le Voyageur

No, this won't be the last word on this issue. However, I think BSA is skating on very thin ice as to this issue, and is much in the wrong to enforce it. Dispite BSA's Congressional charter, no organization has the right to set membership requirements that superceed, or infringe on Consitutational safeguard. The right to not believe is just as protected under the First Admendment as the right to believe wherever our faiths take us. BSA's joining requirements regarding manditory faith, is, sad to say, a major violatation of First Admendment rights...

My dye batch has been brewing over a week now, and compared to a new batch just mixed, there is a most notable differance in the quality. The aged batch has a nice rich vicosity with deep tones. Will be off to the fabric shop on the morrow, looking forward to dying some course linen for a long shirt...

I tend to think the problem with the poor level of adult leader training in the GSA is due in large part to all the rules and regulations that have to be complied with when camping a unit. It's a wonder that anyone is allowed to do anything whatsoever in the outdoors. In their outdoor programs it seems that GSA wants only programs that are absolutey 100 percent risk free...until GSA does a turn around with this attitude, then they will always be stuck with leaders with poor outdoor skills that in the long run will put their girls at greater risk for harm in the outdoors.

I tend to think the problem with the poor level of adult leader training in the GSA is due in large part to all the rules and regulations that have to be complied with when camping a unit. It's a wonder that anyone is allowed to do anything whatsoever in the outdoors. In their outdoor programs it seems that GSA wants only programs that are absolutey 100 percent risk free...until GSA does a turn around with this attitude, then they will always be stuck with leaders with poor outdoor skills that in the long run will put their girls at greater risk for harm in the outdoors.

KS LOL -- Sorry for being too general with the phrase "military types". My experience has been USN/USMC. The rule in the Navy is, if it can't be painted, it's gotta be polished! What you AF guys do with bright work, I'm clueless.... As for the needles, besides their obvious use for sewing are useful for... accupuncture - moxa can be made from a bit of the webbing if needed. Clearing the touchhole of a flintlock Made into darts using tuffs made from cattails, and blown through a length of river cane to take small game. Double as awls Can be magnatized and floated on water, and used as a crude compass. Useful for suturing small wounds that need closing.

Had a bit of insight on how to solve a problem. Was needing to rewarm some biscuts and boil water for the morning's breakfast. The problem was, didn't want to dig a firepit that would create a scar. The solution was to flip the Dutch oven over and elevate it a wee bit, then building a small fire on it's bottom. Hanging the boiler was easy, as was slipping the biscuts under the raised oven (the oven's lid served as a warming pan)....

Glad that they make them long....besides being able to turn the pants into knee breeches, had enough fabric left over to make some nice ditty bags....

Here's a short list of skills.....most of which will probadly become extinct in time.... The ability to heal using natural remedies. Being able to turn a field of flaxs, or cotton, or the wool of a heard of sheep into clothing and blankets. Able to forge metals such as iron, copper, and brass. The ability to preserve foods without refrigeration. The ability to farm and grow food for the table. Being able to hunt and fish Able to turn clay and natural materials into baskets, pots, and jars. Able to turn a piece of wood into a bow, and cane or willow into arrows Knowledge of making rope and cordage The joy of music ...........

No way to vote within your parameters so here's the way that I see this guy.. 1. All hat, no cattle 2. Warmonger 3. Xenophobic 5. Party first, country second 6. Lacking a historical perspective 7. Self serving 8. Andrew Jackson reincarnated 9. Needs public speaking lessons 10. Lacking as a Commander in Chief Looking forward to the next election...

Red Feather Since walnut dye is easy to make, I'm trying something different (had a flash of insight). Instead of buckets, I've started the process using a medium size plastic tote container from Wally World to brew the walnuts. But instead of waiting for a week, decided to boil a small batch up, and I've got a shirt soaking in the dye at the moment. The plan is to maintain the 24+ hour dying time, as well as return the dye back to the tote. My thinking, work the dye like you would sourdough. With each return the dye should in time become quite strong......

Red Feather Black walnut dye is easy to make. You won't need a mordant such as alum to set the dye. The dye is both lightfast, as well as colorfast. My technique is simply to fill buckets with smashed, or smooshed walnuts, cover with water and let set for a week or so. The buckets will also need to be covered to reduce evaporation, water can be added as needed. When I'm ready to dye a garment, I'll toss out about 2/3rds of the walnuts with the remaining concoction being brought to a boil and allowed to simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes or until a dark brown. Afterwards the mixture is brought back up to a boil, with two or 3 garments added. This is allowed to boil for only a few minutes. The object is to heat up the fibers just enough, letting them release any remaining oil that didn't wash out in the laundry. The garments should stew in the dye and off the heat for about 24 hours before washing and drying. For the first wash, I never use any detergent. Just plain, warm water. I also like to air dry if the weather permits....

