Mt_Rider

Ah......MT3B? That blooper about who's wagon is WHERE was mine. I forgot Mother's post had you just ahead of hers and my story needed our wagon right ahead of her. Sorry 'bout that. Also my part, "meanwhile at the front half of the wagon train', was posted late cuz I'm dealing with WINTER here IRL. {sigh}...we were at MINUS 23 degrees at 7am this morning. Sheeeeeeeeeeeesh! Makes for feeling quite realistic when I've *just* nearly frozen my hands while tying the ropes to secure the bedding straw I drove in to get from the feed store. I seriously had to get in car and warm them on the heat vent twice before I got them secured to the roof. So anyway, your clan and DH and I are in front of the break in the wagon train. We're camped on the left of the trail where the ridges level out and it's like a high plains area. Lots of trees yet and we're in the meadow which was intended for the whole group to stop. Here is where we search our brains for how to keep warm/safe in these primitive conditions in terribly dangerous weather. I've got some ideas but....anyone who any a thought or has experienced this, drop us a post here or wagoneers, post your efforts to keep warm. ....and like I absolutely HAVE TO have frigid weather outside my door In REAL LIFE just at this part of the storyline comes up. MtRider ...who is seriously in dangerous cold while caring for real live goats, equines, and ducks. ....Big dog and cat are, of course, within the currently warm house with me! Pray we do not lose electric for any weird reason. Just cold...no storm or snow here.] edit to add: Leah, that pic does give a better idea of how fuzzy you can carve a stick for tinder. thanks. Tail lights...or those light sticks that Mother brought out. Those things are good too. The more expensive ones have some fair visiblility....tho I'm not sure in the blizzard conditions? Never tried one then. Would be an interesting experiment tho. DH and I did signal each other with a barn light in one blizzard we were in. Big halogen lights.

That was a good lunch seminar. I didn’t know you could make sausage casings from cloth. Never thot about it...have not made sausage....YET. LOL Going to be SO many new things to learn. But I did bring along old cloth from sheets, Tshirts, etc. I’m an avid recycle-er too. I’m still cold even if it’s a bit warmer today. [ Must be cuz IRL Colorado is in the deep freeze last nite and today. Took all morning to reach UP TO ZERO...sheeeeesh! ] So I dug out the Thinsulate snowsuit I began this journey with. I’ve got my down coat handy next to Mr.MtR in the wagon. Its big enough to put on over my other layers. ...I think it’s a men’s XL, actually. It works. When I get chilled..... brrrr. So Roan and I are riding up and down the wagon train as usual. DH is driving our wagon, naturally. This is a narrow stretch and ....while I love the mountains, I like the places with vistas. I don’t like these canyons. Claustrophobia. It’s not any more narrow than our valley in CO but these walls are steeper . Not really so much higher. Just not something you could take a horse up. Walk it up if you’re careful. I’ll be glad when it widens out up ahead...or so MrH has said. MM is pulling the poultry cart as usual. Her newly beloved Jack is beside her and we’ve had no bickering between them. My new black Midnight is on the far right. That arrangement works well but MM has accepted Midnight too. The ages-old feud between Roan and MM continues to cause problems here and there. But it’s mostly show now. Poultry cart is a little heavier today. With the unsettled weather [and the fact that my hooligan goats were NOT behaving with the herds in the back of the train... ] two stacked ‘dog crates’ with 2 dwarf goats each are riding on the cart today. We’ve done this from time to time and as long as we’ve stuffed it with lots of grasses and brush plants, all four goats are content to lay down and chew cud. They’ll be more than ready to get out when we camp tonite. Big dog is trotting on leash-line along side our wagon for now. She uses my steps to hop up and ride with DH if she wants. Or if she’s banished for unnecessary barking. Sheeesh. Misbehaving animals. As I take another nervous look around, the walls that seem too close for me, I’m getting a weird feeling. Very uneasy.....and I’m only now realizing that it ISN’T the claustrophobia. The sky doesn’t look right. I holler to DH that I’m going up ahead. I’m only part way to the front when I meet MrH, also patrolling the sides on horseback and heading backwards. “What’s up with this?” I point upwards. “I think we’re about to get something....bad. Get everyone moving faster so we’re out of this narrow area and can circle up if we have to. It levels out just a ways up there.” says MrH still scanning. “I don’t like the look of this at all!” “Me either...its got a baaad feeling,” I replied as I turned Roan back. I hollered the message to each wagon I passed to pick up the pace, bunch closer together and get the kids inside the wagons. Batten down, we think a storm is coming. I was telling a benefactor wagon the news when suddenly the man’s eyes widened. I spun and looked at the mass of grey/black clouds dropping like foam on a curling ocean wave over the western side of our canyon walls up ahead. Oh no..no..no..no..no..no..no! I shrieked over the wind that hit us suddenly. “KEEP GOING! WE CANNOT STOP HERE! IT WILL WIDENED UP AHEAD A LITTLE WAYS! MOVE! MOVE!” I dashed back to the next wagon and the next as the wind and snow increased within minutes. One wagon had pulled up to a stop in confusion but I yelled to keep going...need better shelter! They got moving again. I reached MT3B’s clan and they had fortunately seen the pace pick up and were moving more rapidly themselves. I shouted to keep on till we could circle the wagons up ahead. “KEEP TOGETHER” I kept yelling. It was so hard to take a breath if you were turned into this wind. Fortunately I mostly had my back to the wind and snow. But the swirling effect made me dizzy. There was a frightening gap between their wagons and ours, which was supposed to be next. I could not see anything for a few frightening seconds but kept Roan moving forward. We could no longer go faster than a walk tho. In the deep swirling grey, finally the shadows of our oxen came into view not three feet away. Roan and I jumped to the side and came along side Mr.MtR in the driver’s seat. “Try to get them to go faster. You’re spaced behind by a bit. We’re trying to bunch up.” I yelled again. “Hand me that down coat too, will you? It’s nasty. We’ll be circling in a wider spot up ahead....if we can FIND IT IN THIS MESS! “ I pushed Roan on passed as I struggled to get the coat on without the wind ripping it from my grasp. My fingers were getting cold already. I need to take the time to switch to the heavier gloves in the pockets of the coat. I already pulled down the face mask of my fleece hat. MM gave one of her sonic brays when I passed the back of our wagon. I could barely see her or the cart. I could only hope that all three equines were still tied to the back of the wagon. I called out to MM and pushed Roan on toward the next wagon in line. That would be Mother driving the “gypsy wagon”. Good thing those horses of hers have been pretty calm. I pushed Roan on thru complete grey swirl, wiping my sunglasses. They are the lighter lens due to the cloudy day but...oh heck. I can’t see anything. I drop them down on their cord and tuck them into the top of my now-zipped up jacket. Don’t want to lose them. I cup my hand on the side of my face that is getting the windblown snow. Well, I can open my eyes but still cannot see...Roan dodges a tree. I’m ducking a low branch and we’re back on the trail again....I think. I’m leaning way down in the saddle to try to see tracks. The snow is essentially blowing sideways. In this narrow canyon, it intensifies like water forced thru a narrow pipe. Roan is fighting to keep from veering sideways in the confusing lack of any visibility. My leaning so hard over the side is not helping her but she’s an Appie with huge hindquarters. She’ll handle it. I’m sure I’m still on the trail. I *think* we are. We’re moving so slow but we should have met Mother’s horses by now. If we could stay outta the danged trees, for petes sake. Ow, scratched by that one. Had to hang onto my hat or it would have been dragged off my head. CanNOT lose vital equipment like hat/gloves in this weather. Oh my gosh....we are certainly NOT on the trail. Roan is beginning a steep climb which means we’ve been pushed around and turned too far to the right. This is the edge of the canyon wall. Oh God help me...help us all. That was the moment that reality hit me. Not that this was one of the fierce mountain springtime blizzards. That was obvious. This could last an hour or 3 days. We were in BIG trouble. I’ve experienced this kind of storm several times. No, what hit me was that anyone or any animal that got separated from the wagons would likely die. And right now, *I* was separated. I really wasn’t thinking that the short gap between the wagons would be a danger. Where did we veer off? Can we find the train again? “OK, settle down and *think* straight.” I told myself. “and for once in your life do NOT mix up “left” and “right”. I turned Roan around and tried to follow our back trail. It disappeared into wind driven drifts after only a couple yards. But we kept going. Not even able to keep an eye on a far tree, I had only to hope & pray we were not going in a circle. Or parallel to the wagons. I tried looking upwards, any break in the clouds? Nothing but that ominous dark swirling grey. My cheeks were feeling chapped raw with the sharper crystals of snow dashing across them. I pulled the face shield up higher. Roan stumbled but caught herself. She was getting freaked. I could feel her muscles bunching up under me. I patted her snow-covered neck. Don’t dump me off, dear Roan. With everything in my EDC packs...I would *still* have pretty much zeeeero chance of survival without her. I had not encountered anything that looked like a trail nor had I run into a wagon or team. I should have crossed back over by now. I was beginning to shake but whether from cold or fear, I couldn't tell. I kept up a silent plea of “God, I need help/we need help”. There was really no choice but to keep moving. Even if we crisscrossed the canyon back and forth. At least it wasn’t like getting lost on the open prairie where there would be no steep wall to signal a boundary. How long had I been out of contact? It seemed like hours but I thot it might have been fifteen minutes? A half hour? Five minutes? I kept Roan’s heading so that the wind was pummeling us from the left ...if it was steady, we should be still retracing our steps in a somewhat straight line. Oh WHERE IS EVERYONE? I’m not usually one to panic. But I can sure get a good attack of ANXIOUS going. And despite talking to myself and God and Roan [not necessarily in that order] I was really getting scared. I know mountains. I am in BIG trouble. Oh God, if anyone else is alone and scared out here right now...... And the words hit me. From our EDC class. Jacob had told the children so sternly that they were not to blow their emergency whistles unless they were ALONE AND SCARED. I dug down the front of my jacket and pulled the lanyard until the whistle and tiny emergency light popped out. The light would be of no use whatsoever in this situation. But I peeped the whistle a couple times to warn Roan. Then I blasted it longer. And longer. Finally, I did three long blasts of the whistle. And waited. I was about to blast again three times when behind us and way up to the left...into the direction of the wind and snow I heard the unmistakably wonderful sound of ..... HEEEEEEEEE HAW HEEEHAAWH HEEEEEEHAWWW Before I’d finished mentally promising that hooligan donkey a whole row of carrots from our future garden, Roan had wheeled and made straight for the noise. I blew the whistle again and got another bearing on that HEEHAWW. I’d read that wild donkeys had lived in such rough terrain that they’d developed the extreme VOLUME to communicate over the ridges and valleys. For this, I thanked God. I might not have been the only reason HE had created them with such a supersonic voice, but I was certainly saved by it this day. We nearly rammed into the back of the poultry cart. As if it were even possible, I think the visibility is worse yet. Roan let out a wheeeeheehee as she knew her equine friends were near. Which set off both donkeys this time. I thot I’d better get up and let DH know what the ruckus on his tail-end was about. We edged along side the cart, the equines plodding heavily now that the snow was drifting deep in some places. Other places were swept clean to bare ground, causing some stumbling. Then finally we were up along side the wagon seat. MrMtR looked like a snowman. He’d been plastered with snow till you couldn’t see his clothes. I hollered “Are we still all together? Are you behind Mt3B? “ Thot I’d tell him of my adventure later. “I think so. I get a glimpse of a dark shape just ahead now and then....and I haven't hit a tree. ” he called out. “I’ll go just up there to see for sure,” I suggested, knowing now just how easy it would be to get off the trail. ‘Course, as he said, a wagon wouldn’t get thru the trees like Roan and I had. And likely the oxen would do as they were accustomed: follow the wagon in front of them. But I wasn’t ready to put faith in a cow! I edged Roan up along the oxen [a four-hitch today] and was relieved to see the moving dark blotch just ahead. Carefully this time, I moved forward and it became the back end of a wagon. I think I began to breath again in that moment. And then stopped breathing .....y’know....I never did find Mother’s wagon. I must have veered off the trail before she came up behind us. Well *surely* they would have kept coming? She’s savvy enough to know we have to get outta this narrow spot for a blizzard! MrH and horse loomed suddenly into view. “Everyone accounted for?” he barked. “I’m not sure.” I said as I wheeled around to ride backward to our wagon again with him. “ There was a gap between us and Mother’s gypsy wagon right when that hit. I tried to go back to spread the word to hurry and bunch close but....Roan and I never found them. ....and we got lost for a while too.” “WHAT?” he roared over the wind. “You mean we don’t know if they stopped?” “Well Mother wouldn’t have stopped on purpose....she knows to get out of here before the snow piles us too deep to move the wheels.” By now we’d gone past our wagon once again and Mr.H’s horse nearly jumped off the path when my faithful MM 'honked her horn' again. “That’s how I found our way back here. “ I defended. Mother’s wagon was NOT directly behind ours. As MrH and I dropped back further, he told me to stop and hold position. I was to blow the whistle at 10 second intervals so that he could get back if Mother’s wagon was too far. Every time I blew the whistle, the donkey added chorus from the wagon that was continuing up the trail. MM did not want Roan and I lost again! After a very tense period of waiting, MrH and horse appeared out of the blur. He had not found the rest of the wagons. “I was able to go quite a ways further because you really *can* hear that donkey better than the whistle. The whistle is blending in with the wind. “ he commented. “What are we going to do? We can’t just leave them out here lost!” “The front wagons are turning into the wide area up ahead right now. We’ve got to get these wagons situated. I’ve been trying to raise someone on a 2-way radio while I was back there but no answer so far.” he answered lifting the small radio he always carried. With a guilty start, I realized I’d never turned mine on either. He saw me and said dryly, “that’s probably why I haven’t reached them. We’ll keep trying. But lets not get lost ourselves. “ We came abreast of our wagon and he ordered me NOT to go back looking. I readily agreed having the stark memory of how utterly helpless one can be in a hurry in these deadly conditions. But I was SO worried about the rest of our friends that I wasn’t even paying attention to the final minutes before we closed up the circle with our wagon. A circle that was smaller than it should have been. Oh great! They have all the livestock herds to tend to as well. {groan} MtRider [...oh my oh my! ]

