with me these adventures in Nature.

In a life changing path that I chose for us it took much longer to take that first step.

• During our time in the wilderness alone, Shiloh and I experienced a deep connection, relationship, and bond with each other – and with Nature. I have been studying survival, and bush craft skills in practice, in videos, television shows, and in books for more than a few years. What I have found using these skills is, it actually enhanced my experiences in Nature, from plant identification, and observation to animals, to the experiences in using only natural materials only found in Nature. I developed a greater appreciation, and respect with the four elements, in air, water, earth, and fire. Observing and listening to Nature in silence brought a higher awareness, and connection in me, to all life, and a feeling of a deep sense of oneness with all of creation – I felt a Oneness with the Creator.

Over looking the small alpine valley, the surrounding mountains that framed our picturesque experience, the meandering river that flowed through the valley, and the small alpine lake that nestled against the mountains, Shiloh and I sat in gratitude for this wondrous beauty. And in a low whispering voice, I proclaimed, “We are Home.” So one of my goals was to continue learning and practicing bush craft skills.

• And as I follow on this path that I expressed above, I will go deeper onto my spiritual path with Nature. Immersing myself with the plants, trees, and animal life.
• I want to create a deep relationship and experiences together with Takota, and Nanook.
• I will write, photograph, and film our journey.
• I want to explore the lakes, and river in my canoe.
• I want to do this for as long as my body and my allows me to, or if climate change prevents me from doing it.
• On this journey I wanted to spend most of our time in the backcountry, away from people and human noise. I wanted to spend a winter in one area, and the short summer months in another. The reason I wanted to do this was to get to know the areas I would be living in. Getting to know the terrain, the weather patterns, the plants, trees and animals – the whole Eco-system.
• I wanted to experience being in the beauty in Nature before we can’t because of climate change.
• And lastly, I was hoping to visit Indian tribes along the way in our travels.

November 6, 2017 – Monday

This morning was as cool as the rest here at Del Valle. The seasons paints a beauty to this area that is indescribable. During this time of year, the Sun rises above the foothills at 7:45 am, and begins to warm the day.

The boys and I had bacon and eggs for breakfast.

Today, we will get camp organized, then over to our storage for cleaning.

I am finding I am sliding down the air mattress indicating I am on uneven ground.

We are getting big black ants crawling on the outside of our tent. Just as long as they stay outside I don’t mind.

The boys are resting after breakfast in the shade of an oak tree while the magpies come to finish off any tidbits of food in their bowls.

We don’t have a lot of shade at our camp in the morning, and with the rain I was thinking about putting up the canopy. But then it would block the nice view we have. There are definitely advantages with having a canopy. In rainy weather, I can cook, or just sit comfortably outside under the canopy while it rains vs gong into the tent, or provides good shade in the heat of the day. And there are times it feels better just having that openness without it.

The breeze comes through the valley with no predictability. Sometime it is good, sometimes it is bad. While I am writing in the journal in the Sun, a nice breeze can be nice, and cooling, or during reading a book. We can get some pretty good winds going through the valley. I remember when Shiloh and I were camping here, while laying in bed I would listen to the wind coming, roaring through the valley and waiting for it to hit us. Then I could hear the wind shift directions completely missing us. That was pretty cool to hear that. I always enjoyed listening to the wind. That is one reason I wanted to do this journey in a tent, is to listen to Nature’s sounds during the night.

The turkeys are in the meadow feeding on what turkeys feed on in the grass, the magpies are waiting for second helpings of kibble, eggs, and bacon. Once they knew that was it for the food they go for a drink in the boy’s water bowl. There are a lot of turkey here, about 50 or so that would come by our camp pecking in the grass. Amazingly the boys would just ignore them.

There are only three RV’s left in our campground. We have blue skies with a few clouds floating by. Sitting in the Sun with no breeze it feels like it is 70 deg. F out.

Evening Entry

Today I got the firewood sorted from the bed of my truck. Took some book cases to the dumps, today and getting close in closing 35 years of my life in Architecture. But it is time in closing this chapter of my life to an end.

This evening is pretty quiet, and peaceful. The evening light changes to darkness. The boys are playing in the night. They spot a creature feeding on the grassy meadow. Nanook draws his focus to this creature, he is more interested in creatures, while Takota still wants to play. They enjoy just laying on the grass enjoying all the sights and sounds of Nature in the darkness of night when the animals come out to feed. While observing the boys, Takota seems to play the role of Camp Protector, where Nanook, is the Hunter.

With the nights getting shorter from the time change, and the Sun setting earlier, instead of going to bed around 8:00 pm, it is now 7:00 pm. It is nice with the morning light appearing early. This evening sitting next to the fire for the light and warmth is quite soothing. The smoke from the fire can be irritating at times.

November 7, 2017 – Tuesday

Awaking to another day in Nature, awakening to a new life. This morning stepping out of the tent to a beautiful and cool sunny autumn day. I am not minding the cool weather, and soon we will be getting some warmer temperatures according the weather forecast. It is T-shirt weather once it starts warming up.

I had my best sleep so far with the exceptions of a dream I had of a giant spider ready to consume me for breakfast.

Nanook was intently captivated by something in the grassy area last night. I called Nanook for bed time and he chose to ignore me. I shined my flashlight in the direction Nanook was looking and saw five pairs of eyes belonging to rabbits glowing from the beam of the flashlight. It seemed Nanook was focused on fury critters, like rabbits, deer, skunks, raccoon’s, and such. Both Takota and Nanook ignored the bird species unless they were trying to steal their food.

Evening Entry

The things I wanted to get done partially got side tracked, but got most of the things I wanted to get done, got done. I was distracted by talking with some with a couple camping neighbors across the way, and our new friends Kevin, and Joy, who manages the concessions at Del Valle. Kevin and Joy were slewing gold from their claim (a hobby for them) in the Sierra’s, and processing it next to their trailer that was along side the campground store. They were showing me the process that I found very interesting. I was hoping to do some panning for gold on our journey.

