Sunday, August 30
Looks like another beautiful day . . . .
The crew and I are walking up the road this morning from our camp on Badger Mountain in the Manti La-Sal National Forest east of Ephraim, Utah.
Reggie runs ahead. Bridget lags behind.
“Well, well, well. Seems like we have a problem up ahead.”
An aspen has fallen across the road.
Our camp is on a dead-end road. This is the only way out!
Hmm . . . I can’t drag the tree off the road. Both ends are between other trees.
We’re trapped!
“C’mon. Let’s keep going.” We step over the downed tree and continue walking the road.
Darn! Four years ago I was going to buy an axe and a saw and I didn’t. All these years camping in forests and I don’t have anything to cut up a tree in the road. Well, I’m not going to call anyone, not unless it becomes absolutely necessary. We can walk the main road and hail someone. I can always call the ranger down at the office in Ephraim.
I look around for good photos.
Oh, the sheep are grazing on the mountainside!
(See dots that look like tan rocks in the bottom of next photo.)
I wonder if the shepherds on horseback moved them across the road yesterday.
I zoom in on the sheep.
How nice that they have good forage.
The crew and I continue our walk.
“You’re doing great this morning, sweetie!” Bridget’s tail does a few happy spins, windmill fashion, as she catches up to Reggie and me.
We reach the top of a rise in the road.
“Oh my gosh, I don’t believe it!”
Let me set this up for you. We have camped on this forest road for a week. An entire week. No one has camped on this road during that time. We’ve been all by ourselves. Haven’t seen a ranger.
What do we come upon this morning?
The morning when we need help?
A travel trailer with a young couple standing by its door!
“Hi!” I call out as we walk over to them. “I’m camped up there. A tree fell and is blocking my only way to get out. Do you have a saw or an axe I could borrow?”
The man says, “I’ll come up there.”
I thank them and the crew and I walk back to where the aspen lies across the road.
Amazing! This tree doesn’t fall for the seven days we’re here. We’ve had rain and some wind. Last night it was calm. Yet that tree falls on the very same night the young couple park their camper on the mountain. And they park it on this forest road!
A few minutes pass and the young man and woman join us.
The man makes one cut with his saw . . .
Then he drags the top half of the tree out of the road. The young woman and I pick up the branches scattered about and toss them into the brush. Nobody says much.
Well, that problem didn’t last twenty minutes.
“Thank you very much. I think it’s time I bought myself a saw!”
rvsue
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First?!
YES! CONGRATULATIONS, DAWN!
You are not suppose to be commenting. You are taking a break, remember? A great positive post. Made me feel good that all went so well yesterday.
Good morning Miss Sue, have a wonderful day! Thanks for the new post.
I might actually be first. Glad it has been a quiet camp, yet with help when needed.
Sue a hacksaw is fine toothed for metal. You want a bow saw.
I’ve used them to cut wood. You’re right. They’re designed originally for metal. I’ll fix the post before I have several more comments here correcting me. Thanks.
That’s it for me! See ya’ later everybody!
It might take a tad longer to cut with a hacksaw but if it works for you that’s all that matters. Besides if I could get a young strong neighbor to help I would.
Hey Sue, I have the best little saw that I use on the farm. I got it at Lowes. It looks like a giant pocket knife. The handle is red and the blade is slightly curved, about 12 in long and SHARP! That saw would have made short work of that tree. The best thing (other than it’s sharpness) is that it folds up like a pocket knife when you are finished. No worries about it cutting anything or anybody you didn’t intend to cut. I throw it on my riding mower for cutting limbs and branches….ect. I think you would like it. “Interesting” how people show up at the right time and place….juuuust when you need them, huh? 😉 Have a great day!
When I look at picking up something new I ask myself 1. How often will I use it? 2. Do I really need it? 3. Where will I keep it?
That said I have a folding saw that I used for firewood. It stows with the other “emergency” tools I rarely use (but I have used them this year) like the folding shovel, tow strap and such.
Hi Sue,, Not a hack saw a regular saw would do greater cutting than a hacksaw,,,, a hack saw is used for metal,, that fellow probably only had a hacksaw, if he had a regular saw you’d be out and on your way in a jiffy minute,,, or use a tow strap or chain and pull it out of the way,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, funny how people let others know that they were there,, “is there anybody, Out There”?,, (Pink Floyd),,,,,,, Glad you 3 are FREE ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, me
The man who helped used a bow saw. It is used for the large limbs on a tree when pruning. But enough about saws.
Rusty, the tree was a long one and it was caught with trees on either side of the road so a chain could not pull it out.
I am a little ticked off that people cannot use the woods without carving their names in trees. Damned inconsiderate. Missy, enjoy your sabbatical…
Mama used to say…”Fool’s names like fool’s faces are often seen in public places.”
Cat Lady
You mean you never did any thing to leave your mark that you were there, a lover or something like that,, come on Jim fes up,,,
Or maybe one thought he was lost, so he marked the tree and then it became a fad,, now every one is telling their story of love or something of that nature,, to come back for a an-ner-vers-ity of 5 to 50 years to remember the past when it started,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I’ve marked a tree or more to fine my way back, to keep from getting lost,,, But you’ll never see my name or my AKA, jus a mark, my mark,,,,, probably gone by now, along the PCT,,,,,,,,,,, me
Sorry Jim, what I meant was if Sue was alone and she had a saw to cut with and a way to move the heavy stuff with,,,,,,,,,, me ,,, my mind and fingers aren’t workin’ together right today,,,,,,,,, me
Hey there Miss SUE!
