Sojourn Wild Outdoor Adventures

In 2022, I decided to stop building wood fires. This choice came after revisiting many of the places I’ve explored over the last 50 years—backpacking, rafting, canoeing, and overlanding. The devastation was heartbreaking; the burn scars and lost panoramic views were a shock. Skeleton trees and charred rocks left a heavy silence, and the lingering scent of smoke had driven away the wildlife—at least the lucky ones that could fly or run. I no longer wanted to risk adding to that carnage.

However, I quickly noticed a shift. Without the warmth and light of a fire, the evening chill marked a hard end to the day. People drifted away to their separate shelters and I missed the evening camaraderie, I grieved the loss stories and memories that were shared during the evening circle.

My solution was a propane fire pit. This instant flame rekindled that nighttime kinship and laughter. It is a much safer way to enjoy warmth and light in what can often be a tinder-box environment. I’ll admit, I miss the smell of woodsmoke—but I certainly don’t miss the burn holes in my expensive outdoor clothing and down jackets.

The propane fire pit is working for me."

In the Pursuit of Lightness

The backpack season will be here sooner than I think. I am preparing with a group of friends a 12 day trip that will only have one food drop and the first leg will be 7 days. We are older folks now... yes older but not being old.

UL backpacking is the goal for us. I am always looking at cutting grams wherever and whenever I can. I keep saying to myself as I pursue the Holy Grail of light weight packs... "Grams make ounces... ounces makes pounds.

This is my cook kit for 2.

Looking at the image from left to right.

Cutting Board
Alligator Clips (for sealing food bags as they rehydrate)
A small towel for clean up
BRS 3000T Stove/Bag
Fuel canister stand
Swiss Army knife
BIC Lighter
2) folding titanium sporks
2) Folding Cups & Bowls (bowl lips trimmed down)

In the center:
MSR Titanium Kettle

Total Weight: 1 lb 4.5 oz and everything fits into the MSR Kettle
I think for me everything has a specific and necessary use and yet I still think I may be able to cut off a few more grams.

Here are a couple of gram losing thoughts:

I contemplating the luxury of having a towel(1.4 oz) and those bowls... I could eat my morning oat meal in my cup and then have coffee in it later... that would make it easier to clean the cup, add a little texture to my coffee and drop 2.5 oz.

Enjoy your exploration and discoveries...

I think the the definition of SANITY… is doing the same thing over and over again… and still enjoying it… because it never gets old and I make up this a story… if it doesn’t get old… neither will I… “…second star to the right and straight on ‘til morning…(Pan)”

THE BURN
There are lesser numbers of colors.
Most of the shades are various degrees of greys.
Through it all,
The greens struggle to prove that this land is alive.
The moving grey green waters adds to the proof…
Its brisk movements belies that death is the future
And endeavors to untiringly
Bring much-needed sustenance
In order for this land to live…
And early morning blues reminds me to believe
It's is time to start a new day…

Epilogue:
I vowed on this day that I would never have another open wood fire in the outback...

EDDYLINE FIBERGLASS FALCON 18
• 18’ LONG
• 21” WIDE
• 58 LBS
• 360LBS WEIGHT CAPCIITY
• EXCELLENT CONDITION

Don’t confuse this Falcon 18 with the Carbonlite Falcon 18. This model did not need a skeg, had more cargo volume, carried more weight and IMO… I think it was more stable, faster and a better expedition kayak than carbonlite model that replaced it.

I have owned and paddled a NW Synergy, Necky Looksha III, Perception Eclipse, FG Eddyline Raven, Current Designs Caribou, Seda Glider 18 and the FG Falcon 18(this is my second one). I think all these kayaks were great… but I think and believe that the Falcon 18 was the best.

I had my first Falcon 18 custom built without bulkheads and used a sea sock… an old school choice that I picked up from NOLS. I used the hatches to load the farthest reaches of the bow and stern areas… then loaded larger items through the cockpit. I used a plastic cutting board to seal the rear, and an aluminum fire pan to seal the front.(SEE IMAGES FOR THESE ITEMS) and I sold my first one. This Falcon 18 has bulkheads and still includes a cutting board and an aluminum firepan that has not been used. They are easily stowed against the existing bulkheads.

Add-on’s include a cockpit cover, Headwaters Glove Box; a Padz Kayak Foam Seat Pad; a padded adjustable foam backband and the fore mentioned cutting board and aluminum fire pan.

I am the original owner of this kayak. It has always lived on a boat rack, in my storage unit and it is in excellent condition. I had hoped to do more kayak expedition trips, but I did not get much interest in them, and I was too busy leading other types of adventure trips. I have used it on three 1-day trips and sadly this Falcon 18 has not been on the water since 2013(embarrassed). I am trimming down my gear, and I hope someone will use this kayak… it should be on water.