While writing in the journal, I heard coyotes yelping in the distance, and the turkeys up the hill making a commotion.

It is 5:00 pm and the darkness of night was falling upon us quickly. Time to get cooking for dinner started for me and the boys.

With all the stuff we have, I tend to forget all that I have stashed away. I found a sage bundle that I had that was given to me by a Native American friend, so I decided to burn it tonight, with a prayer of gratitude, and for all that Nature brings to us. With all my struggles due to the economic crises, I have gained many Native American, and First Nations friends on my Facebook page. A true gift for me and with a deep gratitude for their acceptance of me. I am deeply honored that I have been able to gain their trust.

Part One

In The Beginning

Before the loss of Shiloh, I was thinking about our next adventures together in Nature. I was looking at more, and longer trips into the wilderness with Shiloh and I in 2011. I thought the economy would turn around by then, but it didn’t, and then, Shiloh was gone, gone from my life, and those dreams of Shiloh and I roaming the wilderness together disappear. My life felt painfully empty without my good friend, and companion.

The adventures we had in the wilds I would not have been able to do without him. He was my camping partner, my best friend that I loved deeply. We had a deep bond that could not be broken.

That night Shiloh was gone. His head gently laying on my lap, me sitting on a cold tile floor of the Vet’s office, petting Shiloh’s head for our last good-bye. The Vet gave him the shot that would quickly end his life. I was surprised how quickly, and unexpectedly he was gone from my life. I felt the tears running uncontrollably down my cheeks. It was like a faucet was turned on that couldn’t be turned off. I tried to maintain myself, saying, “Control yourself,” but I could not. While I write this I can’t help from tearing up. I can clearly see that night some eleven years go. I will never forget that night or Shiloh.

Driving home on that dark empty freeway, all I could feel is the pain of loss, I was numb, I didn’t care much for life at that point. I drowned in my tears knowing I couldn’t spend anymore time with Shiloh in Nature or any other time for that matter. But I know he will always be with me.

At that point I couldn’t imagine getting another dog, nor could I afford it

at the time. Then after a couple of months I began dreaming about being in Nature once again, and looking at getting two dogs of the same breed, Native American Indian Dogs, when finances looked better.

In 2013, I called the breeder who created the Native American Indian Dogs, Karen Markel, of Majestic View Kennels, in Lowell Michigan, to let Karen know I was ready. She picked out two bundles of fir, sent me a photo and I said yes. The two pups in a litter of eight, born November 13th, 2013.

I needed another person to come with me to Lowell, Michigan to pick up the kids that I called them. The airlines only allowed one dog per person for carry-ons. I talked a good friend into coming with me. I almost had to pull her arm. She had to check with her fiance, and her schedule. Anxiously waiting for an answer from her, she got back to me with a yes. I am sure she was looking forward to meeting the kids, Karen, and visiting the kennel. My friend knew both Shawnee, and Shiloh well. Her dog and mine were best of friends.

It was January 8th, 2014 that we flew to Michigan to pick up the kids. The weather and flights did not cooperate with us arriving and leaving with many cancellations, but it did seem to work out with a bit of frustration. We had a very small window to get back home due to the weather.

Prior to us leaving from the San Francisco bay area, I contacted my sister, Sue who lived in Michigan and being close to Lowell, we made arrangements to meet with her, her husband Ron, and one of their daughters for lunch for my birthday, and then drive to the kennel together. Sue really wanted to meet the kids (pups). I had not seen my sister for about 20 years. After a pleasant lunch, we headed to the kennel, not too far away from town. When we got there Karen, the breeder, took us to a large pen where there must have been 20 plus puppies running around. One of them looked like Shiloh. Karen told me I could take him, but I wanted the two siblings, the twins. My sister was in heaven and she wanted to take a puppy home with her, although she didn’t.

While getting the puppies ready to leave from the kennel to the airport, we had an alert on my friends phone that our flight was cancelled. We left without the puppies and headed back to the hotel, and picked them up the next day, finally making it back home. They were really good on the long flight back, crying just a little. My friend and I couldn’t sit together on the plane, so I had one puppy and my friend had the other. I am sure it would have been better if the brothers were next to each other.

We made it home safely and the boys were sleeping with me that night in their new home. If they only knew what I had in store for them and the adventures they would embark on in Nature.

The photos were taken at the airport in Michigan waiting for departure. They were seven and a half weeks old.

Their New Home

Takota and Nanook adjusted well to their new home. They had a backyard to play in during the day while I was at work. At night they always came in and slept with me. Surprisingly they were really good boys and never got into to much trouble although they loved to dig holes. They were always happy to see me when I got home from work as I was with them. They weren’t much fun taking them for walks. Takota always wanted to attack his brother while we were crossing a street and I had to try and break up the bad behavior. But they were having too much fun and ignored me much of the time until I yelled at them that I meant business.

Not long after I got them, one of them, I think it may have been Takota, would wake me up early in the morning for attention. After giving him a little rub and scratch, I told him to go bug his brother. I don’t understand how he understood what I was saying, but he went and started bugging his brother. He still does it and Nanook will do the same.

At that time I was staying with some friends who were kind enough to take me in during the economic meltdown. Unfortunately they too would lose their home to the corruption of our wonderful capitalistic society controlled by the banking system where greed reined.

We all had to leave by October 1st, 2014. I had no where to go with two large 10 month old pups, so I thought it would be a good time breaking them into their first camping experience. We went to Del Valle Reservoir campground, the same place Shiloh and I stayed for a month.

We packed up our camping gear, put the rest of our stuff in storage, and headed for another new adventure. I had no idea how they would do camping and sleeping in a tent.

