MOUNTAINBORN CHRONICLES

CULLING

2013-05-21T11:06:00.001-05:00

Each year as we make preparations to hit the road for seven months, we carefully cull through our stuff. Our general rule of thumb is that if we have carried it for a year without using it, it is history. We will give it away, store it, yard sale it or throw it away. Now, understand that this isn’t etched in stone. For example we will be working in a different area of Colorado this year, so, our load out will be a bit different. Here is a look.

Grandma’s kindling hatchet stays this year, as does Grandpa’s machete.

A wonderful Springtime shower caught us in the midst of sorting through the tool box.

The spare 30 pound propane tank has the old style fill valve.

And it has quite a bit of rust damage. It didn’t make the cut this year, we culled it.

Here is the new style propane tank, filled and loaded. You might note that it is covered with a burlap sack to keep it from direct sunlight exposure.

Four days and counting until it’s up anchor time !

GREASE

2013-05-18T08:05:00.001-05:00

No, not the movie, but instead, the kind that lubricates the fifthwheel hitch in the bed of the Kawabunga truck. Today is the day that, during our preparations for seven months out on the road, that the fifthwheel hitch is lubed.

In this photo the hitch is unpinned, and upside down so that I can grease stuff.

Here is a look at that.

I know that it is somewhat overkill, but I like to grease the top of the hitch pin’s plate and all of the bushings.

Greased bushings, just before pinning the fifthwheel on.

Fifthwheel plate greased,

and covered so that dust and grit can’t turn the grease into a grinding compound.

Ready to roll ? Not quite, but we’re a’ getting’ there !

PAYMENT

2013-05-15T09:13:00.001-05:00

Any time we have a family get together, Betty and I are on the lookout for those special and most memorable moments. If we are not careful, we can miss a very cool chance to document a cool “memory moment”. Our last fish fry was one of those times. It was the wonderful way that Great Nephew Braxton, thanked and made Payment to Betty for her wonderful meal.

I had noticed that Autumn’s Son Braxton seemed occupied with some crystal rocks that he was cleaning and carrying around. But, I didn’t see him thank Betty for the meal and give her the special stones.

Betty carefully labeled them and put them up in a safe place.

A special family moment indeed !

MEAL

2013-05-15T08:01:00.001-05:00

A lot of preparation happens before most meals. A fish fry for Family and friends is much the same. Here is a look.

The cast iron pot and cooker.

Betty shows the fish fillets and prepares to put them in the meal mixture in a shaker.

Betty checks the heat and adjust the burner on the cooker.

After testing the oil temperature by cooking a thin sliced home fry, Betty gets a fillet ready for a test.

The first fillet rises to the surface.

Soon the others get done enough to also rise.

Just a little bit browner . . . .

Then dip them up !

Lawn chairs setup in the deep shade of a tree, and the 5er’s awning. The crowd has gathered and are visiting at about the speed of light before the meal.

Dicey sets up a table covered with goodies !

Florine smiles in anticipation of those golden fillets ! Note those Mother’s Day corsages !

It’s official, let the Summer time begin !

FRY

2013-05-12T12:10:00.001-05:00

The burner under the old cast iron pot is making a gentle roaring sound as the heat waves begin to shimmer up off of the surface of the deep frying oil. Our tradition has been to have several fish fry’s out on the lake while we are jug fishing each Spring. The weather cycle this year just didn’t work out for the weekends. However as soon as we leave the lake, we have a nice sunny weekend where a good number of friends and family can make it. We will miss those that are tied up at work or other stuff.

Betty has had me running errands and dragging chairs most of the morning !

Fish, we’re fixin’ ta’ fry em’ !

STILL

2013-05-08T09:44:00.001-05:00

Last evenings twilight gently faded into dark as we sat quietly in lawn chairs around the campfire. The fire was dwindling down to nearly nothing, yet, we didn’t put on another stick of firewood. It was our last evening at the lake. We were enjoying the still of the evening, and would make sure that the fire was dead out.

The evening visit to the grassy area near our campsite revealed that the resident geese’s brood had dwindled down to three from six.

A disturbance during the night, by the adult geese woke us briefly. Then the early first hint of light revealed to us that indeed the brood count was down to two juvenile geese.

Before the sun was ready to pop over the horizon, and was showing just the faintest halo of light at the far side of the lake, we heard it in the distance. Louder and louder it came rapidly towards our campsite.

The glassy lake’s surface reflected light like a mirror. As last nights serenade by loon’s calling in the distance, faded into history. The morning quiet was shattered by the scream, of a bass boat, passing within fifty yards of camp at one point five times the speed of light ! Every day at the lake is a good day.

