Another morning with the typical roosters crow and serenade.  Today was a special morning as we gathered for a somber occasion and a tradition that goes back to the earliest days of the Trailblazers.  On Wednesday morning an “Empty Saddles” memorial service is held to remember the members who have passed away since our last Trek.  Whether you are an “Old Guard”, or a first year guest, it is an emotional moment.  The Words to the chorus “Empty Saddles” by Bing Crosby have new meaning since I heard it sung by Dan Steadman for the first time in 2001.

Empty saddles in the old corral,
Where do ya ride tonight?
Are ya roundin’ up the dogies,
The strays of long ago,
Are ya on the trail of buffalo?
Empty saddles in the old corral,
Where do ya ride tonight?
Are there rustlers on the border,
Or a band of Navajo
Are ya headin’ for the Alamo?
Empty guns covered with rust
Where do ya talk tonight?
Empty boots covered with dust
Where do ya walk tonight?
Empty saddles in the old corral,
My tears would be dried tonight
If you’ll only say I’m lonely,
As ya carry my old pal
Empty saddles in the old corral

This year we remembered eight SCTB members including Richardson Camp’s own Bill Sweigert.  I wrote about his passing in a January in a column titled Farewell Old Friend.  We were extremely honored that two of his sons, James and Bill III, were able to join us and take part in this special ceremony.  In fact James created a web page with pictures that really portrays the true feelings of the morning. 

At 6:30 AM My ride came driving in to the ranch, precisely 30 minutes early.  Merv Zimmerman, a retired dairyman from Marin county helped me load my gear as we headed north to Humboldt County to begin our Weeklong Trek on the Cottrell Ranch.  In our convoy were my hunting partner Cal Farnsworth, his father Earl Farnsworth, and Cal’s friend Bob Postel.

As we got closer to the ranch, about 5 hours later our bellies began telling us it was time for lunch when we spotted a sign in the little town of Carlotta that said “PRIVATE PARTY - SCTB”.  it was the boys from Humboldt county who had opened up the newly renovated restaurant called Shamus T Bones, Set to open in July.  We pulled over and enjoyed free tri-tip, beans and BBQ’ed Ribs along with a few barley pops.  On the newly painted walls hung pictures of local cattlemen, many of whom we recognized as fellow Trailblazers.  With a full bellies and our thirst quenched we loaded up and drove on past Bridgeville and pulled into Camp.

Main camp was situated in an open ridgetop meadow.  Large tents covered the dining area and main bar.  In the outlying areas on the edge of the meadow were regional camps.  Geyserville,  Sebastopol, Outlaw, Dirty Dozen, Humboldt, Skid Row, Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Sacramento, Wagon Camp, and my home base for the Week, Richardson Camp. (Named for the founder Warren Richardson). 

After setting up our canopy and levelling the shower trailer, we headed to the main camp to enjoy a few cocktails, and a Prime Rib dinner.  A great way to rough it if you ask me.  A few aperitifs after dinner, and I spread out my bedroll with bivy sack as the fog began to roll in and obscure the Milky Way overhead.

Anyone who is packing into the backcountry, whether on horseback or under a backpack, appreciates quick meals that are quick, compact and light. Not only are you cutting down on weight and bulk, but it increases the amount of time you can spend looking for game, hiking, riding or fishing. The commercial freeze dried foods available through outdoor retailers has certainly fit the bill for many people. For those of us who like to “do-it-ourselves” there is a home version….The Dehydrator!

No longer is it resigned to solely jerky, and fruit. Now with the help of the folks at www.freezerbagcooking.com, we can create unique meals ourselves without shelling out big bucks for prepackaged portions. Important for those of us taking kids out (man they eat a lot!).

The heart of many of these DIY meals is in our pantries and freezers as we speak…Lean Hamburger, and Pasta.

I found the methods below at http://www.freezerbagcooking.com/dehydrating.htm

Pasta:

Dry at 135* for 8-12 hours till brittle hard. Smaller types of pasta dry fastest and recook in bags at a faster rate. Rehydration is equal amounts of water to pasta. As a tip, under cook your pasta by one to two minutes, as it will finish cooking while being rehydrated. In camp use boiling water, and let sit in a cozy for 5-15 minutes.

Hamburger Dehydrating

Dry at 155*

This is a very easy one to do. Buy the leanest hamburger you can get. Cook it 100% done, breaking it up as much as you can , you want it tiny. When done, pour off as much grease as you can. Then rinse the meat in a strainer with hot water. Drain well, blotting with paper towels.
At this point put it on your dehydrator and dry till rock hard. Figure 3-6 hours. Stir every 30 minutes or so.

