I've mostly talked about pig hunting on this blog, but if you go back and read my first post, I did say I would discuss treasure hunting and whatever other things cross my mind. So here we go.
Treasure Hunting-What is the treasure you seek vs. the treasure you find?
I started treasure hunting when I was a kid. It wasn't 'treasure hunting' per se back then, just the idea that if you're not always keeping your eyes open and looking for cool things, you'll never find any. I found money and jewelry, tools, and TONS of fossils. Sometimes I was out for a specific find, sometimes not. My collection of 'things' I've gathered over the years includes cool rocks, fossils, old coins, arrowheads, old license plates, minie balls, musket balls, old bottles, lots of meteorWRONGS (not meteorites lol), a goodly number of scars, a goodly number of scares-like being shot at once even though I was on the right side of the fence...some people!. Encounters of just about every kind except for mermaids and aliens, you can almost name it and that's what treasure hunting holds for even 'Joe average' who just decides to spend time outdoors instead of sitting on a couch.
It became about treasure when I was exploring an old decrepit farmhouse with my sister, and I decided to pull back an old area rug that had been nailed down. That was around 1978 or 79, and I still have the US Silver Certificates that were hidden under that rug!! Of course we were in big trouble with our parents for going into places we had no permission, but who could resist an old farmhouse full of silverware, furniture and just about everything, sitting there abandoned as if the owners vanished? It was that way long ago, when relatives died, the houses would remain as they were, including contents, to mostly rot away. Those houses are EXTREMELY rare nowadays, as ones that old have succumbed to age and bulldozers.
But I digress. As usual.
I've put in many a mile in the backcountry of a couple states. Most times I'm looking for something specific, sometimes not. You see, most real treasure is actually found by accident! I'm not saying that research and focused searching isn't worth it-absolutely it IS worth it! What I mean though, is that the same 'keeping your eyes open' state of awareness needs to become a 24/7/365 way of being. This is how you can find old homesites where no evidence of structures even exist anymore. It's how you can suddenly spot that boulder that just looks like a cool resemblance of a face or animal to everbody else, but you know it was carved, and how to verify that. It's how you spot that arrowhead laying there in a cut bank, or even the silver coin you were just handed in change (it still happens).
So what about the freakin' treasure!?
Treasure is a funny thing. The first idea everybody has is the riches and resulting life of leisure and fun one might have if you can navigate the horribly complicated recovery and conversion to actual monetary value. What-you thought you'd just start passing out gold coins and it would all be good? Well, the real deal about treasure hunting is the experiences you have while 'on the job'. I can think of almost no happier time than when I'm outdoors, totally on MY time, just me, my hiking boots, and God, walking around His creation and discovering every little thing that nature 'is'. Walking in the footsteps of men who came before me by hundreds of years-try it, you'll never know what I mean till you do. So aside from any recovery you make, the INCREDIBLE treasure is the experiences you will have, the FANTASTIC things you will see, and even a little of what you learn about yourself while out there on your own walkabout.
OK-the treasure.
The rules:
1. Never find a cache
2. If you find a cache keep your mouth shut
3. If you violate #1, observe #2
Get out there. That television is no substitute for the real thing!
Friday, April 12, 2013
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Catching up in 2 paragraphs..
Working for yourself sure is busy! I just wish I got paid for the busy work as well as the actual production.. Several great projects behind me already this spring and more in the works! I've discovered that being in business is similar to being a shark-you have to keep moving to stay alive!
And now for something completely different. Yes, in that naked guy playing a piano, Monty Pythonesque sort of 'completely different' (you had to be there). I was recently told of a homeopathic test AND cure for diabetes. Two of my workers, now US citizens, previously 'foreign exchange stu..er..workers' have been diagnosed with diabetes. One went the way we all would, noticed problems, went to doctor, got medicine. The other, however, started off with a little different approach. Now mind you, this is all south of the border homeopathic medicine, and while no chicken feet were harmed in the leadup to the story, it's nonetheless bizarre. As it turns out, you can test yourself for diabetes right at home. Yes, a little dab of your own urine on a finger, perform taste test, if it tastes sweet-viola! you are diabetic. What's that you say? How can it get any weirder or gross? Well don't puke yet because you haven't had your dose of possum blood! Ah, the blood of an oversized, rabies prone, trash digging rodent...who knew it had the cure for diabetes pumping through it's veins?