Got a list of projects you would like to share...with winter nearing, these are mine for the months ahead.. For sewing.... a new Capote 2 trade shirts 2 sets of "slops" leggings pair of center seam mocs with beading 2 haversacks 2 possible bags mittens with walnuts falling, maybe a gallon or two of dye with river cane easier to get to, it'll be a great source for some new "housewives" (sewing kits), quills and powder drams After Thanksgivings, I'll rid the neighbors of their pumpkins (they'll get sliced up and dehydrated. Won't have to buy a thing....) However, the big project is to build a Inkle loom and weave new straps for the Fusil, and powder horn....

No, No, No.... I've got a friend who's an Eagle Scout doing 5 years for two armed robberies (a year before the bank job, he was photographed by a security camera drunk and urinating on an ATM machine while in his scout uniform). Dispite all this, he still remains an Eagle.... My feelings, until National treats all breaches of conduct equally the kid should remain an Eagle....selected punishment sends a poor message.

Just moving one of the topics from last weekend's campfire over to here...

The only way in which we can communicate to the future is through generations of yet unborn children. Looking ahead a thousand years, what skills should we pass along that will ensure these generations their survival. Consider, at this moment in time, with over 6 billion souls on this pale blue dot, the carrying capacity of this planet has been exceeded, and is only being maintained by techonolgy. We have become a virus on the only piece of real estate that we can live on. It is easy to forsee a dark future within this span of time, techology will fail as resources give out. And with the death of technology, countless wars will be waged to control remaining resources (oil and coal will be fully depleated, and non renewable), societies and nations will pass away into the dust of history just as Rome. Those far generations waiting to breathe life will in time cease to be Americans, or ???, but instead, tribal or clan members eeking out an existence on the left overs of past generations. So again, the same question repeated...as wise, and ancient elders what skills should we preserve now and pass on...

As an FYI, the Guide to Safe Scouting does not ban sheath knives outright. However, not all sheath knives are designed for hunting. The knife that I carry on the river is a fixed blade knife with a serrated edge having a blunt tip being specific to rescue work. Trying to open a folding knife with wet hands in fast water is both dangerous and a waste of vauable time. Even if BSA did ban sheath knives, I would ignore the rule when on the river, as the safety of my crew is more important than any thoughtless edict created by folks who have little, to no experience in the outdoors.

The web belt is an okay item. The problem with any belt is that it has weight, cost money and serves only the purpose of holding up ones pants. For the military types they also get a bit of metal that they can polish (a fetish that drives me crazy). However, I've modified by belt to be somewhat more useful. On the back side I turned it into a tape measurer. At the end that the buckle crimps into I've inserted a few sewing needles, and there is a fishhook duct taped on the backside of the buckle....

Post note: My comments are directed to offset Ed's and Compass's biased viewpoints... en roulant

With BSA membership requirements being explicit the issue is really black and white, and simple to decide. What we are not hearing is the full story. Consider that in all of our lives we hit crossroads on the road to enlightenment, whatever that may be. I don't think that this is niether an accident or a fluke. If you believe in an all powerful and knowing God, then we have to ask ourselves that all important question of why didn't He (or She) provide us with perfect insight, as well as perfect wisdom from the start. It is my feelings that we are placed in a position of constant questioning; and a constant requirement to make choices to to how we should live our lives which will determine the type of person we become. If we make good,and wise choices, then we become more enlightened and move ahead to greater understandings. If we don't then we're fated to make the same bad decisions again and again. Established religions guide most believers through periods of doubt, but the basic truth is this, we come in alone, and we go out alone. Our only constant is our own personal relationship with our Creator. If belonging to a church or temple, or whatever offers you solace, then that's great. But the fact that any of us levy questions about the religions (or lack of religion) that we tend to is not a bad thing. Perhaps the questioning is in fact the crossroad. Some people feel guilty about questioning their faith, I'm not one of them. My Creator gave me a brain, and the ability to decide my own destiny, and that is exactly what I have endeavored to do. If we had been meant to march in lock step, then we would not of been given the ability to question the marching orders. I think that it is healthy to look deeply into our core beliefs from time to time, and cast out those beliefs that are contrary to what we want to be. It's the power of one. Each of us has to be self truthful, self determing, then use that as a building block as to how we will be embraced by others on our road of becoming. In the end we are, and will be our choices......

SR If you would, shoot me an e mail via private message. I need to forward you some hand drawn maps to detail the sections from Beardsly to Altaville. Most maps for these areas are in err...just don't want to see folks getting lost. Some items to touch base on... - Bears in Yosemite and above Beardsly to Big Trees. - Mountain lions, above Beardsly to Big Trees - Hiway 49 is extremly dangerous, very few of the locals will cycle it. - Snow, and ice may be a concern around Pickle Meadow - Road bikes won't be able to handle either fireroads, or jeep trails... - Bodie is an oven in August - An unseen danger in Yosemite are tourist pulling trailers/RV using those outrigger mirrors that extend about 6 feet out from their cars. They've been known to damage cyclist...