I figured I should have time within a month to find a place for us to live, but it turned out, it wasn’t so easy. I was working in a small part of an office I rented, and took the boys to a doggy day care close to my office. I would then pick them up after work and headed home to our campsite. I actually liked returning to a home in Nature vs. a house. In camp I would cook dinner for us and after we ate and went for a walk, the boys relaxed in camp and I would read next to a nice campfire. Takota developed this behavior where when it got dark he wanted to go into the tent to bed. Nanook liked hanging outside listening to all the new noises and watching for critters.

They did great in the tent, but did manage to sneak out a couple of times in the middle of the night. Luckily they stayed in our camp, and close to the tent. When I realized they weren’t where they were suppose to be, and that was the tent, I would call them, and they came right in when I called them. It was a joy camping with them and they quickly learned to protect the camp from people and other dogs.

Our month stay ended up being three months camping in the winter months. I was waiting for the campground officials to kick us out, but they didn’t. You are only allowed one month per year. They must have liked us. I also had a second cousin who worked for the park district that may have had something to do with it.

Each day was the same during the week. I would drop them off at doggy day care, I would go to the office, and at the end of the day I would pick them up and we would head back to camp. On the weekends we would relax. When we reached the end of the three month period, we finally found a place to stay at a ranch I use to board my horses. It was a studio apartment above the garage, and consisting of a very small bath, and a bar area with a hot plate for cooking. I felt we just got under the wire to leave, although we did not receive any notices to vacate the campground.

I enjoyed our time in Nature with the boys and I believed they liked it as well.

While we were breaking camp to go to our new home. I told the boys we needed to tear down the tent, and I then walked to the restroom. They usually howled when I was gone, but this time no howling and I was wondering what was up. It was too quiet in camp. I did hear some commotion, and when I got back to camp, the boys were all excited about helping tear down the tent. There was a huge 6 foot rip in the side of the tent and it was a brand new tent. I couldn’t help but laugh. They thought they did such a great job.

We were able to stay at the same campsite for the whole three months, so it was nice not having to change campsites, especially in the winter months.

I couldn’t remember if I kept a journal of those three months or not. Or if I just misplaced it. There was really not that much to write on, and if I do find it, I will decide if it is worth adding onto this.

Some of the things that come to me are the amazing beauty of the oak studded foothills, and abundance of wildlife of the Del Valle area. Watching the tree squirrels sneaking of with the cache of Acorns the Acorn woodpeckers would busily stash in the many holes they made in the trunks of the pine trees, and oaks. The many birds that came to visit the area, and visit us in camp, with their greeting in song, and their chattering and squawks every morning. The hawks gliding through the air catching the current waves, looking for a meal down below. The beautiful calls to their mates. The many turkeys that one could hear waking, and clumsily falling from their tree perches, with a chorus of gobbling echos through the oaks, then gather down to the campground to the lush grasses they would feed. During dusk many of the animals would come, the deer, rabbits, skunks, and raccoons, the owls perched on branches for a meal. Nanook would always keep a careful eye on the deer, and rabbits.

On our nightly walks, I would shine my head lamp into the trees and these glowing eyes would be looking down upon us. It seemed every tree had raccoon’s in them, waiting to come down to see what tidbits the campers would leave out. We could always hear them come through our camp, but would never find anything.

One night we had a close call with Mr. skunk, when the boys wanted to go outside in the middle of the night to pee. I put their leashes on, and had a tight grip on them, and I saw a black shadowy figure close to the tent. The boys wanted to go after it, I was able to hold them back. Luckily the skunk didn’t spray. It would have made a stinky night in the camp. For a time a skunk would come walking by our tent, and we could smell his presence. He or she was a stinky one – reminds me of the cartoon character, Peppy La Pew.

I would also wake in the middle of the night hearing interesting sounds, some blood curtailing of death. I was told later, it was probably a rabbit that made for a late night dinner for some critter.

Del Valle was a great place for observing, and listening to Nature – until people came. Because we were camping in the winter, few people were there that made it a perfect experience for us. To bad most days we were gone to go to work.

April 4, 2016 – Monday

I wanted to take the boys camping for about a week or so, so we headed back to our favorite spot, Del Valle.

We came into camp in the morning, and the sky was overcast. It clouds began clearing and warming in the early afternoon to around the mid 70’s. We stayed at the main campground and a site we really liked.

I got everything unloaded, then set up the Cabela’s Big Horn tent. I got this tent for our planned journey into the wilderness, and wanted to see how easy it was to set up, as with placing the wood burning stove in it, my air mattress, and the boy’s beds to get a feel for the space we would have. I thought the tent would be a good summer tent, but thought it was too small for spending a winter in it. I also had a vestibule for the tent that I didn’t bring. Overall the tent was pretty easy to set up for one person. After getting the tent up, we headed for the store for some groceries and even bought a beer after not drinking for 81/2 months. It did taste good. Beer of preference, Heineken.

It seems the boys were happy to be back and enjoyed laying in the lush coolness of the green grass on their body. As for me, I was a bit sore from lifting the heavy camping gear.

The cute gal at the front kiosk that we got to know on our three month stay wasn’t there when we checked in this time, but left a welcome back note that I thought was very sweet.

April 5, 2016 – Tuesday

We got up at 7:00 AM to a chilly morning as it was at night, but stayed warm during the night, and slept pretty well. Once I got the boys linked up to their tie lines, I got a fire going, made some coffee, and bacon and eggs for me and the boys.

The birds were chirping early this morning and it was nice waking up too their calls. I have seen so far the Blacked eyed Junco, Doves, Acorn woodpeckers, and the Scrub jays. It was nice listening to our feathered friends again. I also heard the irritating whining sounds of a drone flying around the camp from a near by camper. I hate those things. They should not be allowed in a campground.

Today is a beautiful day with a pleasant breeze and not to warm. For dinner we are having sockeye salmon, and I am also having a salad.

