Improvised Fire Steel Strikers

This is just a short video to show that you don't necessarily need flint or steel to strike a fire steel. For those of you that don't know what a fire steel is... Everyone seems to have a different name for them; Some call them fire steel, metal match or ferro rod.

Instructions ( from the manufacturers web site) of my Swedish Army model FireSteel^®

1. Take a small quantity of cotton balls, TinderDust, dryer lint or any other flammable material. Build them up into a pile.


2. a) Grip the FireSteel with one hand
b) Take hold of the striker with the other hand
c) Position the striker against the FireSteel


3. Forcing the striker "slowly down" with the thumb of hand holding the FireSteel

Need to organize? Sock it!

Just a few common man ideas for gear storage and organization in your packs. I have been doing this for quite a while and getting some mild ribbing from friends about swiping Julie's socks. It works great, so what the hell... Just keep quiet and don't anyone tell Julie what I am doing with her orphan socks. The socks like it! They get to go outdoors and I take them on adventures. :-)

Search for a Steam donkey

Some footage I took while searching for an old steam donkey in the mountains near the Linn Lane county border. If you don't know what a steam donkey is check out this link.

My buddy Doug was with me on this trip and will probably be with me on many future adventures. Doug went with me to the Pathfinder Gathering where we did some looking around at native American sites & site seeing. I did not realize that Doug liked to explore.

I have information from two different "old fellers", that there is all or part of a steam donkey in this specific area. One fella that has since past away, told me about two huge wheels being up here. He said He had no idea how they ever got them up there. The other fella said that there is remnants of the steam donkey and cords of split wood stacked between trees still up there. Other information from both these old fellers has checked out, so I have no reason to doubt them. I have always made it a point of stopping and talking to anyone in the area of something I am looking for. Sort of pick their brain and take some notes. Older folks have some of the best life stories and are a treasure in themselves.

We did not find the steam donkey this trip, just some great scenery, some black bear scat & had some fun. Planning a second trip in the area the weekend of Sept 18th-19th.

Central Oregon Trip Part 1 (Newberry Volcano)

My buddy Doug asked me if I wanted to hang out at his place in Bend for the Labor day since his wife would be out of town. This made me a little nervous that he was gonna try sumthin' LOL. So it was going to be adventure by day... Casa Doug by night. It sounded good to me especially if you toss in a prime rib sandwich from Bronco Billy's in Sisters Oregon!

The first day we headed to the Newberry volcano & Paulina peak. It was pretty cold and windy up there at 8,000 feet, but a great view. Then we went down to the trail through the obsidian flow. Later we walked around one of the lakes looking for some hot springs. Then to Paulina falls. It was increadable, but take a look for yourself! BTW Those Hard Mountain Wear quick dry shirts, like the one I wearing, are great!

Boil Tests Part 1

I won first place in Canteenshop.com's water boiling contest. Thanks Rob!

Boil Tests Part 2

Pathfinder Express Lifts Off

Doug and I take to the skies in a about 12 hours, winging our way to the Canterbury promised land. As usual I am sure that I will find a few things to pick up and bring home some small parts of Ohio. I got the word from Dave that there will some form of rabbit stick contest. Doug and I spent some time in my back yard with some impromptu rabbit stick practice. More misses than hits, but it was more practice than we had to start with. Look out Ohio, here come two Oregon boys!