LURE

2013-05-04T07:05:00.001-05:00

It has been several years since we fished Lake Ouachita’s North river fork. Things have changed quite a bit. The hydrilla is gone. That really changes things up for our style of fishing. In particular, the bait fish catch. Changes for the bait fish also mean changes for the game fish.

We are trying to adjust to the changes, and we are trying out some gear that we have never used before. Here is a look.

An Alabama style umbrella lure that we can use different jigs on.

Most people cast a jig with a grub of some type on it, one at a time. However, with the Umbrella rig it is five baits at a time.

We’re going to try these, like this.

Click on photo for a better look.

It should look like a small school of bait fish with one straggler. We hope. I wonder if this crazy looking thing can catch fish half of a limit at a time !

BOOK

2013-05-01T06:32:00.001-05:00

It has been a habit of ours to keep a book rat holed away somewhere for a rainy day’s read. It is nice to be in the 5er with the absolutely quiet catalytic heater keeping it warm and cheery inside as the rain pelts the window panes. Here is a look at my latest borrowed read, SERVICE, by Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell.

His first book, a best seller titled LONE SURVIVOR, was a quality read wherein his down to earth heartland of America values shone through.

Today may be cool, cloudy and drizzly as we look out the picture window,

But, still it will be a good day at the lake,

besides we got’ fish in the freezer !

Change

2013-04-27T08:05:00.001-05:00

The Bait Fish catch improved, a change for the better. Then the fishing improved, also a change for the better. We moved the bait traps, and we moved our jug casting area. Sometimes, change is good, and in this case it was. After a couple of days of good catches in the morning, it is time to clean fish for a change.

The hourly forecast for this morning was that it would cloud up and the wind would kick up to fourteen miles per hour, at mid morning. Where we are casting now, we have to cross a open stretch of water, so we left out at first light, in order to be back at camp before the lake got rough.

In this photo it is just before 10 A.M., and it is already starting to blow as we clean fish. The weatherman nailed it again ! Thanks, Weather forecaster’s, for helping us plan our outdoors activities to maximize our fun !

HAULING

2013-04-25T14:03:00.001-05:00

Primitive camping for extended stays is a thing that we truly enjoy. Our 5’er’s solar power, a blueboy black water tank and a fresh water tank make it possible. Here are a couple of photos from our last water haul.

Our water source is the U.S. Corps of Engineer’s hydrant at the Little Fir filling and dumping station.

It is early in the Corps. camping season and the water smells a bit of chlorine when filling, but dissipates quickly in the tank. Here is a look at all of the containers on the trailer.

The brown barrel is ours and the other containers are for our neighboring three campsites.

FORECAST

2013-04-20T08:20:00.001-05:00

We have been hearing about the Canadian front that was heading our way for about three days. Then, while sitting around the campfire, chewing the fat with the neighbors, we saw one of the campground regulars come flying down the lake. He had his John Boat wound up, and he was running just ahead of a heavy, pouring, rain storm. The forecast storm was right on schedule. So, here is the plan for the rest of the day.

We pulled the boat out because of the heavy wind yesterday, and refueled it, so it will be ready for the next round of fishing. Since it was so windy, we took the opportunity to haul water, get up firewood and other small chores. Though windy, good sunshine on the solar panels, had topped off our battery bank, so we will be able to catch the TV news, ect..

Dark clouds and heavy downpour reduce the reading light enough that I have pressed this little led reading light into service.

Now, it’s time to den up and wait out the weather, with a good book !

GOING

2013-04-17T06:46:00.001-05:00

So, how’s it going, one might ask, over at Lake Ouachita, jug fishing this April of 2013 ? Drastic changes to the Lake have occurred since we fished here years ago. The hydrilla is all gone and the baitfish are almost non existent. The fishing is slow, but our style of jug fishing is productive. Here is a short 22 second look at what’s in the live box.

Mostly Channel cats in the live box

And, you know the rest of the story, with the catch in the live box, the work has just began. A look at the fish cleaning station by the lakeside.

Just look at that dishpan full of cleaned fish ! Spring time jug fishing on the lake. Loving it !

GRID

2013-04-13T15:37:00.001-05:00

Our latest move in the 5er is to a cool off the grid campsite on Lake Ouachita. It is out on Housley Point, in the Big Fir primitive campground. Here is a look.

Friends Jeff and Glenda are camped nearby . We both have solar power so this remote campsite isn’t much inconvenience at all. We have 3g signal for the mifi, send and receive text messages and make phone calls as needed . The solar panels and battery bank power a small inverter and there is plenty of power for charging cell phones and lap top, as well as power the tv and satellite receiver. Here is a look at Jeff and Glenda’s campsite.