Boy, it's time to go do something fun before I really lose my mind!
And now for something completely different. Yes, in that naked guy playing a piano, Monty Pythonesque sort of 'completely different' (you had to be there). I was recently told of a homeopathic test AND cure for diabetes. Two of my workers, now US citizens, previously 'foreign exchange stu..er..workers' have been diagnosed with diabetes. One went the way we all would, noticed problems, went to doctor, got medicine. The other, however, started off with a little different approach. Now mind you, this is all south of the border homeopathic medicine, and while no chicken feet were harmed in the leadup to the story, it's nonetheless bizarre. As it turns out, you can test yourself for diabetes right at home. Yes, a little dab of your own urine on a finger, perform taste test, if it tastes sweet-viola! you are diabetic. What's that you say? How can it get any weirder or gross? Well don't puke yet because you haven't had your dose of possum blood! Ah, the blood of an oversized, rabies prone, trash digging rodent...who knew it had the cure for diabetes pumping through it's veins?
Boy, it's time to go do something fun before I really lose my mind!
Friday, February 8, 2013
Lots to say, little time to say it.
As usual, I'm behind updating my blog! So a quick update to get myself on a roll and later something more fun..
2012 ended with a bang..and a miss! Yep, two smallish hogs, lined up on a trail and running away from me. Very short yardage, a rushed shot forgetting to hold low and I think I parted the hair on the first one's head! They hit the afterburners straight into the brush and I think they might still be running. I've been hunting since, many times, but nothing noteworthy to report.
All this hunting with my evil black rifle has led to me missing my bolt actions! Not that the AR isn't great at it's job, in fact, as noted above-it does it's job better than I do mine! That little rifle is so fast to bring to bear that it's practically become an extension of my body! Like my body, the rifle gets a little banged around at times when running through the woods trying to head off groups of hogs, always on a mission to find food. Consequently, it bears the marks of being used to push brush, bouncing off trees, or hitting those low hanging limbs I can't duck quite far enough to clear (being tall can be difficult). It's been dropped, tossed to the top of a steep bank when I suddenly realized gravity was getting the best of me (if you knew what was below me you'd understand that move), sweated all over through the summer, had blood spattered on it from a few really close range encounters, dust blown on it from high speed atv rides, sand from going up and down a zillion creek banks, and even had iced tea spilled on it when a cup broke in my truck. You probably wouldn't expect me to admit this but... I've never cleaned it. NEVER. Oh maybe every so often a wet finger to rub a mark off the barrel, and of course the lens cloth on the Eotech and magnifier, but that's it. The thing just keeps on ticking. I can't think of a better rifle for the short range, heavy brush hunting that has become my 'normal' hunt. I love it.
Of course, I do long for a canyonlands hunt with long ranges and hopefully an exotic critter like an aoudad or axis deer to pursue. That's where my bolt actions would shine. I guess it's the type of hunt that I long for more than using my bolt actions. I've always been like that with my toys-each one serving a purpose. That dang AR just keeps hogging up the hunting action by being good at everything I've used it for so far. Well dang. I guess I'll pull it out of the safe and go for another brush bustin' hog hunt!
2012 ended with a bang..and a miss! Yep, two smallish hogs, lined up on a trail and running away from me. Very short yardage, a rushed shot forgetting to hold low and I think I parted the hair on the first one's head! They hit the afterburners straight into the brush and I think they might still be running. I've been hunting since, many times, but nothing noteworthy to report.
All this hunting with my evil black rifle has led to me missing my bolt actions! Not that the AR isn't great at it's job, in fact, as noted above-it does it's job better than I do mine! That little rifle is so fast to bring to bear that it's practically become an extension of my body! Like my body, the rifle gets a little banged around at times when running through the woods trying to head off groups of hogs, always on a mission to find food. Consequently, it bears the marks of being used to push brush, bouncing off trees, or hitting those low hanging limbs I can't duck quite far enough to clear (being tall can be difficult). It's been dropped, tossed to the top of a steep bank when I suddenly realized gravity was getting the best of me (if you knew what was below me you'd understand that move), sweated all over through the summer, had blood spattered on it from a few really close range encounters, dust blown on it from high speed atv rides, sand from going up and down a zillion creek banks, and even had iced tea spilled on it when a cup broke in my truck. You probably wouldn't expect me to admit this but... I've never cleaned it. NEVER. Oh maybe every so often a wet finger to rub a mark off the barrel, and of course the lens cloth on the Eotech and magnifier, but that's it. The thing just keeps on ticking. I can't think of a better rifle for the short range, heavy brush hunting that has become my 'normal' hunt. I love it.
