Paddling around Table Rock Lake

I got in a little paddling at Table Rock Lake.  Here are some shots of the fall taking over the area

Isabel and her grandpappy in the front.  She's claims she spotted a shark while we were out.  haha.

Here's a quick solo trip I went on and some nice shoreline views

Sorry about this next pic as it has yours truly in it

I even got the Mrs. out for a little paddling time :)

Lots of cabins throughout the lake.  All have spectacular views of the lake.  

Thanks for looking folks

Wetterlings Fun!

Well I'm out staying at a nice cabin with the family.  There had been a lot of rain the last couple days so long story short, all the firewood was too wet too light.  So the next day I decided to grab a quick pack and the axe and head out in search of a dead cedar or pine tree to use in getting the fire started.  I paddled across the cove and here's the shoreline views on arrival.

the woods are just stunning this time of year

I came across this fallen cedar tree that was perfect.  I wasn't planning to kill a live tree but since this one had apparantly fallen from wind after some critter chewed on the base a little. 

Limbing the tree took about a minute

then I chopped it up into small logs

There were some standing dead trees that I took the pleasure of chopping down. 

about minute of chopping and it was down.  The Wetterlings bites pretty deep so you can tackle decent size trees with this 20" axe.

Spalted trees always look cool.

Next tree up

this was the second swing

This is 15 swings

frist swing on the other side

Second swing on the other side

and 7 more swings we were done with this one too

fallen tree

That was some quick chopping fun but it was time to head on in (this axe fits all the way inside this pack)

and here's the haul for the day loaded up in the canoe ready to back to the cabin

Thanks for looking folks

Shelter halves, prepping for winter shelter

Well I had the good fortune the other day of an incredible deal on some USGI shelter halves.  I got 3 halves, two poles, and 10 stakes for a price I still can't believe.  Nonetheless these will be a great addition to the fall and winter seasons. The other day I got them out in the backyard to play around with them a little.

First configuration is the pup tent.  (My daughter thought this was very fun to setup and play in)

Next up is with just one half.  I've heard this setup is very nice when it's very cold as you set it up facing the fire so the heat reflects back on you.  You have even setup a reflector blanket or space blanket on the inside wall to aid in the heat reflection.  I'll give it a try this winter and and we'll see how it does.