The Deputy Sheriff stopped by to say that some campers over at the little fir campground were going to have to move as the lake rises after the last rain.

FAMILY

2013-04-07T14:38:00.001-05:00

Family, Fishing, Food, Fun, Fantastic !

Lunch time. Betty grills !

Nap Time. Kyle crashes !

Maddie has lunch. But isn’t ready for a nap just yet !

Poco says, “ common’ Ma’ don’cha’ have just a tiny bite for me ?

Hey, Maddie, lets test out that recliner of Gran pa’s !

Steph finishes up Maddies feeding time, now if Kyle can get her to nap !

CRATES

2013-04-06T11:04:00.001-05:00

We have camped on nearby lakes to fish for many Springtime ‘s past. There is one thing for sure about it. We just don’t go without an ample supply of tarp straps, Duct Tape, Bailing Wire and Milk crates. As the trailer is loaded each stage is tarp strapped down. In this photo straps hang at the ready as loading progresses.

Blueboy, Water tank, Fishing jugs, bait traps, livebox, and on and on, are loaded and strapped in place for the short trip to the lake. Here is a look at the trailer, nearing half loaded.

Milk crates, because of their durable nature serve many uses, this one carries a few tools and the chainsaw lubricants and fuel.

The supply of tarp straps dwindles as loading progresses.

As I sit in my folding camo camp chair sipping on coffee, It occurred to me that if I won the lottery, I couldn’t buy a better trailer for our purpose, than this ugly little one that we have used and abused for so many years.

ESCAPES

2013-04-04T18:19:00.001-05:00

Friends Jeff and Glenda started communicating when they were ready to head this way from spending their Winter out in the Dessert South West. They were in Cloudcroft New Mexico when we talked, instead of texting, for the first time. It was raining here and the forecast was for several days more of it. Glenda has a blog named CASITA ESCAPES. Here is a look at their setup as they stopped for fishing license, on the way to the lake.

As you can see it was still raining as we showed them the way out to the campsite. In this photo Jeff and Glenda stand in front of their Casita.

The rooftop water bladder on their truck was filled at the Little Fir dump station on the way out to Big Fir. They have a couple of solar panels and are ready to fish for awhile.

We pulled our boat out to Housley point since they will be there with it. We will move our 5er out tomorrow.

It’s jug fishing time again this Spring !

BLACKWATER

2013-04-03T10:14:00.001-05:00

Extended boondocking stays are such a cool thing, and we have always enjoyed and prefer them. But there are several things that must be considered. Our 500 watts of solar and Yamaha 3000 watt generator, pretty much take care of power. The water tank and pump along with the 35 gallon blueboy for blackwater ,take care of the tanks. Here is how they look on the small utility trailer.

When we exercise reasonable water consumption, it in turn reduces the amount of waste water. We make a short trip to dump the blueboy and fill the water tank about ever two weeks, sometimes a little bit more or less. When the weather and water gets warmer we will bathe in the lake, which really conserves freshwater and grey water tank capacity.

BOONDOCKING

2013-03-30T09:41:00.001-05:00

Having a quality water source when boondocking is a key factor in having an enjoyable experience while “roughing” it. We put together a simple water transport system. It will ride on our small utility trailer. Here is a look.

The power comes from a jumpstart battery pack. Next is a closer look at the pump and power supply.

The pump and jumper pack travel with us, but, the tank stays home, until needed for extended lake trips. Here is a short video of the system in operation.

Boondocking water tank, pump and power supply

I was a bit surprised at it’s volume and quietness !

WORMS

2013-03-27T08:21:00.001-05:00

It is pretty handy, when you are camped out in your favorite lakeside boondocking site, to have a place to dig fishing worms. Well, actually we don’t dig them, we call them up with a chainsaw ! Yeah, that’s a over simplification. What actually happens is that we set the running chainsaw on the ground and the vibrating makes the worms come to the surface.

This year will be different though. Feral hogs have rooted up the worm bed and eaten the worms. Here is a look.

Don’t ya’ just hate it when an invasive species destroys what mother nature has provided. . . . . . The long time campers there at Big Fir would save a few scraps from vegetables that they prepared for a meal and mix it in with the leaf mulch that covered the worm bed. It was their way to keep the worm population robust and fit in well with the idea of giving something back to Mother Earth.

There is four and a half miles of gravel road to get out to our campsite. The good news is that the road has been flagged and staked, for gravel to be spread over much of it.

The forestry commission has done controlled burns nearby which will help with insects this Summer.

