I have taught the ways of the wilderness for well over thirty years and have authored a novel which dives deep into the shadows that follow you as you traverse wilderness trails. It is my hope to reach as many people as possible to tell everyone that the wilderness is not a place to be wary of. It is the only place where a person can dig deep into their soul and find that which is hidden to them by modern day society.
~ R.G. Wright - Hawks Shadow

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

How to handle flying vampires.



Living outdoors is a perfect way to reconnect to the world around you. Every sense in your body is awakened as you immerse yourself in the subtle lessons the forest and trail offer your questing mind. 

Weather becomes a reality which can't be ignored by closing a door and reclining in a climate controlled environment. You are forced to deal with rain and temperature variations which in turn teach you lessons about your own resilience. 

Biting insects are a fact of the trail. They are an essential part of the ecosystem through which you paddle your canoe and portage your gear. As you set camp, they can swarm you in numbers too vast to count and can cause major physical discomfort, which in turn, can taint your love of the outdoors. 

There are ways to mitigate the havoc these pesky little creatures create. Setting your camp up in an area where wind can infiltrate is one such method. 

Some people are not too adversely affected by insects, others are a meal ticket and draw the little devils in like magnets. One thing is for certain, you must have a game plan in place in order to withstand the clouds of winged vampires; if you want to keep your sanity while traversing the trails. The only time when you will be bug free is when the temperature drops to single digits.

This video shows some methods which have served me very well over my many years in the forest. 

Every time I wander into the bush, I always remind myself that I too am part of the system. A few donations to the flying blood bank is well worth it. 


Tuesday, May 12, 2020

How to load your canoe.




A canoe is a light-weight boat capable of carrying loads ten times or more than the weight of the craft itself. 

Stability is the key. If you load your canoe improperly; the boat will not track well and you are putting yourself at risk of tipping. 

A properly loaded canoe will sit evenly in the water and will be easier to control in winds and waves. Always take into account the weight differential of the bow and stern paddlers.  

Less is always best when canoeing. Think carefully about the gear you wish to bring with you. Make sure that it is absolutely necessary. You will understand this statement when you have completed a long portage. 


© R.G. Wright

Have a great trip. 



  

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Winter fades away to spring.

Winter is fading as the sun returns to warm the land. The forest streams are trundling their way to nearby lakes and ponds. 

The wild ones that persevered through the cold months shake off the chill and meander around the woods loving the warmth. Migrating birds are returning and filling the silent woods with their songs. Frogs and turtles rise from their deep sleep and move to the surface of the ponds to say hello to a world they have not seen for several months. 

Spring peepers; small frogs with huge voices, call out into the night creating a chorus of sound which fills the hollows of the forest with deafening power. 

Soon the black-flies will come out from under the leaf litter and fill the air with their clouds of annoyance. Knowing that they in turn will feed the fish, makes their arrival easier to accept.  It is simply part of the cycle which makes the forest healthy and whole. 

Into this awakening world I move, as quietly as possible and without purpose. I want to soak in all the sights and sounds of the spring for I know, without question, spring will turn to summer and new sounds and sights will fill my mind and spring will fade into memory.    

Once again my paddle can dig into the cool water and my canoe can glide silently into the wilderness carrying me into the world which I call home. 



  
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