• Cottage Still Life

    Orange colored seventies style table lamp on a blue dresser, with hat, shotgun and chair.
    Cottage Still Life – This picture started life as a joke picture for the girls and then took on a life of its own requiring a second ‘shoot’ just to put right a few of the details. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    This photo started life as a cell phone picture taken by Ginger and sent to the girls. It took on a life of its own when I decided to create my own version this morning. This is the view (sort of) from the sofa in the Farm Cottage.

  • Titanium backpacking wood stove modifications

    Photograph of drilling air holes in a titanium backpacking wood burning stove.
    My titanium wood stove needs a bit more air. This afternoon I added some more air holes. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    On my last backpacking trip I tried out my titanium wood-burning stove. My thoughts were,

    It works but needs some modifications. Specifically, more air holes because in its current form It smokes far too much. It needs air holes in the sides and back to help fuel burn …

    Today, spurned on by some crisp (30℉) sunny and breezy weather, and thoughts of winter backpacking, I decided to tackle the job of adding the holes. I’ve not drilled titanium before, and even though I know it’s not a lot stronger than steel, I was expecting it to be harder to drill out than it was. It took longer to mark out all the holes than it did to drill them.

    If you are wondering why I’m home when the weather is ideal for backpacking. The answer is I’m catching up on some home chores after the past few months of working like a madman. My goal for today was to do a load of tidying up and clear the garage/workshop so that we can move the car inside again. It’s been parked in the drive for nearly a year now and I am long overdue in making room for it in the garage.

    Now I need to come up with some plans to go backpacking and test my modifications ‘in the field’.

    Update

    • I tried it out on a trip to the Devil’s Backbone Wilderness in December 2022. It was better, but still smoked more than I like, so I’ve stopped using the stove for the moment. You can read the post about that here.

  • Trees, snow, and sky

    Trees, snow, and sky – We woke Saturday morning to a light dusting of snow which had mostly melted by the evening. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • Snow in the yard and on the field

    Snow in the yard and on the field – We woke Saturday morning to a light dusting of snow which had mostly melted by the evening. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • Cottage in the snow

    Small farm cottage in the snow. Missouri, US.
    Cottage in the snow – We woke Saturday morning to a light dusting of snow which had mostly melted by the evening. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    For the past couple of months, Ginger has been working with her parents on a remodeling project, converting the one room with ensuite ‘Little House’ into a Writers/Get Away Cottage. It now has a living room/kitchenette, bedroom, HVAC, and a wraparound deck out back.

    View from the kitchen window – which includes a vista over the road and across a field, and some bonus farm buildings. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    This weekend was my first chance to visit the cottage since the work began, and my first chance in ages to spend some downtime with Jim and Carol on the family farm. We arrived Friday and woke up Saturday morning to find a dusting of snow making everything look magical. Once the sun came out the snow didn’t last long, but it was great while it lasted.

  • Kansas City skyline

    Kansas City nighttime skyline from the La Quinta hotel.
    Kansas City Skyline. Downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    As I predicted it’s been a super busy time at work this October. More so than previous years and I’m about to finish this spurt with an 87-hour work-week.

    I took this picture at 6:40 a.m. and I’d already been working for an hour and a half. Tonight is the Annual Convention Eucharist and reception. I’ll be busy behind the scenes, and then retreating back to the hotel to complete all the slides for the convention tomorrow. Then maybe, in a week or two, I can get out on the trails again. Though before that I need to catch up on some work around the house that’s been languishing while I’ve been busy with work.

    It has been painful watching the wonderful fall color and weather from the confines of my office. With thoughts of mortality, it is time to review my workload and start packing in as much time outdoors as practical while I am able.

  • Another end-of-trip selfie

    Another end-of-trip selfie – Solo backpacking at Piney Creek Wilderness, September 2022. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    Time to drive home and return to “civilization.” It has been a good trip. Four days of lakeside solitude. I only saw one other person, he was on horseback a quarter mile away, and I heard, but did not see, a group of two, maybe three people on horses, again over a quarter mile away. And that’s to be expected, as a major horse trail runs along the other side of the lake from where I camp. While I knew they were passing through, they were probably (hopefully) oblivious to my presence.

    My plan was to sit, watch the scenery, and think. I did it all. However, it must be admitted that there was little deep thinking.