The burn seems complete and a soaking rain is forecast for tomorrow, so the smoke and burnt smell will be mostly gone after that.

BURN

2013-03-23T07:08:00.001-05:00

Drove over to the lake to see if any one was camping out over there yet.

On the way over we saw a very large controlled burn that was nearing completion.

The wind was light and variable. Sail boats were sailing and bass boats were a’ bassin’.

The lake level was coming up to it’s normal Spring time level.

The Corps of Engineers contractor has the trash cans put out, and all it needs is for us to be parked right there !

PUMP

2013-03-20T09:00:00.001-05:00

By adding two brass fittings to an old used water pump that we repaired and carry as a spare, we are making a transfer pump. Here is a look at the “stuff” we will need.

The pump is at the top center, with the brass fittings to the left and right. At the bottom is a short hose that many of us use to hook up a water filter to our trailer supply. The brass adapter fittings make it possible to hook a water hose to the pump’s 1/2 inch NPT input and output’s. These came from Ace Hardware. Here is a look at them, both in and out of the package.

Click any photo for larger view.

When the brass fittings are on the pump, all it will need is a couple of hoses that we all seem to carry, and a power supply for the pump. Here is a look at the jumper pack power supply.

The two wires are hooked to the battery clips and is turned on and off by the switch on the front. All of this will hook to a water supply in order to transfer water to a Rv. In this case a water barrel. Here is a look.

This tank does not travel with us, but is used during extended boondocking at local lakes. To put the pump in service as a emergency replacement part, we will just remove the two brass fittings.

REPAIRS

2013-03-16T11:01:00.001-05:00

As we gear up to go to the lake for our annual jug fishing trip, one of the things that we check is the condition of our fishing tackle. Read that as “lookin’ over our jugs”.

You might note the lawn chair, well, it gets better than that ! What you can’t see is that it is in the sunshine and my cup of coffee is just out of sight behind the tackle box.

Replacing some hooks,

some line,

as well as some sinkers. Then there is the mandatory identification number on each jug, applied with a paint stick each year.

This tackle is classified by AGFC as unlimited class tackle. The line is rated at 750 pound test and is braided nylon.

Whew ! It has been a rough morning, it may call for a nap, so I’ll be rested up for lunch !

SORTING

2013-03-13T09:15:00.001-05:00

A spanking cold breeze gusts and I am behind the boat, out of the wind. As Spring nears, I am sorting my way through the tackle box, to see what I will need from the local tackle shop.

The rechargeable vacuum makes quick work of removing small debris from the corners of the cockpit.

Gear lockers always seem to gather “extra” stuff and ropes are always needing untangled.

Next will come checking and repair of the jugs.

TERRORIST ?

2013-03-09T06:29:00.001-06:00

Traitor Hanoi Jane Fonda was in North Vietnam, Betraying America’s Service Member’s, while I was serving America with Honor and Dignity. She was never pardoned or prosecuted.

Now, the Department of Homeland Security says that I might be a domestic terrorist, because of my service to America. That caused me to take a long look in the mirror.

After my retirement from serving the public for many years, I seem to be cutting my hair less often, shaving less, and wearing those old worn and comfortable camo shirts more often.

Moving around America’s Heartland in a Nomadic lifestyle, is something that our government has trouble coming to grips with. And, we all know that our government deems things they don’t understand as suspicious, so . . .

Hey listen, is that the whirr of a drone that I hear ?

He, he, it is twelve days until Spring and I am sorting my fishing gear.

Someone else can worry about them drones ! I am going fishing !

SHOW

2013-03-03T07:57:00.001-06:00

The Daytona 500 and the Hot Springs RV and Boat Show are on the same weekend. The 500 is on Sunday so we went to the Rv show on Friday, the opening day at the Hot Springs Convention center. This is pretty much a annual event for us. We like to see what new stuff the manufacturers have coming up. The old Mexico size shopping bags at the Camping World display was just the thing to tote all of our plunder around.

There was so much to see and do that we didn’t get around to it all. However we got a good look at a automatic hydraulic leveling system that we liked.

A couple of the freebies that we liked were the US Corps of Engineers waterproof cell phone cases, and the Direct TV notebook with ball point pen.

Our Lake Bag was full of reading material about RV’s and systems that caught our eye. We did see a 5er design that had a bath and a half, with the largest front fifth wheel bath that we’ve ever seen. With a shower that a full grown man could turn around in, and it had a His and Hers sink and mirror !

Mints, candy bars, suckers and ball point pens abounded, but nothing could keep us away from the fudge man’s display. Fudge was the only thing that we bought at the show. Betty says that I’m a cheap date !