Afternoon entry

I did a little bit of reading, and I felt a little uneasy for some odd reason, and decided to take a nap. After the nap I was rejuvenated and motivated to put the wood burning stove together for the tent. I ran into a glitch with the protective roof cover, I didn’t have it tight enough at the top of the tent and touched the flue pipe. Tried a couple of things to tighten it, but nothing worked. I was also concerned about the front of the stove being too close to the tent floor where any amber, small or big chucks of wood falling out of the stove with the door open and could easily fall on the floor covering, burning a big hole in it. The tent does have a flap in the floor that can be unzipped where the stove legs could be standing on the raw ground. But I did not think that would be enough protection. I saw a video where a guy chose to use a fire resistant mat in front of the stove and also having the stove legs resting on it. The floor flap would stay zipped closed preventing creepy crawlers from coming in. I thought that would be the best approach, so it was put on the shopping list. So placing the stove in the tent with the flue pipe connected gave me a good idea what might need adjusting. No fire in the tent.

When darkness arrived Takota was telling me it was time for bed, and both Takota and Nanook headed for the tent dragging me into the tent with them.

April 6, 2016 – Wednesday

Me and the boys slept pretty well, not too cold throughout the night. Had a few bad thoughts during the night.

Thinking about the wood stove this morning while laying in bed, I decided to burn the stove outside to season it and it would be much safer. I wouldn’t have to worry about burning the tent down.

It was a beautiful morning, the birds started singing at 6:00 AM. I saw a couple of Yellow-billed Magpies, and two Robins this morning.

Wrestling with some uncomfortable thoughts, I focused on my purpose, and enjoying being out in Nature with the boys.

An idea I got from another camper, I decided to put up a high line so the boys wouldn’t get so tangled up, and they still got tangled up. But I still thought it was a great idea and continued using it. I made sure I used a line that was highly visible so I would not hang myself with it.

One thing I expected with my pace of setting up camp was, it usually takes about a day and a half to completely set up camp. I very seldom cook the first night so the stove doesn’t have to be set up, unless I don’t want to wait for coffee in the morning.

I got the wood stove burning quickly using pine, and a lot of smoke coming out of the flue stack. With most of the pine at a smolder, I added oak to the mixed and lit up quickly with very little smoke. I also used a spark arrested that worked well to minimize any fire hazards from the stove.

I had a fire wood supplier that I got good hard wood from, usually buying a few wheel barrels from, to an eighth of a cord of wood. He was expensive though, but worth it for good fire wood. I would only buy the over priced pine bundles at the store for kindling.

April 7, 2016 – Thursday

I slept the best night so far, waking in the morning to the chattering birds that gives me such a calming feeling of being in nature.

This morning it was cooler than the morning before. The skies are overcast. A storm is brewing, and is suppose to be bringing in rain on Friday, and Saturday. I am hoping just a little, because I am not really prepared for a heavy rain.

I started a camp fire first thing this morning, appreciating that moment it took flame, and being grateful for everything this fire provides too us. There is nothing like having a nice small fire on a cool morning.

For the past few days I thought I heard a quacking sound like a duck next to camp. Maybe it is a bird that is pretending to be a duck, maybe a crow? Three Acorn woodpeckers flew onto a pine tree, and a moment later a hawk joined them. The woodpeckers wanted no part of this intruder’s company, and scattered in an uproar, voicing their dismay of this uninvited hawk!

Today I plan on doing some reading, and putting the wood stove away before the rains.

I was thinking how in a relatively short period of time, the human race has moved from living a primitive way of life to living in the modern age, and forgetting how to truly live with nature, beside nature in harmony. We have forgotten our deep connection with the natural world. A world we need to survive in, and can’t do it without what nature provides to us.

Our friend Kevin should be coming in today, unless he changes his mind due to the weather. But knowing Kevin, a little storm won’t stop him from his ritual four days of camping.

Four boys and their Mom moved in to the site next to us. They were very loud, and nonstop talking. We went to bed around 9:00 PM. I wanted to stay up longer to enjoy the nice evening, but it was just too noisy from our new neighbors next door. This can be a common occurrence at campgrounds. People just don’t know how to be quiet or talk in a low voice in nature. They bring their city mentality into nature.

April 10, 2016 – Sunday

For the past few days we have been visiting with our friend Kevin, our Del Valle camping buddy at his camp and ours, since his arrival late Thursday afternoon.

On Friday we got a little bit of rain, and Friday night it rained all night.

We were able to extend our stay till Monday and maybe push it to Wednesday to allow the tent to dry out. It rained off and on Saturday, and throughout Saturday night, and into Sunday morning. A chance we will get rain throughout the day Sunday. After this cold and wetness, me and the boys are ready for warmth and sunshine. On Saturday we did go to our storage unit that was close by to pick up our canopy. What a difference it made. We can enjoy the rain outside, and I can cook without getting wet. Well, sometimes.

The tent performed well in the rain with the exception of a lot of condensation inside from me, and the boys, and my clothes being all wet. The wood stove would have been nice to dry things out in the tent for sure. It can be hard on the psyche when it rains continuously with everything being all wet and not being able to dry off. And on the other hand, we needed the rain, it is also a beautiful time to be in nature, and it brings a scent of freshness in the air. It is something we will have to get use when we leave for our Journey into Nature.

Kevin left early this morning. He must have had enough of the rain. We were still in bed when he left. It was nice seeing him again and the boys enjoyed his company as well. Kevin shared some helpful hints tent camping. Using baking soda in the tent will help absorb moisture, and adding moisture when having a stove, by placing a container of water out.

The key to staying warm in wet weather is staying dry and one should always bring extra clothing to change into.

We were told more rain is coming back on Wednesday.

Sunday, most of the campers cleared out. The campground was back to being peaceful again.

April 13, 2016 – Wednesday

We packed up today to go back home.

Some thoughts about our camping trip.