Wow you sure are fortunate!!!
I gotta share my own ‘favorite saw’… the hubs and I have used this all over… and it really is sweet. We purchased our first one (we keep one in Moosee for the just in cases) in SF in a little back hole shop in Japan Town in SF. Back when you could still ‘carry weapons’ 🙂 It really is easy and is small… As an old woodstover, I still like an ax as well.
Gyokucho 770-3600 Razor Ryoba Saw with Blade
(I substituted one of my links, Barb. Hope it’s the right one. –Sue)
They range in prices as you can see… I always go middle of the road. We have given these as gifts for YEARS.
Sure am glad you got some rain. Had quite a storm here over the weekend. Whew. We are fine though.
Sending hugs and lots of gratitude for your new found friends!
Hugs from Hoquiam!
Barb
Thanks for the link, Barbara. I just ordered one for our coming trip to the mountains. Sue, your experience reminded me that the same could happen to us. We have a little hatchet but it would take a long time to back through a tree.
Another woodstover 😀
I carry a folding Sven Saw with me. It’s a tried and true design, and folds flat inside itself so the blade doesn’t hang out. Available on Amazon, of course!
Here’s the link. — Sue
Sven Saw 15in
Silky makes some really nice saws too, I see now.
PS: I carry the 15″ Sven Saw in my rig.
I also have the Sven saw. I had a giant tree branch fall in my yard during one of our Arizona storms a couple years ago. Instead of hiring the work done, I just sawed it all up with the Sven. Folds completely flat.
Sven Saw 21″
We have the Sven Saw and keep it in the back of our toad. It is just perfect for cutting smaller branches into firewood when we need it for campfires. It has paid for itself time and again in firewood. You must handle the blade part carefully and be sure it is in proper position when tightening it into place.
Good to know!
Hi Barb!! How are you doing? Your name comes up often when I am telling my shingles story 🙂 Think about you often. Did you see here that I finally met my Grand Daughter Nora? Way toooo cute and what a personality. Hope you are doing well. xxoo
I am so glad your shingles are over and that you are doing well! What did you finally use to ease the pain ?? It might help us if we ever find ourselves with shingles!
Good Morning! I am a consultant with a company called Nikken that sells magnetic items and nutritionals. I have a devise that is shaped like a very large egg that has revolving magnets in it (it plugs in…hooray for solar). I used that about 6 times a day and it took away 85% of the pain!! Thank heaven for Nikken!
Well, that is certainly something I have never heard of! I am very glad you found something that worked!
And I was prepared to add my location, but look! It’s already there. No worries over this again. LOL
Oh Sue — you little stinker you. I thought surely with that lead in that you were trapped with possibly a fire all around. Thank Heavens it was ONLY a tree. 😉 and how fortunate to have the young couple right where they were needed.
I have to say yet again, I LOVE your spot. BEE-U-TI-FUL!!!!
Gotta say it: Prayers for you work. God’s timing is perfect. That young couple may have needed a chance to help someone to make their day. Or may He is saying…Get yourself a saw Woman…I may not put a helpful couple in your path next time. Who knows?!!Just glad it all worked out.
Love you and Hugs to the 3 of you.
yep gotta have an axe or saw….both preferably…..I recently bought
me an axe that looks like a tomahawk and man is it ever sharp…
gotta be careful and not cut my foot off….
fallen trees across the road is common here at the house…I keep
a chain saw that i use 2 or 3 times a year….
maybe the fallen tree was telling you to stay a day or two more…:)
chuck
Wow – all sorts of serendipity in this post. A couple with a saw appearing just when needed and a tree down when you and the crew weren’t walking under it! May the blessings continue 🙂
That’s a first!!! In all my travels, I never had a tree blocking the road!! I did have a saw, though!!! LOL!!
Lynn, Baltimore MD
We have a bow saw and a small saw with a handle on it. We used to have a small hacket but it disappeared somewhere along the way. I think you have done remarkably well for never having camped before starting out on this adventure. Labor Day is this next weekend, everywhere that camping is possible will have people this weekend. Take care and you are always in my prayers.
It’s still a pretty camp, other than the names carved into the trees. The sheep will make short work of the understory, but they will leave very short remnants.
I’m glad you have a Greater Power (or luck if you prefer) on your side. For all the effort you make in avoiding people, they seem to show up when needed.
I couldn’t tell from the picture whether he used a hacksaw or a bow saw. A hacksaw come in handy for many small metal cutting jobs if you make life up as you go along. I think of things like the antenna support in this context. For wood, I’d probably get a folding saw, even though it would be a harder chore cutting a tree that size. The folding saw would come in handy for other jobs and would be far smaller to carry than a bow saw. I don’t know if someone makes a combination-type saw that takes both hacksaw blades and wood-cutting blades, but it seems a good idea right now.
Calvin R,,,, how do you feel about the mountain name change in Alaska?
I’m good with using Denali. It’s meaningful and goes back a lot further than McKinley. Besides, Ohio has produced several Presidents but none that did much good.
Sue, I cut and split 5 facecords of wood every year by hand.
The finest all purpose woodcutting saw is the Fanno Bullsaw.Have had it for 5 years and it will cut through anything that you encounter.Greatest saw ever.
