Hiking

[firefighter ontheside]

I've gotten to the point of my elbow surgery recovery that I'm ready to do some activities outdoors and I need some exercise.  Today my wife and I went for a hike on our neighbor's land.  He owns about 200 acres I think.  We did 2 1/2 miles in an hour.  He has put in a lot of trails for his SXS and is working on a new one that we walked.  His land borders a spring fed creek and a small river.  We saw about 50 turkeys all in one group.  Adjacent to his land is a large tract of land managed by the Nature Conservancy that we can walk on too.  I will do some longer hikes during the week when I'm home alone.  Also I will be going to some conservation areas to do some hikes in the coming weeks.  It's great to have good neighbors.

[SwampDonkey]

Looks like a nice pathway.

I did my hiking on snow shoes today. I also use ski poles. I know I went 3 miles, mostly the end of our road, which is not maintained in winter, and some not by government even in summer. And a fair walk into the bush as well on SxS trails I use to haul wood out on.  Sunny day here with a cold breeze, but it warmed up into the 20's. Mostly out of the wind once I drop down a gradual hill. Snow isn't deep here, maybe 10". Not a lot of movement in the fresh snow, some squirrels and hares.

[firefighter ontheside]

That sounds great.  We've had almost no snow here this year and certainly not enough to get my X country skis out.  We have unseasonably warm weather right now.  It was around 50 on our hike and will be warm for at least a week.  They say we will have some pretty cold weather around middle of Feb.

[firefighter ontheside]

Went back out today by myself.  I was gone about 2.5 hours.  I visited an old cemetery on the property.  The most recent burial was 1918 and oldest I saw was 1877.  I found a neat outcrop of rock on the property.  I had heard Brian mention it before, but hadn't been there.  He drives his SXS there but I'm afraid to because of the slope.  I made it down to the river.  I saw a bunch of deer but didn't get any pics.  I was hoping to see an eagle, but none appeared.

[KEC]

I am a big believer in the notion that getting out there in the outdoors is good for our physical and mental health.

[SwampDonkey]

Cool place. Looks a little like that down south near the coast here with the rocky bluffs. Also north of here in the higher mountains. Just knolls around my area.

[firefighter ontheside]

Definitley feels good to get out there.  I just came in from today's hike.  I didn't take any pics today.  I heard an eagle and looked way up high and there was one circling, but never got a better view of it.  I saw some some south ends of north bound deer.  I sat on a log by the river for a few minutes just to listen.   

If you google the Ozark Mountains, i'm sitting at the extreme northeast edge.  Not mountains by western standards, but good sized hills.

[SwampDonkey]

Yes, it's great to get out there and see the views and animal activity, especially in winter. 🦅🐦🦌

[firefighter ontheside]

When I go out there in summer, I'm riding in my mule and heading down to the river to fish.

[Texas Ranger]

Took me back home for a while. Those green hills of earth pushed me into forestry.  Spent days with a .22 or/and fishing rod over a good chunk of Missouri, the streams and fields taught me more about my nature and mother nature than a classroom or lecture ever did. The class rooms got me here, though, and I am satisfied. 

[thecfarm]

Nice pictures.
Enjoy The Great Outdoors.

[JD Guy]

When I go out there in summer, I'm riding in my mule and heading down to the river to fish.

That's the first thought that came to mind....wonder if he's going to stop and fish a while Heal quickly!

[firefighter ontheside]

Today I stayed on our property and walked around for about an hour.  We own property on both sides of our road and its just enough for an hour walk.  The walk ended with me setting a trap to try and catch an armadillo doing a bunch of damage.  They say you don't need bait.  Just use some logs or boards as a funnel to lead them to the trap.  They have poor eyesight and will just follow the funnel pieces.

Sadly, the doctor said I shouldn't fish until March.  Bummer.

[doc henderson]

you need a reel that takes the M18 battery for one handed operation.  or a fishing assistant to remove the catch.
My soon to be eagle scout traps as a business.  he says you cannot bait them, but if they smell an armadillo, the move towards it.  so, if a neighbor traps one, transfer it to your virgin trap to get the scent in it.  and after you coral one in the trap, do not clean it.  Try not to catch any diseases.!  

[firefighter ontheside]

Battery operated fishing reel.  Great idea.

No, I do not want to move to a colony.

[firefighter ontheside]

A few days ago my neighbor had an agency called "quail forever" do a 95 acre prescribed burn on his place.  I was a little nervous about it, since I had several things going on that day and couldn't be at home much.  It turned out fine and had my wife check on things a few times when she got home from work.  The following day I hiked the perimeter of the fire.  Looked like they got about an 80% coverage of the fire on the intended area.  My dad is not walking well due to lymphedema, but wanted to see the area.  My SxS is in the shop for a tune up.  His has not started since Thanksgiving due to his condition.  It took me having to jump his truck with a battery charger to get it out of the way, then I had to use the truck to jump the SxS.  It needed a good long warm up once I got it started.  Then I took him for a ride around the fire area.  He was happy to get out of the house and do something.  Dad had been a hot shot and smoke jumper in Oregon in the early 60's.  So, all of that to say that todays hike was a ride.

[Ron Scott]

I'm sure that your dad did his share of long hikes as a hot shot and smokejumper. His rides are now well deserved.