It was a bit misty today. Not so much in the form of rain but chilly and damp all the same. Can you hear the dull sounds...like a blanket of quiet is down and around us. The animals are huddling together and tho it's quite beautiful, a sunny day seems easier on my spirit. We've definitely been climbing. We did take on two more oxen each at Rockin' J by design. We have the capacity now for a hitch of six but most of us could not really handle that many. Might be necessary in some steep places....and we might have some drivers taking up two wagons each so that we know drivers in on that stretch have experience and strength. That takes time but will be conservative in safety. We'll use either two oxen as we've mostly been doing, or four through most of this trail. Most of the time, a pair of two then will be 'off-duty' and with the herds. [i told Jacob to get me reallly strong oxen cuz my wagon is heavy! ] Our lunch time seminar was given by Mr. Huges on wildlife tracks. How to identify them. And of course, which ones live out in these parts. And how to properly interact with them. Bear, Mt. lion, coyote, fox, deer, elk, rabbit, squirrel, etc. We were given printouts with the tracks and other data noted. Since folks are still talking about the success and failures of the fire-making contest, some of us tried our hand at it again for our evening fire. Oh boy! Practice seems to be the key. I'm appalled that my former skill seems to have deserted me in the past decade or more of non-use. I had no real success today. I was determined to copy Annarchy's inner bark powder method. Hmph! Well and truly powdered but.... no spark turning to coal and certainly not flame. Rats. Mebbe I grabbed the wrong bark? Mine was aspen...old dead tree aspen. I couldn't even get the precious dryer lint from burning flame to accepting the "christmas trees" and such. Now with the moisture content in the air might be affecting the results. However...this is the kind of day you neeeeeed IRL yesssss I DID....I went out into light snow and EIGHT DEGREES to chuck off some old aspen bark, grind to powder between stones, [gonna be low tech in this!!! ] and set up a good windbreak and had my usual good tinder and....nothin'. Bummer! EVEN when I ducked into the basement for lint. It wasn't snowing directly ON my fire-making. This thread has pointed out some uncomfortably glaring holes in my "survival" stuff. A good educational experience but dang! I don't have to like it. KWIM? On a brighter [but unfortunately UNreality] note, I am really pleased with our new animals. The jack donkey is sizing us up and needs to know he's in good hands. Lots of treats is a way to start forming his good opinion of us. LOL Like MM, he is quite good about keeping his teeth out of the way when he lips up our offerings. I guess we need confidence in his integrity on this issue too cuz I still am quite wary. As browsers [brush and rough grasses like a goat] rather than grazers [more tender grasses, etc like a horse]....they have tough teeth! One inadvertent goat bite early on taught me to keep my fingers outta their mouth! Ow! [no, don't *ask* why I ever had my finger IN my goat's mouth... ] Of course MM is showing Jack just WHO is the boss 'round our wagon. So far he's ignoring her facial grimace, flattened back long ears, and turning her hieny to him and lifting a leg as tho to kick. It will be a lot easier if we don't have any blood during this transition period. When MM joined us, Roan gave her a nasty cut on the rear that took a couple weeks of doctoring. C'mon guys and ladies....play nice! Midnight the new horse is a sweetie. It will take time working together for us to know each other too. But so far I am in love with his gaits and that is what is important for my continued walking and coordination. DH likes the 'sass' of mares but I've always found it tedious. Roan tho....she is IN LOVE. Showing off for the [uN]gent. LOL Doesn't care that he hasn't quite got all "his" parts. MtRider [...gonna dig out the cold weather gear again. We're better acclimated but...it's damp! ]