Is this it? I searched Amazon for Fanno Bullsaw and nothing came up.
Fanno 22-1/2″ Pruning Saw
A pruning saw is what the man used Sue only his was the bow type. This one is better because it will cut through a thicker log. On the one he used once he cuts to the “bow” he cannot go deeper due to the bar not going through the saw kerf (width of saw cut).
In the case of your log it could not be turned over so if he had his bow saw and you had your saw you could cut through ANY size log. I hope that’s not too much information…
Jim,,, I have a Husky , SKU- 688-632, 15 in. Tool Box Saw, Aggressive 9 points Tri-Bevel tooth Design with of course a Ergonomic hardwood handle with a husky dog engraved on it along with the name,, HUSKY .. I love huskies,, ether the brand of saws or the dogs,,,,,,,,,, me
No, they make a Fanno Bullsaw(google it) #30.However, that pruning saw may be adequate for your needs.Bullsaw is heavier duty and will cut trees up to 16 inch diameter or so.Fanno makes a good saw.Will last forever.
Is this it?
http://www.fannosaw.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=36
Or this one which is sold by Amazon . . . 🙂
Fanno Tree Surgeons Saw – 22 Inch Cutting Blade
FYI-tree service,power and telephone companies use the 22′ one.Amazon’s price and shipping total for that is $22.00 less than same product at fanno.com site 🙂
the 22 incher looks pretty good.I use the 30 inch bullsaw noted above.Fanno makes a great blade.My buddy and I both own one and have never needed to sharpen yet.
OK, I guess we will all have our favorites. Mine would be a folding Sven Saw. I’ve had the same one for 30 years and it folds up in its own handle so it doesn’t catch on anything else and you can’t accidently cut yourself on it rootin’ around in the storage bin.
(Here’s my Amazon link for your Sven Saw. You and Pen -above- are both Sven fans. — Sue)
Sven Saw Folding Saw,21in Blade 21 UL-2
Gadget girl (me) is going to hang around you! Pretty nifty!
My brother has one like this and it is sure handy. The best part is that it’s collapsible so it hardly takes up any room at all. It also has three types of blade so it should be able to handle pretty much everything.
Outdoor Edge PS-100 Pak-Saw The Most Versatile and Compact 3-Blade Take-Down Saw Complete with Nylon Storage Case
(I replaced your link with one of my Amazon links. — Sue)
Sue, this looks like the best saw to have from what has been shown so far.
Thanks. See the one Mick suggests below.
Wow what a blessing that couple was! Yes get a saw! Guess that was a warning for you! Camp looks very nice.
Glad you were able to break the hold the forest had on you. Glad a tree didn’t fall on your trailer or van.
I like the looks of the saw that NV Teacher suggests….something we need to put in our RV also. Now that you’re in Utah, I have a question for you and your readers. Next year we are heading to Arizona then southern Utah — car trip only. My husband has serious high elevation issues (turns green, pops out in a sweat, etc.) especially on wicked roads. We’ve been told to forget Zion and Bryce because of the roads…is that true….or are there roads we can take to see a good portion of those parks. We also plan to do Arches, Capitol Reef….that circle but that looks to be a do-able drive. He’s only slightly better with me driving. A bummer, but a very real issue for him.
None of the roads that you would take are “wicked” all of them are common two or four lane roads. The highest elevation would be around 8,000′ which most people can tolerate for short periods even if they are subject to altitude sickness. That does not sound like what is happening with your husband however. It sounds like he has acrophobia which could be a problem on your planned trip.
Thanks, Ed. Do u think Arches area would be a problem?
The highest elevation in the Park is about 5,700′ so altitude sickness should not be a problem unless there are other health issues. The roads in the Park are two lane, slow speed – certainly nothing ‘wicked’.
You did not confirm, nor deny, that your husband suffers from acrophobia. If he does, then he may have a problem. The are overlooks that he might not be able to “overlook” without (turns green, pops out in a sweat, etc.) as you put it.
He doesn’t get altitude sickness, just has prob with heights. Mainly just wondering if we can see some of Zion and Bryce without getting on the high roads!
If my memory is correct regarding Zion…. I suggest entering Zion from the west end which is the low end. Then you can turn around if the road looks like it will go too high.
Thanks, Sue!
Not sure if your hubby has high blood pressure or not…but since I got it, some years back, the high altitude nearly lays me out…and if high enough (somewhere around 11,000 ft. or so when we went the “back way” from Nevada to see Yosemite one day)…I can barely breathe. My mom was the same way and she had the high blood pressure too. I do not remember such being a problem before I got that…so know it is possibly a physical symptom too.
He does have high blood pressure, but has always had a height problem.
Penny you need to be more specific so people know what you are talking about. I cannot go to any high altitude places because of health issues. “Height problem” does not tell anything. It sounds like you are saying your husband has a fear of heights. This is very different than a health issue.
He has a fear of heights…not a health prob or altitude sickness. Just mainly want to know about the roads in that area so we can decide to avoid the area or try it. Guess I can call the parks and talk to them.
If you want the best folding buck saw:
Bob Dustrude Quick Buck Saw (24″)
(This is one of my Amazon links. — Sue)
Read the reviews ….. Made in the USA!
Aw-w-w! I love rescue stories!Unforeseen adventure,someone in distress,a hero,cutest ever critters,beautiful pictures and a happy ending-this post has it all!