You want to make sure there is no moisture left. Store in freezer bags. Store this in your freezer till you go backpacking. In camp add equal amounts of boiling water (or cover) and let sit 10 minutes or so, then add to your meals. You can also add the meat directly to your meal-adding the water for the meat at that time. How much will you need? Figure 8 ounces of hamburger per meal before you dehydrate is a good start. This will be around 1/2 cup dried. That will work well for two people, for one person, 1/4 cup is a good amount of dried hamburger.

Next time we will get some recipes from a hard-core backpacking bowhunter using our new found dehydrating skills.

Teachers, scout leaders and anyone else interested in elk may want to attend an educational workshop coming to the University of Idaho’s McCall Field Campus in June.

At WILD about Elk participants will learn about the natural history of elk and ways to teach others about it. The class will start at 1 p.m. Friday, June 13, at the McCall Field Campus on Payette Lake. Activities, presentations and a field trip will take participants well into the evening.

The following day, June 14, the class continues with more presentations and activities until 4 p.m. Cost of the workshop is $70 for an on-campus fee. This includes lodging, an elk burger dinner, a breakfast and lunch, plus all those other workshop extras. An off-campus fee is also available at $40. This includes the dinner and breakfast along with the other workshop amenities.
Teachers interested in obtaining credit at the workshop can do so for an additional fee.

Please contact Evin Oneale at 208-465-8465 or eoneale@idfg.idaho.gov for more information and to register.

This Weekend I was able to finish the San Diego Rock n’ Roll marathon.  Above is a still shot of the finish line video at www.NBCsandiego.com.  It was a memorable experience.

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“Adversity introduces man to himself” Anonymous

It was printed on a bookmark sent to me from a friend who is fighting Parkinson’s, and it made me smile.  Not because I want to wish adversity on anyone, but because I identified with the statement.  It seems that when we are faced with a dire situation physically, financially, or emotionally, when we look back on that experience we recognize qualities we didn’t know we had.  Sometimes it is a good quality such as being steady and resourceful under pressure.  Sometimes we see our faults and we can work to correct our quick temper or pessimistic tendancies.

Perhaps that is why humans find ways to challenge themselves physically, or mentally.  We desire to push our limits and see just who we are when things aren’t in our favor.  I know that pushing myself in training will only pay off in the future.  It makes the discomfort, whether at mile 20 in a marathon, or day 6 of a backcountry hunt, more bearable, because I have felt this before, and I survived.

Use this quote when the going gets tough, cause I know you are tough, and you will get going…

Monday - The usual 40 minute run out Walker Rd.  Feeling good.

Tuesday - met up with Joel to run at Schollenberger.  We did 4.5 miles for an easy day. 

Thursday- Changed things up today and did hill repeats.  it was a nice change from the previous workouts.  sure felt it in my hips and butt…

Saturday- Ran 11 miles at Samuel P. Taylor park in Lagunitas.  Finished at 1:30 exactly.  Wind was picking up and dropping limbs out of the Redwood trees.  kinda made me hurry a little more!

weekly total - 22.5 miles

Growing up on a dairy, it was not unusual to go out to feed in the morning and have one of the neighbors animals out withthe cows or calves.  We have had Horses, Dogs, Sheep, and cattle all show up during the night.  But I can honestly say, a news story from Ohio has any Stray Animal story I might tell you put to shame.

Paula Bardo , a dairy women from Columbiana County Ohio, found a nigai, a type of Asiatic Antelope and herded it into their barn.  No one has stepped up to claim the animal yet. 

Read the Article from Farm and Dairy Online

Now if this happened to be a livestock critter in our neck of the woods, and we couldn’t find the owner, we would call the brand inspector and they would hold it at the local livestock auction until some one claimed it.  If no one claimed it in 30 days, then it could be sold at auction with the proceeds going to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.  The question remains….Does something similar apply to an Exotic Antelope in Ohio? 

Below is an excerpt of the California Estray law.