I am in the Eugene/Springfield, Oregon area. DM me if you are interested and have questions. Venmo, Zelle or cash for F2F sale.
$1150.00

Hey all,

I wanted to reach out one more time to see if there was anyone interested in joining us on the our 12 day day... 100 mile backpacking trip on the Wonderland Trail. This is an arduous adventure... challenging... everyday, as you are going down hill you will have that awareness... "what goes down... must come up"... and you will not be disappointed. The scenery is the over used words... "breath taking"... the sense of accomplishment will leave you with thoughts of... "what next?"

This is a special use permit trip only, and it is a draw system. We must work together in attaining a permit... so this trip is not yet set in stone until a member of the group is awarded a permit. Whoever draws the permit is committed 100% because permits are not transferable. I will start with logistics, planning dates and costs per person only after one of us has been lucky enough to draw a permit.

Permit applications start on Wednesday, March 15, 2017. Those of you that are in the group I will contact on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 via a telephone call and explain to you the details of the applying for a permit... as much as I know about it at the time. This is an online only type of application and is the first time that they are doing it this way... so I do not know all of the details of the procedure. I do have dates, campsites, alternate itineraries and application ideas... all these will be addressed during the phone conversation.

Our maximum group size is 6. The dates that you must to open to are August 23 through September 4, 2017. If you are in a position that you must deal with work and that you must ask for time off ahead of time and you are committed to it. I have two other alternate backpacking adventures planned in case we do not get a Wonderland permit. There are 4 people that are already signed up:YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

We have space for two more people. If more than two people decide to jump in and go through the permit process, just know if you draw a permit you are going, if you have a partner and they also entered into the draw, but did not get one... if you choose you can bring that partner with you. Then the group will be determined by the order in which people have contacted me to be part of this trip.

If you are signed up for this adventure or if you are signing up... please send me an email with a phone number and a time that would be good to have a telephone conversation on Tuesday, March 14, 2017; between the hours of 9:00am through 7pm.. If you live in the Eugene area... I am thinking that a group meeting would be best if you are open to it... it would be at Hop Valley, in Springfield at 8:00pm... let me know if that will work for you.

THIS IS IMPORTANT: Let me know that you want to be a part of this group by Monday, 6:00pm; March 13, 2017. SEND ME A PERSONAL MESSAGE.

If you are only wishing and hoping someday you will do the Wonderland Trail and cannot be on this trip with us... at the very least... send us positive thoughts of successfully drawing a permit.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS SEND ME A PERSONAL MESSAGE.

Last Sunday, the October rains paused, gave respite to the high mountain lakes and offered up an opportunity to explore the changing season. I made up a story that fall was whispering, “Hey look at what I have done. A few inches of snow, a cleansing of the air, some color added to foliage, and the absence of other people… notice the seamless and glassy silence.”

Just Kelcie and I, and a pair of otter on the lake that day. The otter swam while we paddled and later, on shore, our gazes met in an acknowledgement, that on this day, they were sharing their lake with us. We watched schools of spawning fish practicing their last rites of autumn, and wind beckoned mist danced ever so lightly… across the water…

There were blues… blues that boggled the imagination and there were colors… everywhere. I was a part of the day as it gave way to evening clouds and light… watched as it created inspired shades of black and white…

LEAVE NO TRACE

A couple of photos of our recent backpacking trip... when I found a campsite... used it as I found it... and after when I left the following morning...

My way, the way of Sojourn Wild Outdoor Adventures is to pass through a wilderness being mindful of not disturbing anything; to pass and leave no trace, like fish through the water, or birds through the air. I choose the manner of blending into the landscape, not to standing out against it. My goal is to leave a camp, waterway, or wilderness area better than when I found it.

The morning we left Fort Worden in Port Townsend we were greeted by a beautiful and bright morning. Little did I know that this morning of color and light was just a prelude for the what was to be an epic San Juan Island cycling adventure… we were greeted by curiosity and challenge. Everyone we met… were not strangers… every ascent became our path and a classroom steeped in determination…

We bonded… we laughed… and boy, did we eat! After ten days… we came home… with more memorable memories than what we had… more delighted in the discovery of physical and strong being… feeling full, no not just the food… but six ferry rides, about 200 miles of cycling, an accumulation of 10,388 feet of accent, four thrown chains, couple crashes, two whales, one flat tire and hours of laughter…

I think that we are better than when we started… and we are already wondering about the next cycling adventure… maybe you should join us…

Kelcie and I, and a great group of people just returned from backpacking in the Jefferson Wilderness Area. Visiting Jefferson Park is always a highlight… as I find myself surrounded by outstanding imagery... for me, it is truly a surreal experience… and as I explore the area… I allowed myself to indulge in simply being… and I began accept that no matter where I look… it will be beautiful…

… I think that this is something I want to aspire to… in all parts of my life…

Well… it was another good day at the office. The morning was crisp… just the kind of morning to build up some huckleberry pancakes for my fellow sojourners. I love it when I can cook breakfast under the sky… and grocery shopping is picking off a wild bush. There are no chores in the outback… it’s where I can just focus on real life art…