Thanks,Sue,you made my already really nice day even better 🙂 The couple walked away feeling great about themselves and each other,and you did with a new appreciation of an open road in front of you.Hopefully,you know me well enough to not consider me heartless when you read this.I awakened this morning with a full awareness of how free and good it feels to not worry every moment and plan every move and decision around the needs of an ailing beloved friend the way I had been for so long.
To every thing there is a season,and a time to every purpose under the heaven…lovely to watch that be true and beautiful for us both.
I get it Weather, as I am on that one way road now. Bless you. Keep on moving toward freedom.
Oh Shirlene…huge hugs,to you and your loved ones.I guess you know that if my wishes were cures you wouldn’t have burdens or worries.I’ll just add that as we both move toward freedom it’s a blessing to have you doing it “with me”.
🙂
Hi, weather . .. It’s natural to feel relief. I felt that way, too. I hope your “really nice day” continues to be so.
Whoo-hoo, another bright spot-thank you,Sue,for interrupting your mini-vacation from replies to express understanding and a sweet wish for my day 🙂 !
Hoping dear Weather is “weathering her storm” of recent days, well enough…life being what it is and all. Been thinking of you…
well enough to feel Love in the Wind
(and in a such a sweet note,thanks 🙂 )
That tree sure looked healthy to have just happened to fall over perfectly across the road. I wonder what caused it to fall. Did you happen to see the base of the tree and see what perhaps caused it to fall. If it had been sawed at the base, hmmmm. Makes me think someone may have done it on purpose.
No, I didn’t look at the base. I don’t think it was cut. Aspens fall over and when you look at the base you see a mass with short roots where it was connected to the “web” of other aspens.
A reader recently warned me about aspens falling over. (Sorry I don’t remember who that was.) You can see another example of a healthy-looking aspen that fell — the last photo before my name.
Sue,
I must admit I thought you were trapped by the cows, the sheep, the fires, who knows what? But a TREE?! Never crossed my mind and to think you didn’t have a saw. Well, that just doesn’t compute!
Baggs the question, “So WHAT ELSE do YOU NOT HAVE with you that YOU NEED to have with you?”
…making a check list for Sue’s survival box now.
including: One Young Couple with saw at the ready 🙂 Check.
Am I razzing you? Yep, just a little, it makes you so *HUMAN*. So less perfect… And we love that about you!!! 🙂
Good day Miss Sue, your pictures keep getting better and better. You make me feel like I am there or want to be there! In one pic Reggie looks like he has a branch in his mouth like he is going to move that tree himself. There is definitely someone higher watching over you, that a couple were there right when you needed someone! The trees are beautiful, to bad people felt the need to carve on them. Have a great week, God bless!
So many “best” saws! Why is there never a beaver when you need one?
Lol. John that’s funny. A recent rise in the river here brought a small tree down in our grandsons swimming hole. The boys were understandingly upset with the treetop taking up so much room. Then shook up when he swung out on the rope and dropped on , yes, a beaver. It’s huge grandma. I also warned that any animal when cornered could be vicious. And look those teeth Yes for cutting down trees.
because all the beavers are out playing pee-wee football.
The Beavers VS The Badgers
This Saturday at the local sports park. 🙂
Thanks, Big. I turned your link into one of mine.
Bahco 396-LAP Laplander Folding Saw, 9-Inch Blade, 7 TPI
Fine for very small branches, I have one, but no good when it comes to large logs.
Acres and acres of land and it just had to land across the road. Someone’s looking out for you! Thank you fellow camper for clearing the way.
I would recommend a saw over a hatchet/axe. Too strenuous to swing the 5 lb tool! Looks like you have many types to pick from.
Enjoy.
Now, if someone were to buy an axe and saw for you via your Amazon link, you’d have the tools and the commission as well.
And you should get a knife just to carve your and the crew’s names on the aspens.
I guess I am one of the few that does not have a recommendation for what saw you should buy. I may be the only one that does not think you need to buy any saw. You went over 4 years without one. Then you have a need for one but your first reaction was “We can walk the main road and hail someone. I can always call the ranger down at the office in Ephraim”.
As luck would have it there was help close at hand and you probably got it removed faster than you would have IF you had a saw. There would have been all that time spent looking for where you put the saw and then the time that it would have taken you to cut it yourself. Maybe more than one cut because you had help moving the tree after just one cut. I rest my case – you do not need a saw.
Heh…no Ed, I have no recommendation either…and I suspect that many others do not as well…but generally we don’t say much unless we do…so if we are not on here, probably we have nothing to offer or suggest…just sayin…
Very true. No absolute need. But she might want one anyway. My Sven stows in a corner of the closet (it’s the size of about half a yardstick) and I know where it is. Not that I’m a die-hard Sven fan, but they work and I have one. Other saws are great as well. Maybe I’ll be able to help someone else (or myself) out some day.
10-to-1 sue buys a saw. She likes to be prepared.
Well Sue…so glad you had such timely assistance and are no longer trapped in the forest!
I posted the story I promised about Max The Moocher on your previous post ” The Hillbillies Go To Town”, so anyone who wants to read it can find it there.
Hope it brings a smile to your face,
CateW
Great story Kate.
Thanks. 🙂
Sue, your arm will not be sore from sawing that tree. Thanks, campers for your good deed.