O BRAVO to both Mother and Michael. No, not cheating at all! More reusable than dryer lint, for sure! I have a question for each of you... Mother? How does one 'char' cloth? Does it have to be cotton, I assume? Michael? what is your hot coal keeper made like? Insulated metal box or what? Decades ago I made [from a Tandy kit] a set of fireplace bellows for my parents. They still have them and I've claimed that as part of my inheritance. LOL For years starting our BBQ charcoal, I have totally cheated and used an old hair dryer to blow the brisquets into a red glow quickly. A retired engineer taught me that one. Wind flow also can serve to put out a fire or, channeled correctly with bellows or even position of logs/rocks etc, it can get it roaring quickly. Yea! Mt3b tried this IRL too!!!! Cool, isn't it? Any other alternatives??? No one has done the magnesium yet. But Leah reports in Comments that one should scrape with a serrated knife edge or it takes so long to get enough. She estimates about a pile of magnesium about the size of a quarter is needed. Also Annarchy has incorporated her fire-making into her Journey III post so don't miss her technique {IRL too! } of using scraped inner bark (powder-fine) for tinder. {which IRL I planned to try today but...we've got snow and ....I'm not sure I'm dedicated enough to push my energy to ..........blah blah....I'm making excuses. Frankly it would be a perfect 'survival' kind of day to try it. We'll see.. } MtRider

Ok, Mt3b needs some help reinforcing the sow with young in the cattle wagon. Lets get some more boards pounded in here. Reinforce it with those metal T-posts too. Yes, she can basically EAT wooden boards. So keep an eye on it. We need to set out the warning: A sow with young is one of the most dangerous barnyard animals. One female can kill a full grown man. Can also near rip off an arm. So we have to be sure no children can stick their fingers into this area of the cart. Yes, put a lid on it too. Now, the other pigs are in this portion and the goats are very sure they want NOTHING to do with that momma. Wish that man would have givin you more instruction on care of SOW. Well, the wagon's a bit heavier now but I think it will be safer. Not sure that pig is going to be getting out until we arrive tho. If babies get too big, the goats might have to give over their space. Can't have the sow running around. Good thing the cattle wagon was strong to begin with. Watch now....don't let her bite your finger clean off when you feed her. Now be VERY careful of the bull too. I wonder if he was bottle fed? That would make him a little more tamed down. BUT the hormones still reign strong so....keep a strong hand on him. That's why they control them thru the nose in the old days. Gets thru to even their dim brains. Ow...it hurts when I do that! OK...that's a bit better now. Be sure the children are not around that wagon! MtRider [......ham/bacon but wow those sows are unbelievable! ] PS: IRL...Annarchy, you really did the spark fire? I did too with the dryer lint...see the Journey II.

I've been bugged by the failure to make the spark devices catch to flame. If I get flame, I can feed a fire... Then later in the evening Joy came up and gave me a plastic bread bag stuffed with dryer lint. And a small section of steel wool. "Try these" she said. Well yes, I'd heard of them both before but had never gotten around to trying them. I tried the steel wool and was fascinated by the flame, red embers that danced thru it. Yes, I think if I was quick and careful, I could start a campfire with that. BUT WHY DOES SPUN STEEL BURN??? I wanna know! Then I struck the sparks down on the lint. WOWZERS! I jumped backward. It actually looked like some of that gel fuel. Plenty of burn time to feed it the tiny tinder and work it up to the size fire needed. Does anyone KNOW this stuff is GOLD????? I thanked Joy profusely.... But she did remind me that dryer lint comes out of ....dryers. Which are not readily available in the wilderness. Um....... OK, so before this bag of lint is gone, and the gazillian matches I brought....I need to find a natural substitute for dryer lint/steel wool. And the grasses and pine needles have NOT been a decent substitute for me. Not with a flint lighter. But...it's better than utter failure! Hey Mt3B! I've got a present for you! Lookie what Joy gave me. Now watch THIS! You try it!!! MtRider [..received the prize of knowledge.....and dryer lint! Already put some in my EDC with my flint sparker IRL today! ]

Well it's time for a lunch break and we're announcing that for the next several days, we'll try to present something as an informational demo during this time. Particularly for those folks in our wagon train for which camping or rural/primitive lifestyle is so new. But as last night's fire-making contest demonstrates, some of us have a ways to go on certain skills. So unless someone is ready with a topic today, a few of us will invite anyone interested tonite to observe and ask questions as we milk goats and cows. Many of us are up to speed on this but there are still a few who actually *just* picked up milking animals back at the Rockin' J. Ok....REALLY, wagon members. If you have a specialty and you'd have time this week to write about it, let me know which day you'd like to post your demo. Any way you'd like to teach a basic how-to. Like Annarchy did with the tanning. Anything from First Aid, sewing on a button securely, duck lore, herbal I.D. walks are always good and we need to continue those as the season and region changes. How to make Indian Fry Bread. Whatever. ....I wonder if the increase in altitude is going to affect us? Shortness of breath when we are getting higher. But I don't know if we'll go much higher than about 5,000. Still....I could share quickly the couple things you'd be watching for. First: Dehydration cuz we're not in a very humid climate now. And dehydration makes the altitude thing worse. If you are thirsty, you are WAY behind in hydration already. Dryer climate makes the heat more tolerable and since you don't feel sweaty [it's drying quickly] you don't realize how much you've lost. Second is slow down. Going the speed we are with the wagons, our climb into elevation will be slow. Hopefully it will give us the chance to acclimate. But if you're finding yourself more breathless, dizzy, lightheaded than normal, slow down. Take short rest breaks more frequently. Thirdly...in higher altitude, watch out for sunburn. A thinner atmosphere will burn you like a day at the beach. [very impromptu..lol] And anyone wanting to add to our fire-making data...speak up. That is so important. MtRider [this afternoon I'm going to be trying our new black gelding we added at the Rockin' J. Made arrangements for the Rock's to find a gelding to my needs and also a jack donkey trained for harness/pack. Decided some weeks back that this was how we'd spend the last of our savings. So...here we go. Oh, he's got such a smooth gait. He's lovely!]

So folks.....more of you may want to make your posts about the time spent on Rockin' J ranch. The BBQ. The showers...LOL. Today's ride and lunchtime EDC review. Or tonite's fire-making contest. And don't forget to open your mail and packages. We MIGHT even have some guest speakers telling about alternative fire-making {in the guise of some benefactor people!} Go ahead and post all that here anytime. We'll all come back and read it. BUT....as of Tues morning....you'll also meet us all on the trail again, heading UP into The Wilderness! http://mrssurvival.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=37956 MtRider [...tell me SOMEbody's gonna get a fire lit? ]

MtR is seen inside her wagon pitching and digging thru things. ...doesn't look like 'a happy camper' either! I'm late....I'm late again. I haven't been on time for ANYthing this day. Sheeesh! They are out there starting their fires for the contest [with someone running a stopwatch] and the best time will win one of those cool BlastMatch tools. ...and I shoulda ordered one! Cuz I really don't do well with other alternatives. Soooo, I thot I'd have the best chance with the magnesium stick. BUT I CAN'T FIND EITHER OF THEM. So now I'm feeling very UNqualified for "wilderness". Can't even stay organized in this wagon....despite the number of times I've repacked it. [Everyone has been saying the same thing tho.] MtRider gives up and goes to the fire-making site. Someone has coaxed Mother to participate by building her an elevated fire pit on top of their steel plate. No excuses now, Mother! She's been telling me that dryer lint or even pocket lint is good. Charred cloth is better. Okaaay.....pocket lint it is for me then. I find an empty spot and Jerry [the younger son of Jacob Rock] comes over to be my official timer. They have laid out piles of various grasses, twigs, sticks, and other burnable materials for us to choose from. I understand THIS part of it! I lay out the wood of various sizes within reach. No sense bothering with anything but the tiniest small tinder for now. I can quickly feed a fire twigs IF I can get it going. I've spotted a glob of pitch on one of the pine logs. That might be handy. I smear some of that onto the dry grasses. [gonna be icky getting that off my fingers again] Unconscious of the movement, I wipe fingers along the legs of my jeans. Next I reach into my jeans pockets and dredge up some lint. Usually plenty..... *always* carrying kleenex for my sinus-beleaguered nose. Uh oh....shortly now, I won't be using Kleenex tissues anymore. I'll be switching to bandanas....reusable. Won't that be....fun. Ok, focus. I AM being timed. I try to rub more of the sticky off my fingers cuz I'm having trouble letting go of anything. In desperation, I rub them into the dirt. A real mess now but at least they aren't so sticky. Now I'm ready to shower sparks onto the pile of lint + pine sap with dry grass + pine sap underneath. {deep breath} It's my best shot.....and irritated once again that I couldn't have a nice pile of magnesium sitting there. I have two flint strikers: One is just a strip along the side of my emergency whistle. The other was a little more creative. It's the tiny brass mechanism that is supposed to be screwed onto a Colman gas mantle lantern. If you twist one end while holding the other steady, it showers sparks. I removed any extra hardware and have a small device. But...in earlier trials, I couldn't get the sparks to light anything. A bit of smoldering. I began to spin the end that has the brass knurled edge that scrapes the flint. I spend the next few minutes showering sparks and adjusting for a better angle onto the tinder. C'mon! Somebody catch. It's nice dry tinder I've prepared. Those flints are tiny and it wasn't long before I didn't have any left. I have an extra inside the brass tube but.... I switch to the emergency whistle flint and begin to shower sparks again. Unfortunately, I had similar results. I just shake my head at Jerry and he stops the timer of his watch. He offers a "good try tho". Hmph! Tell me that when I'm freezing my toenails blue and I can't get a fire going. I wonder how Mother and some of the rest are doing. Hey MT3B....did you get yours to light???? MtRider [....gotta acquire this skill...... ]

