Learning To Slow Down - Living Life Moment by Moment

 This photo was taken in early March of 2025. Notice the ring encircling the sun. This is an indication of wet weather which is yet to come. 

Sure enough, the following day, the forest was covered in a thick layer of new snow. 

There are signs everywhere in the forest which foretell of future and past events. One thing is for certain, time moves forward at a pace which is both steady and concerning to all living creatures. 

The reason I state this is quite simple; our lives are temporary and there is nothing anyone can do to alter the final outcome.  

Mammals and Birds do not count the passage of time as humans do. They carry on with their lives, living each moment as fully as possible. Nature is always on the lookout for more humus, in other words, nature is always trying to convert living matter to soil. The wild ones are fully aware of their vulnerabilities and therefore are living in the present paying full attention to the world around them. 

Our species has removed itself from this natural order and have created a world which corrupts the very fabric of the web which was woven long before humans placed a footprint in the mud of an ancient riverbank.  This attitude precludes us from living life in the moment. 

I have seen people on Portage trails in Algonquin Park attempting to find cell service so that they can check their social media sites. They are so focused on the disconnection from society that they miss the very reason they came to the park to begin with. 

As the shadow of age gets closer, the reality of my mortality is coming into focus. I am not consumed by this reality; however, it does motivate me to invest my remaining time in living life moment by moment. 

When you are out on the trail, or wandering in a park or on a city sidewalk; take the time to take your time. It is in these quiet moments where life truly exists.  

Simple Yet Essential - The Fire Kit

It took thousands of years for Humans to discover the art of fire making. Now we have the ability to create fire whenever we choose to. 

When hiking or camping, always carry a means to light a fire, be that a lighter, a match or a flint and steel. 

Fire is the one thing that Humans require that no other species does. Learn how to create a fire in all weather and your good to go. 

Happy wandering

Spring is Coming

 Spring is on it's way! The Sun is climbing higher in the sky and pulling the blanket of snow off the slumbering forest floor. 

Soon, the sound of spring peepers will fill the air and the dance of life will be in full swing within the green embrace of the wilderness. 

Snowshoeing at Minus 30

 When temperatures drop well below zero, the forest becomes quiet; very quiet. 

The sound of your passage echoes off trees and spreads deep into the surrounding woods. When you stop moving, silence fills the air and you stand alone, immersed in the wonder of the woods. 

The cold is relentless as it looks for ways to seep into your skin. Walking helps to generate heat; however, the speed at which you walk must be carefully controlled, for if you should begin to sweat, the water will dampen your garments and hypothermia will stalk you. 

Learning how to create and maintain a fire in the dead of winter is a skill which must not be taken for granted. Without it, you are at the mercy of the cold which surrounds you. 

Hiking in the winter is an activity which is invigorating and challenging. Being prepared to face the bitter cold is a necessity. 

If you have the skills and are prepared, there is nothing like a long snowshoe hike through the deep silent woods of winter. 

Happy Trails. 

Rob

Simply for the love of it.

 A simple video to bring you into the seat of a prospector canoe. 

Tipi Living - The Old Cook Stove

 In the 1800's, people moved into the Algonquin region hoping to find employment at lumber camps. These homesteaders cleared land and attempted to grow crops in the shallow soil. Their homesteads were built on stone foundations; the beams and wood of the home were cut from the surrounding forest. 

Heating the home was done with wood and their cookstove was the heart of the kitchen. 

There is an old foundation which fascinates me on a quiet piece of land close to where I live. I look at the flat rock, piled, row upon row, to form walls and I wonder at the perseverance of the people who built it. This foundation formed the basement of what was once a homestead. 

A water well, hand dug and lined with round boulders, sits just to the west of what was once the front door of the home. The ground is still, to this day, cupped from the passage of humans who once dragged cool water from the well and carried it in a bucket to the kitchen.  

I was digging around in the detritus in the basement and discovered the old cookstove. It had fallen through the now non-existent floor of the home and lay buried by leaves and dirt. I decided to make use of the old relic and dragged it home.

The stove was in bad shape; however, I was able to convert it to a serviceable firebox for my tipi. 