Hummmmmmm, freshly back from a supply run to Walmart, full water jugs, beautiful campsite with no one around, good cell signal, two adorable crew members for company
I think I would have been very tempted to put my feet up for a few days and when the Ranger came to remind me of the 16 day limit I would just ask if she happened to have a chain saw with her. 🙂
So glad you had help when you needed it!
And yep, we made it to Old Faithful and home without any issues! We had the time of our lives, we could so do this full time!
We started our drive in Yellowstone when the guy in front of us slams on his breaks and jumps out of the car, with camera in hand. I notice cars in both directions stopping and getting out. Way across the field is a huge grizzley bear tearing at a log.
Kept my distance from the car in front of us after that. Folks were getting right up close to the buffalo. I wanted to yell they are wild and will attack. But, just kept driving.
Spade was super good at Old Faithful, and hubby only got stuck in the wheelchair once going across the street and the folks behind us helped me to lift his chair out of the dip in the road.
Thank you for all your advice, it made our trip so much more enjoyable.
You’re welcome, Michelle, although I did very little. You both made this happen.
I’m am so happy for both of you! I wanted very much for your first big trip to be a success, so much that a lump formed in my throat reading your report. It sounds like you had a very “Yellowstone experience” with grizzly and bison and Old Faithful. Wonderful!
You did it! Thank you for telling us about it.
Best wishes to you and your husband as you dream and plan your next adventure. 🙂
Sue,
In this post and the last post I really enjoyed seeing the tree carvings. I KNOW, cutting on trees is not always a good thing. But still…it will always be an imperfect world and trees have been used as markers since the beginning of time. Seeing those photos of the names is like the forest’s way tell us about the many people who pass through. I think it is interesting to see them. I have NOT ever carved on a tree but I admit I have been tempted to…in my younger days.
When we were young…we would not have thought that such a bad thing really. Though I was not part of any such…still it was considered rather romantic and all…
What a nice young couple to help get the road open. Restores some faith in humanity after all the bad news reports this past week. I love the photos. The sheep are so cute.
My favorite picture is the last one of Bridget sitting by the tree. I got tickled as Angel sat down exactly like that on her walk this evening. We passed one of our neighbors with her Maltese on our walk, going in the opposite. Angel picked up her scent and after a about 15 feet, she just stopped walking, when I turned, she had just sat down in the grass to wait for them to come back. My “Funny Girl,” always gives me a laugh.
So with Sue on vacation today might be a good time to share a story.
Like so many other folks here I am in the “gettin’ ready” phase to go full timing. (only 1792 days to go! ) In the past I have mentioned here that one of the big challenges for me is to let go of my extensive book collection. Lots of emotions involved in this but in the past year my 2000+ books have been reduced to a few hundred.
So, in my neighborhood every few blocks there are these little “leave a book / take a book” stands that people put in their front yards. Kind of like big bird houses with a door where you can leave books and your neighbors can take one for free if they want one. Well. a couple of weeks ago as part of my “do a little bit every week” strategy I decided that I would take 2 or 3 books out every time I walk Dexter and drop them in said boxes.
So this evening Kelly comes back from walking the dog and announces proudly. “You’re going to love me, look what I found in the free library box for you.” She proudly walks into the living room and presents me with her found treasures. One book on Frank Lloyd Wright designed furniture and one book of Ansel Adams photography of the West. You can guess who put them in the box of course. 🙂
It was so sweet that she was thinking of me and she seemed so honestly happy to have found these treasures knowing that they were just the kind of book I would love. All I could do was smile, thank her and give her a kiss.
Well, tomorrow is day 1791. Guess I’ll have to find another way to keep moving forward.
Rick, that is a delightful story. How sweet of you not to let on. We have one of those little libraries on our road too, great idea and they do look so cute all painted up.
Hey Rick, what sweet jesters on the part of your wife and you t0 be gracious with her gift to you. If you have a local library, they are usually open to any donations of good books. Just from the titles you mentioned, It sounds like your collection is good quality books. Also, our local library has a “Friends of the Library” group that accepts donations and each quarter they have a sale to raise money for the library to keep new books coming in, upgrades to the computer resources etc. We have an outstanding library here. Online books, free classes on various subjects, including genealogy, photography, computers, etc. Sorry got carried away. Anyway, you might check with your local library. Just a thought.
One more thought. Am I the only one who gets a little bit wistful when they see a name carved in an Aspen tree?
No….me, too.
Me too. I always stop and take a mental note of the carvings. It’s like a time capsule in a way. I wonder, too, about their journey. Did they make it where they hoped to go? Was their journey a good one for them? All the stuff that carved names brings to mind…years later, after the journey has ended.
No….
Kil Roy was here! Seen through out Europe during WW II. Some one who left his mark in history.
This easy to swing tool will get you through the jungle and keep the tigers at bay. A short blade has lots of advantages.
Tramontina 12″ Machete with Wooden Handle
(The link is one of my Amazon links. — Sue)
18 inch Ontario knife machete is light and can do just about anything as far as wood trimming goes .
Ontario Knife Field Machete, 18 in., Black 8515
I was the one warning about the aspens falling.
Ron
I thought it was you, Ron…. I was too lazy to hunt for the comment. Thank you. I don’t plan on camping under aspens again, not close like I am at this camp.
“=========” and the rest of you — you should be ashamed of yourselves! How would you like it if someone carved their name on YOUR trunk?