If you're just joining us, you may want to start at the beginning with Wagons Ho! - Preparation. http://mrssurvival.com/forums/index.php?sh...t=0&start=0 Wow, I can't believe how nervous I am this fine Tuesday morning. It was so thrilling to enter the Rockin' J ranch a couple days ago. But now leaving to enter the final stage of our jouney...the WILDERNESS...... Hey...I LIVED in the boonies of the Rockies, for pete's sake. In a log cabin, even! And yet....this is so different! We're leaving this unstable 'civilization' behind. Self-sufficiency....personal and as-a-group....will have to be enough. We've all said our fond goodbyes to Jacob Rock and the two of his sons that came along to see us to the edge of their ranch lands. Clarence Smith, Edward Jones, and Mr Hughes are still talking with them...arranging about the pack mule train. Steven & Jerry (the sons) will be bringing them up loaded with our fresh supplies that have not been delivered yet. Well, IF the supplies ever do make it. It's getting really rough back there too. Roan feels my mood and is prancing and wheeling. She doesn't like holding still while we {Hawaii phrase} "talk story". I'm about to run her into a tree if she doesn't knock it off. Looking ahead I see the hills beginning to rise...slow and gradual. More trees but still a lot of grass lands. The hills and trees will increase as we travel the next days. Eventually, there will be mountains. Not so high as the Colorado "Fourteeners" [that's: 14,000' and over] that DH and I are used to. Thank goodness!!!! And we'll be taking a carefully researched route and thru passes rather than up and over. But...I've heard actual entry into the Big Valley is......... a DOOZEY. Ah, Clarence and Jacob giving one last bear hug and now.....it's Clarence who's hollering: WAGONS HOOOOoooooooooo! MtRider [.......this is IT then..... ]

I second that motion. Leah, if you want to "enter" the firestarting contest, go ahead and post as one of the Benefactor group. That's if you want a one-time character. You can join us as YOU even now. {oh lookie, here comes another wagon and why...it's....Leah and Dh..& .... } Seriously non-W*Ho members.... *I* have been trying IRL my various means of alternative fire-starting and having no....NO....success. [as I mentioned, I'm great with a match..or two] So we need some tips if anyone has actually DONE these other methods. Go ahead a claim to be one of the benefactors or one of MrH's security people or Chef or MrS's niece.... It won't mess up our story one little bit. Then just tell of how you set up your fire pit and used the method you know about IRL. And don't worry that we're taking the storyline into the next thread: "Wagons Ho: JourneyIII - The Wilderness" tomorrow morning. This fire contest can have some more posts to it. (especially cuz everyone is getting holiday-busy and might not be here daily) MtRider [....digging thru my Stage 1 (72 hr bob), Stage 2 (Super BOB), & Stage 3 (BOB-the Backpack) .......trying to figure out what I did with the magnesium blocks. They are my last hope. ]

[....LOL about Mother's "Public Service Announcement"...... ] Wow....the Rockin' J ranch is a beautiful piece of land. We're in the western edge of it have been gazing at those mountains all day. While we didn't plan on getting an early start.... we actually got a late start didn't we? Even Michael was attacked by what can only be described as an "Excess of Jocularity" from last night's festivities. Just had too much fun to go to bed at a decent hour. Fortunately, today was slated as a short travel day anyway. We had some leeway. SO glad to see that the MT3B family and Missy's family were back together and in time for the BBQ! FINALLY we were all packed and on our way. Of course young Sara Rock was sent out on her horse to find us within the first hour. She descreetly [not too descreetly...she's only 10 ] handed me a bag of items. I'd forgotten we'd left some things drying on one of the bushes after we'd been doing up some laundry. Hey, not ALL of these ...ahem, garments in the bag are mine, ladies. We'll sort them out later. Our wagons are trundling along quite well now....freed of mud; freshly greased and repacked for the final leg of our journey. I have repacked some items from packages I received by mail but I haven't had a chance to even peek at others. I did use that gift certificate sent by DD from Lehman's. I have a Jupiter style Deitz lantern and also a hanging oil lantern with a wide reflector. I'm hoping we can produce some kind of oil that can be used in them....eventually. I have lamp oil packed but....it will run out eventually. We had a special treat for lunch. Even I was not privy to this event. LOL After a lunch of leftovers from the feast...huge beef sandwiches, etc....Clarence and Mr. Huges and Jacob gave us a "Pop Quiz". They had us all write down what we were carrying ON OUR PERSON right then. [We didn't have to show our list tho... ] The subject of their talk was the importance of EDC...... [Every Day Carry]. What do you carry on your person EVERY day so that it is there in a crisis....or if you lose the rest of your stuff. Well......I passed this one. 'Packrat' being my middle name. By now ya'll know I wear a utility belt with zippered pockets. Leatherman wave, Swiss Army Knife, emergency whistle [with flint/compass/cotton/birthday candle], mylar blanket, plastic rain poncho, klenex, fixed blade knife, Pal lite, lighter, lip balm, 55yds dental floss, 2 protein bars, water bottle, a few purifying tablets. Sunglasses, hat, bandana(s) are all on my person too. They said I should probably have some duct tape rolled up in there too. Course most of us are carrying a defensive weapon too out here in the wilds. Sooo, how did you all do? What do you carry now that we're way out here? Jacob spoke carefully to the children about the importance of obeying adults and not straying off. He charged the older ones with helping to keep younger ones safe. Then he handed out a lanyard to go around their necks. On each one was a quarter-size squeeze light with a surprising brightness, a tiny and LOUD emergency whistle, and a metal "dog tag" with their name on it. He explained about the universal code for emergency ...three of anything. So if they were in trouble, they should blow their whistle three times; then wait; then 3 times again. Older children talked about the SOS signal from which this simplified version originated. If they lost their whistle...which they should try very hard NOT to do....they could also make any sound or flash their light or anything to be heard or seen in threes. He also told the "Boy who cried wolf" story and made each of them promise to use their light and whistle ONLY in an emergency...if they were alone and scared. Then Jacob surprised adults [& teens] with their own lanyards. These had the same items [Jetstream whistles, Princeton Pulsar lites] and the addition of small neck knives. For us he merely said... "You heard what I told the kiddos. An adult can be separated from the group as easy as a child. No survival item will do you any good sitting in your wagon or in your other pants pocket. I'm praying that none of you will need these. " Then he handed out some spare batteries for the Princeton lights. Then was his final announcement before we piled in and got under way again. Tonite before supper, we will have a fire-lighting contest. Winners get a BlastMatch brand firestarting tool. There will be categories for starting with "two sticks", with a magnifying lens [hope we have enough potent sunshine], magnesium stick/flint striker, any other plain flint strikers, ....or any other odd way you know to start a fire. No matches. No cig liters. There will be a category for adult (over 16), 13-16 and under 12 with parental permission. OK...so now I'm wondering what I will choose to light a fire with??? I'm fine even in rain [we've had the practice and I've loads of previous experience] ....but only with matches or a cig lighter. I've not had luck with anything else. I meant to become proficient in something.....and was surprised when these methods are HARDER THAN THEY LOOK! And less successful than I'd guessed too. Hey....have any of you really tried to light a no match fire? Anyone besides me carrying a firestarting tool and ...never lit a fire with it? What method will you be able to do tonite? MtRider [...and I *thot* I was so prepared.... ]