It was nice being back to Del Valle and sharing the experience with the boys. They did great. We met up with our friend, Kevin who Shiloh and I first met in 2009 at Del Valle. He is a great guy and enjoyed spending some time with him. We also met Kevin and his wife, Joy who ran the campground store, and the boat rentals. Although it wasn’t the best weather, it was still a beautiful week just being in nature. I also learned a few things about our tent, the wood stove, as with a few other things. I also got a fire going by feathering a stick and lighting it by some embers from the night before. It was a good week.

Our Last Camp

August 22, 2022 – Monday – No Name Campground

We left Upper Payette Lake Campground at 10:00 AM this morning and drove a short eight miles south arriving at our new camp that will be our last camp in Nature. I call it “No Name Campground”, because I don’t think it has a name. It is a piece of land that is part of the Idaho Endowment Trust Lands.

I have passed this camping area many times and only stayed there for a quick over night camp a bit over four years ago. It covers only the basics – land to camp on for free. There are no Pit Toilets, no trash bins, and no drinking water, and no picnic tables, (there was a rock fire ring, fires weren’t allowed back in 2018) and it has a 14 day stay limit. I found out later the 14 days starts when the people that checks the camping areas of these lands takes your license number down to keep track of time there. The nice thing about the camping area we picked is that we were only two mile south of Northwest Passage State Park, where it has Pit Toilets, garbage disposal, and drinking water that we have access to.

When we arrived only a few campers were there – perfect! For the past two weeks it was packed with campers. I picked a large camping spot next to a smaller one where a small two person tent laid. I found out later it had been there for a good month and a half with no occupancy. It was deserted. Once in a while people will leave there camp and there stuff for whatever reason. The tent was left, with an air mattress, a tent rain fly, and a car battery, as with some litter. It was later removed by two Fire Fighter employees. I usually don’t like dispersed camping, but this place was very appealing, especially with few campers here. And it was easily accessible for our needs.

The camp we chose was definitely used by hunters and used for bleeding out cooling off, and cutting up deer and elk with racks built on the site. There were a couple of other sites in our area, but weren’t taken, and jumping ahead, we had the whole area pretty much to ourselves for the whole time of our stay, with the exception of some campers I told about the site available with the abandoned tent. Before I said anything to them I sized them out to make sure they would hopefully be good neighbors. The abandoned tent served a purpose for me to keep other campers away.

The clouds begun rolling in while we were, rather I was, setting up camp. The boys were supervising me as they always do. We got a few drops coming down on us, with little wind. Upper Payette Lake, and Payette Lake got some good wind. We must have been in a good spot where the wind was diverted from us.

Once I got the tent set up and furnished with my bed, and the boys three beds, we left for McCall to resupply on food. McCall is about a 14 mile drive south from our camp. A nice drive taking us along the Payette River and Payette Lake with a beautiful view of both. When I go into town it gives me the opportunity to check emails, facebook, and post some photos or writings on facebook.

I got a message that my renewed Driver’s License is ready to pick up in Cascade. This is good news and it will free me up to leave anytime for our final destination to Washington. I will pick it up on Tuesday.

Returning to our new camp, I put the food away and just relaxed with the boys for a bit, and enjoyed our beautiful camp and surrounding woods of Lodge Pole Pine, Fir, and some Aspen. Because I didn’t think or I hoped the campground wouldn’t be busy, I could enjoy the quiet for the week. The road 55 getting here ran right next to this camping area, and was not bad with traffic noise. It is always nice camping along side a river, next to a lake, or even in the forest. I would be happy with any of them. And even better with few people.

The forecast for the day was suppose to be a 40% chance of Thunderstorms coming our way with rain in the afternoon. We got a few drops in the morning while setting up the tent, and enjoyed a beautiful clear afternoon and evening.

Evening Entry

On our evening walk we met two guys camping at a different site and chatted for a bit. One was in a Motor Home, the other sleeping in his Van. The guy in the Motor said he knew us from Ward Mountain, in Ely, NV. I didn’t remember him.Then another guy pulled up, talked with him for a bit. He moved into a spot across from us. He lives in a camper. He moves around a lot and knows Idaho well. He was the one who told me about the tent story on the tent next to us. There were two signs stating how long one can stay, one was for 10 days, the other for 14. I found out later it was 14 days maximum stay.

During the evening two doe Mule Deer walked by our camp and a little bit later a young Buck came by to check us out. He was very curious about us. I did discourage him from getting too close to our camp.

August 23, 2022 – Tuesday

I was told about a writers group at the Library in McCall. C Marie who conducts the writing group focuses on Poetry. I attended the group and found it helpful. I found C Marie a good teacher. The group was a small group of six people including me, and the size can vary from week to week.

After class was over I loaded some photos from my Smart Phone to my laptop. We then headed south to Cascade to pick up my new Driver’s License. Then back to McCall to pick up some food, then back to camp.

It was a pretty nice day. The mornings are starting to cool off, but Boise was in the high 90’s into the 100’s. The whole summer was hot and much hotter than usual. Usually August feels like the beginnings of Autumn in the higher elevations.

Steak for me and the boys for dinner.

August 24, 2022 – Wednesday

I had a bad morning, thinking about our journey in Nature, and how I felt little was accomplished, for close to five years. This of course wasn’t true. I did accomplish a lot, just not what I had hoped for. Having high expectations, oh what a tangled web we weave, comes to mind. I have been dealing with these thoughts every morning for over three and a half years, thoughts of no purpose, doubt, fear, uncertainty, feeling hopelessness… but once I step out into nature, nature brings me back alive once again.

It has been a long journey we have been on and surprised we have made it this long. I began getting tired of constantly moving camp every one to two weeks, dealing with the weather, and people having their dogs off leash in the campgrounds, and campers just being disrespectful to others and to Nature. I was also getting little writing done. With climate change here and impacting the whole world, it was becoming more dangerous, more uncertain how the weather will react being in Nature and in a tent.