    Stats

    Final Thoughts

    I’m not pushing the backpacking “envelope” at the moment, partly because of the bugs and the heat, and partly in deference to my health. My gear has remained remarkably stable for quite a while now, and apart from experimenting with the titanium woodstove, bringing along my digital camera, and trying out some different food, this trip was pretty much like any other this year — only fewer miles and a change of scenery.

    I am looking forward to the first frost and the coming of fall and winter. Though that, of course, coincides with one of my busiest periods at work. Right now some significant rainfall is needed to replenish the springs and creeks to make longer trips practical. Finding water out on the trails is becoming increasingly difficult. I need to research some new hikes where water sources are not going to be a problem.

    I want to look at my gear again and see where I can reduce weight while still keeping my comforts. Bringing along the camera adds 1⅛lbs. My electronics bag seems to have put on weight, weighing in at 2¼lbs (satellite communicator, phone(GPS), headlamp, camp light, and battery pack).

    For this trip, the four-day supply of food was heavy, especially as I have some canned food in my stash that I’m trying to use up. But cooking-wise, there’s not a lot I can do to shave off weight.

    My spare clothing was heavy, but I used everything I bought along, except for a spare shirt. I had a fleece and base-layer leggings for the cooler evenings and mornings. I probably should have packed my down jacket instead of the fleece. It does a better job and weighs less, but it feels like overkill at this time of year.

    Once the bugs go away I can leave the bug net at home, but that’s only 2-4oz. My emergency bag — first aid, spare “string,” alternate firestarters weighs only 6oz. It’s probably a bit “light” in the first aid department. It is one of those things I keep meaning to review and don’t.

    I did learn two lessons on this trip.

    1. The sun in September is still strong enough to get you sunburned — duh!
    2. Deet keeps the bugs off of where you apply it, the blighters still get you on any uncovered areas.

    Bug bites and sunburn aside. This trip was just what I needed, a chance to recharge my mental and spiritual batteries.

  • It’s always good to see the car where I left it

    It’s always good to see the car where I left it. Solo backpacking at Piney Creek Wilderness, September 2022. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    I left just before two, and it is now nearly four-twenty. Allowing for my stop for water and a bath, a couple of hours for the hike isn’t bad, and an hour and twenty minutes to climb my way up from Piney Creek was better than I expected, especially with the two 80ft. deep hollows you have to cross just before the trailhead. ‘Shelob’s Lair’ lived up to its nickname, though it was nowhere near as bad as it was on my way in. There were still plenty of cobwebs and spiders to deal with.

  • Black Eyed Susan and backpack

    Black Eyed Susan and backpack. Solo backpacking at Piney Creek Wilderness, September 2022. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    Before heading up the ‘Farm Track Trail’ and into ‘Shelob’s Lair’ I stopped to fill up with cool creek water and a dunk in Piney Creek. It was cold but very refreshing.

    From here it’s about a two, two-and-a-half mile hike uphill to the trailhead.

  • Looking east towards the lake

    Looking back the way I’ve come, east towards the lake. Solo backpacking at Piney Creek Wilderness, September 2022. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • Hiking westwards along Piney Creek

    Hiking westwards along Piney Creek. Much nicer than trying to cross ‘Cat Briar Meadow.’ Solo backpacking at Piney Creek Wilderness, September 2022. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • Please don’t do this

    Please don’t do this. Solo backpacking at Piney Creek Wilderness, September 2022. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    If you can pack it in, you can pack it out.

    Leave no trace.

  • Packed up and ready to leave

    Packed up and ready to leave. Day four and it is time to go. Solo backpacking at Piney Creek Wilderness, September 2022. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    When it comes to ‘Leave no trace’ I’ve tried to keep this site the way I found it. I could have dismantled and scattered the rock table and fireplace, both of which were here when I first discovered this spot in July 2018. But I haven’t … yet. So far I’ve just ‘tidied’ the place up a little. Is that hypocritical of me? Probably.

    My philosophy is to leave any fire rings I find, and use them, but not make any new ones. I figure that the presence of a good fire ring will stop someone from making another and limit damage to the surrounding wilderness. That’s the theory at least.

  • Noodles for lunch

    Noodles for lunch. I cooked breakfast on the wood stove. I decided to use the Fancee Feest alcohol stove to heat water for my lunch. Solo backpacking at Piney Creek Wilderness, September 2022. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • Clear-up after breakfast

    Titanium wood stove. Solo backpacking at Piney Creek Wilderness, September 2022. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    I’ve used this stove a lot on this trip, and its final outing was heating water for my breakfast – biscuits and Gravy, and my morning cup of mocha.