[....Sorry wagon members. This will be long but we're trying to give some basic information needed as we move ahead here. ...."corporate writing" has it's challenges... ] MtRider walks slowly out to where the bonfire flares bright against the blackness of the prairie. No moon tonight and so very far away from the lights of civilization, the stars of the sky are a staggering sight..... whooops! While staring upwards she trips over a minor bump. If not for Mr.MtR's arm snatching hers quickly, she would have done a face-plant. ....A particularly bad idea in this land of occasional cactus plants. Ahem.....as I was saying, the stars remind me of that Diamonds-on-Black-Velvet we used to see from high in the Rockies. Mr.MtR agrees and they wonder if they will ever see any of the places that they have formerly called home again. Tonight is a party...a fare-thee-well party for the wagon members. Hosted in grande Western style by the entire Rockin' J ranch. No outsiders tonight though. Those wagoneers or ranchers who were talented in music made square-dancing & line dancing a big hit. An entire young steer had been roasting and tempting folks with the smells of the meal to come. Tables were laden with all manner of feast items. By general consensus, the traditional baked beans had been omitted from the menu.....we'd had a bit too many of those lately and the hope of more to come. As the eating and toasting and dancing was winding down, Jacob Rock and Clarence Smith walked up to the slightly elevated stage. Slowly the crowd became quiet and looked for places to sit. Jacob gave a prayer of thanksgiving and then began to tell a tale. "I met Private Clarence Smith on the bus into boot camp. Seat mates - the country bumpkin and the city slicker. Didn't think we had a *thing* in common. Yet, we kept getting assigned together somehow and eventually we just ended up friends. How many years ago was that?" He asked looking at his partner. "Lets not tell them," answered Clarence with a grin. This did not even seem like the same austere man who had begun this journey. He looked younger and more vital. And he smiled a lot now. "Just as well," agreed Jacob amid the cheerful booing. "Let's just say that many decades later.....and many escapades later, I might add.....this wagon train heading for Big Valley is probably the greatest venture we've ever initiated. And undoubtedly the most important. Serious now, Jacob explained how twenty years ago he and Joy and Clarence and his late wife Helen, had sat around a small campfire pretty much in this same spot and planned great plans. But they'd all worried too. Things were moving in the world so fast. Technology was absolutely breathtaking as were the advances in medical science. The world outlook seemed unstoppable yet.....the core seemed to be crumbling. They saw even then the potential for disaster on a global scale. And these gentlemen and ladies *always* wanted a Plan B. Most of the wagons members were astonished to find out that this planning had been going on for that long. Their own participation in this venture began only a few months before the departure and everything had seemed so rushed and urgent. "It wasn't long after we'd begun long range preparations that Edward Jones came aboard as well. Joy and I were to be the gatekeepers naturally. I'd advised Clarence and Edward to buy up that land containing Big Valley. It's surrounded by National Forest and I have to tell you folks. It is REALLY hard to access. That's the good news ....for keeping most people out. That's the bad news because you folks are going in. And you are going to be working very hard to get there. These oxen wagons will get through but if you thought you've been tested up until now, you will find an new level up in those mountains yonder that you've been admiring all day." "Anyway, about 2 years ago, civilization passed a few of the marker points which would activate this plan of ours. Preparations began in earnest." continued Jacob. "Helen was gone by then but their daughter, Ellen proved to be as competent in the procurement of supplies as her mother. Mr. Hughes had been recruited long since and he was brought on board full time to plan each detail of the route and security. AND the alternative routes in case of unexpected events...." he paused one beat. "...like an animal stampede due to a helicopter overhead." His audience could well appreciate *that* reference. "Another part of the planning was the recruitment of folks with talents and skills for a pioneering venture. Some of our own friends and family would not even consider joining us. But as you can see, many of them did. Some of them didn't do their homework regarding the new lifestyle..." he eyed some from the Benefactor's group .....though fondly. "But I expect you're learning now. " "At any rate, there could never be enough within our circle to populate that Valley with the skills, crafts, knowledge, specialties and just sheer numbers required for a decent chance of a self-sufficient colony. We began to recruit more people. Mr.Hughes kept us on our toes as far as the security of this eventual colony. This is the reason for much concrete information being withheld, by the way, as we began to approach people outside of our own acquaintances. Initially we thought to simply hire others under contract to come and provide services to our group. But that would set up a feudal system likened to the Lords and Ladies of old Europe. That was not satisfactory. We coaxed and altered and pounded our heads. This is NOT an easy thing....to establish a good basis for governing people who will needs be free. We fully appreciate the challenge laid at the feet our our nation's early men and women and commend their wisdom. We pray we might have done as well. "As you all know from your charter, each adult will receive a land grant of 40 acres. As in the pioneer days...this land comes with a price. It must be 'proved up' within a couple years. ...though I dare say extensions on that might be arranged. We've no idea how well or how difficult things will be for us. The lands must be improved with a dwelling and a means of business. Fields, gardens, livestock, a cottage industry like a dairy, or weavers, carpenters shop, blacksmithing, grain mill, .....any manner of work. You will soon be spreading out over this large valley in search of the 40 acres-per -adult that serves you best. You will be autonomous on that land. We will gather together for the defense of the valley but in most things, we shall enter into private agreement, one with another. We shall of course, agree to the basic set of decent behaviors amongst ourselves. We will not steal or deal falsely with each other. We shall not cause injury to each other. These things shall be worked out in due time. But we will strive to avoid complexity and deal simply and honestly with each other." "Some of the folks who have come along single or with families are already under the employment of another person. Some of the older members of this challenging expedition need assistance of younger folks and are capable of paying for it. That is one of those private arrangements that is between individuals. Anyone is free to make trade/barter with another. Another thing will will assure you. Anyone can quit the company and return at any point. You are not committing to imprisonment within the valley. What you have *all* sworn is an oath to protect the location of the valley. You may not reveal it's nature, location, or resources to any outside the members. That is a decency we trust in each other.....a trust upon which our very lives may depend. We pray that is not misplaced." This was a bit uncomfortable. By now we'd seen each other in good moods and bad moods. In times of laughter...... in times of sheer panic ....and in poignant moments of grieving for what we have all left behind. Our group....and even beginnings of relationship with the benefactors people as well....was knitting together. Accepting the weaknesses in each other as well as appreciating the strengths. But in this solemn moment, we all realized anew just how bound together our new destinies were to each other member. No one knew where it began but suddenly hands snaked out to hold that of a neighbor and before long the entire group around this platform was linked together. Tears were seen streaming down many faces. Proud determined looks all 'round. Yes, this was also a risk. The binding of humans together for a better life was not easy. But we would surely try. "We do have in place, a system to accept new valley members. With careful scrutiny and by recommendations of a current member. Many of you have loved ones who plan to travel and join us at a later time....and who have already been interviewed and accepted. Others may well join us also. We have carefully laid out routes and means of getting to our location. It will become increasingly....*has* become increasingly more dangerous to travel even within these weeks since you began. So as you write your last letters, encourage them to begin the journey now. They of course, will be using a more subtle means of transportation than conestoga wagons to reach this ranch. " Jacob flashed a grin. A voice raised a question for the gentlemen. "So why DID we have to take the hard way across these miles? I know the trail we're going to be on now can only handle the wagons and horseback or walking. But why didn't we just all pull up in U-hauls and load our wagons here at the Rockin' J? Why did we waste so much time and risk so much out there exposed?" Some murmurs went thru the crowd. Clarence Smith stepped forward to field that question. With a smile he said, "Well, Samuel....he's my own grandson, you know.....Sam, that is a very good question. It's one I've just been waiting for someone to ask. ...but no one did. "Think back, all of you. Think back to the beginning days our our wagon journey. Some of you have had more experience with the rural lifestyle than some of the rest of us. Yet none of us was used to the rigors of wagon trail life. It's tough physically...especially because many of us are no longer young. It's tough mentally. Hour after hour of boredom broken up only by heart-stopping crisis. Or so it seems most days. " By now every member was nodding in agreement. "I will always vividly remember the muscle pain and fatigue I personally experienced in those early weeks. I still have that but I'm tougher now. Even though we were all encouraged to strengthen muscles before the trip, I doubt more than a few of us had the time ....with all the preparations needed. Those early weeks traveling easy on decent roads gave us the time to build up physically. They also gave us the hands-on experience of working with oxen, horses, and other livestock. How many of us had ever driven oxen before now? It also gave our animals the chance to adapt and grow strong as well. And let me take this moment to extend my personal gratitude to those of you who gave pioneer lessons for all of us who were, and still are, so new to this rural, non-electric lifestyle. I hope that you will continue to get us up to speed. We have before us a rugged climb. Not to the peaks you can see from here. But through some hills, ridges, and some narrow passes. A few very steep areas that we simply could not route around. Months were spent on choosing the safest route but it is still going to be very challenging!" "I propose to you that our former selves would not have been well fit for the challenge. By taking the risk....yes, obviously traveling along those highways and towns posed risks. We had some mishaps and we are so thankful to have the last of our injured members back with us here this night. But our risk in the next few weeks would have been far greater without this 'shakedown' period. A period in which medical and other benefits of civilization were still available. Now we are going out truly alone. And I believe we are far better prepared." With a wave Clarence closed with these words. "I thank you all for listening to a couple of old men reminisce about the beginnings. Enjoy the rest of the evening, folks. Tomorrow morning....tho not too early....we'll pack up and spend the day crossing Rockin' J land. We'll camp at it's border tomorrow night and then enter Federal lands beyond that the next morning. May God bless and keep us all."