O.K., let me rephrase the question by adding more nouns....Whats to prevent a Venture crew from electing to use cami bdu's as their uniform, and their Chartering Organization has no problems with cami bdu's as a uniform....

SR I've started a new thread called "Treks", my ride is posted there....

From Arnold, con't downhill to Avery, and take a right on Sheep Ranch rd. for an easy climb. When you start downhill, take the first right turn (this will still be Sheep Ranch rd....two warnings; first, Sheep Ranch turns into a one lane road with two way traffic, 2nd, there's a CHP officer who is a real jerk that patrols this area. He has written speeding tickets for rescue crews responding to fires or medical emergencies....) Sheep Ranch rd ends at the bottom of a hill, the Stop sign may, or may not be there. Turn right for another steep downhill run, then a climb out to the little burg of Sheep Ranch. Water can be had at the fire station. From Sheep Ranch con't to the next intersection (there's a CDF station on the left), turn left and drop down to Mountain Ranch (there's a small lumber yard on the left as you enter the town, a left turn here will take you to a small supermarket...) From Mountain Ranch con't west for about a mile or so. You'll see a sign for California Caverns, just follow the signs for the next several miles, you can't get lost (if electing to camp at the caverns, you'll need to make prior arrangements). From the caverns, double back, and continue about 5 miles west, the road will narrow like Sheep Ranch. The turn you want to make will be on the left, look for a small brown wooden shed that once was a bus stop. Follow this road to it's end, and turn left to the small village of Calaveritas. Cycle through the town, across the bridge, and up the hill to the stop sign. Turn right, and take a left on Dogtown rd. Dogtown will take you to Altaville, a small town above Angel Camp. Highway 4 will be almost directly across from Dogtown rd. Take 4 and follow the signs back to Oakdale, (Copperpolis has a small store should you need a break...) Con't south on this same road, past the Hershy Chocolate factory, and you'll end up back at the Fruit Yard....

...back on the bikes con't west to the next intersection (about a mile) and turn left, dropping down to Beaver Creek, and crossing over a small wooden bridge. Climb out to the South Grove parking lot, and back onto asphalt. Ignore the direction arrow (this is a jug handle turn to get traffic turned around) and cycle left for a short climb, followed by a rapid descent to the Stanislaus River. Across the bridge a 3 mile climb and a 2 mile downhill will take you to the kiosk at the Park's entrance. Ask for directions to Hike and Bike A and B (the camping here is pretty good, however a shower will cost .25 cents a minute for hot water, cold water is free). At the turn to Hike and Bike A and B is a latrine, go east about 25 to 30 yards to the trailhead, theres a lock gate on the right. Go around the gate, and cycle up the hill (dirt). At the T intersection turn right, and ride downhill to Moran rd. Turn right, Highway 4 is a very short distance, go left on 4 and drop down into the town of Arnold....

Bike Trek, part II From Beardsly it's best that I give a detail route discription...there is no such thing as a current map for this section due to logging companys cutting new roads.... At Beardsly Lake cross over the dam (camp sites ring the lake, you won't need a reservation, but you'll need a campfire permit) con't north, 52 will Y off to the left (52 will be an 8+ mile climb on a very narrow rode. Listen for Jake brakes and give the log trucks plenty of room. They won't be expecting riders...) Near the top, the road will level out a bit and swing more north. Watch the left side for a meadow, you're looking for a rather large and rusty contraption called a steam donkey. Go pass this meadow and take the first left (it'll be a dirt logging road). Con't climbing, this rd will take you to Camp John Mensinger (Greater Yosemite Area Council's camp). Con't north pass the camp and cycle to where the road ends at an intersection. Take the lower left rd (Ghrols Meadow, not the upper left that keeps on climbing). A note of caution, you'll have to cross two cattle guards. About 9 miles down is a nice waterfall on the right. You won't need to filter the water...it's good to drink as is. Con't to Skull Creek (you'll cross two small bridges. At Holman's crossing and on the right are two camp grounds, a lower, and an upper directly above the lower. The upper has access to a nice pool that's great for cooling off). At Holman's crossing turn left (you'll pass a small koral on the right)for an easy climb. This rd will end at another intersection, you'll know that you're nearing this intersection by another, but much larger koral on the right. At the intersection turn righ, and continue climbing for 1 mile to 4NY13 (I doubt that this marker will be there). You'll need to watch for a dirt rd that diagonals off to the left. If you start doing some serious down hilling, you've missed, go back and try again. On 4NY13 it'll get a bit rough, but stay the course, you'll soon come to locked Gate 7. Jump the gate (don't worry, the rangers will tell you the same) and welcome to the south grove of Big Trees State Park. Con't north to another intersection (the park's fire road)...go left. Shortly you'll be loosing elevation again, and here you need to be wee bit careful as the road has section buried deep with pumice. The worst is at Gate 9 through a downhill hairpin... At the small stream, and if you need water, the water here needs to be filtered. About 20 feet up, and on the right is the South Grove Trail, park the bikes and take a hike to see some really big tree....