    My verdict on the titanium wood stove? It works but needs some modifications. Specifically, more air holes because in its current form It smokes far too much. It needs air holes in the sides and back to help fuel burn and I’m toying with the idea of some holes near the top to inject air and help burn the smoke. I might have to get creative with those.

    It certainly doesn’t burn as well and cleanly as my Firebox Nano.

    Titanium wood stove. My verdict – it needs some modifications. Specifically, more air holes. It smokes far too much. Solo backpacking at Piney Creek Wilderness, September 2022. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.
    Titanium wood stove. My verdict – it needs some modifications. Specifically, more air holes. It smokes far too much. Solo backpacking at Piney Creek Wilderness, September 2022. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • Day Four – Bluffs and hill by Piney Creek

    Bluffs and hill by Piney Creek. Solo backpacking at Piney Creek Wilderness, September 2022. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    I decided to check that my guess on the depth of the creek was correct before I tried to ford it with my pack and gear. It got to my mid-thigh, a tad deeper than I had thought, but easily crossable. And while I was on the other side of the creek, I thought I might as well take a picture.

    I noticed something wrong with my camera on these pictures (it’s a couple of photos stitched together), it may just have been condensation from getting cold overnight. Whatever, I’ll start with getting the sensor professionally cleaned. It took a lot of processing to get any sort of a usable picture which explains the slight blue tinge to the trees.

  • Dinner, campfire, a visitor, and dreams

    Campfire and dinner. Solo backpacking at Piney Creek Wilderness, September 2022. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    It was only recently that I realized that I could get light over where I am working by slinging a line across to hang the light wherever I need it (yes, I’m slow). It works very well though.

    Campfire

    I don’t have a campfire very often nowadays. Either I’m getting lazy, or I’m more respectful of the local environment. Probably more of the former if I’m honest. But it seemed like a good way to celebrate my last evening, and what use is a fire ring if you don’t use it every now and then?

    Toasting my toes. Solo backpacking at Piney Creek Wilderness, September 2022. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    Visitor

    I was sitting in the dark watching the embers burn down when I heard something substantial (everything sounds much bigger in the dark) coming through the brush from the direction of the game trail. I decided to frighten whatever it was away before it got too close. So I quietly stood, turned to face the approaching critter, and switched my headlamp on full. That stopped the large doe that was walking toward me in its tracks. She paused, huffed, puffed, and then ran off back towards the game trail, heading east.

    Dreams

    There must be something about this campsite because once again I had a couple of very vivid dreams.

    The first was best described as Tolkien-eske. In it, I woke up to hear someone walking along the game trail to the north of my campsite. They were happily singing. The whole atmosphere was joyful and serene. They presumably didn’t notice my camp, as they carried on along the trail without stopping. The singing and clattering of gear slowly faded into the distance.

    The next dream wasn’t serene. I awoke to find my hammock on the ground and it was being used to imprison me. Some rough-looking grubby-faced young guy unzipped the bug net, and as he put his head through the netting, I grabbed my gun and pointed it straight at him. But the gun was still in its holster, and we both laughed. And that was that.

    Very vivid, and the second time I’ve had vivid dreams while camped here.

    It makes you wonder…

  • Twilight at Piney Creek Wilderness

    Twilight at PIney Creek Wilderness. Solo backpacking at Piney Creek Wilderness, September 2022. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • Enjoying the last of the sun

    Day Three – Enjoying the last of the sun. Solo backpacking at Piney Creek Wilderness, September 2022. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    With the sun already set on the other side of the lake, the foreground really pops in this picture.

    I forgot to pack my tripod, so I had to find a flat rock I could perch the camera on.

    Day Three – Enjoying the last of the sun. Solo backpacking at Piney Creek Wilderness, September 2022. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • Visitor – midland water snake

    Visitor. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.
    Visitor – it spent the afternoon coiled up under the rocks to the right. Copyright © 2022 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    It appeared like a periscope sticking eight inches vertically out of the water, making a point of studying me and tasting the air with its flickering tongue. I must have passed the test because it swam past where I was sitting and proceeded to hide in a hole in the nearby rocks.

    By the way, it is a midland water snake — Nerodia sipedon pleuralis. And yes, I did go swimming again.

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