Mmmmmm...... doesn't it smell good? The beef roasting in the firepit. All sorts of goodies being baked, fried, roasted, and concocted. ' I can't wait for the Fare-Thee-Well BBQ tonite. MtRider [...trying to make campfire brownies....ow...that's hot!]

MARK THIS DAY on the calendar! Someone FINALLY got Michael in the morning! I was laughing so hard I nearly fell outta my wagon....cuz I was peering out the back looking to see who was singing this fine morning too! LOL Well a couple hours later and most of the mud has dropped off of the wheels. There is a warm breeze blowing and its helping to dry things out. Not too chilly either. Summer is coming and we've GOT to get to planting in the Big Valley. Suddenly, from the front of the wagon train, there breaks loose all sorts of WHOOPS & HOLLERING...... Sounds like an "Indian attack" from those old black&white westerns. What is going on???? I spur Roan towards the front of the line of wagons and see two riders galloping towards us. A man and a woman both with dark hair and weather-worn faces. They are wearing big grins and waving cowboy hats. There goes Clarence Smith and a couple others on horseback.....tearing out to meet them waving their hats as well. I feel tears as I realize we must be so close to the end of this leg of the journey. That must be the welcoming committee from the Rockin' J. Likely Jacob and Joy themselves from the look of a happy reunion of dear friends. Jacob Rock and Clarence Smith were buddies in the Army decades ago. Have remained steadfast friends and the Rocks are a great part of how this journey began. I've been very excited to meet these folks. But I turn to canter back to our end of the line......to spread the word that the Rockin' J is coming up. There is the driveway across the road! .....right after we cross one more little ditch.....to get up onto the road and drive right in. Hey MOTHER! They filled in the ditch for us....say they'll trench it back out again after we're passed. Smooth ramp up to the road and there are the first of the Benefactor wagons pulling in under the HUGE sign: ROCKIN' J RANCH Of course that "J" is tilted a bit....rockin' y'know! I can't believe what a thrill it is when I pull up beside DH driving our wagon and we ride under this landmark together. It seems like we've been traveling [or preparing to travel] for half our lives. We aren't at Big Valley yet but this is our jump-off point into the wilderness. We have survived this far despite hearing dire news of stock markets and violence and shortages and ..... {shudder}....no, I will focus on the future we have all chosen. There is risk in this future. Raised a farm girl in Iowa and most recently a Mountain Gal from the Rockies......I KNOW we face risks now. But I'd rather face those than the ones we leave behind. Our wagons are circling over past that line of trees just beyond the main house. Sheds and fenced grazing areas have been saved for our livestock close by. Just a short hike over to the well and the bunkhouse shower room. LADIES FIRST....we all holler! [then the men sniff and tell us they'd be glad to let us all have showers. ....the rats! ] There will be a burger fry for supper. Mounds of potato salad and corn and peas and ....I think I heard about pies. AND.....our correspondence and packages from the mail are waiting to be claimed. Ooo....what did you get? We can hardly wait to have animals settled before we decide to claim mail from loved ones or shower with hot water first. Jacob and Joy and their three generations of family are introduced to the assembly. They are truly dear people and so glad we've made it this far. They expressed their concern during that terrible storm some days back until the turkey rancher gave them assurance with a phone call. ..........there is just one worrisome piece of news tho. Our resupply of fresh foods which we had been counting on for the final three weeks journey thru wilderness....to say nothing of the weeks before the first garden produces.....has not arrived. The truck was hijacked! The company is sending another truckload as food becomes available but the shortages have been increasing. The southern areas of our country are not exporting as much to these northern regions where winter is just allowing the planting to begin. I was there as Jacab and Joy pulled Clarence and MrJ aside to give them this news. "But....I suppose we can get by on our grains and dehydrated goods. But we'd planned using that for the months we'd wait for the first crops." said a worried MrJ. "These wagons just can't hold much with all the other tools and supplies we also need," added Clarence. "Have we done right by not ordering in some supplies dropped by helicopter? We certainly could have done so." Jacob clapped him on the back. "Now you know that would have been a security risk we all deemed too high.... Don't worry my friend. I'll send a couple of my sons with a pack mule train as soon as they send your supplies. Hopefully your trail members have chosen wisely for their wagon loads...and there is a pile of packages that were ordered." "Hmmm, yes, but we told them of the resupply so they'd have been counting on that." Clarence scrubbed at his face....and grimaced as his hands came away dusty. "Ah well, these folks have all been so game thus far. We'll manage. We'll all manage even if we're eating beans and cornbread for a month as we wait for the crops. It will fuel our motivation to garden and farm well. " "I need a hot shower!....Are the ladies done yet?" he added. MtRider.... [....are we going to be leaving ANY hot water for the guys? ] [ PSssst........Wagon Members.....don't 'save us' with ordering a lot of food by mail.....something is UP in the storyline and we're leaving for the wilderness a bit short on many foods.... {shhhhhh!}....... ]

Augh, what is it about mornings these days? Sunny skies? Wheels not buried in mud? WAGONS HOoooooooo! MtRider [iRL...going back to bed as soon as critters fed/milked ]

FIFTY POUNDS...... Oh Mother?....... we just *happen* to have some LIVE turkeys on the wagon trail....that SOMEone needs to explain how they get from "gobble" to being "gobbled up" Any volunteers? MtRider [..heading out for a date with dinner ]

Well, we all got some practice in hitching 6 oxen today. We haven't had to do that yet. But that MUD required hours of heavy manual labor. Have I mentioned that one day, we will arrive at our destination and have hot springs? ...well, I'm not sure what temperature these springs will be. I hope some are nicely below scalding...just soaking temp. Right Q, and Mother and......all of us would love a hot bath. Unfortunately, the sun wasn't out enough to really heat up our solar shower bags. But, warming the water over the fire and pouring it into the bags worked too. Ahhhh, nice to get rid of all that mud! My hair is still wet so I'm sitting near the fire to get it dry. Long/thick....it takes a while and is definitely a nuisance without a hair dryer. Well as we were all so cold and muddy and achey AGAIN after the wagon-pushing, I passed along a tip for soreness [esp. arthritis]. The potion is "heating" too. {especially if you're prone to hot flashes ...personal knowledge of *that*! } One tablespoon unpasteurized honey...one-half teaspoon cinnamon....add hot water to make a mug of 'tea'. {IRL thanks Darlene! } It's sweet and nicely spicey...tho stirred well yet the cinnamon doesn't really dissolve. A bit gritty. Has REALLY helped Mr.MtR's hands that nearly retired him from chiro adjusting till he began this. Ohhhhhh, the puppies! I've been over there to see them. Momma Sasha is so proud. Thumps her tail and grins when we admire them. Nuthin' so cute as rolly-polly Saint puppies. I remember our Saint from my childhood. LOL The goats perched on their "islands in mud" under the wagon last nite. But they were sure glad to perch on higher ground now too. Still muddy but not in inches of standing rainwater. The folks that have been off exploring say that we'll have to be careful of the Little Ditches from now on. They are running high with water for now. That will go down rather quickly in this usually dry land tho. Might have to do a short stretch of road to use a bridge. But, mebbe by the time we're able to move again with this mud, we'll be able to 'ford the stream'. Woooeeee, will ya lookie that! The hunters just brought back 5 turkeys. We've permission to hunt the land for rabbits, BUT... is this turkey season in this state????? Oh heavens --- they're still alive! Couldn't tell the way they were tightly trussed-up on the saddles. Ohhh, they are a gift from the rancher who's land we currently are passing thru. He raises them and met our folks out on the range. Thought he'd better check on us after that wowzer of a storm. Well thats great. We HAVE met some really nice folks out here. Now with this lay-over yet tomorrow, we'll be able to have a feast. Hmmmmm....... It will almost feel like it's Thanksgiving tomorrow instead of springtime and somewhat past Easter. Course now there is the job of butchering/plucking/etc. I think this is one Pioneer Class I'll sit out. Toooooooo tired and I've already the experience of pluckin' a duck. {IRL Do have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving Day everyone. We have SO much to Thank God for in our current luxuries. Gotta love those dry homes, running hot/cold water, easy-bake ovens, and the opulence of good times with loved ones. } MtRider [ turning in early tonite so I can get up to help with the roasting of those birdies. ]