These thoughts of, “this could be the end of our journey living in Nature,” began when my thoughts drifted to us heading back up north into Idaho from Southern Nevada. It was a feeling of this is quits. And yet, I couldn’t think of leaving this lifestyle. Nature was our Home, a place where we wanted to be.

The thought of being able to write for a whole winter in Washington State, got my mind into writing in camp with a sense of inspiration. We decided to stay for at least two more weeks. The boys also agreed.

At around 7:30 in the morning, Nanook was alerted to some sounds outside of the tent. I looked out the tent window and saw a doe walk close by, then a fawn, then another came following their Mother. Nanook was curious, I was excited to see them in the stillness of the morning.

We took our time getting up to Idaho. I had no idea where we would go in Idaho. We did find our way, staying in campgrounds we have never stayed in before.

On our walks we found the narrow river of the Payette moving slowly by our side of the roadway. The campground was still quiet from human noise, and no issues with dogs being off leash. It was peaceful here.

For being a dispersed camping area, it is pretty clean from trash, with the exception of toilet paper found here and there. There are little signs of garbage, and broken glass, which is nice, considering the use this camping area has. Returning to camp from our walk, the scent of Fir, and Pine filled the air.

On our evening walk we wandered on some dirt road in the area, and we crossed a bridge. I noticed a plant on one side of the bridge growing in a dry stream bed. and thought it might be a mint, then on closer observation and doing a Stinging Nettle test by rubbing the back of a figure on the leaf and waiting if I would experience a sting. It was slow coming, but I finally felt it. It was nice seeing one of my favorite plants. I looked in some other areas away from the road, but with no luck. It has been a long while since I have had Nettle Tea.

Walking back to camp from our walk I spotted a plant with beautiful red berries, the Red Baneberry, which is also poisonous. Back at camp, Nanook spotted a buck close to camp. It was an exciting walk. Another beautiful evening in Nature.

August 25, 2022 – Thursday

For the last couple of mornings I believed I heard the sounds of a Great Horned Owl. Always nice to hear the sounds of Nature.

During our morning walk we dropped by the guy’s camp with the camper that is camped at a site close to us, but is hidden by a nice tree covering that surrounded the campsite. While I was talking with him, Nanook reacted to some sort of bite or sting in his mouth, as if he tried to eat a yellow jacket, which he has been known to do. He started with horse flies and progressed to yellow jackets that were not so friendly or tolerant of being eaten. Something I was very concerned about. But Nanook seemed to feel it was very necessary. The guy I was talking to said, it was an Ant that he got a bite of, and the Ant took a bite out of him.

At our last camp at Upper Payette Lake before here, I was walking the boys in a different area, and Nanook reacted like he was bit by a nest of yellow jackets. But I could not see anything that could have bitten or stung him. When he got bitten by the Ant this time, I thought maybe it was a nest of Ants at out last camp that he got into.

August 26, 2022 – Friday

We awakened to another beautiful morning in the Idaho mountains.

Last night, the buck that came in twice the past couple of night didn’t show last night. But the boys were picking up a real strong scent behind our camp. Observing them it was a very strong scent. I was wondering, could it be a bear(s)? Maybe a moose, or elk? I also heard some crackling in the woods behind us. I took a peek walking back there a bit, but couldn’t see anything. The boys were definitely focused on the scent for a short time. I am as well when they tell me there are critters around. Nanook is really good at telling me to stay alert. Soon the mosquitoes were buzzing, so it was time for bed. The evening became quiet.

It is Friday, and I expect this camping area will be crowded for the weekend. Usually camping picks up on Thursday for the most part, and it does depend on the time of year and campground.

August 27, 2022 – Saturday

Last night we waited for the buck to come for a visit, but must have had other plans. The campground was also pretty quiet for a Friday, which I am not complaining. Not many campers came in last night. They probably went to Northwest Passage and Upper Payette Lake.

This morning it was cooler, but is suppose to heat up again back in the 90’s. This high heat is very unusual for this time of year, it is usually much cooler weather. In the west it has been much warmer than usual weather.

Before we got up this morning Nanook was looking out the tent window and was alert to something, maybe some critter near by. Outside the tent, we saw a white tail doe with two young ones romping around. The two young fawns full of energy. The doe looked at us carefully, Nanook and I returned that intent gaze. The doe standing perfectly still blending into the trees behind her, her body facing us minimizing her profile, making her almost invisible in the shadows of the forest.

I notice a lot of traffic on the road, many speeding way too fast for that road and all the animals that cross it – bear, deer, moose, fox, and elk. Must be a lot of road kill along 55. Do those driving this road think about this? Do they really care? I was careful on our walks not to spook any deer that may be in the bush when we were close to the road. On most of the road side there was zero visibility from heavy brush from both sides.

I had a feeling of uneasiness and restlessness about leaving our home in Nature, but then, I was tired. Not tired of Nature, just tired of all the other stuff we have been dealing with for these almost five years in Nature. I wasn’t looking forward to the city life, the traffic, the constant loud noise, the toxic air pollution, the foul smells in the air, the water pollution, and people – lots of people – everything that make city life undesirable to me. But, the convenience of getting things done, and being able to concentrate on my writing over came being in Nature, as with dealing with weather, and the cold. And I was out of money – at least close to out of money.

Our camping experiences consisted of constantly moving from camp to camp, state to state, dealing with short summers with never ending biting bugs that can irritate the hell out of me and the boys, and the very long, dark, and cold winters that seems like an eternity, before spring shows it’s slow presence.

Yesterday a butterfly visited our camp which is not too unusual, but this one landing on my chair arm rest. And was visited by a yellow jacket hovering over the ash in the fire pit creating a wash of wind stirring up the ash. The force of the wings blew the ash every which way. Never have observed that before.