I had no idea that this old stove, which had serviced a family long ago, would prove itself to be still useful one hundred years later. 

As I sit on my bunk and watch the flames within the old stove, I wonder who the person was that used it to cook their family's meal. I wonder if they are watching me as I use the stove to simply live, out here. 

 

Campsite Setup - The Fire Pit.

 Every campsite requires a fire pit.

Not only is this essential for cooking and heat, it also keeps the fire contained and safe. 

The site in this video was neglected and required some elbow grease to get it back to a functional campsite. 

This site now has a fire pit which will last many years and it will serve as a base camp for this lifelong camper. 

Have fun Out Here. 

A Simple Bench for any Camp.

 I can't help feeling that the world, society, is in a free fall. Everyone is trying to escape to something other than their present situation. In my opinion, the pandemic has increased peoples anxiety to the point where narcissism has reared it's ugly head. 

I have found that using your hands during times of frustration and anxiety can work magic on your overtaxed nervous system. The simple act of creating something, fulfills an ancient need buried deep within our beings. 

My tipi required a simple table which I can use for many camp projects and simple tipi living. 

For the table top, I used a piece of balsam fir which was ravaged by Pine Sawyer bugs (I show one of the larva in this video) and some sticks which were left behind after a beaver had a meal.

Sisal twine bound the lot together and provided me with a sturdy bench which will serve my needs and when rot begins to call the wood to the earth, I will simply use it for firewood.  

In the process of building this bench, I left my anxieties. I soaked in the sounds of the woods and disappeared into the mists of the wilderness where my mind could wander; free of the bindings which society had placed on it. 

If you feel anxious - just get busy. 

That way, you will be

simply living, Out here. 

  

A Hammock Tent Review - Part two.

 A hammock tent changes the way you think about setting up camp. It is not as facilitating as a tent as it is constrictive; however, it is an amazing tent for use on wilderness adventures.

I have never used a hammock in all my years of paddling and camping. A review based on one night is hardly definitive but my experience can fill in the blanks. 

This video explores the negatives and positives about camping in a hammock. 

In my opinion, after forty years of camping, would I choose to carry the hammock on my next adventure?

We'll see. 

Happy camping. 

A Hammock for camping? Let's check it out. Part one.

 I decided to purchase a hammock tent primarily for use on my property. There are very few areas where I would choose to pitch a tent due to the understory plants which would be destroyed in the process. 

The beauty about a hammock is the fact that there is no footprint. As long as you have two trees which are spaced apart enough to strap the hammock to, you're good to go. 

It uses a very simple strap method for securing it to the trees. You can set this tent up in less then five minutes. The trees are not harmed in the process due to the web straps Eureka! has chosen for it's tent hammock.

In this video, I test out a hammock tent called the Chrysalis by Eureka!. 

Come and join me to see how this unit measures up to the realities of camping. 

Thoughts about camp food and other things.

 When packing for a hiking or canoe tripping adventure, you have to keep the weight of your gear to a minimum. The heaviest of items will be your food. 

I ponder this and other camping thoughts as I test out a new food discovered in a supermarket isle. 

Happy Wandering!

Up Close and Personal with a Moose

The canoe slices through the water as silent as a shadow,  it's occupants stare intently at the distant shoreline where a moose browses on succulent water plants. 

Their paddles move in unison; slow powerful strokes propel the water craft toward the unsuspecting undulate. 

Moving to a distance of less than 100 meters, the bow canoeist stows his paddle and raises his weapon; a fully loaded Panasonic action camera. Slowly he raises the camera and presses the record button. 

The canoe drifts to within 20 meters of the cow moose as she continues her search for nutrient rich aquatic plants. 

Breathing becomes hard as excitement courses through the man's body; the Panasonic trembles in his hand as he trains the lens on the largest of Ontario's wild undulates. 

The canoe drifts into the shoreline, silent and unobtrusive, it now floats within 10 meters of the large mammal.

The two humans are now within the cows energy zone and she senses them. Looking over her shoulder, she sees a strange log which has drifted into her world. 