[ IRL I've had a trying day. Evidently my phone was not working and dh was getting a little worried by this evening when it finally connected. Then *just* as I was ready to post this at about 3pm, I lost Internet connection and could NOT get it back up again. Rural glitches in services??? I feel picked on! Dh finally fixed it when he came home late tonite. OTOH....it's not raining at my house.... ] Aaiiieeeeeee WHAT a mess! No...no we really can't go on. This mud is too much. Yes, if the wagons can fill in between the two that are stuck. The benefactors are going to try to join our ring too or a second circle joining ours like a figure 8. We're going to have to check horses and oxen for pulled/strained muscles with the slipping in the mud. Hot cocoa? Oh yes please! .... not the coffee. Where did that come from? I'm freezing! Oh, tell Chef that he's a wonder! [has stove in the cookwagon and he's sending out mugs...yes, we'll return the mugs and not lose them in the mud. Promise! ] OK, MrMtR and I have checked on the poultry/rabbit cart behind the donkey. The cover is intact and the birds are fine....not going to enjoy any leg-stretching but they're dry enough for ducks/geese. Rabbits are burrowed into the deep prairie grass bedding we stuck in there last nite. We've herded the dwarf goats under the wagon and penned them in with fencing. With the mud/water rising, we flipped over four half-sections of their 2 "dog carriers" so that they each have a "top bunk" to perch on up outta the mud. They are four little islands under the wagon. They're glad to be outta the rain. Big dog has not been allowed to get wet and stinky so is still supervising from the wagon. Poor cat hasn't been seen since the rain began...also burrowed deep in her blankie in the carrier. Donkey and Roan are stripped of tack [which needs to be wiped and oiled] and are on their pickets out in the rain. Not so cold that it bothers them. Donkey has had her purple waterproof blanket on since the downpour began. Roan scoffs at that nonsense. We set up the awning constructed with a tarp is hung over the back of the wagon as a wet room. A place to hang wet clothes and gear. And boots. After seeing if anyone has an emergency....lots of little ones but nothing that can't wait till the rain stops, MtR gives up and crawls in to find a towel and complete set of dry clothes. Stuffing her long hair up into the leather hat saved it from being too wet except where it dangled out. Brrrrrr....... chilled. She tries to get the wagon rearranged to sleep on top of EVERYthing tonite. There is that front nest for my resting but it's not big enough for two and dog. Whew, by the time she's heaved and hauled and finally has a second nest carved out for sleeping [not guaranteeing the comfort] she's quite warmed again. Found the small butane backpacking stove and decided that *this* nite warranted it's use. Setting it up on the back of the wagon, she heated up some canned chili and canned hamberger. Biscuits and butter [thank you , Mother and clan] and jelly. "Get back, Dog! Out! Go lay down." "Hero" last nite does not qualify you for wolfing down our supper tonite. MrMtR arrives between watches and needs feedin'. He's gotten some coffee from somewhere. I've got the hot cocoa mix and some hot water next on the tiny burner. He adds a scoop of the hot cocoa mix to flavor his coffee. I put on a wool sweater and dry sox. Pull out a dry set of rain gear. Another pair of rain pants and a rain coat instead of the poncho I'd worn all day on horseback. I head into the rain to check to see if all is quiet and also report to Mr.S & J. What will we do if this doesn't let up? Nothing to do but wait it out. It will take days have dry trails again so our next days will be slow even when the rain stops. Checks on the Mt3B clan wagons. The remaining members are doing fine. They've got the situation under control. Someone sent them some supper. The DIL is concerned about a drip from the tear in the wagon cover material. I've got some seam sealant so I'll go get it. We'll get that stopped before it gets anything wet. ANYONE else need some seam sealant? Bees wax works too. At Mother's wagon there is a strong feeling like Sasha's puppies are choosing this nasty evening. Awwww, Sasha. Well at least we can keep her dry in the wagon. But I know what it's like sharing a wagon with a XL dog. Holler if you need anything. At the Annarchy camp, I greet our newest member Big D. I tease her, "Now did you bring this with you?" Boy, we're not putting our best foot forward with this wagon trail life, are we? Really, this is as bad a weather as we've had the entire trip so far. Well, I'm glad you found us before this mess started anyway. Q & Mr.Q are keeping dry. All of us pretty much have the same idea....stay inside dry and warm. Except those who must keep watch. Seems Chef has taken the responsibility to keep them supplied thru the night with goodies and coffee/cocoa. "Hot showers" That's the line I cheer people with. ....Except it's not applied to tonite or tomorrow...... We'll have hot showers in the Rockin' J bunkhouse. And that seems like a loooong way from here. Stay dry and warm, all. MtRider [ glad for the waterproof, breathable fabric on the wagon covers....and admiring the pioneers who didn't have such a thing! ]

Well that critter is still on my mind this morning. I can't get over the way it was still advancing despite "human" and "seriously barking canine". I talked to MrHughes and his guy who is a decent hunter/tracker went out to find a pretty good print early this morning. It wasn't Big Dog 's cuz she hadn't been out that far. But it coulda been her twin. Now, she has a 3" wide print when standing on it and a near 4" in length - counting toe nails. I've always used her as my gauge. The only time I saw a canine-type print near as large as hers was when that white wolf [semi-domesticated] was allowed to roam around my friend's goat pen...with MY goats in it! Also: Seeing that coyote is a smaller-than-my-dog print and is buff/tan colors....and what I saw was standing out starkly DARK against the [iRL..dead & brown grass/snow] prairie grasses and dirt over there.... I would have had trouble seeing a coyote in that dusk lighting. Wolf....that's what we've got and it might be tailing us. Normally, a wild wolf wouldn't come anywhere near our encampment. Certainly not approach a human unless quite hungry. I've seen enough rabbits and varmints that they shouldn't be starving. Has had pups? Is a hybrid and too tame but not tame enough? Dunno. Whatever the case, it makes me FAR more nervous than just a normal WILD animal! Let's not drop our guard. [ IRL I did finally find the tracks where I saw it cross the pasture. Amongst days of horse/donkey tracks. But snow made it easy. And I knew where to look. I got a decent print of the forepaw in snow just as it paused to leap the fence. Wow....what a leap that must of been from the lack of print WAY on the other side. The back print was deep in the snow and less discernible but it was a good front print. Yep, close to 3" all round. Dang! I think I've got the potential for a real problem here and I am not gonna be able to drop my guard IRL. Not that its ever a good idea around these wild, wild west parts I live in. ] Oh man it is raining. Some spurts of it and I can barely see in front of me. I'm on Roan for now just so we have adequate side runners for the train. Make sure the herds people are fairing ok. Some goats are pitching a hissy. Cows just plod along solid. Good Cow! Roan has slipped a couple times. LOL Would you believe that Donkey Dear of mine slipped on her rear too? [iRL the brat was trying to evade me this morning and caught a foot on ice and whooop, right on her side/hind quarter. She was so startled and a bit contrite when I put the halter on her. ] Surprising for a sure-footed donkey and ....from the look on her face, it was just as surprising to her. [not saying that MtR enjoyed a little comeuppance for that creature.....not saying that at all...... ] I agree with Q that this sky is really building up nasty. There has been a lot of lightening over south and hope it's not heading our way. Sooooooo where does a wagon train take shelter on the prairie? Under trees is 'NO'. In fact, you don't even want to be the tallest person standing upright in a lightening storm. Gulleys are problem for the flash flooding so they are out. ...um, I sure hope we don't have any more of Mother's Little Ditches until the heavy rain subsides. A very wide ravine with no chance of filling with floodwaters might be ok. Drop us out of the higher prairie land. If worst came to worst....lightening, twister... best I can see would be to find a small crevice in the land that does not have flooding. That wouldn't be for the wagons tho. Possibly not even for the livestock. The animals are getting edgy too. Anyone else have another thot on this, just in case we'd need a PLAN in a hurry? MtRider [...VERY glad I invested in good rain gear...more than one set, in fact! ]