Thinking about when to leave this camp to avoid the possible crowds of Labor Day. We will play it by ear.

When I mentioned to the boys, saying, “Do you want to go see Mike and Dundee?” They immediately perked up, their large ears erect focused on me. I was watching Nanook, and he was laying down, head up, and crying a low cry. I believe they understood what I was saying. We met Mike and Dundee while camping at Clear Lake State Park, in California back in January 2018, and occasional

we would meet them at different campgrounds mostly in the winter months throughout the years we were camping. Every time we would meet them at a campground, the boys would get really excited. Mike told me Dundee would recognize our truck with the big red canoe on top of the truck, and get all excited. I when I say, “Do you want to…” any time to them they will get excited. I think they know it when I am referring to Mike and Dundee. But how do they know, how do they process this information in their brains? Do they have an image in the brain of our friends, do they hear them, or smell them? Is it in the tone of my voice or in? I found it interesting how dogs just know things. They have a very keen intelligence, and maybe this is why we love them so much. I have noticed that we communicate too each other in silence at times.

While sitting in camp, in any of our many camps we have been at, I feel a sense of peace within, being in Nature. I can just observe in silence and experience the simple, yet magnificent wonders of Nature. Feeling, a sense of Being in Nature brings us closer to a deeper connection, and relationship with the natural world. And on occasion when my mind gets in the way, it can be unsettling, especially dealing with people.

We went into town for a few things at the grocery store and while getting some cash at the ATM, I guy came up behind me and when I turned around he got in my face saying, “your dog killed my dog! And you did not even say you were sorry. That is the kind of person you are.” The reason I did not was I did not know, and there was no way I could have known. I obviously felt bad about this. It was another issue with people not having their dogs on leash in the campgrounds at all times. This is a story I will write about later, but basically the people were camping across from me, their two small dogs came into my camp, and my dogs attacked them. My dogs were restrain as they always are. This was an ongoing problem for the time we have been camping, and with many conversations with Rangers, and campground Hosts both on Federal and State campgrounds.

Luckily we haven’t had any problems our first week here with any dogs, but this will soon change.

August 28, 2022 – Sunday

We awoke to a beautiful morning and much cooler typical for a late August in the high country in Idaho. It is suppose to warm up again in the 90’s tomorrow We are enjoying this camp, especially with very few people here.

August 29, 2022 – Monday

This morning I awoke once again to the emotions of fear, doubt, and uncertainty. (For those who are new and just joining my blog, I have been experiencing this pretty much for over three and a half years.) These unsettling feelings have been with me for way too long. They began after our winter camp in Idaho when I was dealing with cabin fever in the winter of 2018/19. And every Morning when I step out into Nature it seems to vanish. The healing powers of Nature.

So far we have not had any issues with dogs off leash or any dogs for that matter. It makes for a peaceful camp for us.

We went into town today and found out hunting season begins this week. The hunting season will be for deer, and elk for bow hunting. Our camping area should start filling up with hunters and for camping for the three day weekenders on Labor Day. I met a hunter later today pulling a pony trailer. It is loaded with large goats he uses for pack animals. I found him to be a really nice guy. I just hope he keeps them in camp and does not tangle with the boys. I found out he lets them loose to graze at night. We had no problems with them.

August 30, 2022 – Tuesday

I talked with some friends in Oregon and while they were camping near La Grande in their motorhome, the town and my friends got hit by a bad hail storm with baseball size hale, and 90 mph winds. Something that never happens there. It did a lot of damage to their motorhome and to their Jeep. It also destroyed the small town, leaving devastation in it’s wake. The weather extremes are becoming much worse throughout the world due to climate change. Climate change is here.

Idaho got hit with a late wet Spring this year creating a lot of biting, stinging, blood sucking, and irritating bugs. We had yellow jackets, Bald faced hornets, horse flies, deer flies, house flies, small flies, tiny flies, and of course the mosquitoes. They never seem to disappear during the Summer months creating a miserable time to be outside. We had very little rest from them the whole Summer. In the morning the mosquitoes come, when it begins to warm, the flies come, then at dinner time the hungry yellow jackets are out for a meal, my meal.

The beauty of the clouds against the blue sky background, the sweet smell of the clean fresh air of the woods, the magnificent beauty of the forest, and the sounds of Nature that always consumes me in gratitude.

August 31, 2022 – Wednesday

We will stay in camp most of the day and later do a garbage run a couple of miles to Northwest Passage Campground. We will begin packing up for our departure towards Washington tomorrow. When I looked at the weather the day before it looked halfway decent for travel.

We have this one butterfly that has been flying around camp, and that we have seen in other camps in Idaho. It is about medium size. It is mostly orange on the top side of the wings and dark gray on the bottoms of the wings. The back edges of the wings were roughly serrated. I did not pay much attention to this until I saw the butterfly land on the bark of a pine tree. It had it’s wings closed, and resembled the bark, blending into it as a perfect camouflage. I thought maybe this is why this particular butterfly likes my chair, since it is a dark gray color.

I was talking to a fellow camper this evening and he told me we are heading for another warming spell tomorrow and lower elevations will be getting into the triple digits. So this will put a hold on our departure until after Labor Day weekend. He got on the subject of tires on trailers and said the trailer tires are more impacted with higher temps, and having the right air inflation is important. Also the asphalt could be 20 degrees hotter then the air temperature. Since my trailer tires are wearing thin, but still legal tread, and we will have a long drive, I thought it wise to delay our departure until to cools down a bit. We are dealing with very unusually warm weather for late August.

Whether I stay in a State Park Campground, a USFS Campground, or in very rear circumstances, dispersed Camping, I always look at potentially having greater problems with campers with dogs not following the leash laws, campers coming to camp just to party, or campers that are just to loud, and usually they are the three day weekends that seem to be the worst.

September 1, 2022 – Thursday.

