Jaxon's Gotta Gun !
September 6, 2008
We LOVE Central Oregon And Black Butte Resort
We just got back from our final summer vacation in Central Oregon. We stayed at the BEAUTIFUL Black Butte Resort near Sisters. We had an amazing time, Swimming in the pool, hiking, mountain bikingm, fly fishing and just kicking back. The kids all kept saying "this is even better than Maui". Not sure I completely agree, but it's certainly a testimonly to how amazing Central Oregon and Black Butte really are. We can't wait to go back next year.
August 3, 2008
I LOVE REI !!!
I mentioned a few posts back, I bought a used REI Half-Dome Plus tent at REI
for $30. The only thing wrong with it was the shock cord inside the aluminum tent poles was warn out, basically making the poles useless. The original owner returned the tent (After 5 years of use) and was given a replacement. All I had to do was replace the shock cord and I would have myself a perfectly good $200 tent for $30.
As most of you know, I am VERY "Mechanically Challenged" but even I, in all my ineptness, was able to replace the shock cords in both pole sections in about a half an hour.
The Half-Dome tents are guaranteed for life and with some minor maintenance, I'm certain that this tent will server my boys and I for years to come.
I think we are now ready for our upcoming trip to the Rock Lakes Basin. I can't wait to give the new tent a test drive. Of course, Cody and Shai will be the ones sleeping in it, just in case it SUCKS. I mean...A guys gotta be careful.
July 25, 2008
NorthEastern Oregon - The Wolves Are Back!
This week, it was reported that the first sign of wolf pups has been confirmed in NorthEast Oregon. Biologists are now confirming what everyone has been predicting for years; the Wolves from Idaho have now crossed the Snake River and have moved into Oregon and are now reproducing.
Many Hunters and Ranchers have been very upset about this possibility. My take is a little different I guess. I figure that Wolves have been here for thousands of years and it's really about time that they get reestablished.
Will Deer Herds and Elk Herds suffer? I personally doubt it. Although I'm no biologist, I figure that this is just establishing the natural equilibrium that existed years ago in which the wolve packs will keep the Elk and Deer herds healthier by thinning out the weakend and diseased animals.
Will ranchers lose stock to Wolves? Well...unfortunately, probably so. Will the numbers be so great that it will cause economic devestation? I doubt it. The wolves will likely stay away from humans as much as they can. Certainly a cow or two is gonna become the unfortunate victim here and there but I don't think we'll see herds of cows just slaughtered like many fear.
Perhaps I'm naive....I'd love to hear from you if you think there's more to it. Educate me on the topic....I'm open to listening.
I took this picture last year at a Wolf Reserve In Washington called Wolf Haven. I used my Canon 40D and the incredible 400mm F5.6L Lense.
I for one welcome the wolves back to Oregon. I hope someday to be able to actually photograph one in the wild. I hope my kids can grow up to have wild wolves in the wilderness of their home state.
Maybe someday we'll even have an open hunting season for them. I don't think I'd shoot one, but that would certainly be a sign that the wolves are thriving and I think that would be great.
July 20, 2008
Shellrock Lake Hike
Went on a short hike from Hideaway Lake to Shellrock Lake up in the Rock Lakes Basin on Sunday. Went with Pat Cauldwell and his daughter Gwen. The purpose of the hike was to check out the area for our upcoming backpacking trip on August 8th. Neither one of us has been up to the Rock Lakes area so we wanted to get the lay of the land, etc.
The Hike was very easy and I would even recommend it with younger kids. It's only about 1 mile from Hideaway Lake Campground to Shellrock Lake and the terrain is relatively level with a well groomed trail. The lupine, rhodedendrans and bear grass were all in full bloom which made for a beautiful hike.
Here's a picture I took with my new Canon 40D and the 17-85mm Lens.
The trout were a little hard to catch but there were lots of Salamanders for Gwen to see and the lakes are beautiful.
I think it's safe to say that we are in for a great backpacking trip in August....I cant wait.
July 19, 2008
REI Simply Kicks Butt
Getting ready for our upcoming backpacking trip, I needed to get Hunter an Internal Frame backpack and a good pair of hiking boots. So of course, we head to REI.
To my suprise, when we get there, REI is having their annual outdoor sale in which they sell returned items and their heavily used rental equipment
Jaxon is STOKED!
I found Hunter a pair of Vasque Hiking boots that had been returned and are in excellent condition. They originally retail for $130.00 and we got them for $24.95
I also scored a used REI Half-Dome Plus Tent. This tent usually retails for near $200 and I got it for $39.00. The only issue with this tent is that the elastic nylon that holds the poles together is worn out. I bought replacement chord for $9.00 and will replace it this weekend.
I also was able to get a used MSR Water Filtration system for $10. These things are usually ~$90.00. It had a cracked ceramic filter that I replaced for $40. So Basically I have a brand new, top of the line filter worth $90 for $50 (not too shabby).
I also bought Hunter his new backpack (which I ended up paying full price for because I couldnt find a used\returned one that fit him.
Also, bought new topo maps for our hike, some DEET (which I hear I'm going to desperately need), and some other miscellaneous stuff.
I was amazed at some of the stuff REI was selling. Customers had returned Shoes, Tents, Sunglasses, Skis, etc after YEARS of use (The Tent I bought is 5 years old) for reasons as simple as "didnt like" and REI took them back. Why is REI so successful? Well...if you have to ask that, then I guess you just don't get it.
July 15, 2008
Backpacking Oregon
Every year, I take a backpacking trip with a small group of friends. We usually go somewhere along the Pacific Crest Trail in Oregon or Washington. Our last trip was in Washington's Indian Heaven Wilderness. Previous trips have included the Olallie Lake Wilderness, and Mount Hood National Forest.
This year, the group is likely headed back to the Mount Hood National Forest to an area called Rock Lakes Basin.
This is a nice area that should provide relatively simple yet scenic hiking opportunity for fat dudes (like myself) and younger kids (Such as Hunter). There are lakes every couple of miles and apparently, the lakes provide good trout fishing.
I've never been to the Rock Lakes Basin before, so my buddy Pat, his son Ivan, Hunter and myself are going to go scout it out this weekend to determine how good of a backpacking location this will be. Our criteria:
Hopefully, I'll report back next week that the lake was full of trout, that there were no mosquitoes, no other hikers, lots of wildlife nad a moderate hike.
If the Rock Lakes hike doesn't pan out, our backup destination for this years backpacking trip will be somewhere along the Deschutes River (not a bad backup plan by any stretch).