After Pastor Bill Robertson drove me up to my campsite in York Gulch on Tuesday, I worked on the cabin and then set up my tipi and camp fire.. I've got 2 cabin log walls almost completed with the south and north walls yet to go.
I scoured the forest floor at Joe Eaton's mine claim which was originally patented in the 19th Century picking up and dragging dead logs and pulling down dead trees that are still standing. I'm using only a few live trees, aspens mostly.
It was difficult setting up my tarpaulin tipi Tuesday afternoon with winds at around 20 miles per hour which made this chore disagreeable with the tarp skin flapping around. The tripod structure was already lashed and all I had to do is place the other 5 poles into position and then tie them to the tripod. Then comes the tarps which act as the skin. That part of the project is difficult because the tarps are rectangular and the tipi is conical. And, when you add wind speeds at 20 mph and gusts of 30-40 mph it becomes a time consuming and frustrating job.
Afterwards, got a working fire going to provide a bit of warmth and to make coffee.
For my tipi floor I layed down a tarp then place a large piece of foam on top then some pine boughs and lastly a propelyn pad.
Tuesday night was bitterly cold never getting above 25 degrees. My sleeping bags were damp due to the high humidity, so I placed a couple of candles in metal cans for some warmth but they both died out after 2 hrs and wouldn't re-light.
The high winds completely died out after 3 hrs making it a bit less cold inside the tipi.
At about 10pm a barred owl started trilling, Hoo-Hoo, Hoo-Hoo, perched somewhere in a small grove of ponderosa pine about 50 yards off to the northwest.
Later, I was awakened to a strange animal screaming out in the early darkest part of morning before dawn echoing through the valley inspiring the local collection of neighborhood dogs and coyotes to howl intermittently. Could have been a mountain lion or a bobcat.
The following morning I hightailed it up back to my cabin site. As I was dragging dead logs 2 dogs suddenly sprang out of a thick stand of spruce from the southeast charging me. One was a Rottweiler the other a Pit Bull mixed. I threw some left over hot dogs in their general direction in a feeble attempt at an appeasement. It worked somewhat for the Pit but not the Rot. However, after an hour they both ran off.
They distracted me from my work because each time I turned my back to drag off more logs they came charging again.
Joe Eaton, told me they have harassed him, his wife and daughter. So, instead of being worried about marauding bears it's dogs I have to be concerned about up there.
Well anyway, I did make some progress whereby 2 walls are now almost finished.
I'm in town today to attend church at Neighborhood Church then Sunday I'm dog sitting for Pastor Bill. Tomorrow, Friday, I'll trudge back up and work through Saturday. Then, I'll hike the 6 miles back to town Saturday afternoon so I can attend First Baptist on Sunday. Monday early morning I'll tramp back up to York Gulch and continue working on the cabin.
Hopefully, I'll be able to complete the cabin on or before Christmas.
Yesterday, Wednesday I had my regular Wednesday night supper at the Blackwells. Jerry Hanke attended as well. Then, we all drove over to First Baptist and got into the Book of Revelation taught by Pastor Dawit.
Today, Thursday, is my food pantry day and as I pen this article glancing at the clock I just now became aware of my hour and half wait at Loaves and Fishes to pick out my food items. My supplies have dwindled so I'll be replenishing my foodstores which I'll haul up to York Gulch.
This journey of mine is teaching me many lessons including detachment of material things and even people. With people it doesn't mean I love them less, but now I've learned to hold on to them less tightly bringing me peace and contentment. No drama. Well...gotta go now.
In the meantime, take care and we'll talk to you later. God's peace and grace to you!
BR Schoenbein
December 3, 2015- Thursday
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