{IRL meets UNreality in this story.....Unlike the donkey sleigh ride tale, this one REALLY happened just tonite. Adapted slightly to fit our W*Ho } Mr.MtR and I were a bit late getting out to do livestock chores tonite. He'd been gone on security patrol but was due back before dark. So I waited for him...being tired today. Some of our animals were picketed out grazing and I put the large fencing enclosure for the ducks/geese out there too. The geese especially need their grass. Just as he was approaching our wagon, I heard a sound that "didn't sound right". I started heading for that noise and hollered back to him, "Hurry...something's going on!" He ran to catch up and yet, when we got there, nothing seems amiss. Poultry nervous but then, we were late to put them up. They are always nervous nellies. I tied Big Dog up to a tree and went to put poultry into the smaller nighttime cages. DH led Roan and Donkey back nearer to our wagon but I didn't see him go. As I straightened from duck-tending, I saw a dark four-legged critter dash away from behind those trees. Big Dog also spotted it and began SERIOUS barking. I looked around for DH and didn't see him. I didn't know what that animal was. It was getting darker by the minute and I just didn't have enough light. It looked and moved like a coyote but seemed big and I'd swear it was black. I've seen black wolves but not black coyote. ????? Well, it was moving away from us, spurred on by the barking. But WHERE was DH? I practically ran [or as close as I ever come to running] to those trees where the critter had run from and hollered for him. Oh...there he is just tying up donkey/Roan. Phew! Didn't you hear me calling? Did you see that animal? What animal? ..... I described it but it was gone now. Might have been after our poultry cuz that likely is what I was hearing. He continued his job tying the equines and I went back over to the poultry pens near Big Dog. I tried to quiet her barking, which hadn't stopped. Yes, good girl. You saw it, huh! Suddenly I realized her eyes were STILL tracking something. Not looking over where the critter had run off to.....but across over THERE! The blasted thing is circling BACK on us! Dog is going NUTS by now...doing her best to ROAR that thing away with her huge bark. I dare not let her go or she might chase it all night. When it turned and began heading right towards us, I KNEW something was wrong! Too wrong that it [whatEVER it is] would come towards a human and a huge barking dog. Rabies? I just knew that it needed to be turned away from us. COULD it be another dog rather than a wild animal? Would a dog be attracted TO our dog? WELL no matter. By now I could just make out the approaching animal and it NEEDED TO STOP APPROACHING. With regret that I'd scare DH .....and everyone in camp....I pulled out my gun and fired one round into the ground. Intended two successive ones into the ground and then point AT the target if if *still* approached. Fortunately it immediately ran away from us at that point and disappeared into the fast-approaching darkness. And a danged good thing too. My gun jammed after the first round. I had to pry the magazine loose with my fingernail......looking up to monitor the animal as I struggled with it. Sheeeeesh! Finally pried it loose, freed the jam, and slammed the magazine back IN and cocked. Dang! I didn't like THAT in the middle of a situation! Well, at least Big Dog was not frantically barking anymore. Giving her final "...and you'd better keep running too if you know what's good for you" barking. Yeah, you tell it that you are on watch. GOOD thing too. I missed that! Wonderful DOG! DH was the first one to run up and ask what's up. Others soon followed and I hollered out, "It's OK now.....coyote approaching but ran off." Of course everyone...particularly those on Security Watch, wanted the information. As soon as they had the basic information, a group of the Watch went off in the last known direction. Others of the Watch recruited a few more folks to form a better perimeter this nite. I had to repeat over and over why I felt the behavior of the animal was *wrong*. And what it might be. .....No, no one had a black dog of that size missing tonite. Perhaps it's a dog gone feral? Our ducks/geese likely had been the target. But the motion was ....slinky. Very wild behavior rather than domesticated dog. Dh has been discussing with me as to my choice of what I'm carrying. It's my favorite cuz it's light and ...it's my favorite. BUT it's a .22 and he's wanting me to carry my much heavier revolver. Not as much chance of jamming and heavier impact. AND HEAVIER CARRYING with my already-tired self. But I DO agree with him. Spent some time switching holsters, etc. {sigh} I think we all have to realize that we are entering a realm that is dominated by the wild animals now. Human population density has not impacted their existence as much. WE are the minority and WE must be careful. Especially in those "killing hours" of dawn and dusk. We must watch our small children closely. We must watch our dogs closely....for their warning and for their safety. Mother? You said Sasha has been clinging? Did she sense the coyote-thing or is she gonna...you know...have her pups? As we are out in the middle of grazing lands...on private land with permission, we may all open carry now. We might want to be discreet when we do a road crossing sometime late tomorrow afternoon. But we will be doing that quickly and be on the next rancher's land again immediately. MrHughes is going to be holding some drills the next time we stop over anywhere. He doesn't want any of us to shoot at something we cannot positively identify. So lets be extra careful out there from now on. And especially tonite! MtRider.. [still wondering....what IS that thing???? {IRL too!!!!!!!!!!! } }

Bumpity BUMP bump bumpityBUMP B U M P ! OW! Cracked my head on the wagon hoop edge on that last one. Tell me again why *I* got to drive the wagon today....oh yeah. We're still short a couple drivers and MrMtR is driving the Medical Wagon today. By tomorrow he and I, at least, should be back to normal. I'm certainly going to appreciate riding Roan all day after a day on this leg of the trail. [not EVEN thinking of the hills/mountain portion coming up..... "...the troubles of today are sufficient..." ] OK, lets talk about BUNGEE CORDS. [is that a local name? ] I mean the multi-rubber-banded cords bound in different colors and having a strong metal hook on each end. "Shock cords" By whatever name, they are WONDERFUL! We've really had to secure things down. First, inside the wagon in the containers. If anything is breakable, it needs serious padding and then the container must be a secure as possible. Most breakable things we're crazy enough to bring are stowed away in large trunks or plastic totes. We'll see when we arrive at Big Valley if there has been any breakage. But there are a few breakable items that we are using day to day. Tried to keep that to a minimum. Both for the mess of broken glass/whatever...but also because they cannot be replaced. The other reason for securing the gear tightly is.....the NOISE! I'm very noise-sensitive due to the MS and all this rattle, bang, taptaptaptaptaptaptap..... Crazy-making. Seems like only so much can be strapped down. I'm pulling further back just to eat dust rather than have "auditory-overload". Knew I was losing it before lunch when I seriously considered taping a duck mouth shut...... ........ {you KNOW this is coming}.......... with ducK-tape, of course! I've had a couple of good energy days...strangely enough they don't always correspond to my choice of activities. [like that donkey-powered sleigh ride ] Yet today [iRL too] I'm back to struggling for mental clarity.....side effect of the physical struggle. But....I just have to keep the oxen following the tails of those ahead and making choices can be left to others. Ms. Oatmeal-Brains is checked out in zone-land today. Oooph! You'd think with all the jostling and changing seat position, I could not be muscle-locked. But....I'm thinking of having lunch sitting right up here.... HELP....can't get down. MtRider [if it weren't for a 'potty break' I'd have just stayed up there too! .....{groan} now we have to get me back UP there! Gonna find yet another foam pillow to sit on! ]

Such a nice singing service we had around the campfire tonite. Just looking up at the glory of the stars out here where there is no "light pollution". Still drops my mouth open in wonder. We'll be moving out tomorrow. Cross-country route. You got a taste of that coming over here that evening. We'll plan to take it nice and slow. LOL Not that you could get slower than we've already been going at what? 1.5 mph? But I mean we won't try for quite so many miles. We've got permission from land owners all the way across. Our recent rancher host arranged most of that. He knows which of his dear neighbors can keep their mouth shut. These ranches are so big that there will be only three of them, including his land that we'll still be on for a couple days. Just a warning....it's going to get really bumpy so if you have unsecured items INSIDE OR OUTSIDE your wagon, best to get them tied tight tonite. We certainly don't want to have any FORKS IN THE ROAD! Annarchy, Mr Hughes will stop by to talk to you. He'll be meeting your MIL & companions well outside that last town and will be bringing them in to meet up with us. Nite all, MtRider heading for bed...stiff but not too bad. [still thinking of having donkey burgers tho!]

......."crash course for the trip......" MtR {welcome to the group Annarchy's MIL!!!!! }

[ IRL No, that was complete fabrication. Altho if she got a head of steam going and I got a "stubborn" on it certainly COULD happen. ...you can breathe now, Mother. ] From the tent of MtRiders this morning: "OW! Owwowwowwwoowwwwow! AND THAT DANGED DONKEY TORE UP MY FAVORITE SHIRT! " There follows a sound that is suspiciously similar to muffled laughter.....MrMtR's laughter. Quickly cuts off tho. Shortly they both emerge carefully. Mr.MtRider is lending assistance to MtRider who has a cane in the other hand. Progress is slow and stiff but determined. Of COURSE it's determined! They're heading for the outhouse. By the time MtRider shows up around the breakfast fire some time later, she's walking with two canes but at a much more normal pace. Greeted by concern and some opinions as to whether she should be back in bed..... "No, I'm a lot better off that I could be. That's for sure. Near miss with that one big rock that whizzed by on my ride to the clothesline. " "Oh...ow. I can't laugh. It hurts!" And naturally laughs again. We determined that I'm not broken. Lucky it wasn't warm enough for shorts yet. Well, I *think* I would have let go then.... mebbe. I'll be stiff for a while tho....stiffer than usual. Can't stay still too long or I can't unlock the muscles. Nuprin, heavy homeopathic for pain/inflamation and MrMtR's adjustments. He's got the adjustment table set up in our tent, btw. He'll be open for business after coffee, pipe and breakfast. Get us all set for tomorrow's trip thru the Little Ditches. {MtR ducks as Mother shoots her a *look*} heehee [ADD.... I THOT I posted this hours ago...and come in to find I apparently didn't hit "send"..... dumb brain.... ]