CHAPTER 7. Estrays
ARTICLE 1. Definitions and General Provisions
17001. “Taker-up”
As used in this chapter, “taker-up” means any person that takes up an estray animal pursuant to Section 17041.
17001.5. “Estray”
For the purpose of this chapter, “estray” means any impounded or seized bovine animal, horse, mule, sheep, swine, or burro whose owner is unknown or cannot be located.
17002. Disposal of seized animals
Any animal which is seized by, or comes into the possession of, an inspector pursuant to this part shall be disposed of pursuant to this chapter.
17003. City or county provisions unaffected by chapter; Notice of failure to claim impounded animal; Disposition Except for the provisions of the section, this chapter does not affect any law or regulation which is in force or which may be in force regarding estrays, the poundkeeper, or other pound officer within the limits of any city or county where laws regarding estrays are in force.
If no person appears and claims any impounded bovine animal, horse, mule, or burro within five days, the poundkeeper or other pound officer shall so notify the director. Upon receipt of such notice, the director shall take possession of any bovine animal and shall dispose of it pursuant to this chapter.
This section does not authorize any act which violates Section 597 of the Penal Code.
17004. Director taking up estray animals
The director may take up estray animals whose owners are unknown and cannot be located.
CHAPTER 7. Estrays
ARTICLE 2. Taker-up of Estrays
17041. Right to take up; Lien for expenses
Except as provided in Article 5 (commencing with Section 17121) of this chapter, any person that finds any estray domestic animal upon his premises, or upon premises to which he has the right of possession, or upon any highway which is adjacent to such premises, may take up the animal and have a lien for all expenses which are incurred in taking up, keeping, and caring for it.
17042. Confinement of animal; Notice to director
Any person that takes up an estray animal shall confine it in a secure place, and shall immediately file with the secretary a notice containing all of the following:
(a) A description of the animal seized.
(b) The marks and brands, if any.
(c) The probable value of the animal.
(d) A statement of the date and place where it was taken up and confined.

When I told people about my wifes cats who cornered a badger (See Self Defense Badger post), I get some funny looks…Well apparently we don’t have the only danger seeking felines. Below I have linked to and excepted a news story from Florida about a treed bear that had a pair of unlikely pursuers…

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080328/BREAKINGNEWS/80328022

Kittens chase 200-pound bear up a tree
WKMG LOCAL 6 NEWS • March 28, 2008

APOPKA — A 6-foot, 200-pound bear has been perched high above a Central Florida neighborhood for hours Friday after it was chased up a tree by two 6-month-old kittens, FLORIDA TODAY news partner WKMG Local 6 News reports.

The stuck bear has kept homeowners living in the 1900 block of Votaw Road on edge Friday.

“(The bear) was out looking for a place to live and got startled and took refuge in the tree,” Florida Fish and Wildlife worker Tom Shupe said.

Local 6 showed video of homeowners gathering around the home to see the animal hanging onto a branch.

Homeowners said two kittens chased the bear before it became stuck.

“(The kittens) had the bear just cornered at the fence and it saw the tree and just ran up the tree and has been there ever since,” homeowner Jason Daniels said.

“It is not uncommon,” Shupe said. “They are a very timid bear and very nonaggressive and quite often it is a little poodle or cat that chases them up a tree.”

Officials from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have been called to the scene to determine what to do with the bear, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Monday Feb 18 (Day off from Work)

Recovery run at 9 in the morning.  Back Still MUCH better.  My new Stretches are helping a lot.  Got some extra ranch chores done today, and even managed to mow the lawn.  Talk about cross-training!

Tuesday Feb 19

Had our first buddy run Tuesday at 5:30 in Schollenberger park.  Met up with Mentee Joel, there in between rain showers.  I think we pushed each other to kick up the pace.  I forgot to set my timer, but after 2 two mile laps we were back at the parking lot around 6:15.  We both agreed that we had had a good run to that point.  Just as we got back to the cars, the rain dumped on us reinforcing the thought that it was good to cut our run short. 

Thursday Feb 21

First track practice, in the DARK!  We had lighted cones guiding us around the wet rubber track at Petaluma High School.  It’s hard to believe that in a month it will be daylight at 6:30 pm. Warmed up with a mile run.  Did 1/2 mile of drills including butt-kicks, high knees, grapevines and lunges.  Then did 5 intervals of a minute fast sustained run, but under a sprint, and a minute to recover at a slower pace. Cooled down with another couple of laps for a total mileage of 3 miles.  Felt really good to exercise in the night with the drizzle. 

Saturday Feb 23

The Eastern Horizon was red as the sun rose Saturday morning.  “Red in morning, Sailors warning”.   Met at San Marin High school as storm clouds threatened.  Ran down along Novato Boulevard to Stafford lake, turned around and returned along the roadside trail.  Finished 6 miles in 59 minutes.  I surprised myself, because I really didn’t feel like running.  I had been up until midnight putting on our Chamber of Commerce fundraiser, and got very little sleep the night before.  I thought I was gonna pack it in during the first mile.  but I felt better and better the further into the run I got.  I am sure I ran about a 12 minute mile to the half way point, and about a 8:30 mile on the return trip.  It is a great feeling when you finish a run.  I think that is why I do it.

Moments after getting back to the cars the raindrops commenced, just in time.

Weekly mileage 18 miles

Mileage to date: 38 miles