Of course, I do long for a canyonlands hunt with long ranges and hopefully an exotic critter like an aoudad or axis deer to pursue. That's where my bolt actions would shine. I guess it's the type of hunt that I long for more than using my bolt actions. I've always been like that with my toys-each one serving a purpose. That dang AR just keeps hogging up the hunting action by being good at everything I've used it for so far. Well dang. I guess I'll pull it out of the safe and go for another brush bustin' hog hunt!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Well we're still here..
Since I didn't succumb to the apocalypse and I'm able to catch up on my blog, I guess I should point out that there are some extreme preppers out there who probably feel a little let down! I mean, I heard about people having built bunkers that they would stay in during the end of the world fully rigged out with water supplies, food for long term, all the good stuff. Why am I having a flashback to that movie 'Blast from the past' where Brendan Fraser plays a character who had been hiding in a fallout shelter with his family for 35 years? Is anybody out there? Hello? Did everybody vaporize and turn into zombies?
Not that I wouldn't like to have my own bunker...I mean, wouldn't everybody?
Now it seems we have a 2nd amendment crisis in the works. Due to the actions of another deranged individual, the anti-freedom crowd would like to try and disarm us. Again. You see, as much as they've advanced their agenda so far, they can't get the rest of the way there while the citizenry retain the ability to fight back. Sound wacky? Go read your history book. Oh, and there will always be psychos out there regardless of what tools they have at their disposal.
So 2013 is here and apparently starting with a bang..or a chill anyway. I've been testing out some of the synthetic thermal wear as well as outerwear lately, although with my limited budget, I only have a few items I can actually test. I can definitely give a thumbs up to the ECWS top I got at Bass Pro-warmth without feeling sweaty, although they do have the typical synthetic curse of smelling bad after a day of hard hunting. I know there are some synthetic layers that incorporate silver to reduce that stink problem though, I just haven't tried them yet. I also bought a Russel APXG2 L4 jacket that I at first liked, although in the really cold stuff, it seems that it's too cold, and once I start moving, too hot. Too bad because I love the jacket itself! It's thin and light, somewhat form fitting, and seems very durable. I have another 'iteration' of layering garments to try out before I say for sure that I don't like it.
Now, good stuff time! I picked up a Kryptek vest on sale for a screaming deal and I can say, hands down, I LOVE THIS VEST! The only drawback is that I bought a vest and not a jacket! This thing is as warm as a thermolite vest I have only without the bulk and it comes in CAMO. More Kryptek please... Hat's off and blown away in the wind for the Cabela's Microtex shirt and pants. I was given these as a gift about 5 years ago and have tried my darndest to wear them out. So far so good! In 30 degree temps I can put the pants on over my jeans and not need thermals! The shirt has been used as a jacket more times than I can count. This stuff is just that good! The only drawback to the pants is that they don't have zippers in the legs for putting on over your boots. I solved that with the help of a local tailor. If you think that's a big enough drawback not to buy a pair, I'll point out that these pants are warm enough that it's worth buying them AND having them tailored. Plus they're tough as nails and will last a long time!
Since I'm in that hunting gear review mood I guess I'll keep with the theme! I keep buying and selling backpacks. I just haven't been able to find a hunting pack that I can really like. I'm talking day pack size, I really haven't ever had the opportunity to test anything larger. What I'm finding is that the more pockets, the harder it is to find everything and the heavier the empty weight of the pack. It just takes more material to make all those pockets. Pack weight may not sound very important when we're talking daypacks, but I use this gear in rough terrain and constant movement of spot/stalk hunting. I'm actually starting to view most hunting packs as a way to seperate us hunters from our money without giving us much better than we can get from a good hiking pack. Anybody that can change my mind about this is very welcome to try! Till then I'm having pretty good luck with the ArcTeryx designed USMC patrol pack. It's no frills with just two compartments, large and small. It has molle attachment points if I want to strap or attach something else to it, a plastic 'frame' panel to keep pointy things from digging into my back, as well as to add structure to the pack, and a tuck away waist belt if I end up needing to carry heavy stuff. It's pretty comfortable with plenty of strap length and comes in a very cool camo pattern. I almost forgot-it's hydration compatible as well. Of course it's tougher than nails-it IS a USMC issue pack after all.