Some would argue that =========== was simply exercising his right of passage. A youthful display like the thousands and thousands before him…and after him. I wouldn’t do it but I can’t find fault with him for doing it. In the whole world of *foolish* things we all have done, his *foolishness* is *small change*…
I look at a tree as a wonder, a joy to shade you on a hot day, an escape for squirrels to hide in, the gentle soundmaker in the breeze. When I see someone deface it with their primitive cuts it only serves to reflect how little some care for leaving beauty as it is unadorned with the trash man needs to spew. If we all carved on trees, I wonder how the defenders of these carvers would like what the results look like.
You do remember that there is a tree in Wyoming that has “Spike” carved on it, don’t you.
I do, but that is not just a “Graffiti” type carving like we see on these trees. Spikes marker is appropriate. If that makes me a hypocrite then so be it Alan.
That is a gravesite, and marked that makes it a sacred ground. It’s not mindless destruction.
Why is it when Sue goes on vacation things always seem to get *extreme*? Geez, it’s a carving on a tree. It’s not like a 22 penny nail driven into it just to hang a latern…which you regularly see all the time. Besides, for all we know it could have been their way of marking their trail so they could find their way back again. Who knows? I, for one, don’t care! I liked seeing it. So, if that is the worst thing the poor guy does in life, he’s better than I am. HA!
Ah, all’s well that ends well. Glad you did not get hit by a falling tree!!
Me?! I’m too mean to have a tree fall on me. 🙂 Ha! I’d be more likely to have a tree crash down from cows or horses rubbing on it too often. Not from a few names carved into it. But that’s just me, others may disagree and mostlikely have.
…in good humor, just messin’ with ya now 🙂 I only tease people I like.
Seriously, Sue is very lucky about those trees. Every year we lose way too many Law Enforcement Officers to falling trees during and after a storm. One tree falls and while clearing it another one falls…or the police wrecks from downed trees. The stats are really surprising, and always sad. It’s one of those Line-Of-Duty or On-Duty deaths you really don’t think about until it happens. Beautiful as trees are, they are a real force of nature.
Nat Hazards (2009) 50:13–25
DOI 10.1007/s11069-008-9314-7
Human fatalities from wind-related tree failures in the United States, 1995–2007 by Thomas W. Schmidlin.
In his published paper he claims there were 407 deaths as a result of fallen trees during that period. The good news is that only 3 of them occurred in Utah and none of the states where Sue travels ranks in the top 15.
That makes her odds of dying from a falling tree about the same as from a venomous snake bite and less than being struck by lightning. Good new indeed!
Haha! Maybe we could have a contest!
How will RVSue buy the farm? LOL!
Oh NO! That *farm* is not for sale yet, not for a long time!!! Girl, you will be boondockin’ well into your 90s! If anyone has the odds to do that, you are a sure-fired to be the WINNER 🙂
No contest, you would win hands down 🙂
Although the odds are rare of dying this way, it does happen. My cousin’s wife was driving her pickup on a county road in Texas, when a huge limb fell off a tree by the road trapping her in the truck. They needed the jaws of life to get her out, and she was rushed to the hospital. After several surgeries and 100 days in the ICU, my cousin “pulled the plug”. It was heartwrenching for the entire family, and he is still devastated.
I know 2 other people who have also been injured severely by falling trees. The danger is real and should not be taken lightly.
Our daughter here in Seattle area was quite shaken as a man was killed while walking near to where they were one day…a tree fell on him. It can happen. And some types of trees are more hazardous than others…aspens maybe…hemlocks for sure…and when you live where many tall trees are, I suppose the odds go up a bit. While one cannot prevent all problems in life…in some cases, such as not parking under certain trees, just to up the odds in one’s favor…maybe is a good thing eh??
I have to question if the stats would be vastly different if they included all the trees that fall on *real houses* or *real stuctures*. Structures that are far more re-enforced than any of our RVs are? During bad storms most people head to their basements or the likes. RVers don’t have that option when deep in the forests. I can’t help but feel that falling trees are a very real danger to RVers. Like being struck by lightning…the chances are slim…but I still don’t stand out there during a storm with a metal rod in my hand. If a storm looks like it’s going to be bad and I’m under trees, I move. Our marina makes people move if there are straighline winds coming our way from over the lake. Our marina has been hit too many times not to move. Georgia and pine trees in a strom are not a good mix. The remodeling stormchases love us!
Phew! So glad it wasn’t worse when I read the title and thought of you trapped. After I read that no possessions or peoples (regardless of how many feet, er paws they have) were hurt, then I relaxed and wondered… So how is serendipity going to work this out? BTW, you sure do keep your guardian angels busy! I bet they, yes plural, are just as happy as you are when you hang out at camp. I can just hear ’em..”oh phew, she’s staying in one place for awhile. They rest of you take a break while the two of us keep watch. (sighs of relief as multiple wings fold)”
Anyway, another grateful happy ending and a saw lesson included. I love this blog and everything about it. Well time for me to pull up my socks and get rolling, see ya later friends.
Glad the tree problem worked out well. People don’t realize how heavy trees (and tree branches, for that matter) are. I had a partial one fall on my house, and I had to get three helpers to get rid of it. Love them, and I’m glad I live in an area with lots of them…but they can be really scary. Love the final picture of Bridget sitting on her butt like a little ol’ lady. 🙂
The air is so still sounds are easily heard,morning dew lingers on flowers,mist on the lake stays in place -it’s edges turned sky blue with sunrise.Singing,or whistling,three pretty notes from a grove of trees some creature snapped one twig then was quiet .I liked the tune it added to morning song yet don’t recognize it.I wonder if you ever solved the mystery in your forest you mentioned to me on The beauty of Badger Mountain post.