The humans freeze; they are well aware that if the moose decides a threat is imminent, she could seek to defend herself. The canoe and it's occupants would have no chance of evasion. 

The moose stares for a few moments at the two humans who drifted into her life; flaring her nostrils slightly, she breaths in the pheromones' released by the people within the canoe. 

Deciding there is no threat, she dips her mouth into the water and ingests one more delicious helping of water lily before silently disappearing into the surrounding forest. 

An opportunity to share the same air as a wild animal is rare and should be savored. Lowering your energy level allows you to blend into the wilderness.

Fear and Ego will destroy any chance you have of feeling the power of the wilderness. Learning to control those two emotions is vital to your success at becoming an integral part of your surroundings.

When you are fearful, the wild ones will not sense it as fear, they will sense it as aggression. The instinct to fight or flee will be triggered and any chance you have of interacting with them will be mitigated. 

Please be aware that you must know your subject. A moose is powerful and can move as fast as a race horse when it is threatened. It is imperative that you approach any wild one with respect and without expectation. 

Living life out here is full of surprises and imbues you with a sense of belonging which can't be found elsewhere. 

Happy wandering.

    

How to use a stick to find your way in the woods

 I have led hundreds of hikes through wilderness and urban forests. I usually stop mid-hike and ask people to point in the direction from where they came. In other words, I ask them in what direction do we walk to return to their cars. 

It's funny when fingers start pointing in every direction and people suddenly realize that they have no clue as to where they are. 

Observation is the key to knowing your whereabouts out here. The average person will begin to veer off course within a half a kilometer, this is simply due to the fact of being left handed or right handed. If you are right handed, your right leg is usually stronger; therefore it will support your weight longer than your left leg giving you a longer stride on your left side. Confusing? Simply put, you will begin to circle right or left dependent upon your dominant side. 

In this video I show how to use the arc of the Sun to determine the North, South, East and West quadrants.  

The process is easy and will allow you to discern where you are in relation to where you have been. 

If you have ever been turned around while hiking, you know it is a scary feeling. Many emotions rise up slowly and begin to engulf you in a wave of panic. Simple tricks like this will allow you peace of mind while you traverse the wonder that is the wilderness. 

Happy Wandering. 

Testing out an Uberleben Kessel pot

Carrying a small provisions pack is always a good idea if you wander amongst the trees. Being able to eat on the trail and obtain drinkable water is a comfort which should not be overlooked.  

Having the means to boil water and cook food requires three essential items: 

1. A cooking pot - easily cleaned and light weight.

2. A source of heat - fire, camp stove or a hobo stove.

3. A means to light a fire or gas stove. 

Item one (1) on the list can range from a single walled stainless steel thermos to a stainless steel cook pot. 

There are many camp pots on the market and most of them will serve you well out on the trail. 

In this video, I test out an Oberleben Kessel 2.0 pot which I was very fortunate to receive as a gift. 

After testing this cooking utensil out; I can say with certainty, that it is the best cooking pot I have used in a lifetime of being out here.  

My old stainless steel pot will now reside in my tipi (teepee) as a permanent fixture and the new pot will be carried with me wherever my wanders take me. 

Notes:

I put the handle on the wrong way in this video. I should have read the instructions. Oops. 

I am not affiliated with Uberleben or any company that sells their gear. I simply want to share with you  the equipment that can handle the reality of the bush. 

Happy Wandering. 

 

   

Packing for a winter day hike

 

Wandering through the woods on a quiet snow clad day is an experience which is unique. You leave footsteps in your wake which shows you your past, the unbroken snow in front of you is a canvas upon which you will write your future.  

Such a hike leads to many discoveries and deep self examination. Your mind, body and spirit can join as one entity and soak in the beauty of the wilderness around you. 

Winnie the porcupine

Having a small provisions pack helps to extend your day in the woods. Knowing how much to carry is knowledge only gained through experience. 

This video explains the bare bone basics of a provisions pack for a typical day hike in the woods.  

Remember to carry only that which you need, all the rest is just extra weight. The snow will demand more of your energy to enjoy its beauty, the extra stuff you have in your pack will become a burden and it will detract from your experience. 

