I have time to post

    Tis the season that I have to justify my businesses spending so the government decides how much I owe to them so I can pay for the ones who have no job but make more than me. Yes, it's tax season and I hate it from a business side. I have so many deductions and depreciation for my equipment, it is enough to drive you nuts.

    Well as you have read on my friends Stephen's and Duke's blog, we had a group camp out at the Boars nest this past weekend. We accomplished some work to the range by building a backstop to the burm using old railroad timbers. Of course the timbers we over 100 yards away from where we wanted them, so yours turely who lives by the "Work smarter and not harder" incorporated my ATV to help with the job. It made it some much easier to get the timbers on station for the build, Rebel did a great job in selecting them in order, based on their condition, rigging them up and I transported them.

    After the work was done, we did some sighting in. I had my bore sight and used it on my "Iron Maiden" project .22LR and also on my 300 Blackout. With the boresight, I was able to sight the 300 in with only two rounds. First round fired placed about 6" low, and with having my rear sight at "z" and adjusting my front post, one more round was all it took to be at 1" below bullseye at 25yds. Took Duke's tape measure and he can confirm, 1" below bull. After sighting was done, we had our liberties with Dukes pop-up target, check his blog for that report.

 

 

     As we camped, Shooter Steve brought his Pop-Up camper out and was living the pajama metro-sexual lifestyle. One thing about Shooter, he brings everything camping, he is almost like a Dollar General. Rebel brought his Mystery Machine out, all hippy'd out with his own bunk. Actually its a nice set-up. I of course had my Casa-De-Hammock tent and Duke and Stephen snuggled in the nest.

 

 

 

     Well as we had dinner, everyone kicked back and enjoying good conversations, the winds started blowing. Then out of no where, the winds shifted 180 degrees and increased by 30 knots, then all hell broke loose. Rain came down, Shooters awning took flight and flew over the top of the camper and one concrete anchor hit the camper. Duke's truck was spared from any damage, my hammock took a casualty with a D-ring on the main rainfly tore and from my picture above, I had the right side high to allow for the wind, and when it broke, luckly it came down on my hammock and water ponded on the rainfly keeping the rainfly from exposing my living quarters from water. I had the extended rainfly up, so I had the original one with me too and strung it up underneath and contained the damage.

 

    Otherwise, it was a good weekend with brothers in arms. I think we all had a great time and laughed a lot. Maybe we will plan another one with our next months meeting.

 

Senior

 

     





Back to the norm...... NEW FOLLOWERS!!!!

    Well I am back to the norm, working, going to school, and prepping among other things. I noticed I have two new followers, GRAYBEARD and MADDMEDIC, WELCOME ABOARD and will respond to your comments as soon as I get chance, once again, WELCOME ABOARD!!!!

Next Tuesday I will be back to the LDS to get a few more cases of supplies to put away. Been scouring EBAY and AMAZON for items as well, looking for a MSR water filtration pump for the wife for her BO bag. I have one and I would recommend them to anyone. Stephen has a Katadyn with a charcoal filter and it works for him. Duke just drinks straight out the water source. How he doesn't get the runs, I have no idea. Me personally, I don't like charcoal filters for a SHTF strategy. MSR employs a 80 micron ceramic filter that can be cleaned for longer life than having to buy more charcoal filters. Here is a pic of one.

 

 

     Now, as far as SHTF items, I tend to go away from the norm, shelter in particular. All the group members have tents, and I even have one but choose not to use it during group overnight trips. I have got to a point where I am getting older, yes older. I have participated in athletics all my life and my body is feeling it now. When I do overnights now, I use a Hennessey Hammock. If you have no idea what they are, here is a file photo.

 

 

 

     In my older age, I have found that I have issues sleeping on a hard ground. Basically my back "F"ing hurts in the morning. This hammock allows you to lie in it asymmetrically which allows for laying flat instead of a half moon shape. Now years ago, a former group member (Devil Dog Desk Jockey) had one on a winter trip and of course the guy couldn't figure out how to tie it up, nor figure the required distance you needed so you didn't look like "U" while you were trying to sleep in it. Stephen can attest, it was funny to see him in it. This hammock is considered a 3 season hammock, but I use a reflective window shade for your car or truck to make it a 4 season. While on our last group MLK weekend trip on a beautiful river, it rained the morning we left, I was up at 6 am sitting under the rain fly enjoying the rain instead of being confined to a regular tent. I have also been called "Metro-Sexual" by using it. Oh-well, sucks being smart doesn't it. If you want more info, search YouTube and you will find many videos about it. You may also find WARBONNET hammocks too. They are worth a look too.

 

     One other item I would recommend, which Stephen and Duke have are the US Military Modular Sleep System. This system is awesome. I purchased mine off EBAY for around $70, and I got lucky. The one I received, still had the NSN tags left on the green summer bag, and Bivy cover. The black winter bag was slightly used and bag was in good condition. When you attach the two bag together along with the bivy cover, you will be very warm. Here is a file picture:

 



     

 

Last but not least, you need a proven cook system. A few years ago, I got lucky on Cheaper Than Dirt when they had the Trangia Swedish Alcohol Stoves for sale. Well I jumped and bought ten and sold a few to group members at cost and sold rest on craigslist. If you happen to come across one, make sure you find the stainless steel ones. There are aluminum ones floating around but I recommend the SS ones. They work off denatured alcohol, or rubbing alcohol. Get the rubbing alcohol with higher alcohol content, it will burn hotter and cause less soot on the bottom of the pot or pan. Denatured alcohol can be purchased at home depot or most hardware stores and even Walmart in quart size or 1 gallon sizes. This things will boil water in around 5 mins. Here is a file photo:

 

 

"NOTE: Do not use the stove on-top of plastic milk cartons"

 

    Here are few things that I like. If you have any of these items, please feel free to chime in an share your knowledge on them so it can add to the conversation.

 

Senior