Interstitial Wilderness

Trip 2

Took the day off today and went for a short hike, into my "interstitial wilderness". It was about 76 degrees today, with a breeze. What a great day to be out!

I wanted to get out and hike for the exercise, and the soft sand and loose gravel were perfect for the effort needed to slog through them. I also collected some Mulefat and some Mugwort.

Here's some Mulefat, for those who might not know. Dark green underneath the leaves, a slight ridged texture to the bark.

Some Willow, for comparison: Silver underneath the leaves, and a decidedly reddish color to the new growth stems.

I love old Sycamore trees. The look and smell remind me very strongly of some very good times in my boyhood.

Often, you can find Mugwort at the base of them, in the river bottoms. Here is a thick stand.

On the way back, I found a nice piece of dead willow, and decided to whip out a couple of hearth boards. Can you see them in the first photo?

No? Here they are, they just needed to be released...

Fine day, very relaxing, and with something to show for the effort.

Hope you enjoy...

Bill

The mulefat is used for the hand drill, and willow is one of the woods some use for the hearth board. Mugwort is a "coal extender". If you can transfer your coal from your friction kit to the mugwort, it will spread and glow, and help set your tinder on fire. If it is dry enough it will ignite.

The depression in the Laser Strike is indeed there as a bearing for the firebow kit. That is the hardest part to find or manufacture in the wilderness. The knife was designed with it. The back of the handle has a ridge of steel that you can use to make sparks from rocks (flint), and the sheath holds a Swedish Firesteel... Three ways to make fire on the knife and sheath.

I carry it because it is a really nice, heavy knife for a 4" blade. I can chop with it better than any other 4" I have, baton with it, abuse it, etc. when I do not want to carry a large chopper. When I go on these afternoon hikes, I only take a buttpack, and my heavy belt with water, camera, and the Laser Strike. Call TOPS, they may have some in inventory still...

In the buttpack I generally take my mini-kit, a small knife or two I want to try out, some energy bars, some twine, a pair of leather gloves (MUST HAVE items!), some toilet paper, and a cell phone. Maybe some other stuff...

When I get the time, I'll do a small gig on the twine. It's worth getting.

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