Reflecting on the past year

MOSES LAKE - The past 364 days have been great with many outdoor-related opportunities presented and many acted upon. It's time to reflect a bit.

There is only one small regret; Garnet and I didn't go turkey hunting. It is on our want-to-do list for next year during the fall hunt. We have been avoiding the spring hunt, because neither one of us enjoys the feeling of a tick or two crawling around on us.

Cougars and bears and ticks...oh my...

A couple of years ago, I went for a walk with the intent of fishing Frenchman's Wasteway while we were camping at Potholes State Park. The wasteway is similar to a fast moving river for some distance before it enters Potholes Reservoir. The walk required travel through sagebrush to and from the stream. I didn't have any luck and returned to the travel trailer a couple of hours later.

Garnet noticed the first tick crawling on my shirt and then we found another and another. At this point Garnet sent me to the public shower with a change of clothing. In all 22 ticks were counted in different areas of my clothing.

I can withstand a bunch of outdoor conditions and wildlife, but avoiding ticks is a big priority. Rattlesnakes don't bother me. I've moved or killed a bunch of them. Cougars and bears don't scare me, because of being prepared with equal or more power in dealing with an encounter. These days, an encounter is possible about anywhere in the Columbia Basin and throughout most of Washington State.

Camp Sherman

We were invited to the Camp Sherman and Metolius River area of central Oregon to experience the area. It was a two-night trip, with driving one day, spending the night, looking the area over the next day, spending a second night and driving home the third day.

The area was beautiful with lots of outdoor activities available. The trouble is, one full day is not enough time to experience much of what is at hand. Another Camp Sherman trip is on our want-to-do list. I intend to continue to inform readers about interesting places to visit in the Pacific Northwest.

Ted Nugent

We enjoyed a visit, for an hour or so, with outdoorsman and Rock 'n' Roll Legend Ted Nugent. Such an opportunity will never be ignored. Our next chance to see Ted is at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas next month. Trouble is, during such a big show, Ted is usually so busy he doesn't have time to visit with friends.

Trailer camping

Garnet and I spent more nights in our new Hideout travel trailer than in previous years, logging around 30 nights total. Larger holding tanks allowed us to dry camp at Martha Lake for several days during the March first opener. We also spent several days at Blue Lake for the general lowland lake opener.

Garnet had been shy about dry camping before this year, but with a little coaxing, she did just fine. A Honda EU2000iA generator provided power and we are considering purchasing the EU2000iA Companion for even more power. When these generators are hooked together, we should have enough power to run everything in the trailer, although the air conditioner is questionable. More days of dry camping are on our want-to-do list for next year.

We also spend a few nights at a friend's goat farm near Davenport. This is not completely dry camping, as water and electricity hookups are available.

As readers might suspect, we haven't traveled far from home with the travel trailer. We have yet to prove the theory, but we figure it is more cost effective to stay in a motel after traveling a certain distance. Of course the number of day away from home also figures into the equation. Readers can expect a story or two about this very course of action.

Our favorite place to camp has been Potholes State Park, Space 23. This spot is exactly 23 miles from our home driveway. This is close enough to make a trip home each day if necessary. During one trip to Potholes, we did drive home each day because of prior commitments. This didn't bother me one bit, as we have friends who live near the park and they drive to Moses Lake each day because of work or school.

More trips to the state park are on our want-to-do list. In fact, we already have reservations for two trips. But we also want to camp at Sun Lakes State Park and Steamboat Rock State Park. I suspect we will continue to expand our camping distance with the new trailer.

In the future

This column will continue to encourage readers to get out of the house and into the great outdoors. If you already spend a good deal of time outside your front door, take someone with you who has yet to enjoy outdoor experiences.

We are not just talking about hunting and fishing, but also hiking, outdoor cooking, wildlife viewing, tent camping, day trips, RV camping and crayfishing. But there is also ... Well so much more. I stand committed to help readers learn about and experience as many outdoor opportunities as possible.

We have one day to go and 2010 is over. If the weather cooperates, there is a chance for an elk hunt near Ellensburg.

Happy New Year to all. Come on 2011, I'm ready for ya.