On the topic of gear reviews, I would love to do that more often. If anybody reading this blog has something they would like tested, with real 'no butt kissing' feedback, let me know. I promise to put it through hell on one or more of my hog hunts in the brush, barbed wire and mud. Not to mention west Texas dust and airborne ATV rides. I'll even give it back when I'm done! Hopefully all the pieces will still fit in the original box! JUST KIDDING (maybe).
Not that I wouldn't like to have my own bunker...I mean, wouldn't everybody?
Now it seems we have a 2nd amendment crisis in the works. Due to the actions of another deranged individual, the anti-freedom crowd would like to try and disarm us. Again. You see, as much as they've advanced their agenda so far, they can't get the rest of the way there while the citizenry retain the ability to fight back. Sound wacky? Go read your history book. Oh, and there will always be psychos out there regardless of what tools they have at their disposal.
So 2013 is here and apparently starting with a bang..or a chill anyway. I've been testing out some of the synthetic thermal wear as well as outerwear lately, although with my limited budget, I only have a few items I can actually test. I can definitely give a thumbs up to the ECWS top I got at Bass Pro-warmth without feeling sweaty, although they do have the typical synthetic curse of smelling bad after a day of hard hunting. I know there are some synthetic layers that incorporate silver to reduce that stink problem though, I just haven't tried them yet. I also bought a Russel APXG2 L4 jacket that I at first liked, although in the really cold stuff, it seems that it's too cold, and once I start moving, too hot. Too bad because I love the jacket itself! It's thin and light, somewhat form fitting, and seems very durable. I have another 'iteration' of layering garments to try out before I say for sure that I don't like it.
Now, good stuff time! I picked up a Kryptek vest on sale for a screaming deal and I can say, hands down, I LOVE THIS VEST! The only drawback is that I bought a vest and not a jacket! This thing is as warm as a thermolite vest I have only without the bulk and it comes in CAMO. More Kryptek please... Hat's off and blown away in the wind for the Cabela's Microtex shirt and pants. I was given these as a gift about 5 years ago and have tried my darndest to wear them out. So far so good! In 30 degree temps I can put the pants on over my jeans and not need thermals! The shirt has been used as a jacket more times than I can count. This stuff is just that good! The only drawback to the pants is that they don't have zippers in the legs for putting on over your boots. I solved that with the help of a local tailor. If you think that's a big enough drawback not to buy a pair, I'll point out that these pants are warm enough that it's worth buying them AND having them tailored. Plus they're tough as nails and will last a long time!
Since I'm in that hunting gear review mood I guess I'll keep with the theme! I keep buying and selling backpacks. I just haven't been able to find a hunting pack that I can really like. I'm talking day pack size, I really haven't ever had the opportunity to test anything larger. What I'm finding is that the more pockets, the harder it is to find everything and the heavier the empty weight of the pack. It just takes more material to make all those pockets. Pack weight may not sound very important when we're talking daypacks, but I use this gear in rough terrain and constant movement of spot/stalk hunting. I'm actually starting to view most hunting packs as a way to seperate us hunters from our money without giving us much better than we can get from a good hiking pack. Anybody that can change my mind about this is very welcome to try! Till then I'm having pretty good luck with the ArcTeryx designed USMC patrol pack. It's no frills with just two compartments, large and small. It has molle attachment points if I want to strap or attach something else to it, a plastic 'frame' panel to keep pointy things from digging into my back, as well as to add structure to the pack, and a tuck away waist belt if I end up needing to carry heavy stuff. It's pretty comfortable with plenty of strap length and comes in a very cool camo pattern. I almost forgot-it's hydration compatible as well. Of course it's tougher than nails-it IS a USMC issue pack after all.
On the topic of gear reviews, I would love to do that more often. If anybody reading this blog has something they would like tested, with real 'no butt kissing' feedback, let me know. I promise to put it through hell on one or more of my hog hunts in the brush, barbed wire and mud. Not to mention west Texas dust and airborne ATV rides. I'll even give it back when I'm done! Hopefully all the pieces will still fit in the original box! JUST KIDDING (maybe).
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