Good morning ,Sue,I hope you and Bridget are also enjoying meandering through your trails and hours,and that Reggie is enjoying zooming along.
You know what I have learned from you Weather? To stop, look and really,listen to whatever environment I am in, thank you my dear….
Ditto!!! Not all the way there yet…thank you Weather 🙂
Ni-i-ice,Lee J and Krystina-it sounds as if you are enjoying more…
picturing and knowing that makes me glad,for you and myself.
Sheep, shepherds and guardian angels, sounds like you’re having a heavenly time!
I’m absolutely loving your visit among the aspens. Beautiful blues, greens and whites. Crisp and clean forest.
Another great and very helpful post. With all tent camping I often think of having a saw (chain saw would be nice) and not only because of fallen trees but also in Shoshone NF and some other forest you’re allowed to collect (and cut to more manageable pieces) all down trees for your camp fire. I kind of like Sven folding saw but how big trees can be cut with thins little saw?
Because the Sven folding saw is shaped as a triangle the blade can only cut a bit before it’s top parts get in the way.Then one would have to roll the tree/branch to continue.For the use you mention the Fanno 22″ suggested would work well,make the job easier and faster.Another advantage to that one is that it cuts on the forward stroke.Ones that cut when you pull back as well make for very strenuous work in my experience.
later-oops, didn’t answer to your question.I’d with the Sven 21″ by rolling it a 12″in diameter tree could be cut,left in place 6″ tree. The 15′ blade one would work on one 9″ in diameter if rolled,left in place 4 and a half “.
meant I’d estimate with
The nice thing about the Sven is that it folds down to just about the size of a thick yardstick (only much shorter). The blade is then totally encased in the package. So it can be carried in a pack, stuffed in a duffle bag or closet, and no problem reaching in for it — no saw teeth are exposed.
The Fanno looks like a great saw, but it’s “set up” more like a common hand saw. What I mean is that it’s a much bigger/more awkward shape for stowing, and the teeth are left exposed. You could make some sort of guard or case, but it’s still a “saw shape” due to the handle, deeper blade, etc.
There are some other style folding saws where the blade folds into the handle like a giant pocketknife (Silky, etc.). Those don’t have the triangle “issue,” nor the “big shape” or exposed tooth issue. On the other hand the blade can bend as you saw, whereas the frame of a Sven holds it stiff. There are also saws somewhat like the Sven but with a more rectangular “hoop” so no triangle.
I see tons of great saws in this comments section, but just wanted to comment on the comparison of the Fanno and the Sven since stowage and “digging for” is often a consideration when RV-ing/camping/hiking.
So many saws! So many wood chips to smell wonderful.
Enjoy your blog RVSue, but I have one suggestion. You need to revise the spelling of “crew” to ‘Crue”, I think “RVSue and her Canine Crue” has a nice look to it and furher respects your name “Sue”. Been done before, you know. Remember the band “Motley Crue” ? Rock on Sue!
Just a note: Clicking on the link of your name brings up a warning of a “possible phishing” site in my browser. Not sure if that’s accurate or not, but figured I’d mention it.
PS: I heartily support “crew.”
It sent me to my email. Something is wrong.
Happy Tuesday Everyone!
I am at a loss as to what to do for the upcoming three day holiday weekend…
I seem to have misplaced my Mojo.
Hubby asks, “So what and Where are we heading to this weekend?”
Years ago I was crowned the *Cruise Director* of our adventures… A title that I have tried to pass back to him without luck.
So, I am surfing the web at the last minute trying to secure our next outing location. Maybe the USAF museum in Huntsville, AL. Outside stuff in the morning, inside stuff in the afternoon, dry camp in the evening…the weather sounds like a late afternoon or evening thunderstorm is possible. Oh goodie. See, told you my mojo was misplaced. Where I want to be is the ocean. I’m having a hard go of being away from it. I need more than a three day weekend…I NEED a Vacation, a real vacation! No dog, no cats, no heavy cooking, no extra people around. 5 good hours of driving and I could be there! But what would Klemper and the critters do? So I drag on, surfing to find something of interest to sorta-replace my need for the beach…
Being a Cruise Director is hard work, sometimes. This is one of those times! Oh well, the labors of Labor Day! I will survive it.
As for You and Yours…Hope whatever you have planned brings you a safe and happy holiday. May you have fun and find yourself home safely again. Topped off by a fine meal and well rested.
“What would Klemper and the critters do?” Heat up leftovers, pick up a pizza, or make a pb&j or mac and cheese! LOL! (And appreciate you even more when you get home!) Just kidding, Pamela,…I know he does just fine when you take solo trips in your van. Sounds like you need a beach fix, girl! I know the feeling, but cannot dip my toes in the sand and surf right now for other reasons. So….I go back to Emerald Isle NC in my mind. This is where I vacationed last year….beautiful, peaceful, non-commercialized…bliss! 🙂
Hope you all enjoy wherever your travels take you this weekend! Be safe! I will be staying close to home, enjoying the time off! 🙂
…sand and surf right now, either. Wow…auto correct really did a number on that!
Yep,
Klemper and the critters would do fine while I was away. Sadly he only gets a three day weekend once in a blue moon. There in lies the rub. I hate to just go to the beach and have him fend for himself, especially since this is his mini-vacation too.