Once in a while I would notice these large shadows flying over the trees above us. I never saw what they were. Today I saw them again was able to follow the shadows passed the trees and the shadows appeared as a pair of Bald eagles. Seeing them are always a treat.

September 2, 2022 – Friday

There was some heavy equipment behind our camp when we arrived here, and when they were working it was loud. Luckily they did not work everyday. They were moving large rocks and breaking the boulders into smaller rocks for places unknown. Maybe creating a clearing in that area, possibly for parking next to a trailhead. This morning I was listening to the extremely loud rumbling of the heavy equipment of metal to the ground, scraping, and grinding, filling the silence of Nature with the irritating noise of man on this early morning. They were moving the equipment to a spot close to State Highway 55 where they could trailer them out. Good thing, no more loud equipment noise. I am sure the birds, the animals, and possibly the plants, and trees prefer not having it.

This morning was cool and smokey. It was also smokey yesterday and last night. More campers moving in as I thought, on this three day weekend.

On our morning walk we decided to walk highway 55 along the Payette River, while zigzagging through the forest, and open meadows winding its way to Payette Lake. It was a nice walk with very little traffic and traffic noise. I heard the beautiful sounds of the pair of Bald eagles screeching away, calling to each other.

The usual thing locals are doing now is going into camp grounds early and saving a spot for the weekend. They may come in a couple of days early or a week early to save a spot, parking a trailer or tent indicating the spot is taken. Most of the time they don’t even stay until the weekend. This is obviously unfair to those who need a campsite, and against most Campground Rules. Simply stated, campers must stay that night it occupies the site. Usually this is never enforced.

September 3, 2022 – Saturday

The camping area was full and we did have some close

encounters with loose dogs coming close to our camp. Because of the boys possibly meeting up with other dogs at camp, I took them for walks near Northwest Passage Campground.

Since Takota is blind in both eyes, I have been watching him closely to see how he is doing with getting around. He is doing amazingly well. He likes leaning against the outside of the tent, and prefers going into the tent for his hiding spot, but because of bugs, I keep the tent closed up. Takota gained the title and responsibility of Camp Protector, and although blind, he still takes on that role very seriously, and does very well at it.

September 5, 2022 – Monday

It was a cool morning, the feeling of Fall in the air. We are dealing with smokey days most of the weekend.

Most of the campers should be clearing out today. So we will stay in camp most of the day and enjoy the peace and quiet.

I was thinking about our journey we have experienced for close to five years, living in a tent, and traveling through eight states. And very soon it will be over. We are the Three Old Boys, Takota the blind one, Nanook with his skin allergies, and me getting too old for this, although I loved it for the most part even with all its challenges. I am ready to leave, but I will also miss Being in Nature with the boys. Overall, Nature has been very good to us. She was a good teacher.

September 7, 2022 – Wednesday

Checking the weather (NOAA), it looked pretty good for today and tomorrow. Tomorrow we will begin our two day trip to Washington.

I talked with our neighbor this morning and he told me 40% chance of rain from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. At about 9:00 AM a light rain and some thunder began. I had my rain fly off, and with the coming rains this afternoon I decided to get the rain fly back on. And just in time for our surprise light rain this morning. The skies were gray with the occupational rumbling of thunder in the distance. So far no signs of any wind. We will stay in camp today and prepare for our departure tomorrow.

Most everywhere in the mountains I am always aware of the dangers that can fall upon us, such as high winds, microbursts, lightning, and widow makers. We have a lot of widow makers in this place we are residing, with many dead standing trees. There are signs everywhere in this area of dead fallen trees. A very dangerous place to be if lightning, high winds, or microbursts appear.

I was feeling a little frustrated with the weather this morning, then I directed my focus on the present moment and my focus changed from frustration to the beauty in everything around me, even the weather.

It is nice having easy access to the weather reports so as to try and prepare accordingly, but, weather forecasts can be wrong, and shouldn’t be totally relied upon. Weather can always change, as for what happened to us this evening. In this weather event we were getting up to date forecasts from our neighbors wife in Oregon.

Our neighbor came by early evening and gave me a current weather report for our area. It did not look good. A large thunderstorm cell was heading for us with predicted extreme high winds. He was thinking about moving to another area with no trees.. This report go me very concerned. I have been in this situation many times and obviously we survived them. But this concern seemed to haunt me with potential falling trees. Should we leave too? I did have my trailer hitched and would be easy to leave camp. Going back and forth in my mind, should we or shouldn’t we?

Then the neighbor mentioned, we could go to the area behind our camp where they cleared it with the heavy machinery. I knew we could all fit in there with his Van, and my truck and trailer, so we headed up there. It was only a short distance to go from our camp. We parked and waited. We were still getting weather updates from our friend’s wife. She said it is right over us and moving fast and with high winds. We both looked up to the skies and it didn’t look bad, and we were not experiencing any wind. It was calm. I forgot to mention, large hale was predicted as well. And we both laughed, and commented, “time to go back into camp.” A big relief and calm replaced the fear trembling in our bones.

We did find out from a camper that just came in, that he saw a Mama black bear and two cubs going through the camp. I did see sign of bear in scat, but did not see any. Maybe it was the bear the boys were intently sniffing the other day.

During the night, it was peaceful outside, unfortunately my mind was not. We left the next day for Lewiston, Idaho for one night. It was like going into a different world, that I learned to despise and avoid at all cost. A world that was blind to the natural world. A place of noise pollution, air pollution, and water pollution, a place void of Nature, and replaced with concrete, asphalt, buildings, and houses. A place our natural humanness of love, grace, beauty, and truth for Nature and for all life have been lost and replaced with empty materialism, empty gratifications.

We then stopped at a quaint mountain town in Washington, named Cle-Elum. Cle-Elum means “swift water,” in the language of the Kittitas Indians. We stayed for a night, then moved onto our winter home in Lynnwood, Washington.