Happy wandering.   

Footprints

 When wandering, I'm always on the lookout for trail cameras. They are generally camouflaged and are tricky to find. Some individuals hang them about eight feet off the ground and point them on a forty five degree angle toward the trail. These are almost impossible to spot. 

Why do I look for these devices? It alerts me to the presence of potential hunting activities which in turn scares the wits out me if I am not in blaze orange. 

No, I'm not trespassing. I have found these cameras in Algonquin and surrounding Crown lands.

Private land owners are now resorting to using these cameras to inform them when a trespass occurs. I have talked to several land owners and the general consensus among them is that people are abusing the land. The destruction of living trees for Youtube shelters, tarps and garbage left to pollute once pristine woods and dangerous fire pits are high on the list of complaints. 

An elder, a long time ago, told me to "just leave footprints", it is a memory I carry with me into the woods every time I wander.

I just wanted to pass along this simple wisdom from a man who taught me how to "see" the forest. 

Happy Wandering. 

 

 

 

Walking Pole - Go Pro Camera Mount

 A stout walking pole is a tool like no other. You can use it for many different tasks when hiking and camping. 

One task I discovered, is the ability to use it as a primitive but functional camera mount. 

By simply installing a 1/4 by 20 bolt on the end of the pole, you have just made a camera mount which can be utilized like no other on the market. 

The best part - it costs less than a dollar to make. 

This camera mount will fit all cameras and is especially suited to the Go Pro style sports cameras. 

Easy to make and awesome to use, it makes a great addition to the humble but fantastic hiking pole. 

Have fun Out Here!

A Skull in the forest

 A wander through the woods can reveal much about the world around you. 

Tracks and sign left by the wild ones lead to many discoveries and adventures. 

As you wander, the primitive side of you slowly comes out of hiding and reveals itself. You begin to blend into the forest and you start to feel the energy which surrounds you. 

As you shed the skin of civilization, your body begins to respond to sensory inputs which have laid dormant for far too long. Small noises now have meaning, bird song becomes a message and the tracks on the trail are the signatures of the creatures which call the forest home. 

Always enter the forest without expectations, leave fear at home, simply go for a wander and let your mind drift; the forest will do the rest. 

How to build a log bird feeder

 The snow covered forests and fields are home to birds which do not fly south when brother cold blankets the land. They are generally the species which hunt for seeds, nuts, dormant bugs and the carcasses of animals. 

Winter is hard for the wild ones. Foraging becomes a never ending quest for energy. Both predator and prey must dance to the dictates of the winter winds. 

Setting up a bird feeder helps augment the wild birds diet and allows you to watch the interaction of the many species which will visit. 

The happy-go-lucky chickadees will flit in and out taking a seed at a time, the nuthatches will entertain you with their antics while the verbose blue jay's will test your patience as they scoop out half the contents of the feeder looking for the perfect seed. 

Red squirrels will find your feeder quickly, this will certainly command the attention of the predators. I have seen hawks, owls, weasels, fox and wolf at the feeders I have in front of my home. (Don't worry, the chatty red squirrel is clever and alert.) 

The project in this video is simple to make and easy to use:

1. Drill holes in a log of any size. 

2. Fill the holes with suet or peanut butter.

3. Place your log feeder where you can see it.        

4. Sit back and enjoy the dance.  

  

 

How to make a hiking pole

 A hiking pole is a versatile tool that can quickly become indispensable. 

Camping and hiking through the wilderness has challenges that must be experienced to be fully realized. 

A hiking pole can be used for a multitude of tasks. A few example are; hanging your jacket, pole vaulting over creeks, a cooking pot hanger, a shelter support, for pushing a canoe through a shallow marsh or river and as a crude fishing pole. Heck, you can even use it as a monopod for a camera. 

They are simple to make and fun to use.  

Please do not cut live trees to make your hiking pole.

The one in this video was dead stand. 

Always test the pole prior to working on it. Make sure it can bear your weight. It would be relatively embarrassing if you pole vaulted across a creek only to end up swimming.  

Have fun and keep on hiking!