I think we might go to the Blue Ridge Mountains, now that I have had a few minutes to think more about it. Maybe see some of the AT tailheads while there. I don’t think hiking is such a good idea with the possible scattered storms so will forego that for another time. Dropping down into Helen for a quick walk trough might be nice. Will have to see how many *people* are there this holiday. Dang, the mountains are sure a long cry from the beach, lol. I wonder if wearing my flipflops will only be suitable for bed slippers… HA! And I guess any *sand* I see will be found in a jar from ocean visits past 🙁 I know, I am so soiled 🙂 But Blessed 🙂
You have a fine holiday too. Regardless of where you go, ENJOY!
SOILED???? !!!!
Dang this cursor !!!!! Always skips keys and it happens a lot lately.
Sharing some PIZZA with klemper sounds pretty good right about now! We make a pretty good team.
That alone is enough to make me forego the beach this weekend… 🙂
Yes, I am SPOILED.
Pamela,
Where are you located again? I get the blogorino locations mixed up.
near the Atlanta metro.
We did the Blueridge last summer, focusing on the Asheville area. The Folk Art center there is amaaaazing! Loved the whole area, really. Plus…it’s probably cooler than the beach.
Thanks! I talked to Klemper last night and he thinks The Blue Ridge would be a great choice. Since Klemper is German-American, he thought a stop by Helen Ga would be fun. Helen, it’s such a toursist trap but fun to have a look anyway 🙂 The folk art fest sounds super! Love those. I grew up in WV so the folk art fests are a huge part of my own cultural heritage. They always hold a special place in my heart 🙂
Cate W,
Just read your “Max, the Moocher” story. That was too funny! Being Catholic, I guess that really made it pretty hysterical. Did you see my Angel story earlier in this post?
Speaking of cats, before Pompeii passed, we used to call him alarm clock for attention. He would sleep for exactly 1hour, come out for 15 minutes of petting, goe back to sleep for another hour and come back for 15 minutes of petting. The crazy cat would do this all morning, take a food and potty break and start all over again in the afternoon. I kid you not, we could set a clock by him. My husband says I really know how to pick out unusual animals.
Hello to Sue and my fellow blogorinos!
Hope Sue and the Crew are relaxing and enjoying a break from the blog. You know that Bridget and Reggie are not complaining….more Mom time!
Looks like Fall is just around the corner. Walking around my yard tonight, I noticed the burning bushes are starting to have a faint red tint to their leaves. My Autumn Clematis is blooming, with it’s sweet, white flowers. A large hardwood tree in the backyard (not sure what it is) has leaves of gold. I love the Fall season…colorful mums and leaves, pumpkins, gourds, and Indian corn.
Cinandjules mentioned a couple weeks ago that the ferns on their property were starting to turn brown – a sure sign of Fall. Any signs of Fall in your neck of the woods?
Have a great evening! 🙂
Our highs are dropping from 90 to 88. That is the beginning of fall in South East Florida. I never saw frost until I was 27 and had no idea what fall, winter and spring were…only summer.
Sounds like a cold snap! 🙂
Yes, Denise, it’s fall in So. Cal. all right! It’s 82 instead of 92!
Ten degrees can make a huge difference! 🙂
Cool, Cloudy and Rainy here, Denise…so yep Fall has likely come here in Seattle area. But that is the usual in these parts. I love this time of year. And the Fall we lived in your area, I loved so much too…the colors were great that year!! That was Fall 2012.
If memory serves, the Fall color was spectacular that year! 🙂
We thought so!
No parking places, trash piles 4 feet high on the curbs, kids walking around staring up at any building more than 6 stories high, parents looking a little sad as they drive the wrong way on our umpteen one way streets. 🙂
Ahhhhh, life in a collage town.
Damn I hate spell check!!!!
That was actually a verbal collage of life in a COLLEGE town. 🙂
LOL!
Sounds like downtown Richmond….home to Virginia Commonwealth University. I can relate….VCU students came back last week. Traffic comgestion, “kids” walking out in front of cars, not looking, and then there are the students on skateboards! Extra alertness when driving through the area is a must! 🙂
Spell check struck me, too! Congestion, not comgestion!
lol
I’m especially fond of the kids on skateboards going the wrong way on a one way street while texting on their phones. 🙂
This story reminds me of a dark and stormy night driving up a 1 mile road and there were cars coming down. Then suddenly near the top a giant cedar was across the road right in front of my car!!
Love your blog, Sue
Going somewhere where the fall colors will show?
Lucky us we are going to Alaska to be on a 77 passenger ship for a week….:))
I think you carry with you something more useful than an axe or a saw. Your ability to assess a problem and know that a solution exists. With the Labor Day weekend coming up, I might have left the tree where it was 🙂 Love how fresh your area looks with all the green and white, it’s just so pretty there. Nice of the young guy to help you out, and as Weather said, I’m sure it made his day to be able to help (big points with the girlfriend didn’t hurt).
I love the last photo you posted where Bridget was sitting next to the tree. I’m a kayaker and encounter so many downed trees on the rivers. We girls are always out sawing them, of all sizes. We all carry the 12″ toothy blade, folding saws. I always mention it when I post, but THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing your travels with us. I live in a beautiful place in Manitowish Waters, WI, but there’s nothing like the mountains. We used to live in California and miss those views.