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

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

A Beaver family finds a new home


 A beaver family is a tight knit unit. The kits are born in early spring and spend at least two years with their parents. During this time they learn the essentials of being a beaver. 

Dam construction and repair, lodge construction, channel building and most importantly, how to identify predators. These are some of the lessons mom and dad teach their kits. 

The beavers in this video were displaced from their home by people who just simply don't get it. Instead of placing mesh around their shoreline trees, they tore the lodge apart and chased the beavers from the marsh they inhabited. One kit died in the process. 

It is my hope, that simple videos like this will help people understand that the wild folks of the forest have much to teach us.  

I watched this family for three years, they accepted me in their home. I floated for hours in my canoe as they paddled around me. I sat quietly by the shoreline as they chewed on saplings I brought them. Mom would sit on my foot as she groomed her fur. 

I learned volumes about these little forest folk and I learned much about myself. 

I hope you enjoy this video; shot with an older camera it is a bit grainy, but moments like this are rarely repeated. 

With much respect to those who care. 

Hawks. 


Sunday, October 25, 2020

Collecting firewood


 Most sites I have camped on are picked clean of firewood. 

Shreborne Lake - R.G. Wright

Generations of canoeists have wandered in ever-widening circles into the woods to gather the dry firewood which will sustain them while on-site. 

Most of the time, I find it much easier just to venture out in my canoe to collect the dead wood which is normally in abundance along the shoreline of any wilderness lake. 

A campfire is something we all look forward to, especially when the temperature drops into the single digits. The shear volume of wood required for a couple of days of camping, can be somewhat daunting. 

Camping is a lot of work, but in this case, work is fun. When you're collecting your firewood, use the time to investigate the forest. You will be amazed what you can discover when your canoe is beached and you are wandering through the woods with your saw in hand. 

Happy adventuring.  







Wednesday, October 21, 2020

How to dry out a tent



Setting up camp is full of expectations and excitement, the days ahead show promise of adventure and freedom. 

When it's time to strike camp - thoughts of unpacking your gear once you arrive home fills your head with thoughts which are not conducive to making you smile. 

A wet tent is a problem because you can't leave it packed. Mold and mildew will ruin the shelter and stink up your camp closet. You must set the tent up upon arriving home and wait until it dries out. 

A simple way to preclude this extra step is to dry the tent out at camp before packing it away. If the campsite has bushes, simply place the tent on top of the them and let the air dry the shelter out. 

It's fast, efficient and beautifully simple. The entire tent will be ready to bag and put away until your next adventure. 

P.S. 
Make sure the bushes are the gentle type and not full of thorns.  Of course, this method doesn't work if it is raining. ðŸ˜‰

Happy camping!   





Wednesday, October 14, 2020

How to tame campfire smoke


 Once the tents are set and the gear is organized, Campers gravitate to the fire pit and spend hours contemplating life while staring into the flames. It is a beautiful sight. 

The smoke eventually finds you, targets you, and the game is on. You and your friends end up running around the fire pit trying to get away from the smoke. So much for the tranquility.   

If you make a few simple changes to the pit, the fire will burn efficiently and smoke will take a back seat to your ringside seat. 

This is my go-to technique for creating an efficient and safe wood burning fire pit. 


R.G.W. 

  


Saturday, October 10, 2020

The Freedom of Imagination


When the rain is hitting the window pane and the wind is making the trees sway, an outdoors person can find themselves at a loss for things to do that day. 

HR and WC Model Railway - Built by R.G. Wright

Climbing into your head and feeling sorry for yourself, as you stare at your beached canoe, quite simply will never do. The secret I find, is to totally unwind by climbing into my mind and opening up the magical world hidden within the box  labeled - Imagination. 

Finding the box may not be easy amongst all the clutter. 

You will find it hiding under a thick moldy blanket labeled with an old worn tag. 

A single word is written upon the aged paper. Leaning in close, you will see the letters, faded with time and barely recognizable. You squint and discover that the word is non other than - logic. 

Pull off the blanket and find that box. Dust it off and open it; then dive in. This is where you will find a world which is all yours; the shadows of the day will certainly fade away as you connect with influences far beyond the reach of everyday matters. 

Life is always a long paddle home. 




Sunday, October 4, 2020

R.G. Wright - Why the second name?


 During the introduction to any outdoor teaching, I always explain the name of Hawks Shadow. 

A birth name is simply that, a birth name - you pop out and your parents name you. 

A name that floats into your consciousness unbidden, is a name which has meaning. 

There is much more to this story than what I describe in the video. One day I will share the whole story.
 


 
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